Passport - does Mexico require 6 months left of validity?

[Garlic Addict]

I read in the paper recently that a couple were unable to get into Hong Kong because one of their U.S. passports didn't have 6 months left of validity. I immediately checked my passport & my husband's. His expires in March 2008. We're leaving in 2 weeks so don't want to chance trying to renew in such a short time. I've been looking on-line & contacted my travel agent, but has any one had problems getting into/out of Mexico if they have less than 6 months left on their passport?

[smattijs]

I don't know about US passports, but us Dutchies do have to have 6 months left of validity...
Sandy

[PlayaCountryBoy]

Yes...my passport runs out in the next 12 months and I have to get a new one.

[Rissask]

I don't know the 100% correct answer, but I don't think it matters.
We went once and we only have 4 months left until they expired (didn't realize it until that day!), and they just wanted to see our airline return tickets and since the date was 2 weeks in the future, waved us on with a smile.

[raquelle261]

Rules for travelling from the UK to Mexico require us to have 6 months validity from date of return too. I just renewed mine last month - not because of the expiry date... but because my photo looked absolutely nothing like me! Its amazing how much you can change in 8 years. Having run the gauntlet in Cuba a couple of years back (when I had already started not really looking much like the person in the photo any more) I wasn't going to chance it again.

[Mexivoof]

Originally Posted by Rissask

I don't know the 100% correct answer, but I don't think it matters.
We went once and we only have 4 months left until they expired (didn't realize it until that day!), and they just wanted to see our airline return tickets and since the date was 2 weeks in the future, waved us on with a smile.

The BIG question is, will they let you board the plane in the US. I was in the same situation and got all kinds of differing answers on here. I called my TA and she said to definately renew, which we did so I will never know if we would have had a problem.
Better safe than sorry.
Shammy???

[steelersfan]

Originally Posted by Garlic Addict

I read in the paper recently that a couple were unable to get into Hong Kong because one of their U.S. passports didn't have 6 months left of validity. I immediately checked my passport & my husband's. His expires in March 2008. We're leaving in 2 weeks so don't want to chance trying to renew in such a short time. I've been looking on-line & contacted my travel agent, but has any one had problems getting into/out of Mexico if they have less than 6 months left on their passport?

I asked the same question on here several months back and never did find out what Mexico requirements are. I even emailed the Mexican embassy in DC to inquire and never got a response. So I renewed our passports, more because I was worried about denied boarding on the plane than what would happen upon arrival in Mexico.

[steelersfan]

Maybe contact the airline you are flying and ask them, but I would try to get it in writing.

[Mexivoof]

Originally Posted by steelersfan

So I renewed our passports, more because I was worried about denied boarding on the plane than what would happen upon arrival in Mexico.

Exactly, beside the mood of the immigracion person at CUN, I'm sure every airline has a different rule depending on the day of the week or the whims of the TSA.
Be safe, renew!

[raquelle261]

I think the easiest way to answer the question is this:

Q: Does Mexico require 6 months left of validity?
A: Yes

Q: Does Mexico enforce this requirement?
A: Perhaps not always, but the risk is there and perhaps not worth it

Q: Does the US/et al enforce this requirement?
A: Perhaps not always, but the risk is there and perhaps not worth it

[Mexivoof]

Originally Posted by raquelle261

I think the easiest way to answer the question is this:

Q: Does Mexico require 6 months left of validity?
A: Yes

Q: Does Mexico enforce this requirement?
A: Perhaps not always, but the risk is there and perhaps not worth it

Q: Does the US/et al enforce this requirement?
A: Perhaps not always, but the risk is there and perhaps not worth it

[steelersfan]

Originally Posted by raquelle261

I think the easiest way to answer the question is this:

Q: Does Mexico require 6 months left of validity?
A: Yes

Q: Does Mexico enforce this requirement?
A: Perhaps not always, but the risk is there and perhaps not worth it

Q: Does the US/et al enforce this requirement?
A: Perhaps not always, but the risk is there and perhaps not worth it

No where on the Mexican Embassy site, where the information about "entry requirements" was at, did it say that they require 6 months of validity on the passport. It does not mention anything about any length of time (some countries require 3) that the passport has to be valid for, only that it needs to be valid through the length of your stay in Mexico.

[sonofdob]

There is no requirement from the Mexican Gov't in terms of six month's validity on your passport, only that it is valid for the duration of your stay...I can't speak for our friends in the U.S. but the Canadian Gov"t echoes the Mexican requirements in that they have no issue as long as the passport is valid when you return to Canada.

[starfirer]

You might wanted to call the US Passport office (they might be the ones that will not let in back into the US). Usually Mexico just wants money from us but since we have only been required to use a passport in the US for less than one year it might be worth the phone call. Plus there are Passport companies that can get you a passport in one week or less.

[Rissask]

Originally Posted by Mexivoof

The BIG question is, will they let you board the plane in the US. I was in the same situation and got all kinds of differing answers on here. I called my TA and she said to definately renew, which we did so I will never know if we would have had a problem.
Better safe than sorry.
Shammy???

um, that's not the 'big question' for me.