Forums > General > Traveling Mexico

sioux4noff

May 26, 2010, 2:25 PM

Post #1 of 11 (6188 views)

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Dual citizen wanting to drive to Mexico from the US

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I tried to search for this, but couldn't find what I needed.
This is for an acquaintance of mine, I've sort of interpreted his questions below:

bringing a car

His son is a dual citizen of Mexico and the US, and has passports for both.
He currently lives and works in the US
when he goes into the US,he shows his US passport
when he enters mexico,he shows his mexican passport
no hassle- all this was flying

He wants to drive this time from his home in the US to Mexico with is US plated car.
Is this possible, and what procedure should he take??
Thank you for any help you can give him.

Rolly

May 26, 2010, 2:31 PM

Post #2 of 11 (6181 views)

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Re: [sioux4noff] Dual citizen wanting to drive to Mexico from the US

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As a Mexican citizen living abroad, he can bring his US-plated car into México for 180 days once every 365 days.
Read more details here.

Rolly Pirate

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

(This post was edited by Rolly on May 26, 2010, 9:16 PM)

sioux4noff

May 26, 2010, 7:52 PM

Post #3 of 11 (6131 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Dual citizen wanting to drive to Mexico from the US

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Thank you Rolly. After looking at your website, I recommended he have his son call Banjercito for clarification.
Your website, and personal advice, are much aapreciated.

Demonio

May 27, 2010, 8:09 AM

Post #4 of 11 (6076 views)

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Re: [sioux4noff] Dual citizen wanting to drive to Mexico from the US

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MX immigration law (or it may be the constitution - not sure) dictates that when a MX citizen is also a citizen of one or more other countries, he/she shall always identify him/herself as a MX citizen when entering or while in MX. That said, unless you identify yourself as such, I don't know how the MX govt. would ever know. If your friend entered MX on an FMM with his U.S. passport and obtained a temporary vehicle importation permit, how would anyone know he was a MX citizen? Only if he told them, that's how. I guess he could run into an unforeseen situation that would expose him, but then he could just claim ignorance of the obscure law. It's not like he's committing murder. So, they confiscate his vehicle - big deal. You only live once. Take a walk on the wild side.

G

"What we've got here is a failure to communicate."

Rolly

May 27, 2010, 8:25 AM

Post #5 of 11 (6069 views)

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Re: [Demonio] Dual citizen wanting to drive to Mexico from the US

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There are two occasions when a person holding dual citizenship is allowed to show the passport of the other country.

1. At an airline check-in counter to prove admittance to the other country.

2. When getting a vehicle permit at the border. From Banjercito:

If the importer is a Mexican citizen, provide one of the following documents:
• Resident alien card
• Proof of work authorization in the foreign country. Authorization must be valid for more than one year.
• Foreign passport as proof of foreign citizenship in addition to the Mexican.
• Dual Citizenship: Certificate of naturalization or passport from the foreign country and a Mexican passport.

Read here.

Rolly Pirate

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

sioux4noff

May 27, 2010, 8:39 AM

Post #6 of 11 (6058 views)

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Re: [Demonio] Dual citizen wanting to drive to Mexico from the US

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I'm just guessing he actually wants to try to do things legally and correctly, Demonio.
After all, he could just drive across the border and not get ANY paperwork at all, and plead ignorance as well. Easier, faster, cheaper than messing with all the silly paperwork anyway.

Demonio

May 27, 2010, 8:51 AM

Post #7 of 11 (6053 views)

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Re: [sioux4noff] Dual citizen wanting to drive to Mexico from the US

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In that case, have him follow Rolly's advise. There seems to be a provision in the law that allows those with dual citizenship to obtain a permit. He may want to obtain the permit online or at a MX consulate in the States. The MX govt. can be quite fickle. No sense driving to the MX border and being turned back. Good luck.

G

"What we've got here is a failure to communicate."

sioux4noff

May 27, 2010, 10:01 AM

Post #8 of 11 (6030 views)

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Re: [Demonio] Dual citizen wanting to drive to Mexico from the US

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As I already said, he plans on contacting Banjercito and proceeding from there. Demonio, your suggestion was pretty far off-base, in my opinion. Especially considering that Rolly had already said how it should be done properly.

eyePad

May 27, 2010, 5:33 PM

Post #9 of 11 (5994 views)

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Re: [sioux4noff] Dual citizen wanting to drive to Mexico from the US

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I don't doubt Banjercito and Rolly, but WHAT law gives permission to be in Mexico and present a US passport when you are a Mexican citizen. I have yet to see any actual law cited. (Not to be overly anal, because the suggestions seem quite sensible and practical, but it would be nice to know it is airtight legal)

Rolly

May 27, 2010, 5:45 PM

Post #10 of 11 (5990 views)

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Re: [eyePad] Dual citizen wanting to drive to Mexico from the US

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Lots of things are rules, not laws. Just like in the USA, a law may have many rules defining the procedures under the law.

Rolly Pirate

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

eyePad

May 27, 2010, 5:47 PM

Post #11 of 11 (5984 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Dual citizen wanting to drive to Mexico from the US

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OK, law is the wrong word. But I can just see myself in some embarrassing situation saying "Oficial, don't worry, my friends on MexConnect said this was OK. Its not a law, its a rule"