The requirements for traveling to and from Mexico can be confusing to first-time travelers. And with COVID-19, there are few extra steps you need to take to enter Mexico and to return to the U.S. Here are some tips from our most recent trip that may help you plan ahead and be prepared. Keep in mind that things can change, especially with COVID-19. However, here are a few suggestions to consider. It’s always a good idea to check the website of your destination airport for location specific information.
Upon arrival in Mexico
Have everything you need for customs and immigration out and handy before de-boarding. This will save you from fumbling to get them out and ready while carrying your bags and walking to immigration. Just be sure to put away important documents (i.e., passports) as soon as you are done with them. You don’t want to lose your passport while traveling!
Required immigration and customs are often provided by the airline during your flight down however sometimes they do not have the form or have enough for everyone on the flight. Airports are also moving to more contact-less ways to show your required documentation. We find it handy to download the forms and complete them ahead of time wherever possible.
Traveling into Mexico from the U.S.:
- Valid Passport. You will be asked to show a valid passport prior to boarding your flight from the U.S.
- Immigration Form. Each person traveling into Mexico will need a completed Entry Immigration Form.
- Customs. This is one form per family traveling together and provided while inflight to Mexico. After passing through immigration and baggage claim, you will pass through customs where they will collect a part of this form. You need the other part of the form for re-entry into the U.S. We recommend keeping it with your passports.
- Identification of Risk Factors This is new with COVID-19 and not provided by the airlines. There are hard copies at the airport after you deplane, but who wants to stop and fill out a form when you can fill it out online ahead of time and bypass the masses filling in the form at the airport? In Cabo, they asked for this form immediately after passing through immigration and before picking up your bags.
Traveling back into the U.S. from Mexico:
- COVID-19 Departure Survey. Each member of your party will need to complete the survey. Upon arrival back at the airport, there are tall, narrow tables set up where you access a QR code to complete the departure survey. After completing the survey, you will receive a QR code with your information. We were asked to show the QR code after checking our bags and before going up the escalator to security. The Cabo airport website has a link to the survey if you want to fill it out ahead of time.
- A completed CDC attestation form for each person in your party. We were asked to show ours to the airline counter staff when checking in our luggage. This is different than your proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of returning to the U.S.
- Proof of a negative COVID-19 test. Everyone ages two and over must have one of the following:
- Paper or digital proof of a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within 3 days of departure (PCR, RT-LAMP, NAT, or antigen). Most resorts are offering onsite testing services. Check with your resort for details.
- Confirmation of a previous positive test taken within the last 90 days and accompanied with a letter from a licensed health care provider or public health official stating you have fully recovered and been cleared for travel.
Another option, which did not work for us, but others have posted that it worked great for them, is the VeriFLY app available in the app store. You are supposed to be able to upload your negative COVID-19 test results and other health forms to VeriFLY to speed the process at the airport. Unfortunately, we received email results for only one of us. We had to return to the testing site to pick up a hard copy, which did not have a QR code. Therefore we were unable to upload the results and use the VeriFly app. Having print copies didn’t cause us any delays. We simply provided the printed test results at the counter while checking our bags.
These are simply our suggestions – please check your airlines and the CDC website prior to travel. We are always looking to learn and hear about others experiences and tips. We’d love to hear yours!
Randy & Jerrie
