Anyone travel to Mexico?

[roykirk]

My wife holds a Russian passport, but is a legal U.S. resident with a Green Card.  I want to surprise her with a trip to Mexico, but I'm getting conflicting information about whether she's going to need a tourist visa.

The Mexican Consulate website seems pretty clear that a Russian citizen must have a visa, but I can't see where they reference whether the same is true for a Russian who is a legal U.S. resident.  All they say is that "citizens" of the U.S. do not need a visa.  My wife is clearly not a citizen.  Other travel sources tell me that a Green Card is enough for her to get in to Mexico. 

Thoughts?

[GQBlues]

We're flying to Cabo San Lucas tomorrow and my wife had been there 3 x already and once in Acapulco. She's still carrying her Russian passport, albeit accompanied by her US GC & DL. She acquires the visa at the Mexican POE. Hopefully in the next month or two, she'll be carrying the blue kind.

She hates this part of our travels as she always feel she's treated differently. The whole experience should really only take no more than 10 minutes IF she have all the necessary documents with her I mentioned above.

[roykirk]

Yes, she has all such documents.  I'm glad to hear it's possible for her to go anyway.  I've been chasing my tail all morning trying to figure this out.  The consulate website is vague at best, and I've also read a bunch of travel forum postings.  About half say Russians can't visit without a visa (even if they live in the U.S.), and the other half say the Green Card all they need. 

[GQBlues]

I know what you mean...it was tough for us on our first trip too. I finally called to the Mex. Embassy but took a while, and not until after she found out from other RWs who went through the process already and told her pretty much the same thing. FSUW message boards have always been a great source of info for her on occassion.

But these things do change occasionally, so please be diligent when the time comes for you both. Have fun!

[roykirk]

I finally found the following on the Mexico Consulate website, but it took a lot of digging.  It seems this is the definitive answer:

"2. PERMANENT RESIDENTS OF THE U.S.A, CANADA OR JAPAN.

Permanent residents of the United States of America (Green Card holders), Canada (Maple Leaf Card) or Japan, regardless of their country of origin, do not require a visa to travel to Mexico for tourism, but you will require:

a) A valid passport.

b) A valid Permanent Resident Card.

c) A Tourist form (FMTTV) which is provided on the airplane, bus or ship."

[Rutherford]

http://www.delta.com/planning_reservations/plan_flight/international_travel_information/visa_passport_information/

We  were there 2 weekends ago   , no problems  returning .

[Sailor291]

Took my wifes parents to Mexico, Puerto Vallarta last summer, they have Ukrainian passports and U.S. Permanent Resident cards.  No problem at all.

[GQBlues]

Short of being redundant, rest easy Roykirk. We just got back and things are as they've been. You both fill out individual tourist forms and a declaration form. You walk up to passport control together and get processed. They'll tear up the tourist visa form and give you your copies while in country. Pick up your checked in baggage/s and get it scanned and give out the declaration from.

On the way out, the ticket counter will ask for that tourist visa as you check in. They should also give you a US declaration form. Upon arrival, walk to US PC together...

Have fun...My wife always brings our marriage certificate in case someone inquire about the difference in her name. I never though she ever needed it but for some reason they asked her for it this time...

[roykirk]

Glad to hear it.  My wife managed to get the "The bearer of this passport is also known as ...." notation put in her Russian passport the last time we went to the consulate.  It makes everything so much easier.  While preparing for her recent trip home to visit family, we realized we had her ticket in her married name and her passport in her maiden name.  We heard from various people she could have serious problems traveling (even with a GC and marriage certificate), so we rushed off to the Russian Consulate to get the name change notation.  Worked like a charm.  Nobody even asked for her certified copy of our marriage certificate.

[willbarq]

I am thinking of meeting a nice lady from Russia in Mexico, of course it is a requirement for us to have met in person to consider marriage. She is super jovial and we talk regularly on the telephone. I am thinking I want to take it to the next level and see what she is about.

Has anyone done this? How free are Russians to travel to Mexico from Russian?

[erudite]

By all means meet her in either Las Hadas or Acapulco.  Fantastic places. I have been to every Mexican seacoast town on the Pacific side but Cabos San Lucas in Baja but Las Hadas and Acapulco are closer to Mexico City and just really nice places. The movie "10" was filmed at Las Hadas. Too many Acapulco movies filmed to name them all. If you go to another coastal town you will have to wait for your charter flight to get out if the trip ends up in a bust. I had this happen to me in Puerto Vallarta. I slept on the bathroom floor for five days.

[Faux Pas]

I am thinking of meeting a nice lady from Russia in Mexico, of course it is a requirement for us to have met in person to consider marriage. She is super jovial and we talk regularly on the telephone. I am thinking I want to take it to the next level and see what she is about.

Has anyone done this? How free are Russians to travel to Mexico from Russian?

It is difficult but attainable if you go about it correctly. Is there any specific reason you don't want to meet her in Russia?

[ECOCKS]

I am thinking of meeting a nice lady from Russia in Mexico, of course it is a requirement for us to have met in person to consider marriage. She is super jovial and we talk regularly on the telephone. I am thinking I want to take it to the next level and see what she is about.

Has anyone done this? How free are Russians to travel to Mexico from Russian?

Depends on her circumstances. You really should consider going and looking at her world though. Thinking you'll meet once and then propose without meeting her folks?

[willbarq]

It is difficult but attainable if you go about it correctly. Is there any specific reason you don't want to meet her in Russia?

I am concerned about the state departments warning regarding travel in the Caucasus region of Russia, listed as dangeroous. The Russians are very strict concerning  arrival and departure is my understanding. I cannot afford to get "stuck" there for a couple weeks.

[viking]

If you are afraid to travel to Rusia, you need to do some reading here. Many of us have been there multiple times. Go get a Russian visa ( I assume you live in the states?) and meet her in Moscow, or Kiev, or St. Petersburg. Where have you heard about this "strict" attitude and getting stuck? Your gonna have to go at some point.

[Seeker]

I am concerned about the state departments warning regarding travel in the Caucasus region of Russia, listed as dangeroous. The Russians are very strict concerning  arrival and departure is my understanding. I cannot afford to get "stuck" there for a couple weeks.

Last month I was in Russia and had my passport stolen... two days before I was supposed to leave.  The Russian police, US Embassy, and Russian consular services made it very easy for me.

I had to extend my visit, and for four days I was an illegal alien in Russia.  But they (Russian and US authorities) made it easy... and I got four more days in St Petersburg!  I am not sure how strict they can be, but with me they acted like friends and made it easy.  I wouldn't be worried, based on my own experience.

[acctBill]

I am concerned about the state departments warning regarding travel in the Caucasus region of Russia, listed as dangeroous. The Russians are very strict concerning  arrival and departure is my understanding. I cannot afford to get "stuck" there for a couple weeks.

willbarq do you realize what is happening in Mexico with the drug gangs shooting each other and many innocent Mexican citizens along with more than a few tourists getting caught in the crossfire?  I would think that currently Russia might be safer.  I wouldn't worry about the Russian government being strict about arrival and departure.  Most people on this site, including myself, have been in and out of Russia many times over the years and had no problems at all.  Get your visa from a reliable company, I used this company, http://realrussia.co.uk/visa/tourist_visas2.asp , when I lived in the UK.  Post your location and someone here will know a reliable company in your area.     

[Faux Pas]

I am concerned about the state departments warning regarding travel in the Caucasus region of Russia, listed as dangeroous. The Russians are very strict concerning  arrival and departure is my understanding. I cannot afford to get "stuck" there for a couple weeks.

The Caucus can be a dicey place to visit given the political, religious and military situations. Russia is very easy to travel to. I've done it many times but not there. Have your lady meet you elsewhere in Russia. I suggest St Pete or Moscow. Either would be be easier travel for you and her and if you don't lose your passport, most likely hassle free

[GQBlues]

The Caucus can be a dicey place to visit given the political, religious and military situations. Russia is very easy to travel to. I've done it many times but not there. Have your lady meet you elsewhere in Russia. I suggest St Pete or Moscow. Either would be be easier travel for you and her and if you don't lose your passport, most likely hassle free

Soon, many of the members here will realize how prophetic FP really is...  A suicide bomber killed at least 5 people in a market place somewhere in the northern Caucasus region.

Mexico is slightly better though not much. SP and Moscow are great, great suggestions.