Mexico without a visa?

3oaks wrote:

briansue wrote:

Probably a lot more harsher than for a Mexican being caught in the U.S. without a visa!

I dont know about Mexico but if an Illeagel gets caught here they get FREE everything.

Do you mean you can't go into Mexico illegally and demand your entitlements?

I don,t think mexico will give you a welfare check and free medical.

It is amazing how often and what topics will bring some totally uninformed and misinformed folks out from under the carpet. Maybe someday they will take the time to actually do some research into some topics rather than talk about things they obviously know nothing about.

Apparently we all know more than you and are not oblivious to the truth. :R

Talk about not knowing anything. How often have you been to Mexico? Brian and Sue probably know more about traveling in Mexico than anyone who has responded so far. Including us, who are now on our 13th 5 month trip.

iguana07 wrote:
How many of you know illigals in the States that are on welfare? Too much Fox News!

We know quite a few who have lived in the U.S. illegally for more than 15 to 20 years. They may have false papers but pay taxes, social security and work they butts off to make a living to support their American born children.

Sad situation though, they can't come back to Mexico for family weddings or funerals because they can't cross back into the U.S. They pay into SS but who knows what account it goes to. When they turn 65 they won't have anything there or here when they return and will spend the rest of their lives working. They wish they had never gone but can't turn the clock back. They lived on false promises that they would receive amnesty or some other program but immigration reform is over 30 years in the making and it looks like it isn't convenient for it to reach fruition.

Entrance beyond Mexican border "limits" and their "Free Zones" are for 4 days maximum, seldom checked unless something is going wrong. After, or Beyond, requires the FMM card for Canadians and Americans, and if you are driving, a deposit on the value of your vehicle, RVs excepted, as they require something else, called a ten year permit. The FMM is not truly a visa, as one does not apply for it, with subsequent checks before it is issued; a visa is what Canada required of Mexican nationals about three years ago for the first time, and why, no one knows. This created quite a stir in these two countries, both bordering on the USA, and having many of the same issues because of that.

Good question, what happens if you do not have the FMM card. It is said they will want you to pay for it (sometimes a separate step after you present your passport to acquire it) and carry it with you at all times when you are inside the country. Likely what will transpire, is that you will never be asked for it, but if you have any sort of accident or altercation, and fail to be able to produce one, it becomes an added reason to detain you, and a fine will be levied.

If you fly into Mexico you will get the same card, usually paid for with the price of your ticket. The FMM is good for 180 days, but you will give it up if you're returning by air.

Remember that if you need transportation by air out of the country (or across any international border) you will require a passport, any other form of pass, will not be accepted.

Wm.Elliot and rocmoc, thank you both very much. Thats pretty much what I thought it'd be like - although I realize anything can change.

My apologies to those who felt it got off topic but I thought it was relevant to the OP's question.

How many of you know illigals in the States that are on welfare? Too much Fox News!

Swampman597 wrote:
For non-RV reasons I was interested in the answers. We have a neighbor, who is a great guy, but got into trouble when he was younger. So jobs with dental benefits are very limited to someone with a felony. Anyhow, his teeth aren't in the best condition (no, its not meth mouth) and after reading some articles about folks getting good dental care in Mexico, I wondered if we could be RVing in Yuma (for example) where he could get his teeth fixed and recuperate with us on the US side, and then drive/fly back home. Apparently he only needs a passport to return to the US, so I was hoping someone would have a story about if we met & escorted him back at the border and he had as much ID as possible, that it possibly could be done.

Anyhow, that was my reason for following this thread. Thanks

Live on the AZ/Mexico border and have crossed for YEARS!

Your friend will be fine if he goes no further South. Do not need a visa for Medical treatment at the border.

A USA Citizen, DOES NOT need a passport or passport card to return if you have a State/government issued picture ID, eg Driver's License. US Customs PREFERS a passport doc but will not stop a USA citizen from returning back into the USA from Mexico. They will give you a hard time but will pass you thu, EVERY TIME.

rocmoc n AZ/Fld/Baja

No tourist card is needed for day visits to border towns. People walk across the border to shop by the thousands every day. While a felon might get into a border town easily (usually no check entering a border town but a more thorough check about 20 km south of the border) it's anyone's guess how the US Customs would treat a felon trying to re-enter the US without a passport. I can't believe that reentry would be refused.
From what I see searching whether a felon can get a passport it appears that applications for passports by felons are subject to close scrutiny but not an automatic denial. Drug trafficking convictions would most likely be denied. A passport application would definitely be a good idea - a passport is a form of identification rather than an assurance that the passport holder can go anywhere. Most other countries (especially Canada who routinely denies entrance to any dwi/oui conviction regardless of how long ago) would most likely deny entry by a felon. Mexico border towns, and maybe even the entire country may very well permit entry. It's getting back into the USA that might be a problem.

Sorry about all the bickering. I hope this forum can help folks interested in traveling in Mexico regardless of the means of travel. There's not a lot of other resources on Mexico travel.

Focus people, we're getting off-track here.

We've always gotten a Tourist Card (not an actual visa) when entering into Mexico. We've been warned not to loose it, because it can be expensive to recreate it, when you need to surrender it when leaving Mexico.

An enhanced US driver's license might be adequate, but I'd not cross the border without a US passport. The opportunity for interesting conversations are too great.

Swampman597 wrote:
For non-RV reasons I was interested in the answers. We have a neighbor, who is a great guy, but got into trouble when he was younger. So jobs with dental benefits are very limited to someone with a felony. Anyhow, his teeth aren't in the best condition (no, its not meth mouth) and after reading some articles about folks getting good dental care in Mexico, I wondered if we could be RVing in Yuma (for example) where he could get his teeth fixed and recuperate with us on the US side, and then drive/fly back home. Apparently he only needs a passport to return to the US, so I was hoping someone would have a story about if we met & escorted him back at the border and he had as much ID as possible, that it possibly could be done.

Anyhow, that was my reason for following this thread. Thanks

Your neighbor should not cross the Border without a Passport under any circumstances. A Passport Card can be used versus a full Passport.

Moderator!!!! These posts "RVing in Mexico and South America" are marginally related to RV issues. They are becoming more political and emotional based on opinions. IMHO