In Country Flights?

[Bast]

I was wondering if it is allowable to take a flight to Cancun if you don't have your passport book, but have your card?

[RVGRINGO]

You don't need a passport for domestic flights. Carry your card, but also be sure to carry your INM document.

[More Liana]

You might need a passport (the actual book) for ID, even though it is a domestic flight. Before you buy tickets, check with the airline about what ID is accepted.

[tomgates]

In theory one does not need a passport for in country travel. But one time we flew from Guad to Cabo and was pulled out of the line waiting to exit baggage claim by the Fed Police. They wanted to see passport, did not have, and immigration document, again did not have as it was being renewed. After about 20 minutes of standoff with no English, I indicated that I needed to resume my vacation with my wife and asked to leave and did leave. I now carry a US passport card and copy (black & white) of my FM3 with me.

[AlanMexicali]

In theory one does not need a passport for in country travel. But one time we flew from Guad to Cabo and was pulled out of the line waiting to exit baggage claim by the Fed Police. They wanted to see passport, did not have, and immigration document, again did not have as it was being renewed. After about 20 minutes of standoff with no English, I indicated that I needed to resume my vacation with my wife and asked to leave and did leave. I now carry a US passport card and copy (black & white) of my FM3 with me.

You should carry your original immigration document with you as a copy is not accepted sometimes. Carrying nothing would be a cause for concern as you have no proof of being in Mexico legally. You are lucky the Federal Police let you pass eventually. Alan

[tomgates]

The reason we carry copies is that it is a royal hassle to get originals replaced if lost. The copies are obviously copies and not so lifelike to risk them being called forgeries.

[ichbinsaege]

The reason we carry copies is that it is a royal hassle to get originals replaced if lost. The copies are obviously copies and not so lifelike to risk them being called forgeries.

I've been told by local police that they know the foreigners in this area carry copies, but that the Federales aren't always as easy going on copies. Yes the originals are a pain to get replaced, but so is a drivers license, and you wouldn't carry a copy of that around, would you? Pretty sure the Mexican citizens don't carry around copies of their IFE card, either.

Whenever I travel within Mexico, I carry my original immigration documents and have never had any problems. Not even in La Paz when I was pulled out of line checking in for my flight. Showed them my document and was on my way.

[AlanMexicali]

I've been told by local police that they know the foreigners in this area carry copies, but that the Federales aren't always as easy going on copies. Yes the originals are a pain to get replaced, but so is a drivers license, and you wouldn't carry a copy of that around, would you? Pretty sure the Mexican citizens don't carry around copies of their IFE card, either.

Whenever I travel within Mexico, I carry my original immigration documents and have never had any problems. Not even in La Paz when I was pulled out of line checking in for my flight. Showed them my document and was on my way.

Yes, when you recieve an immigration document in Mexico you are required to carry it on your person at all times, as in any other country.

The term "Federales" here in Mexico has decades long history of refering to the Mexican Federal Military, especially the Mexican Army. Mexicans when refering to the Mexican Federal Police call them the Federal Police. [Policia Federal]

[ichbinsaege]

Yes, when you recieve an immigration document in Mexico you are required to carry it on your person at all times, as in any other country.

The term "Federales" here in Mexico has decades long history of refering to the Mexican Federal Military, especially the Mexican Army. Mexicans when refering to the Mexican Federal Police call them the Federal Police. [Policia Federal]

I said Federales, because that is the word the local police used.

[Guest bigd]

Yes, when you recieve an immigration document in Mexico you are required to carry it on your person at all times, as in any other country.

The term "Federales" here in Mexico has decades long history of refering to the Mexican Federal Military, especially the Mexican Army. Mexicans when refering to the Mexican Federal Police call them the Federal Police. [Policia Federal]

I agree with you that "when you rceive an immmigration document in Mexico you are required to carry it on your person at all times as in any other country" Is it legal for the authorities to ask you to show these documnts? In the US this the authorities cannot ask foor someone to show them their documents (papers). That would be discrimination. Do you ever get fed up with the unlevel playing field we operate under. Ethics tells us that what is fair for one is fair for the other, what is right for one is right for the other???????

[AlanMexicali]

Actually in Arizona and Tennesee the state laws allow police etc. to ask anyone they want for any reason for proof of legal residence. That policy was in place before any laws were passed. I feel discrimination at airport security checks here is not an issue when asked to show proof of being in Mexico legally or possibly at road check points also, like at the Border Patrol Checkpoints along the highways in the US. There is a federal law which states that when in a "Federal Zone" in the US a citizen has no rights to not comply with federal officers. So who knows what level playing field you are talking about?

[Guest bigd]

Actually in Arizona and Tennesee the state laws allow police etc. to ask anyone they want for any reason for proof of legal residence. That policy was in place before any laws were passed. I feel discrimination at airport security checks here is not an issue when asked to show proof of being in Mexico legally or possibly at road check points also, like at the Border Patrol Checkpoints along the highways in the US. There is a federal law which states that when in a "Federal Zone" in the US a citizen has no rights to not comply with federal officers. So who knows what level playing field you are talking about?

Maybe you might re-read your original quote, Not talking specifically talking about Arizona or Tennesee In the US you can not stop a person specifically to determine if they are in the country legally, or require that they have original copies of their documents. If you are required to carry documents and present them for no reason in Mexico, I think the same should be done in the US (in other wrods just to check). If you think this level playing field exist, makes wonder where you get you experiences from.

[AlanMexicali]

Maybe you might re-read your original quote, Not talking specifically talking about Arizona or Tennesee In the US you can not stop a person specifically to determine if they are in the country legally, or require that they have original copies of their documents. If you are required to carry documents and present them for no reason in Mexico, I think the same should be done in the US (in other wrods just to check). If you think this level playing field exist, makes wonder where you get you experiences from.

I was under the impression all Immigration Officers and all Border Patrol agents can do exactly that with whoever and whenever they feel justified to do so in all states. If the person does not have the correct legal documents they can be detained on the spot. I might have misunderstood this, but I doubt it. I get my experiences from living on the Mexican border for 35 years. I also have been inside Mexico during this time frequently and now live here.

Twice I was pulled over by the Border Patrol on a lonely stretch of CA. Hwy. 98 and they said: "We pulled you over because your car was riding a little low, both times, can you please pop your trunk for us."

The US does not per se have Federal Police, Federal Marshalls are there. The closest would be the FBI agents, who I am sure can ask for your immigration documents, if they want to. So where isn´t the level playing field? I would really be interested in finding out. Alan

[Explorador]

What floored me recently was that we drove to a resort hotel on the beach. They wanted to see our passports upon check-in. I said "I live in Mexico and drove here, why would I need my passport?". I showed them my INM card and driver's license but they were not impressed - they wanted the passports. The reasons we got didn't make any sense to me. We had our passports in the car so went and got them rather than argue. Still, I can't understand what that was all about.

To answer your original question, I flew from Guad to Puebla on a picture ID. But maybe things have changed?

[tomgates]

It used to be common when US people checking into hotels in a foreign country to hand over the passport to the hotel at check in. Not so common of late, in my personal experience. I do carry a passport card just in case.

[El Cartero]

I have flown within Mexico at least 4 times a year for almost 10 years. I have never taken more than a Mexican drivers license. I download my ticket the nite before and only show the Drivers license to the gate agent if requested. Never ever have I had a problem checking into a hotel. The original topic related to flying and only that to which I refer.

[AlanMexicali]

I have flown within Mexico at least 4 times a year for almost 10 years. I have never taken more than a Mexican drivers license. I download my ticket the nite before and only show the Drivers license to the gate agent if requested. Never ever have I had a problem checking into a hotel. The original topic related to flying and only that to which I refer.

Well, the problem with doing that is it is required, even now in the letter I signed and recieved a copy of with my Residente Temporal card that: " I must keep my forma migratoria on my person at all times and present it to any immigration officer who requests to see it. [paraphrased]" Alan

"Mostrar y custodiar la documentacion que acredite su identidad y su situacion migratoria regular, cuando le sea requerida por las autoridades migratorios; "

[hensley]

I am going to Cancun also and my FM will be in transit, but I don't remember if they take my passport, I think they just look at it and you give them the copies, so I can probably travel with my passport, I think I will try my MX Drivers License first. What if I had a MX passport, and didn't carry it, they have no right to ask for that and wouldn't know anyway.

[AlanMexicali]

I am going to Cancun also and my FM will be in transit, but I don't remember if they take my passport, I think they just look at it and you give them the copies, so I can probably travel with my passport, I think I will try my MX Drivers License first. What if I had a MX passport, and didn't carry it, they have no right to ask for that and wouldn't know anyway.

When we were going to Puerto Vallarta when in process I asked INM about that. They said inside Mexico I will need the form they gave me with the NUT [Numero Unico de Tramite].

[More Liana]

If you are a Mexican citizen, you need an official photo ID to board any plane--just the same as if you are an American or Canadian citizen flying within the USA or Canada. An official ID for travel within Mexico, if you are Mexican, can be either a passport or a voter's credential. A Mexican driver's license is not considered to be official identification for either Mexicans or foreigners.

[AlanMexicali]

If you are a Mexican citizen, you need an official photo ID to board any plane--just the same as if you are an American or Canadian citizen flying within the USA or Canada. An official ID for travel within Mexico, if you are Mexican, can be either a passport or a voter's credential. A Mexican driver's license is not considered to be official identification for either Mexicans or foreigners.

It appears that is what is agreed to when I signed that form. That I would carry it in Mexico and present it to any Immigration Officer who wants to see it. It is a plastic card with a lazer logo and to top it off it is green. Literally a "green card". Alan

[RVGRINGO]

Foreigners are required to carry their INM document (the card or the tramite form) at all times. Away from your home area, you should carry your passport as a photo ID, especially if in tramite with INM.