Passport from US to Mexico

[mandiees]

Is it required for people to now have a passport to walk across the border from the US to Mexico, and back? I know you need one to fly, just not sure if you need it to walk.

[melka]

On a similar note: if a foreigner travels to the US, and decides to take a car across the border to Mexico, can they cross back again without problem? I think I heard somewhere that it might not be allowed...

[Oigen]

If you have a tourist visa you can return to the US, why wouldn't they allow it?

[melka]

Originally Posted by Oigen

If you have a tourist visa you can return to the US, why wouldn't they allow it?

That's a good question Like I said it's just something that I picked up somewhere, but it's most likely wrong then. Thanks for answering

[Lissy]

I believe you need a passport for *any* kind of international travel today. If you want to leave the US, you need a valid passport.

As to a foreign national who wants to travel to Mexico or Canada, they would need a mexican or canadian visa.

[DianaR]

Originally Posted by mandiees

Is it required for people to now have a passport to walk across the border from the US to Mexico, and back? I know you need one to fly, just not sure if you need it to walk.

Since we now need passports to go into Canada, it is safe to assume one is needed to travel to Mexico.

[alessadry]

It looks like you will need your US passports regardless of how you get there.
I do not know what the Mexican authority requires to enter Mexico, but in order to come back you will definetly need a passport to pass Custom and Border protections requirements.

[Lissy]

Originally Posted by alessadry

It looks like you will need your US passports regardless of how you get there.
I do not know what the Mexican authority requires to enter Mexico, but in order to come back you will definetly need a passport to pass Custom and Border protections requirements.

That's exactly right Alessandry. US citizens do not need a visa to enter Mexico, but they still need their US passport to re-enter the US. Foreign nationals traveling from the US to Mexico may need a visa.

[ekmallette]

Yes indeed...these days you need a passport to re-enter the US even if you show your birth certificate and ID, you still need one regardless. At least it's not a hard thing to accomplish and the backlog for them has lessened.

[shruti]

Here i agree with melka.

[Orrymain]

That's what I thought. It's changed. Years ago you didn't, but after 9/11 a number of things changed as far as traveling back and forth.

[mandiees]

I just went down to TJ this weekend, took my passport, and you do need a passport to get back in - although there were some people that were let through with their license and a birth certificate.