About traveling out of the US for vacation~

[Vanessa S.]

My family takes a trip to Mexico ever May (we have a time-share) and I would love to take my husband there this year/

Do we need to do anything for this? Or can we just go out and back in with no problem (hopefuly by then he will have his green card. but if not we have the CR-1 visa)

 

sorry for the millions of questions!

[ameriken]

My family takes a trip to Mexico ever May (we have a time-share) and I would love to take my husband there this year/

Do we need to do anything for this? Or can we just go out and back in with no problem (hopefuly by then he will have his green card. but if not we have the CR-1 visa)

 

sorry for the millions of questions!

To the best of my extremely limited knowledge, he will need his GC and visa, I wouldnt go anywhere without it. I am sure someone here will correct me if I am wrong

 

Good luck!

[Randy W]

My family takes a trip to Mexico ever May (we have a time-share) and I would love to take my husband there this year/

Do we need to do anything for this? Or can we just go out and back in with no problem (hopefuly by then he will have his green card. but if not we have the CR-1 visa)

 

sorry for the millions of questions!

To the best of my extremely limited knowledge, he will need his GC and visa, I wouldnt go anywhere without it. I am sure someone here will correct me if I am wrong

 

Good luck!

 

 

Yes the CR-1 is a single-entry visa - it will not get him back in the country a second time. Make sure he either has his green card in hand, or get the I-551 stamp in his passport (you will need an InfoPass appt for this).

[Vanessa S.]

thanks guys! I will definately look more in to this!

[dnoblett]

CR-1 is single entry visa, HOWEVER, the officer at the POE will stamp passport with the I-551 stamp, making the passport into a temporary GREEN-CARD.

 

You may want to contact the Mexican consulate and inquire about tourist visas, from what I read one is not needed just a tourist card for short entries within the border zone, but may be different for green-card holders of the USA.

 

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/c...ry_requirements

[NY-Viking]

CR-1 is single entry visa, HOWEVER, the officer at the POE will stamp passport with the I-551 stamp, making the passport into a temporary GREEN-CARD.

 

You may want to contact the Mexican consulate and inquire about tourist visas, from what I read one is not needed just a tourist card for short entries within the border zone, but may be different for green-card holders of the USA.

 

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/c...ry_requirements

 

This is really important information.

 

Check with the Mexican government to see what their requirements are.

 

As I've stated in other topics, a US permanent resident card bestows on a foreigner certain travel, work, and other privileges for the USA only. It does not make the holder the equivalent of a US Citizen, and every country has its own rules. Some will treat a US green card holder the same as a US citizen for travel purposes; others will require the individual to obtain a visa when one is not ordinarily required for US citizens.

 

With that said, my wife (when she was just my girlfriend) entered Tijuana without a problem on a bus from San Diego (not even a border stop), and on her return to the US had no problems with just her passport and B2 visa (which was for multiple entries ... just like as if she was coming directly from China). My understanding is that for entry to places like Tijuana, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, etc. - popular tourist destinations with planned short stays that don't go inland - all that was previously required was a US drivers license or passport for foreigners. With the new laws, US citizens need passports too (I think ... they'll need them to reenter the US anyway), but there probably isn't an increased restriction on non-US foreigners for popular tourist destinations like that. But, be sure to check the Mexico consulate's website for its requirements for Chinese citizens and for US green card holders.

[dnoblett]

CR-1 is single entry visa, HOWEVER, the officer at the POE will stamp passport with the I-551 stamp, making the passport into a temporary GREEN-CARD.

 

You may want to contact the Mexican consulate and inquire about tourist visas, from what I read one is not needed just a tourist card for short entries within the border zone, but may be different for green-card holders of the USA.

 

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/c...ry_requirements

 

This is really important information.

 

Check with the Mexican government to see what their requirements are.

 

As I've stated in other topics, a US permanent resident card bestows on a foreigner certain travel, work, and other privileges for the USA only. It does not make the holder the equivalent of a US Citizen, and every country has its own rules. Some will treat a US green card holder the same as a US citizen for travel purposes; others will require the individual to obtain a visa when one is not ordinarily required for US citizens.

 

With that said, my wife (when she was just my girlfriend) entered Tijuana without a problem on a bus from San Diego (not even a border stop), and on her return to the US had no problems with just her passport and B2 visa (which was for multiple entries ... just like as if she was coming directly from China). My understanding is that for entry to places like Tijuana, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, etc. - popular tourist destinations with planned short stays that don't go inland - all that was previously required was a US drivers license or passport for foreigners. With the new laws, US citizens need passports too (I think ... they'll need them to reenter the US anyway), but there probably isn't an increased restriction on non-US foreigners for popular tourist destinations like that. But, be sure to check the Mexico consulate's website for its requirements for Chinese citizens and for US green card holders.

Correct, Canada treats green-card holders just like US citizens, they allow them to enter Canada with only the green-card, NO visa required, Mexico may be different depending on what country the green-card holder is a citizen of.

 

For Canada:

Visitor Visa Exemptions

 

Many people do not require a visa to visit Canada. These include:

 

persons lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence who are in possession of their alien registration card (Green card) or can provide other evidence of permanent residence;

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp Edited March 28, 2008 by dnoblett (see edit history)

[NY-Viking]

Ah, what the heck, here's the info for Mexico (I'm trying to avoid work anyway):

 

from http://www.inm.gob.mx/EN/index.php?page/not_need_visa

 

Countries that do not need a visa:

 

If you are a citizen of:

 

... [long list]...

Hong Kong*

... [long list]...

United States of America

 

You can enter Mexico without a visa showing your passport and the "migration Form for Tourists, Transmigrants, Visiting Businesspersons, or Visiting Consultants", which you can obtain from travel agencies, airlines, or at your point of entry into Mexico.

 

This option also applies for permanent legal residents in the USA, Canada or Japan, regardless of nationality.

 

Under an agreement with Canada and the USA, those countries' citizens may prove their nationality with a passport or other public documents, such as:

 

Certified copy of birth certificate.

 

Voter registration card.

 

Naturalization certificate.

 

If any of these documents lack a photograph, travelers must prove their nationality with another official identification:

 

Driver's license.

 

Identification issued by a state or official agency.

 

Although Canadian and US citizens do not need a passport, the National Institute of Migration recommends one to expedite passage through the point of entry.

 

IMPORTANT: From January 23, 2007, american citizens who travel to Mexico, to return to the United States airway they will have to present an in force passport.

 

* Chinese citizens with passports issued by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

 

from http://www.inm.gob.mx/EN/index.php?page/need_visa

Countries that need a visa:

 

You will need a visa if you are a citizen of:

 

... [long list]...

China

... [long list]...

 

You must contact the nearest Mexican Embassy or Consulate to apply for your visa and migration form(www.sre.gob.mx/delegaciones/dire.htm).

 

In this case, you must submit:

 

Passport or valid identification and travel document.

 

Proof of economic solvency, with one of the following documents:

 

Proof of stable employment or independent activity in your place of residency, accrediting a minimum monthly income of US$ 500.00, or

Proof of real estate ownership, duly registered in your name, or

Copy of your bank or securities account statement with average annual balance of at least US$ 2,000.00, or Copy of an international credit card.

 

Airline ticket confirming your return to your country of origin or residency.

 

The citizens of Belize, Jamaica, El Salvador and Malaysia do not need visa, but they must go to some Mexican consulate to obtain the migratory from.

For family members (spouse, children, or parents) to accompany you, you must prove their status.

 

As tourist, you will be able to remain in Mexico 180 days.

 

 

So, although China (not including Hong Kong) is on the list of countries needing a visa, if you have a US green card, it seems there is an exception, since the "not needing visa" page: states

You can enter Mexico without a visa showing your passport and the "migration Form for Tourists, Transmigrants, Visiting Businesspersons, or Visiting Consultants", which you can obtain from travel agencies, airlines, or at your point of entry into Mexico.

 

This option also applies for permanent legal residents in the USA, Canada or Japan, regardless of nationality.

 

[dnoblett]

Ah, what the heck, here's the info for Mexico (I'm trying to avoid work anyway):

http://www.inm.gob.mx/EN/index.php?page/need_visa

 

So, although China (not including Hong Kong) is on the list of countries needing a visa, if you have a US green card, it seems there is an exception, since the "not needing visa" page: states

You can enter Mexico without a visa showing your passport and the "migration Form for Tourists, Transmigrants, Visiting Businesspersons, or Visiting Consultants", which you can obtain from travel agencies, airlines, or at your point of entry into Mexico.

 

This option also applies for permanent legal residents in the USA, Canada or Japan, regardless of nationality.

 

Good find, I suspected Mexico behaved much like Canada with regards to US Green-Card holders. I came across the INM.GOB.MX site, but did not see how to get English on that page so stopped there.

[NY-Viking]

Good find, I suspected Mexico behaved much like Canada with regards to US Green-Card holders. I came across the INM.GOB.MX site, but did not see how to get English on that page so stopped there.

 

I hit the "Ingl¨¦s" button.

 

Seems to me the button should say "English" ... kind of like every time I call a service number and am prompted in other languages for that language, but C'est La Vie.

[dnoblett]

Good find, I suspected Mexico behaved much like Canada with regards to US Green-Card holders. I came across the INM.GOB.MX site, but did not see how to get English on that page so stopped there.

 

I hit the "Ingl¨¦s" button.

 

Seems to me the button should say "English" ... kind of like every time I call a service number and am prompted in other languages for that language, but C'est La Vie.

Yep, I just noticed that. Yes you would think they would say "English" in English, not Spanish because the link is for "English" speakers.

[NY-Viking]

Anyway, can't stress this enough - if travelling out of the US for vacation and not back to the country of citizenship - check that country for its rules for US green card holders before you go.

[Vanessa S.]

thank you guys so much!!! I will definately go to the Mexican cosulat in denver to ask and see what we must do! Thanks everyone you guys are so much help!!!