Travelling to Mexico (TJ) with AP Combo Card

[MikeNZ1984 44]

I've got my combo card (Finally) and really looking forward to taking the bus from San Diego to the border and exploring TJ now that I've got my new found freedom.

Now my entry expired in November, and my passport is valid, my AP is valid (I have both a letter and combo card). Just asking for anyone else who has done this before, do you run into any problems on the border? Is there anything that I'll be asked, any other evidence I need to take (Attoerney said bring wedding cert and NOAs to be safe) will it take any longer to cross back into USA etc.

Also will my passport be stamped upon re entry?

I've done a lot of travel before, but first time in this situation. Would prefer no suprises as we've had a pretty crappy month (we had a suicide in the family and we are grieving at the moment, was hoping a nice day trip would lighten the atmosphere, but can't really cope with stress or interrogations on the border!).

Any suggestions would be great.

[Hypnos 6,576]

You would only need to bring your marriage certificate if the name on your passport was different from the name on your EAD.

[hanzeledj 0]

I have combo card too and planning to visit Mexico this spring, do we still need to apply for Mexican visa? or the i512 is fine? I am a Philippine passport holder...

[Hypnos 6,576]

Yes, until you are an LPR you will need a visa to visit Mexico.

Edited March 20, 2015 by Hypnos

[asisflyer 47]

Yes, until you are an LPR you will need a visa to visit Mexico.

Any VALID United States Visa is honored for Mexico tourist entry according to their government ( not just LPR ---- you might be confusing CANADA with MEXICO)

So I think this comes down to the OP's actual story.

What US VISAS are in his passport and are they past expiry.

[Hypnos 6,576]

True.

http://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/sanfrancisco/index.php/visas-traveling-to-mexico

[MikeNZ1984 44]

OK guys, well I'm back from an awesome trip through mexico.

Took my passport and combo card with me, crossed the border by land (there is literally no immigration on the mexican side) and took a bus to Ensenada, stayed a night there then the bus to Loretto. Heard you needed a Visa type document to go to Baja sur so organised that in Ensenada by the sea port where the cruise ships came in. Must have been the only tourist in there all day - had a funny look when they saw my US stamp expired on Nov 17 last year then showed them my EAD card and they processed it straight away.

Took the bus further south from loretto to La Paz (beautiful) and enjoyed a few days before a 24 hour bus ride back up to Tijuana. Went through 4 military checkpoints (looking for firearms and narcotics) none wanted to see my mexican visa or passport. Got back to TJ this morning, used a minibus to skip the 3 hour queue and then went in the all others lane with my wife. Didn't get asked a single question, immigration guy just took my passport and EAD card, swiped both through the machine and I was back on US territory in under a minute. No stamps or anything.

I was so stressed the hour before hand, had extra copies of all my documents just in case, but in the end, it was so simple. I'll write a blog on the whole trip and post it up here later on.

So if you are planning to visit mexico after getting your EAD, I suggest doing it - it's totally worth it!

[TBoneTX 45,297]

Thanks for the nice update, Mike. Mexico is indeed wonderful to visit. I've been to almost all the Tex-Mex border towns at least once, and every one has been a pleasure. Go to as many places there as you can possibly visit.