By Cicely A. Richard
Canadians travel to
Mexico by airplane and land for business or pleasure. However, because of security concerns, North American countries have set up travel regulations to help secure the borders of
Canada, the
United States and Mexico. There are different passport requirements for travel from Canada to Mexico and they depend on the purpose of visit and the traveler's age. Documents provided by the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) program make it easier for drivers to cross the Mexican border.
Passports
Passport Canada provides information on passport requirements for travel from Canada to Mexico. According to their website, Canadians do not need passports to travel to Mexico as long as they have a government-issued identification document, but a passport that has been valid for six months eliminates travel delays. To apply for a passport, Canadian citizens can print an application from the Passport Canada website or complete it online, print the application and forms and bring them and the application fee of $87 to the local passport office. Mexican airlines may not let Canadian citizens board their airplanes without passports. People driving from Canada to Mexico can also obtain enhanced drivers licenses from motor vehicles offices in Canada. This WHTI document has a bar code that is scanned by border patrol officers and helps hasten border crossing procedures for travelers.
Children Younger than 16
Canadian citizens younger than 16 years old do not need valid passports to travel from Canada to Mexico via land or air; however, they will need government-issued identification like birth certificates. Safety concerns arise for any person visiting the country of Mexico, so parents will need documents verifying that the children belong to them. People traveling with other people's children should have documents proving that they have parental permission to bring children across borders. Minors can obtain passports as well, but both parents must be present to validate the document.
Commercial Drivers
Commercial truck drivers often travel from Canada to Mexico through the United States of America. To meet passport requirements, commercial drivers have an alternate WHTI document available to them. The Free and Secure Trade (FAST) Driver Program gives commercial drivers who transport goods across North America driving credentials. To qualify for this program, drivers must pass background checks and transport goods not restricted by trade agreements between Mexico, the United States and Canada. People apply for this card on the Global Online Enrollment System (GOES) website or an approved application center, and the application fee is $50.
Resources
About the Author:
Based in Tucson, Ariz., Cicely A. Richard has been writing since 1996. Her articles have been published in the “Arizona Daily Star” newspaper and “ForeWord Magazine.” Richard earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in English and journalism from Louisiana State University.
