I was wondering what is with the having to get a passport to drive as a tourist over the border of mexico ?

Answer 1

New Requirements for Travelers


The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires that by January 1, 2008, travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada have a passport or other secure, accepted document to enter or re-enter the United States. In order to facilitate the implementation of this requirement, the Administration is proposing to complete it in phases following a proposed timeline, which will be published in the Federal Register in the near future.

In the proposed implementation plan, which is subject to a period of initial public comment, the Initiative will be rolled out in phases, providing as much advance notice as possible to the affected public to enable them to meet the terms of the new guidelines. The proposed timeline will be as follows:

January 8, 2007 - Requirement applied to all air and sea travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.
January 1, 2008 - Requirement extended to all land border crossings as well as air and sea travel.
This is a change from prior travel requirements and will affect all United States citizens entering the United States from countries within the Western Hemisphere who do not currently possess valid passports. This new requirement will also affect certain foreign nationals who currently are not required to present a passport to travel to the United States. Most Canadian citizens, citizens of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda, and to a lesser degree, Mexican citizens will be affected by the implementation of this requirement.


Frequently Asked Questions about the New Travel Initiative Requirements (FAQs)
Press Release: Passport Requirements for Air and Sea Travel to the United States Announced

Other Relevant Links

Department of Homeland Security

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Answer 2

Unlike many countries, in the past, the United States did NOT require its citizens to have passports when traveling to many places outside the US, including Canada and Mexico.

With the efforts to improve Homeland Security and also the ongoing debates about illegal immigration, the US government has changed its outlook on this.

For the most up to date information, you should go to the official US government website. You will see what documentation you need to obtain a passport, how to do so, and an estimation of how long it will take to get one.

Depending upon what you are doing in Mexico, you should also check with the Mexican authorities to determine whether you need a work permit or other sort of document to allow you to stay in Mexico.

Passports are useful for MANY reasons beyond travel. If you need proof of identity for any purpose, a passport, which contains your photo, is a great option.

Answer 3

You will have to purchase extra insurance as yours doesnt cover once you cross the border to Mexico. Yes, quite soon you will need a passport to enter Canada or Mexico or even cross the street.

HAVE FUN

Answer 4

Everybody should have a passport. America needs to get out more and get over this fixation on itself. Become part of the world community

Answer 5

To get out of any country, your own country and the country you travel to ask you to have a passport for ID purposes. You don't need to get a VISA to travel to Mexico, as opposed to mexicans traveling to the US need a pasaport and a Visa.

Answer 6

security, and how else are u going to get back into the US without your passport.
just because your english is perfect, doesn't mean that they'll let you back in the US, if your coming in from mexico.

Answer 7

Its all part of Homeland Security... it's also required to enter Canada now too.. It's supposed to keep tighter control on the borders.

Answer 8

You don't HAVE to have a passport to drive as a tourist in Mexico. If you plan on taking a vehicle into mexico farther than 30 miles from the border (not sure on the miles, but its a certain distance and then you are required to have the temporary permit)... Here is some info that I found on the webpage listed below.. I'll translate it for you...

Para viajar dentro de la península de Baja California, usted no requiere permiso de importación temporal para su vehículo.

** To travel in the peninsula of Baja California, you are not required to have a Temporary Vehicle Permit.

Al viajar al interior de México en vehículo, usted necesita Permiso para Importación Temporal de Vehículos, para obtenerlo es necesario presenta:

** When you are traveling inside the Mexican Republis, you will need your Temporary Vehicle Permit, to get it you need the following items:

La matrícula del vehículo y/o título de propiedad.

** Registration and Title (These must be in YOUR name)

Una licencia de conducir vigente de Estados Unidos o Canadá.

** Driver's License that is not suspended or expired from The US or Canada..

Prueba de ciudadanía: acta de nacimiento, pasaporte o tarjeta de residente extranjero.

** Proof of Citizenship: Birth Certificate, Passport or Permanent Resident Card.

El procedimiento es:

** The procedure is as follows..

Visite la página web de BANJERCITO en: www.banjercito.com donde podrá pre-procesar la importación temporal de su vehículo, o

** Visit the BANJERCITO webpage at: www.banjercito.com where you can start processing your temp. permit for your vehicle, or..

Acuda a la sucursal de BANJERCITO (Banco del Ejército Mexicano) disponible en todos los puertos de ingreso al país.

Go to the Banjercito Bank available at all major entry points of the Country.

Llene la “Forma de Permiso Temporal de Vehículo”.

**Fill out the Form for "Temporary Vehicle Permit"

Llene la “Forma del Contrato de Promesa para Retornar el Vehículo”.

** Fill out the form for Promising to Return the Vehicle

Llene la “Forma de Tarjeta de Turista (FMT)”.

** Fill out the Form for a Tourist Card

Complete el procedimiento del depósito en garantía del vehículo utilizando cualquiera de los dos métodos disponibles: tarjeta de crédito o fianza.
** Complete the Process of deposit by one of two methods: Credit card or Cash.

Si utiliza tarjeta de crédito usted pagará aproximadamente $29.70 Dólares o si usted utiliza la fianza usted pagará por el permiso $29.70 dólares más $200.00 Dólares por vehículos de 1993 o modelos anteriores, para vehículos de 1994 a 1998 $300.00 Dólares más el permiso y para vehículos de 1999 y modelos posteriores $400.00 Dólares más el permiso.

**If you use your credit card you will pay approx. $29.70 dollars or if you want to pay cash, you must pay $29.70 USD plus $200 USD for vehicles that are from 1993 or earlier, for vehicles that are from 1994 to 1998 you will pay $29.70 USD + $300 USD, for vehicles that are from 1999 to now you will pay $29.70 USD + $400 USD plus the permit.

Nota Importante:

** Important Note

El vehículo importado temporalmente, puede ser manejado por cualquier persona que tenga licencia de manejar, siempre y cuando el titular del permiso este a bordo del mismo.

** The vehicle that you temporarily import can be driven by anyone who is a licensed driver, only when the owner of the vehicle is present.

Antes de salir de México:

** Before you leave Mexico:

Acuda a BANJERCITO (Banco del Ejército Mexicano) y devuelva el Permiso de Importación Temporal así como el Contrato de Promesa de Retorno del Vehículo.

** Stop at the Banjercito Bank and return the Temporary Vehicle Permit just as you have promised. ((This must be done within 180 days - 6 months... VERY IMPORTANT.. IF YOU DON'T RETURN THIS YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET ANOTHER PERMIT UNTIL THIS ONE IS TURNED IN..))

Usted tiene que devolver también su FM-T a la salida de la oficina de inmigración en México, si es una tarjeta para entradas múltiples, la puede devolver antes de su fecha de vencimiento.

** If you have a tourist card, you must stop at the immigration office and turn it in. If your card has multiple entries you can turn it in before it expires.

Su depósito en garantía y su contrato de fianza le serán devuelto, dependiendo el método utilizado.

**Your deposit will be returned to you depending on your method of payment.

(((( I have done this many many times... Have all of your documents ready and make sure that you have photocopies of everything ahead of time.. This will save you alot of Time... Also, be prepared for anything.. I have found that at different border locations they try to change the rules so that you give them some money on the side.. Make sure that you know exactly what you need and make sure you are aware of your rights.. As for insurance you are NOT required to have it.. I have been to and driven in Mexico many many times.. I have never gotten any insurance until recently.. It was a rip off.. It didn't cover much of anything.. Maybe there are insurance co's that cover what its supposed to, but the one I got didn't.. Just be careful.. Don't get taken advantage of.. I hope that this helped you some.. Goodluck..)))

Answer 9

Yep, it is either that or smuggle yourself back and forth in a duffelbag.

Answer 10

LOL no kidding. They sure don't mind coming out of there, but god forbid you want to go in. No deposit, no return I guess.