VISA REQUIREMENTS:

FM-T: (Tarjeta de Turista) This is a tourist VISA which can be valid for up to six months.

HOW TO OBTAIN A VISA: (1) The Mexican consulate in the United States, (2) at the border as you cross into Mexico, or (3) at the immigration offices in Tijuana, Rosarito, Tecate or Ensenada. (If you get a VISA from a consulate, you will have to get the VISA stamped at the Mexican immigration office as you cross the border). You can obtain an FM-T at the border in Mexico. Bear to the right as you enter to the lane that says, “Declaration.” Go to the buildings on the far right with windows that open out to the parking spaces. Go to the immigration window and they will instruct you to go to the bank window to pay the $20.00 fee (They accept U.S. dollars or Pesos). Return to the immigration window with the stamped receipt of payment and they will give you a VISA after showing your passport and/or birth certificate. Rosarito’s immigration office is located in the Rosarito Municipal Building which is on the eastside across the bridge over the Quota (Toll Road) from McDonald’s restaurant.

WHAT DO I NEED TO RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES? Currently, only a valid U.S. driver's license or photo ID are required by US citizens to return to the US from Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires that by January 1, 2008, travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada have a passport or other secure, accepted document to enter or re-enter the United States. The passport will be the document of choice for travel within the Western Hemisphere for re-entry. However, another document anticipated to be acceptable under the travel initiative is the Border Crossing Card, (BCC – or “laser visa”). Currently, the BCC serves in lieu of a passport and a visa for citizens of Mexico traveling to the U.S. from contiguous territory. Other documents that are being considering for acceptance under this initiative are the Customs and Border Protection Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI), NEXUS and Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program cards.