Does my wife with an EAD/AP combo card need a visa for a closed-loop cruise to Mexico?

[Plaxerous 10]

My wife and I booked a Disney cruise from San Diego to Mexico and back in early November. She arrived to the US on a K-1 Visa, and has since received her I-765 EAD/AP combo card, but her green card application is still processing. She is a Chinese national and has a Chinese passport - from what I understand, the EAD/AP combo card lets her re-enter the US, but will it also allow her to board the cruise and/or enter Mexico?

 

The cruise line told us several times she will be okay with an EAD/AP combo card, but our local Mexican consulate told us that we needed a tourist visa. We still have time to apply for a tourist visa, but it would require a long drive to a few states away, and I'm not even sure if she would qualify (the visa application asks for bank statements with proof of income which she doesn't because she doesn't work yet).

 

I've run across threads with people with EAD/AP getting turned away or being able to board... can anyone with any recent experience update me?

[Letspaintcookies 2,310]

Chinese nationals need a visa to enter Mexico. Her AP and later Greencard don't have anything to do with traveling to other countries. When traveling she has to go with what her Chinese passport dictates. AP/ Greencard are only relevant for entering and living in the US.

[SalishSea 17,829]

1 hour ago, Plaxerous said:

My wife and I booked a Disney cruise from San Diego to Mexico and back in early November. She arrived to the US on a K-1 Visa, and has since received her I-765 EAD/AP combo card, but her green card application is still processing. She is a Chinese national and has a Chinese passport - from what I understand, the EAD/AP combo card lets her re-enter the US, but will it also allow her to board the cruise and/or enter Mexico?

 

The cruise line told us several times she will be okay with an EAD/AP combo card, but our local Mexican consulate told us that we needed a tourist visa. We still have time to apply for a tourist visa, but it would require a long drive to a few states away, and I'm not even sure if she would qualify (the visa application asks for bank statements with proof of income which she doesn't because she doesn't work yet).

 

I've run across threads with people with EAD/AP getting turned away or being able to board... can anyone with any recent experience update me?

The AP is for re-entering the US, has nothing to do with the visa requirements of other countries.

 

Also-  why would you trust info from a cruise line over the actual Mexican consulate???

Edited September 30, 2022 by Jorgedig

[Boiler 45,499]

Unless they have changed it a LPR does not require a Mexican visa, but she is not a LPR

[Mike E 11,739]

1 hour ago, Letspaintcookies said:

Chinese nationals need a visa to enter Mexico. Her AP and later Greencard don't have anything to do with traveling to other countries. 

Not true. Some countries grant  a visa waiver to green fare holders. Including Mexico.  
 

I don’t believe Mexico grants visa waiver to AP holders.  It would not surprise me if DR grants a visa waiver to AP holders.  

 

 

 

 

[Plaxerous 10]

Thanks all - we will apply for a Mexico visa just to be safe.

[Palawan 131]

If cruise is closed loop going out of USA all she needs is DL from USA is she has one yet.

 

If not I am sure the EAD/AP will be fine

 

I did one out of Florida few years ago with my k1 wife

[Plaxerous 10]

FYI - never had time to apply for a Mexico visa. We were able to embark and disembark the cruise with no problem with just a EAD/AP.