Do I need a passport to go to Mexico?
By Tom Jones
Editor-in-Chief, PassportOfficesLast reviewed Editorial policy
Short answer
Do I need a passport to go to Mexico?
Yes. Flying to Mexico requires a valid U.S. passport book — there are no exceptions for air travel. If you cross by land or sea, you can use a passport book, a passport card, or another WHTI-compliant document such as an Enhanced Driver's License or a trusted traveler card (SENTRI, Global Entry, or NEXUS).
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Key takeaways
- Air travel to Mexico always requires a valid U.S. passport book.
- Land and sea crossings also accept the passport card, an Enhanced Driver's License, or a trusted traveler card.
- Mexico does not require six months of remaining validity for U.S. tourists — your passport must be valid for the length of your stay, but airlines may apply their own rules.
- Most tourists also complete Mexico's FMM visitor permit; airlines usually include it in the ticket for air arrivals.
- Children need their own passport book to fly, regardless of age.
Full answer
For flights, the rule is simple: every U.S. citizen, including infants, needs a valid passport book to board a plane to Mexico and to re-enter the United States by air. A passport card is not valid for international air travel.
Driving or walking across the border is more flexible. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative lets U.S. citizens re-enter by land or sea with a passport card, an Enhanced Driver's License issued by certain states, or a trusted traveler program card. A standard driver's license and birth certificate are not enough for adults.
Mexico's entry rules for U.S. tourists do not include a six-month validity requirement — your passport generally needs to be valid for the duration of your stay. Some airlines apply stricter document checks, so traveling with at least a few months of validity is the safer choice.
Visitors staying in Mexico as tourists also complete an FMM (Forma Migratoria Múltiple) visitor permit. For air travel it is typically handled through your airline; for land crossings you may need to stop at the immigration office at the border. Check the official entry requirements before you go.