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Do You Need a Passport to Go to Mexico?

Everything you need to know about travel requirements to visit the united states’ southern neighbor..

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What documents are necessary to visit Mexico’s wondrous destinations?

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With colorful fiestas, lively cities, dense jungles, some of the world’s greatest archaeological monuments, and roughly 7,000 miles of coastline prime for sunning and snorkeling, Mexico is a popular destination for U.S. travelers. And if you’re eyeing a trip across the southern border, you might be wondering what the travel requirements are, particularly whether a passport is necessary or if an alternative document is available. Here’s what you need to know.

Do you need a passport to enter Mexico?

Yes, Americans need a passport (or appropriate alternative travel document) to visit Mexico.

In the past, visiting Mexico with just a driver’s license or birth certificate was possible. However, in 2009, the U.S. Department of State implemented the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), which requires all U.S. citizens and legal residents to present a valid passport when entering or re-entering the United States from Mexico by land, sea, or air. The initiative was made “ to strengthen border security and facilitate entry into the United States. ” It made passports the standard document for travel between the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.

Acceptable alternative documents for crossing the U.S.-Mexico border

If you’re a U.S. citizen without a traditional passport, you can use a few other documents to visit Mexico.

Passport card

The U.S. government introduced the passport card as a convenient and cheaper alternative to the traditional passport book; it is good for land and sea travel to Mexico, Canada, and the Caribbean. The passport card is wallet-size (much like a driver’s license) and includes information about its owner, including full name, nationality, place of birth, gender, dates of issue and expiration, a unique ID number, and photo.

Passport cards, however, are only accepted for land and sea travel between the U.S. and Mexico. Air travel to Mexico still requires a passport book.

SENTRI pass

There’s also the SENTRI (Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection) pass, which is a trusted traveler program similar to Global Entry or TSA PreCheck .

The program requires prescreening and provides participants with a special card that can be used in place of a passport for land border crossings (by car or foot). While primarily aimed at frequent cross-border travelers, these programs offer a convenient option for those looking for efficient travel between the two countries.

Enhanced Driver’s Licenses

A handful of U.S. states offer Enhanced Driver’s Licenses , which contain additional security features that allow them to be used in lieu of a passport for travel to Mexico by car. Enhanced Driver’s Licenses are available in Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington.

Do you need a passport on a cruise that stops in Mexico?

Americans can also travel to Mexico (and certain other Caribbean islands) without a passport if they’re on a “closed-loop” cruise .

Basically, a closed-loop cruise leaves from and returns to the same U.S. port for embarkation and disembarkation. The rules for sea travel were established under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative and allow Americans to travel to Bermuda, the Bahamas, and Mexico without a passport, specifically on closed-loop sailings. However, some cruise companies require (or at least recommend) that you have a passport in case of emergency (such as a medical issue that causes you to fly home early).

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Passport Book vs. Card: 4 Key Differences

A Los Angeles native, Jennifer is a freelance personal finance writer and editor whose goal is to help readers get excited about improving their financial health. She loves using credit card rewards points toward airfare, and recently took a round-trip flight to Southeast Asia entirely on points. Her work has been featured by Forbes, HuffPost, MSN Money and Business Insider.

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Table of Contents

About the passport book

About the passport card, how a passport book and passport card differ, when to get both, if you're choosing between the passport card and passport book.

For international travel, the U.S. Department of State issues two types of official government documents: the passport book and the passport card.

The main difference between a passport card and book boils down to where you can use them, what methods of transit are eligible and the cost.

It’s important to learn the difference between the two so you can choose more confidently if one (or both) are right for you.

A passport book is a small booklet available to U.S. citizens and non-citizen nationals that can be used for international travel by air, sea or land. For travelers age 16 or older at the date of issue, the books are valid for 10 years. Younger travelers are given passports that are valid for five years.

Each passport book is assigned a unique number. The first page of a passport contains your photo and personal information, including your full name, nationality, date of birth, place of birth, sex, the passport issue date and passport expiration date. The rest of the book is filled with blank pages for immigration stamps and visas. Depending on the country you’re visiting, you might be required to have two to four blank visa pages.

The standard passport book is 28 pages; however, you can request a 52-page book if you anticipate frequent international travel.

Since 2007, only electronic passports have been issued. These books contain an electronic chip that stores the information on the first page, a biometric identifier of your passport photo, a chip identification number and a digital signature.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

The passport card is also available to U.S. citizens and non-citizen nationals, but can only be used for foreign border entry by land and sea — and only in specific places. Regardless of the country you’re visiting, it’s not an accepted form of ID for international air travel. Passport cards are valid for the same durations as passport books.

The passport card fits a standard wallet card slot and contains your photo, full name, nationality, date of birth, place of birth, issue and expiration dates, plus your unique passport card number.

The card also has built-in Radio Frequency Identification which can be used in Ready Lanes at Canadian and Mexican land borders for faster entry.

» Learn more: How to save on road trips

1. Border entry method

The biggest difference between a passport book and passport card is the methods of travel that are eligible. While passport books can be used for all entry methods into an international country — whether air, land or sea — passport cards are limited to travel through land and sea borders only.

» Learn more: TSA PreCheck vs. Global Entry: Which is right for you?

2. Travel destination

Another difference between a passport book and passport card is which countries each can be used to enter.

There are no limitations for destinations where you can use your passport book. Passport cards, however, can only be used going through a land border or seaport in Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. For example, if you’re planning a Mediterranean cruise, you’ll need to use a passport book. The card isn’t valid for seaport entry in Europe.

» Learn more: The complete guide to a U.S.-Canada border crossing

3. Format and size

Passport books and passport cards have physical differences. Passport books are 3.5-by-5-inch booklets with blank pages for foreign immigration stamps and visas. Although they’re pocket-sized, passport books are bulkier than passport cards, which are the size of a credit card or driver’s license.

» Learn more: How to get your first passport

Passport books are more expensive than cards. Regardless of document type, all first-time applicants must pay a $35 acceptance fee, which is included in the price.

Passport books for first-time applicants cost:

For adults (16 and older): $165.

For children (15 and under): $135.

The cost difference is stark compared to passport cards for first-time applicants:

For adults (16 and older): $65.

For children (15 and under): $50.

Acceptance fees are dropped for renewals of both the passport book and card. Travelers can expect to pay $130 to renew an adult passport book and $30 to renew an adult passport card.

The passport book is the all-encompassing identifier to carry regardless of how and where you’re traveling. You have the option to purchase a passport book and card in one application, and there are a couple of scenarios when having both passport types might be convenient, like:

If you travel equally by air and land. If you’re visiting Canada or Mexico by car, you might prefer a more compact document for traveling across the border. In that case, having a passport card for regular land-based trips would be useful. You can keep your passport book handy for international air travel.

If you don’t have a Real ID , which will be required for domestic air travel beginning in 2025. A U.S. passport — book or card — is accepted as an alternative to the Real ID, but the card is more convenient to carry around. If you’re flying domestically without a Real ID, you'll be able to use a passport card for air travel within the 50 states and reserve your passport book for international travel.

If you choose to apply for both passport options in one application rather than applying for them separately, you’ll save $35 since you’ll only pay one acceptance fee.

» Learn more: What flyers need to know about REAL ID for travel this fall and beyond

Deciding between a passport book and a passport card can feel like a difficult choice considering the cost difference and the turnaround time to get your passport application processed.

When choosing which option is best for you, consider the type of travel you’re most likely to do over the next few years. If you’re unsure about your future travel needs, a passport book might be your best option.

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Finding the Right Proof of Travel to Expedite Your Passport

Home » Passports » How to Obtain a U.S. Passport

If you make plans to travel outside of the United States on short notice but do not have a passport, you will be required to find a Regional Passport Agency and apply for expedited passport service. These agencies and processing centers only attend to people who have documented plans to travel within fourteen days and do not have a passport (the threshold is extended to four weeks if a visa is required, also).

If you find yourself in a rush to get a passport expedited at one of these passport agencies, there will be certain documents you will need to present at the processing center to prove that your travel plans are legitimate. Without this evidence, you may find that you do not qualify for expedited service.

Click for reliable expedited passport courier service .

There are different types of proof of travel that are accepted for each of the three methods of travel – land, sea, and air. Ensuring you have the correct documentation will increase your odds of getting a passport quickly.

Travel by Air

If you will be traveling by air , there are several different options that are considered acceptable proof of travel:

• Flight itinerary e-mail – This is the most common proof of air travel people use. In most cases, simply printing the flight's confirmation email provides all the essential flight information the passport agency will need to verify your trip.
• Original tickets or boarding passes – Bringing a hard-copy of the tickets for your flight(s) will satisfy the passport agency's proof of travel requirements.
• E-tickets – A photocopy or printout of your electronic ticket is just as acceptable as an airline-issued paper ticket.
• Private air charter - If you are flying by a private plane, you will need to show the private air charter documentation on official letterhead as your proof of travel.

Travel by Land

When traveling by land to Canada , Mexico , or Central America by bus, train, or car, your proof of travel can be one of the following three:

• Hotel reservation confirmation – You can provide a copy of your hotel reservation confirmation that includes where you will be residing in the county you are traveling to as well as the dates of your stay.
• Tickets to an event - Providing tickets to an event during your stay in the country you plan to visit is considered viable proof by the passport agency.
• Official letter - If you are traveling for business or an organization, have them provide you with an official document outlining the key itinerary details of your trip. The letter should be on official letterhead.

Download Example Letters:

Travel by Sea

For those who are traveling by sea there are two ways you can show proof of imminent travel to the passport agency depending on the type of sea travel you have chosen:

• Cruise itinerary e-mail - For those who are taking part in a cruise that docks in foreign countries, you can provide the passport agent a copy of the e-mail that shows your itinerary.
• Private charter plan - If you are traveling on a private boat or yacht, you will need to provide the documents that show the boat charter plan.

Making the Right Choices for Your Passport Application

Whether you are traveling by land, sea, or air, you will need to provide sufficient evidence of your imminent travel plans in order to obtain an expedited passport at a regional agency . If for some reason you do not have these forms of proof, you should contact the nearest regional passport agency and discuss your options before making the trip there.

Note : The above documents are only required for those who need to expedite passports within two weeks or within four weeks if a visa is required regardless of how you plan to travel.

For those who choose to request expedited service by mail or require only standard processing, proof of travel is not required to obtain your passport. That said, expect at least 3 weeks turnaround time for expedited service by mail or 6-8 weeks for a standard, non-expedited application.

Not sure if you have the proper time or documentation for your last-minute trip? Opting to hire a registered passport expediting service can prove especially helpful. These professionals are able to lean on their unique skills and experiences to not only ensure your application paperwork is in order, but also help you get your passport quickly. In many cases, a registered passport courier can help you get a passport in your hands within 24-48 hours!

Top 5 Questions About Expedited Passport Couriers

1. How can you get a passport when you're in a hurry? 2. What exactly does a passport expediter do? 3. Are passport expediting services legitimate? 4. How can I identify a reliable passport expeditor? 5. Is expedited passport service worth it?

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Do you need a passport to travel to or from U.S. territories or Freely Associated States?

Whether you need a passport as a U.S. citizen to travel to or from a U.S. territory or Freely Associated State depends on your destination.

U.S. citizens do not need a passport to travel between the U.S. and these territories:

• Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
• Puerto Rico
• U.S. Virgin Islands

While American Samoa is a U.S. territory, you do need a passport or a certified U.S. birth certificate to enter the island.

U.S. citizens do need a passport to travel to these Freely Associated States:

• The Federated States of Micronesia
• The Republic of the Marshall Islands
• The Republic of Palau

LAST UPDATED: May 28, 2024

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Where Can I Travel With a Passport Card?

Traveling is a great way to explore the world, and a passport card makes it easy to do so. A passport card is a travel document that works as an alternative to the traditional passport book. It’s a small, wallet-sized card that’s ideal for frequent travelers. The question is, where can you travel with a passport card? Read on to find out more about the countries and territories that accept a passport card.

U.S. is Only Country That issues Passport Cards

The United States is the only country that issues passport cards. While a passport card cannot be used for international air travel, it’s an ideal document for those who frequently travel by land or sea. With a passport card, you can travel to the Caribbean, Canada, and Mexico, as well as some parts of Central and South America. However, be aware that some countries may have different entry requirements, so it’s important to check with the country’s embassy or consulate before you travel.

The Caribbean

In the Caribbean, most countries will accept a passport card as a legitimate travel document. These include the Bahamas, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Other countries in the region, such as Barbados, St. Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago, require a traditional passport book.

Mexico and Canada

In Canada and Mexico, a passport card is an acceptable document for entry by land or sea. However, if you plan to travel by air, you’ll need a traditional passport book. Additionally, some countries in Central and South America will accept a passport card, including Belize, Costa Rica, and Panama. However, it’s important to check the requirements before you travel, as some countries in the region may require a traditional passport book.

U.S. Territories

In terms of U.S. territories, a passport card can be used to travel to American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands. However, if you plan to visit Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, you won’t need a passport card as these are U.S. territories and do not require a travel document for U.S. citizens.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, a passport card is an excellent travel document for those who frequently travel by land or sea. While it’s not as versatile as a traditional passport book, a passport card will allow you to visit a wide range of countries in the Caribbean, Canada, Mexico, and Central and South America. Before you travel, be sure to check with the country’s embassy or consulate to confirm the entry requirements, as these can vary depending on the destination.

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Passports and Mexico Entry Requirements for Children

Traveling to Mexico with your child can be a wonderful and memorable experience, and can open their eyes up to a new culture, language and ways of doing things and seeing the world, besides being a fun vacation experience. The first thing to consider when planning your trip is to make sure you're aware of the entry requirements. This will help avoid any unnecessary hassles along the way. If you or the child accompanying you does not have the proper documentation, you may be turned away at the airport or at the border, so be sure you have everything you need on hand.  It is important to keep in mind that the requirements of different countries may vary and you need to meet the requirements of the country you're traveling to, as well as those for the return to your home country, and any other countries that you may visit in transit.

Every traveler arriving in Mexico by air, regardless of age, is required to present a valid passport for entry into the country. Unlike some other countries, Mexico does not require passports to be valid for longer than the anticipated length of the visit. Children who are not Mexican citizens are only required to present a passport. They are not required by the Mexican authorities to present any other documentation.

Mexican and Dual Nationality Children

Mexican citizens (including dual citizens of other countries) who are under 18 years of age and traveling and are not in the company of at least one of their parents, will need to present proof of the parents' authorization to travel and a notarized letter. The authorization from the parents, which as stated above is required by Mexican law for Mexican nationals only, must be translated into Spanish and legalized by the Mexican embassy in the country where the document was issued. You can read more about the letter and see an example of a letter of authorization to travel .

Upon exiting Mexico, children who are Mexican citizens need to present a SAM form ( Formato de Salida de Menores in Spanish) which is on the Mexican immigration website. The child's parent or guardian can fill out the form on the website, save and print it out and have it on hand to present when exiting Mexico. This is a requirement for children with Mexican citizenship even if they do not reside in Mexico.

Canadian Children Traveling to Mexico

The Canadian government recommends that all Canadian children who are traveling abroad who are not traveling in the company of both of their parents carry a consent letter from the parents (or in the case of traveling with one parent only, from the absent parent) showing the parents' or guardians' permission for travel. Although it is not required by law, this letter may be requested by Canadian immigration officials when exiting or re-entering Canada.

Leaving and Returning to the U.S.

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) establishes document requirements for travel into the United States from Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. The travel documents required for children vary according to the form of travel, the age of the child and whether or not the child is traveling as part of an organized group.

Travel by Land and Sea

US and Canadian citizens aged 16 and over who are entering the United States from Mexico, Canada or the Caribbean by land or sea are required to show a passport or alternative WHTI-compliant document such as a passport card. Children up to the age of 15 may present proof of citizenship alone, such as a birth certificate, a consular report of birth abroad, a naturalization certificate, or a Canadian citizenship card.

Group Trips

Special provisions have been made under the WHTI to allow US and Canadian school groups, or other organized groups of children aged 19 and under, to enter the US by land with proof of citizenship (birth certificate, consular report of birth abroad or naturalization certificate). The group should be prepared to present a letter on organizational letterhead with information about the group trip including the name of the group, the names of the adults responsible for the children and a list of the names of the children in the group (their primary address, phone number, date and place of birth, and name of at least one parent or legal guardian for each child) as well as signed permission from the parents or legal guardian of the children.

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Passports can now be renewed online. Here's how to apply.

By Khristopher J. Brooks

Edited By Anne Marie Lee

June 13, 2024 / 11:24 AM EDT / CBS News

U.S. travelers can now renew their passport online under a pilot program the U.S. Department of State launched on Thursday. 

The State Department's new online system will allow U.S. passport holders to start a renewal application for a short window of time every day, closing once the system has reached a designated number of new applications, officials said in a statement . The agency is preparing a full launch of the renewal system at some point after testing, but didn't provide an exact date. 

If successful, an online renewal system could shorten the sometimes monthslong process travelers experience when trying to update their passport. 

"During the next several months, we plan to continue to limit the number of applications accepted each day so we can monitor the system's performance in real time," the department said. "If you are unable to start your application, try again on another day."

Processing passports has become a growing problem for the State Department ever since COVID-19 travel restrictions were lifted, with the agency bombarded with an overwhelming number of applications  each week. The passport application backlog grew so heavy last year that federal lawmakers from California, Colorado and Oklahoma introduced separate proposals to the Senate to speed up the application process. 

Republican Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma  proposed legislation  that would improve the online tracking of passport applications and allow the State Department to hire more staff. Democratic Reps. Adam Schiff and Ted Lieu of California introduced the  PASSPORT Act  to streamline the passport application and renewal process.

The number of Americans holding valid U.S. passports has grown at roughly 10% faster than the population over the past three decades, said Jay Zagorsky, an economist at Boston University. Just 5% of Americans had a passport in 1990, according to the State Department. That number grew to 48% in December.

The State Department issued a record setting 24 million passports in 2023. Wait times for passport applications and renewals  returned to their normal 6-8 week time frame in December , the State Department  said . 

Renewing your passport online involves a six-step process:

• Create a free MyTravelGov online account. 
• After the account is created, log in and start a renewal application by clicking on the "Renew Your Passport" button.
• On the form that appears, fill in all the boxes with the information currently printed on your passport.
• Enter your plans to travel internationally if your departure is within the next eight weeks.
• Upload a jpeg photo of yourself. No selfies. 
• Pay the passport renewal fee and digitally sign the application.

Visit the State Department's online renewal website for more details. 

Khristopher J. Brooks is a reporter for CBS MoneyWatch. He previously worked as a reporter for the Omaha World-Herald, Newsday and the Florida Times-Union. His reporting primarily focuses on the U.S. housing market, the business of sports and bankruptcy.

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Need a passport in a hurry? It’ll soon be easier if you live in one of these US cities.

• The State Department will open six new passport agencies to assist those with “urgent travel needs.”
• The new agencies will bring the total number to 35.
• The State Department did not share addresses or opening dates for the new facilities.

Travelers in a rush to get a passport will soon have more options.

The State Department will open six new passport agencies to assist those with “urgent travel needs,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Tuesday. The new facilities will be in these cities:

• Salt Lake City
• Kansas City, Missouri
• Orlando, Florida
• Charlotte, North Carolina
• San Antonio, Texas

Passport agencies and centers serve “customers by appointment only who have urgent travel to a foreign country in the next 14 calendar days, or need a foreign visa in the next 28 calendar days,” according to the State Department’s website . The new agencies will bring the total number to 35.

“While we undertake steps to establish these new agencies, we are issuing more passports than ever before while maintaining our passport processing times at our pre-pandemic levels,” Blinken said in a news release . “We thank Congress for its partnership and support, and we look forward to working with our congressional partners and other stakeholders to open these new facilities.”

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The State Department did not share addresses or opening dates for the new facilities. “We are in the initial stages of planning for these additional facilities and will provide updates in the future about specific locations and timelines for these new agencies,” a spokesperson told USA TODAY in an emailed statement.

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Travelers can find a map of passport agencies and centers online. There are also more than 7,000 acceptance facilities – such as post offices – where those who don’t need urgent service can apply.

The news comes after the State Department opened a trial for online passport renewal earlier this month.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

The Key Points at the top of this article were created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and reviewed by a journalist before publication. No other parts of the article were generated using AI. Learn more .

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Passport-free travel in Singapore is here — but only for certain travelers

• From Tuesday, people traveling via car between Singapore and Malaysia can show self-generated QR codes rather than handing over their passports at two checkpoints.
• Authorities estimate the new procedure will reduce immigration processing time by more than 30%.

Singapore made global headlines last year when the government announced that biometric processing will replace travel document verifications at Changi Airport in the first half of 2024.

But the city-state is going "passport-free" in another area: its land border with Malaysia.

From Tuesday, people traveling by car between Singapore and Malaysia can show self-generated QR codes rather than handing over their passports at two checkpoints.

The new rule , which applies to those traveling via the country's Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints, will expedite immigration clearance "without compromising on security," according to Singapore's Immigration & Checkpoints Authority.

Who is eligible

Singapore residents and foreign travelers can generate QR codes via the government's MyICA mobile app. Group codes for up to 10 people can be generated for passengers traveling in the same car too.

Like before, travelers are then subject to a face-to-face check by immigration officers.

However, the QR-code clearance is not available to two groups of travelers: those entering Singapore for the first time and those using a different passport from previous visits.

The new procedure is expected to reduce immigration processing time by more than 30% — saving around 20 seconds for cars traveling with four passengers and up to one minute for cars with 10 people, according to authorities.

One of world's busiest border crossings

The checkpoint linking the Malaysian city of Johor Bahru to Woodlands in Singapore is one of the busiest international border crossings in the world.

From March 7 to 10, more than 1.8 million travelers crossed Singapore's two checkpoints that link the island with Malaysia, according to its Immigration & Checkpoints Authority.

On March 8 — the Friday preceding a week-long break for Singapore public schools — a record-breaking 495,000 people crossed the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints, exceeding the 485,000 travelers recorded on August 2019, it said.

Singapore plans to roll out the QR code clearance to more travelers crossing checkpoints via other modes of transport at a later date.   

Part of a larger push

The QR clearance program is part of a larger push to modernize border control and security procedures in the city-state to manage higher traveler volume amid the crunch of its aging workforce.

Changi Airport's "passport-free" immigration clearance, which is based on biometric verification, is undergoing trials, a representative of Changi Airport Group told CNBC Travel.

A launch date for this program has not been released.