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Nick

Nov 21, 2002, 5:42 PM

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Xmas in Mexico

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This will be our first time driving to Mexico after flying there for eight years. We will be staying for three or four months working on our home in Santa Cruz, near Guadalajara. My wife has dual citizenship with an American passport. Has anyone experienced any difficulties at the border requiring her to have proof of both citizenship? Does her dual citizenship increase the amount she can take across the border?

Thanks, Nick

Don

Nov 21, 2002, 5:56 PM

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Re: [Nick] Xmas in Mexico

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As long as you are only staying for 3 or 4 months, both of you can cross only showing your U.S. passport. You will then both come in on a tourist visa and just ask that it be for 6 months. My wife and I had the same situation as she too was born in Mexico. I came in With an FM-3 and her, just with her U.S. Passport. We later got her a FM-3, so she could keep her car here, as we brought 2 cars.

She is not entitled to bring in any more than anyone else, unless you have an FM-3 with a Menaje de Casa. If she is a citizen and returning to live here, she can bring her stuff back, but I am not sure of that paper work.

Rolly

Nov 21, 2002, 6:07 PM

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Re: [Nick] Xmas in Mexico

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It is my understanding from a friend who holds dual citizenships, that one is expected to travel on the papers (passport, etc) of the country one is in. However, how would a Mexican immigration person know that she is dual unless she tells him? Does she have a Mexican passport? If so, she can use it to avoid the $20 FMT fee because she won't need an FMT with a Mexican passport. If she doesn't have a current Mx passport, it is probably easier is just use the USA one and not say anything.

No, her status does not get her any additional consideration at customs -- US$300 for each of you during the Christmas season, otherwise $50 each.

Rolly Pirate

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
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Rolly

Nov 21, 2002, 6:13 PM

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Re: [Don] Xmas in Mexico

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Hi Don,

Looks like you and I are on the same posting schedule. Smile

Anyway, we seem to agree.

Rolly Pirate

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
On Facebook as Rolly Brook

Nick

Nov 21, 2002, 6:33 PM

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Re: [Rolly] Xmas in Mexico

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Thanks Don and Rolly. I have viewed both of your sites. both of you and this forum has greatly helped me plan our trip next month. One more question, for now anyway, is a copy of the vehicle title enough when crossing the border or is the original needed? As a guy who just retired after working a beat for thirty-eight years I have a problem with having an original title with me. Thanks.

Rolly

Nov 21, 2002, 6:39 PM

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Re: [Nick] Xmas in Mexico

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According to the fairly new rules, you don't need the title, the registration card is now all that is required. I think I would take a copy of the title anyway, just in case...

Rolly Pirate

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
On Facebook as Rolly Brook

Don

Nov 21, 2002, 6:46 PM

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Re: [Nick] Xmas in Mexico

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Nick:

I am really not sure about that. When I came, I had the original titles, since mine was a permanent move and I brought those papers with me. I suppose, if necessary, you could get a copy of the title and have it certified. Some banks will certify things like that for free, for their regular customers.

You might check Rolly's sight again, as he has a lot of that info posted there. Good Luck of your trip.

benlouis

Nov 21, 2002, 9:20 PM

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Re: [Rolly] Xmas in Mexico

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Rolly, what is this $300 and $50 fee you mention?

Ben

Rolly

Nov 22, 2002, 6:22 AM

Post #9 of 12 (10646 views)

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Re: [benlouis] Xmas in Mexico

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There are a number of things that are always duty-free -- personal items, books, cameras, film, etc. There are many other things that are allowed in but with a duty payment. Each person is allowed to bring some amount of these dutiable items free. Most of the year, the limit is US$50 when crossing by land. During the Christmas season, the limit is raised to $300. When arriving by air, the limit is always $300.

Rolly Pirate

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
On Facebook as Rolly Brook

Mereja

Nov 22, 2002, 6:00 PM

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Re: [Rolly] Xmas in Mexico

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She probably only needs her Mexican birth certificate when she goes. That is all my husband had when we went. Since he is a citizen of Mexico he doesn't need anything else. On the way back is when he needs his permanent resident card. Also, my husband asked at the border how he could legalize a pick-up and they are more than willing to legalize them for $400-$500, if you are a Mexican citizen. My husband's cousin has taken 3-4 pick-ups down in the last year and everything is done on the border, then the license plates are picked up in the state where you are going. We didn't do it this way because my husband thought they were ripping us off. It all seemed kind of under the table. But when we got down there we found out it was going to cost $900 once you are already there.

scott

Nov 22, 2002, 7:10 PM

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What does Article 37 mean?

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I bought a hard copy of the Mexican Constitution for $10 pesos, and was casually reading and noticed this:

La nacionalidad mexicana por naturalización se perderá en los siguientes casos:
.... por hacerse pasar en cualquier instrumento público como extranjero, por usar un pasaporte extranjero....

My spanish is limited, but that kinda looks like it says some Mexican citizens, by naturalization, shouldn't be coming in and acting as foreigners. Nick didn't actually say whether his wife was Mexican by birth or naturalization. Does this mean anything?

Mereja

Nov 23, 2002, 3:26 PM

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Re: [scott] What does Article 37 mean?

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La nacionalidad mexicana por naturalización se perderá en los siguientes casos:
.... por hacerse pasar en cualquier instrumento público como extranjero, por usar un pasaporte extranjero....

That means that if you are a naturalized Mexican you could lose it by using a passport from a foreign country.

I think that also applies to citizens of the US or Mexico. When they go to Mexico they need to say they are Mexican citizens and when they come to the US they need to say they are citizens of the US or they could loose their citizenship.