Travel to Mexico with expired GC

[clw654321 159]

My wife has been here in the US from The Philippines for almost 5 years now. We filed for her 10 year green card a couple years ago. (Applying for citizenship soon)

She still has not received it but has the extension letter. We have a trip planned to Cancun, Mexico at the beginning of May.

Since she does not have the physical GC yet we know she needs a Visa. She has had so much trouble trying to get an appointment at the embassy.

We are near Houston, TX. She was told she has to check daily and wait for an appointment to randomly pop up online when she checks.

Does anyone know how to get an appointment for this? It is driving us crazy at this point.

[clw654321 159]

@John & Rose do you know anyone good to tag for this?

[MaxP22 186]

This is a forum for US tourist visas, not Mexican.

[Ontarkie 14,215]

~~Moved to WOrking and Traveling, from  Tourist Visas- the OP's spouse is a PR and wanting to travel to Mexico~~

[clw654321 159]

My wife is from the Philippines, her GC is expired, she has the i797 extension letter.

Is this all she needs for our trip to Cancun in a month for our 5 year anniversary?

It seems literally impossible to get an appointment for a visa at the Houston Mexican Consulate. Although we don’t know if she even needs it.

This is so unclear when reading everything. Thanks in advance!

[powerpuff 6,677]

*** Related threads on traveling to Mexico on extension letter merged together ***
 

From what I have been reading here the issue seems to be the airlines. I know for a fact that Delta will not board someone with an extension letter. United airlines as well according to recent reports:

I personally have scratched Mexico from my list of destinations for this reason as I’m also in the Removal of Conditions process. The hassle is not worth it in my opinion given there are many other great options. I could get a visa but as you said it’s hard to get an appointment and it’s just too much work 

[powerpuff 6,677]

I also use this handy website to check for details on traveling as it also gives the option of seeing if airlines have restrictions:

 

https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/MX-Mexico-passport-visa-health-travel-document-requirements.htm

 

When inputting PH passport, USA Permanent Resident for a tourist trip to MX:

- choosing Delta Airlines shows a warning that the extension letter is not accepted 

- choosing United Airlines showed the same warning as Delta 

- JetBlue showed no restrictions 

 

So maybe try to fly with JetBlue. I haven’t tried other airlines besides these three

[OldUser 6,604]

1 hour ago, powerpuff said:

I also use this handy website to check for details on traveling as it also gives the option of seeing if airlines have restrictions:

 

https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/MX-Mexico-passport-visa-health-travel-document-requirements.htm

 

When inputting PH passport, USA Permanent Resident for a tourist trip to MX:

- choosing Delta Airlines shows a warning that the extension letter is not accepted 

- choosing United Airlines showed the same warning as Delta 

- JetBlue showed no restrictions 

 

So maybe try to fly with JetBlue. I haven’t tried other airlines besides these three

Awesome investigation! I wouldn't travel without visa while on GC and extension IMHO.

[powerpuff 6,677]

1 minute ago, OldUser said:

Awesome investigation! I wouldn't travel without visa while on GC and extension IMHO.

Oh I wouldn’t either! This is why I’m avoiding Mexico for the time being (until I get my 10 year GC).

[OldUser 6,604]

5 minutes ago, powerpuff said:

Oh I wouldn’t either! This is why I’m avoiding Mexico for the time being (until I get my 10 year GC).

In a way, Mexico is a nice treat after receiving 10 year GC 😃

[powerpuff 6,677]

16 minutes ago, OldUser said:

In a way, Mexico is a nice treat after receiving 10 year GC 😃

Definitely 

[clw654321 159]

5 hours ago, clw654321 said:

 

My wife is from the Philippines, her GC is expired, she has the i797 extension letter.

Is this all she needs for our trip to Cancun in a month for our 5 year anniversary?

It seems literally impossible to get an appointment for a visa at the Houston Mexican Consulate. Although we don’t know if she even needs it.

This is so unclear when reading everything. Thanks in advance!

@OldUser

[clw654321 159]

[clw654321 159]

4 hours ago, powerpuff said:

*** Related threads on traveling to Mexico on extension letter merged together ***
 

From what I have been reading here the issue seems to be the airlines. I know for a fact that Delta will not board someone with an extension letter. United airlines as well according to recent reports:

I personally have scratched Mexico from my list of destinations for this reason as I’m also in the Removal of Conditions process. The hassle is not worth it in my opinion given there are many other great options. I could get a visa but as you said it’s hard to get an appointment and it’s just too much work 

So after the “chat” with United, I even called to confirm. Hopefully they understand what exactly she has and what we are doing, I repeated 4-5 times in different words and she told me that she is ok if she brings her Philippines passport, expired GC, and the extension letter.

I even asked her to have this saved for United when we go to checkin and she did.

So seems we are ok….

 I think.

[powerpuff 6,677]

Just now, clw654321 said:

So after the “chat” with United, I even called to confirm. Hopefully they understand what exactly she has and what we are doing, I repeated 4-5 times in different words and she told me that she is ok if she brings her Philippines passport, expired GC, and the extension letter.

I even asked her to have this saved for United when we go to checkin and she did.

So seems we are ok….

 I think.

Definitely print these chats out and bring them with you. Keep us posted and wishing you luck!