I just read on another page that if your passport expires within 6 months of traveling to Mexico customs may fine you away? Can someone please verify or debunk this claim for me? Thanks
It’s true but that you are supposed to have 6 months left before your passport expires to get into Mexico. I’ve read reports where people have gotten in with less than that, but I’d never chance it. It’s easier to just renew the passport well prior to a trip.
It's not about fines. If you get stuck in Mexico for whatever reason you could be there with an expired passport. That can be no bueno trying to renew your documents through the consulate. And, some airlines are quite strict about this and won't let you board with a passport expiring <6mo, but it generally comes down to the desk person. I'm a big fan of more documents. We have our Nexus/TSA-Pre as well for quick trips through security. Worth every penny if you're flying at least once a year.
Every country I've been to, has a similar requirement. They all require your passport to be valid past your maximum legal stay in the country. In Mexico a tourist can stay for 180 days, and can be granted up to two 30 day extensions. Since you can in theory stay legally in the country for six months, they require a passport to be valid for six months. How long you are going to stay does not matter, it's how long you could stay. Even the countries I've been to that require Visas have similar requirements to get the Visa. If following the rules the airline should prevent you from boarding if you don't meet basic entry criteria, and I have seen this happen more than once. If your passport is not going to be valid for six months, renew. Best case scenario you will have to pay a fine in Mexico, however there is a good chance you don't even get to Mexico.
State departments information just says it needs to be valid for your stay. Mexico International Travel Information American Airlines states that you need 6 months, but after clarification both on their advantage app and calling customer service they said their policy follows the country and is not a blanket 6 month rule.
You can go ahead and give it a whirl, but I just don’t take any chances when I’m traveling. If you have someone in front of you who is turning you away because of the 6 month stipulation…that’s gonna be a problem. All it takes is the wrong person with an airline or immigration counter to stop your vacation and there’s nothing you can do about it. It seems easier to renew a passport as soon as I’m in the final year it’s valid. Too much can go wrong with you’re traveling.
My buddy was turned away from boarding his flight TO Cancun by American Airlines because his was expiring in under 6 months (was about 4months). But I’ve heard of others not having an issue. Personally, I’d never chance it.
According to their consulate, The Mexican government only requires that your passport must be valid during the entirety of your trip. In April I traveled to Cancun with a passport that had less than 6 months of validity left and had no issues whatsoever.
It is the airlines that enforce this. Some (not all) will not let you board to go to Mexico if you don’t have 6 months FROM YOUR RETURN DATE before expiration. Check your airline policy and get it in writing.
Wife and I was told you must have 6 months on your passport. We have already applied for our renew. No one wants to get turned away just before going on vacation.
