General Reports

[FlapJacK]

Hello,

Long time lurker first time poster.

I've been to Tijuana twice this past year, and can't wait to return. I've read the various threads going back for a few months so I kind of know what's there.

Right now my questions are about the passport card. I have a regular passport and have used it to enter Mexico and return to the USA. I have looked here: https://travel.state.gov/content/pas...tion/card.html.

But haven't found answers to my questions. So I thought I'd ask those who might know from experience.

1) I see that the card is all that's needed to return to the US, but is it sufficient to enter Mexico?

2) If you get a card sometime after getting the original passport, is it good for another 10 years, or does it expire when the passport does? In my case, this April.

3) Is the processing time to add a card based on an existing passport the same 4-6 weeks as a passport renewal, or faster?

Well, you would have to first enter Mexico to be able to return to the U.S. So it only makes sense that your passport card is good for both.

Its good for however long it says. Usually 10 years.

Processing times.

Approximately 4-6 weeks from the time of application, including mailing time. The total time it takes us to process an expedited passport application and you to receive the mailed passport, from "door-to-door. " Approximately 2-3 weeks from the time of application, including mailing time.

A simple google search will deliver you this information. https://travel.state.gov/content/pas...ing-times.html.

Cheers!

[Squid1234]

Hello,

Long time lurker first time poster.

I've been to Tijuana twice this past year, and can't wait to return. I've read the various threads going back for a few months so I kind of know what's there.

Right now my questions are about the passport card. I have a regular passport and have used it to enter Mexico and return to the USA. I have looked here: https://travel.state.gov/content/pas...tion/card.html.

But haven't found answers to my questions. So I thought I'd ask those who might know from experience.

1) I see that the card is all that's needed to return to the US, but is it sufficient to enter Mexico?

2) If you get a card sometime after getting the original passport, is it good for another 10 years, or does it expire when the passport does? In my case, this April.

3) Is the processing time to add a card based on an existing passport the same 4-6 weeks as a passport renewal, or faster?

The card is preferred because 1. Your book isn't stamped (weekly visits can fill it up), 2. Easier to carry and conceal (harder to loose), 3. Allows you to use the shorter ready lines upon return.

You will need to make a weekday appointment (unless they have another weekend passport day).

Yes 4-6 weeks and hand over your passport (if you don't have original birth certificate) and two pictures and a check.

Expedited exception is proof of vacation (Hotel online payment receipt or airline tickets but not sure how many min days) and additional 60 dollar fee.

[WindAngel]

Hello,

Long time lurker first time poster.

I've been to Tijuana twice this past year, and can't wait to return. I've read the various threads going back for a few months so I kind of know what's there.

Right now my questions are about the passport card. I have a regular passport and have used it to enter Mexico and return to the USA. I have looked here: https://travel.state.gov/content/pas...tion/card.html.

But haven't found answers to my questions. So I thought I'd ask those who might know from experience.

1) I see that the card is all that's needed to return to the US, but is it sufficient to enter Mexico?

You can use the card to enter Mexico.

[Tinny2000]

See my replies below.

Hello,

Long time lurker first time poster.

I've been to Tijuana twice this past year, and can't wait to return. I've read the various threads going back for a few months so I kind of know what's there.

Right now my questions are about the passport card. I have a regular passport and have used it to enter Mexico and return to the USA. I have looked here: https://travel.state.gov/content/pas...tion/card.html.

But haven't found answers to my questions. So I thought I'd ask those who might know from experience.

1) I see that the card is all that's needed to return to the US, but is it sufficient to enter Mexico?

##### Yes. Actually I think pass card is better than passport since the Mex Cus can not stamp on it.

2) If you get a card sometime after getting the original passport, is it good for another 10 years, or does it expire when the passport does? In my case, this April.
###########
Not sure. I applied both at the same time.

3) Is the processing time to add a card based on an existing passport the same 4-6 weeks as a passport renewal, or faster?

Generally, it does not take that long.

I got both barely 2 weeks with regular service, it might vary case by case.

[ScatManDoo]

1) I see that the card is all that's needed to return to the US, but is it sufficient to enter Mexico?

Yes. Mexican border agents officially accept both the regular passports and the passport cards. What they don't officially accept for entry into Mexico are the Sentry or Global access cards.

2) If you get a card sometime after getting the original passport, is it good for another 10 years, or does it expire when the passport does?

Both passports and passport cards have ten year expiration periods. If you obtained a passport card two years after first getting a passport, the passport card will expire two years after the passport.

3) Is the processing time to add a card based on an existing passport the same 4-6 weeks as a passport renewal, or faster?

Yes. But my understanding is that currently these documents are being processed in slightly shorter periods of time, so getting one in two to three weeks is the current wait for many applicants.

[LixerGood]

Hello,

Long time lurker first time poster.

I've been to Tijuana twice this past year, and can't wait to return. I've read the various threads going back for a few months so I kind of know what's there.

Right now my questions are about the passport card. I have a regular passport and have used it to enter Mexico and return to the USA. I have looked here: https://travel.state.gov/content/pas...tion/card.html.

But haven't found answers to my questions. So I thought I'd ask those who might know from experience.

1) I see that the card is all that's needed to return to the US, but is it sufficient to enter Mexico?

2) If you get a card sometime after getting the original passport, is it good for another 10 years, or does it expire when the passport does? In my case, this April.

3) Is the processing time to add a card based on an existing passport the same 4-6 weeks as a passport renewal, or faster?

[Baxter Slade]

Yes, they are different than the city buses & super size vans. The ones you refer to are called colectivos (rutas) and routes are color coded. I rarely use those unless traveling South down to La Mesa and even then prefer the old green buses as those vans can get very jammed full like sardines with BO & bad breath filling the space.

HaHa funny you should mention your reason for preferring the green buses. I prefer the green buses to when going to 5 y10. However there were a few times I took them on weekdays. Talk about feeling out of place. The buses start to fell up with scool children during certain times of the day. I was like what's this old white man doing on a mexican school bus.

[Ninguno Especial]

The dog is supposedly checking for people leaving the USA Carrying more than Ten Thousand dollars. I got stopped once when the dog alerted to me. And that's what the agents told me. Come on man how can the dog tell the difference between a couple hundred dollars and 10,000. 00 . I think the dog was interested in the box of See's choclates I had.

I know they might ask you if you have more than 10 K on you & I say no, but thanks for the compliment anyway. But I really doubt that is all the dogs are trained to sniff for. One quick sniff is all it takes, they are highly skilled professionals. LOL.

[Ninguno Especial]

These are shared taxis. Majority of them arrive / leave from 3rd / 4th street and Madero. Next time you are in Tijuana, pop over and find out how late they run. These taxis go all over. I went to Rosarita on one of these for only 180 pesos.

Yes, they are different than the city buses & super size vans. The ones you refer to are called colectivos (rutas) and routes are color coded. I rarely use those unless traveling South down to La Mesa and even then prefer the old green buses as those vans can get very jammed full like sardines with BO & bad breath filling the space.

[Ninguno Especial]

Do you also take the van back to the border?

Is it also available at night?

Up until about 9 pm only on 2nd street between Constitucion & Revolucion. But you take pot luck, sometimes there are mostly old yellow Bluebird school buses or various other make shift vehicles. The new RED buses now operate from the border but you have to walk West down down by that little park and wait at their enclosure recently constructed. Then I have no idea if they go straight to Centro or if they take you all over creation 1st but guessing they drop you by the Arch and Nelson hotel. 14 pesos.

[LifeIsABeach]

Do you also take the van back to the border? Is it also available at night?

These are shared taxis. Majority of them arrive / leave from 3rd / 4th street and Madero. Next time you are in Tijuana, pop over and find out how late they run. These taxis go all over. I went to Rosarita on one of these for only 180 pesos.

[Baxter Slade]

I saw that the last two times I went down to Tijuana in the past couple of weeks. I'd never seen it before. No biggie for me, as I don't carry drugs into Tijuana, and I pop my vitamin V right when I park my car.

The dog is supposedly checking for people leaving the USA Carrying more than Ten Thousand dollars. I got stopped once when the dog alerted to me. And that's what the agents told me. Come on man how can the dog tell the difference between a couple hundred dollars and 10,000. 00 . I think the dog was interested in the box of See's choclates I had.

[Tinny2000]

Do you also take the van back to the border?

Is it also available at night?

Tuesday was surprised to see some Feds on the US side before the turnstiles with a drug sniffing (I assume) German Shepard. Thought to myself the dog is in the wrong profession, very gentle loving look in the eyes almost apologetic, maybe more suited for hospital visits to cheer patients up.

So if you are a "MMJ patient" carrying "meds" across the border (dumb thing to do) best rethink. Hadn't noticed this type of inspection in many months but I only go down once or twice per week.

Also caught a nice van for 10 pesos right out of the building where the taxis are. Driver took us over the new bus bridge near the west ped entrance so in 2 min. Was at 1st and Madero 1 blk off Revolution. Not bad for 50 cents but I know plenty of codos who wouldn't pay that amount. LMAO.

[Member #2041]

Tuesday was surprised to see some Feds on the US side before the turnstiles with a drug sniffing (I assume) German Shepard. Thought to myself the dog is in the wrong profession, very gentle loving look in the eyes almost apologetic, maybe more suited for hospital visits to cheer patients up.

So if you are a "MMJ patient" carrying "meds" across the border (dumb thing to do) best rethink. Hadn't noticed this type of inspection in many months but I only go down once or twice per week.

Also caught a nice van for 10 pesos right out of the building where the taxis are. Driver took us over the new bus bridge near the west ped entrance so in 2 min. Was at 1st and Madero 1 blk off Revolution. Not bad for 50 cents but I know plenty of codos who wouldn't pay that amount. LMAO.

I saw that the last two times I went down to Tijuana in the past couple of weeks. I'd never seen it before. No biggie for me, as I don't carry drugs into Tijuana, and I pop my vitamin V right when I park my car.

[Ninguno Especial]

Tuesday was surprised to see some Feds on the US side before the turnstiles with a drug sniffing (I assume) German Shepard. Thought to myself the dog is in the wrong profession, very gentle loving look in the eyes almost apologetic, maybe more suited for hospital visits to cheer patients up.

So if you are a "MMJ patient" carrying "meds" across the border (dumb thing to do) best rethink. Hadn't noticed this type of inspection in many months but I only go down once or twice per week.

Also caught a nice van for 10 pesos right out of the building where the taxis are. Driver took us over the new bus bridge near the west ped entrance so in 2 min. Was at 1st and Madero 1 blk off Revolution. Not bad for 50 cents but I know plenty of codos who wouldn't pay that amount. LMAO.