Minimum Passport Validity when going on Holiday in Mexico - Advise needed!!!

Dr_Evil · 23 May 2007 at 16:04

I need some urgent opinions:

I'm travelling to Mexico from 27 June till 12 July, my passport expires 10th December this year.

Travel agent advised a minimum of 6 months passport validity on the date of arrival in Mexico. In my case that would be 5 months and 2 weeks...

Mexican embassy told me it would probably be "ok" but they couldn't guarantee it 100%.

Can anyone give me any further advise on this? I don't want to renew my passport if I don't need to.

Dr_Evil · 23 May 2007 at 16:09

Well my point is why renew my passport when it's still valid? Why pay double for half a year? Also I have an EU passport so that will mean taking time off work queing op at the embassy....

Dr_Evil · 23 May 2007 at 16:15

[TW]Fox said:
Becuase legally speaking, for the purposes of your trip, it's invalid.

Ehm.. I don't understand this logic. For the duration of my holiday my passport is valid, so what's the problem?

Dr_Evil · 23 May 2007 at 16:18

Jimmi said:
Take it up with the Mexicans, its their country after all

They can't give me a definative answer. That's why i'm asking for opinions from people here, maybe someone who has been in the same situation or has experiencing travelling there under the same circumstances?

Dr_Evil · 23 May 2007 at 16:34

I hear you all, but another problem is, which I've just realized 1 minute ago, is that i will need to travel to europe in 2 weeks time for a weekend, so obviously i'm going to need my passport then.

It's all been arranged last-minute and i not very well planned, but I'm trying to find solutions not saying "you should have done this and that".

If i renew my passport, i won't be able to travel in 2 weeks time, and this is as important to me as taking the holiday in 5 weeks. Also a passport renewal takes up to 4 weeks in my case.....

Dr_Evil · 23 May 2007 at 16:45

[TW]Fox said:
You've come up against a wall. You have two choices:

a) Find a way around the wall
b) Sit and whinge, moan cry and rant about why the wall is there.

One is loads less hassle than the other.

What do you think i'm trying to do by posting this question here?

you have a very negative view on things said in this forum dude, if you have nothing helpful to say then why say anything at all?

Dr_Evil · 23 May 2007 at 16:46

sgx.saint said:
Does it definitely take 4 weeks for an EU Passport? ... I know for a British one you can visit a passport centre and for the right amount of £££ get a passport the same day, or at least within 48 hours.

Good point, i was just about to investigate that....

Dr_Evil · 23 May 2007 at 16:48

Tru said:
It's Mexico FFS, you could make a passport in MSPaint and they wouldn't notice.

haha would this one do:

http://www.419eater.com/images/hall_of_shame/john_seko.jpg

Dr_Evil · 23 May 2007 at 16:52

sgx.saint said:
Are you not a British Citizen? ... Or am I having a blonde moment?

Nope, I'm Dutch, living in the UK, so I will have apply through the Dutch embassy and that will take currently 4 weeks!!

Dr_Evil · 23 May 2007 at 17:20

I think these are my options so-far:

1. Don't renew. Travel to europe in 2 weeks and travel to Mexico in 4/5 weeks time, take the risk of being refused entry, although I think my argument will be "but my passport is valid for the duration of the stay, as you can see i have a return ticket and will be leaving your country in 2 weeks. Also I'm a member of the OcUk forum, and i know toucam (he posted in my thread), so you have no choice but to let me in!!"

2. Renew - apply for an ID card and a passport. This will cost money and time, and the ID card is not as good, sometimes you still get hassle even within europe, also no guarantee it will be ready within 2 weeks.

3. Take additional days off and go to the Netherlands directly to renew in person, this will be much faster but I will have to wait there until it's ready. Not sure if I can get the time off to do this, but this may be a last resort option.

Damn last-minute problems!! :mad:

Dr_Evil · 23 May 2007 at 17:38

TripleT said:
So "The Mexicans", whose country it is, can't give you a definate answer so you decide to post on Ocuk for advice?!

Ehm... only if that's ok with you sir...

TripleT said:
I know some people like these forums FAR too much but come-on

Sorry, i guess i'm lucky you're not a don, you would have banned me for sure for posting something ridiculous as this?!?

TripleT said:
Back to the point. Why take the risk? Seems VERY pointless over £60 which you'll have to spend anyway in 6months time. Strange.

It's more complicated than that... I got an important trip to make to europe in 2 weeks, if i go ahead with the passport renewal then how in earth am i going to travel in 2 weeks?

TripleT said:
When did you book to go to Mexico? It's hardly last minute problems, I thought it was common knowledge that you need 6months on your passport most if not all of the time.

Not to me, i've travelled here and there lately but not had this 6-month issue yet.

Dr_Evil · 24 May 2007 at 09:33

I have found the solution after speaking to the Dutch embassy in London. The renewal time is 4 weeks and cannot be shortened (unless going to the Netherlands) but as my current passport is still valid, i can opt to keep it during the passport application process. When the passport is ready, i will have to go again in person to collect it, and hand my current passport in to them.

Thanks anyways for all the helpful advise, and for all others with their negative and useless comments: ........ (stick it where the sun don't shine

)