F A R M
L A B O R
I N F O R M A T I O N
B U L L E T I N
Voice of the Fields California
November 2015
FREE
Volume 25, Number 11
H O L I D AY T R AV E L
Traveling to Mexico for the Holidays
I
f you are planning to travel to Mexico for the holidays, there are steps you should take to prepare yourself and your family for the trip. Mariana Carine Tyler, of the Mexican Consulate in Sacramento, provided an overview of government services that can help you in coordinating your travel. According to Carine-Tyler, Mexico’s Federal government introduced the Paisano Program to help travelers by “streamlining the process and ensuring the safety and rights of travelers.” The program places volunteers at the U.S.-Mexican border, and other points of entry, such as airports and bus terminals, to provide paperwork for entry and other information to visitors. The yearround program focuses on bringing better service and safety to people returning to their home country. The program was put in place to reduce incidents of abuse, theft and corruption at Mexico’s borders, making travel easier and safer during the holiday season. In preparation for traveling to Mexico, it is important to know what documentation you need to have when entering the country. Below is additional information to help ensure you have a smooth, successful and safe trip to Mexico.
r 1BTTQPSU r #JSUI DFSUJėDBUF r .JMJUBSZ *% r .BUSJDVMB $POTVMBS $FSUJėDBUF r %FDMBSBUJPO PG .FYJDBO /BUJPOBMJUZ r /BUVSBMJ[BUJPO EPDVNFOU As a Mexican Citizen, you will need to complete a free form (migratory FEM) for statistical information. If you are a foreigner entering Mexico, you will need a Mexican tourist card – officially the forma migratoria para turista (FMT) – that must be completed and stamped by Mexican immigration officials when you enter Mexico. Tourist cards are available at official border crossings and international airports and ports. At the U.S.–Mexico border, you will have to ask for the card. Though the tourist card itself is free of charge, it is priced with a tourist fee of QFTPT SPVHIMZ 64% BOE DBO CF issued for up to 180 days.
What documents do I need to prove my citizenship in order to enter Mexico?
How do I obtain a Mexican Passport?
According to the Paisano Program, you need proof of citizenship in order to enter Mexico. When you arrive in Mexico, you will need one of the following documents to verify you are a Mexican citizen:
If you are a Mexican citizen, to make your trip back and forth from Mexico easier, it is recommended that you obtain a Mexican Passport through the Mexican Consulate office. To do this, you need to make an appointment by calling 1 (877)
MEXITEL, or 1 (877) 639-4835. If you already have a Mexican Passport, and need to renew it, call the number listed above. Once you receive your appointment date, you will need to bring your previous passport and two color photos. There will be a fee to renew your passport.
What is a Matricula Consular and how do I get one? ĉF .BUSJDVMB $POTVMBS JT BO JEFOUJėDBUJPO card issued by the Government of Mexico through its consulate offices to Mexican nationals residing outside of Mexico. It includes a Government of Mexico issued *% OVNCFS B QIPUPHSBQI BOE ZPVS address outside of Mexico. To obtain your Matricula you need to schedule an appointment with the Consulate office by calling 1 (877) MEXITEL or 1 (877) 639-4835.
What do I need to do for the temporary importation of my car in order to travel through Mexico with U.S. issued license plates? Do I need insurance? If you plan on driving to Mexico, you can temporarily import your car for a maximum of 180 days. You will need UP PCUBJO BOE ėMM PVU UIF BQQSPQSJBUF paperwork, which can be found online at www.banjercito.com.mx, at your local Continued on next page