question about passports ...

[MXGratefulDiver]

I'm leaving for Mexico on Friday evening. My passport is valid until mid-August of this year. Yesterday someone told me it has to have six months of validity left on it. Is this true? It doesn't make any sense to me ... if it's valid until August why wouldn't I be able to use it in April? But if it is true, I'm in a bit of a bind, since I doubt I'll be able to get a renewal in four days.

Never heard of that before. I was planning to renew it in May or June ... which I figured would be plenty of time before my next out of country trip in September ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Hawkwood]

I will chime in, but I travel on a Canadian passport. It is recommended that the passport have 6 months because the Mexican tourist entry is for a maximum of 180 days. Possible delays and confusion at Mexican immigration if the passport expires during that time. That's all.

 

[Scott]

According to a USA Today arcticle "Canada and Mexico do not enforce the six-month rule. Belize and Honduras are the Central American countries that have consistently required six months of validity, and Nicaragua's policies may all but require it depending on the length and nature of your stay."

 

[tridacna]

You're OK. I did exactly that a few years ago.

also: Information for Travelers to Mexico | Embassy of the United States Mexico City, Mexico

No mention of 6 month passport requirement.

 

[Diver0001]

I'm leaving for Mexico on Friday evening. My passport is valid until mid-August of this year. Yesterday someone told me it has to have six months of validity left on it. Is this true? It doesn't make any sense to me ... if it's valid until August why wouldn't I be able to use it in April? But if it is true, I'm in a bit of a bind, since I doubt I'll be able to get a renewal in four days.

Never heard of that before. I was planning to renew it in May or June ... which I figured would be plenty of time before my next out of country trip in September ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Phone the Mexican consulate to be sure, but given that you're American they'll probably look the other way. If not, there's a good chance that you'll be able to agree on a "solution" when you cross the line.

That said, many countries want your passport to be valid for 6 months after entry for the case that your departure gets delayed for whatever reason (hospitalized, arrested, or even just a change in plans).

R..

 

[Tigerman]

The (stupid) rule that the passport should be valid for 6months is actually something that applies to a LOT of countries.
I never saw why, if Im staying somehwere for 3 months, my passport should be valid for 6.. its just stupid, but they do demand it a lot of places

 

[chrpai]

Phone the Mexican consulate to be sure, but given that you're American they'll probably look the other way. If not, there's a good chance that you'll be able to agree on a "solution" when you cross the line.

I don't know that being US helps anymore. There was recently a story of a Marine who followed all the rules and was bringing a hunting rifle for a vacation. He declared it and was thrown in a prison and then they tried to blackmail the parents for money.

 

[Grocio]

Hi Bob,

I don't know the answer, but the right official source of information should be this one: Inicio - Instituto Nacional de Migración

The website is in English.

Enjoy the diving there.

Grocio.

 

[Laurie S.]

You'll be fine, no worries.

 

[Bhtmec2]

Bob

Mine had 4 months on it and they did not question me 6 weeks ago when I went there.

You should not have any problem......