The WHTI requires U.S. citizens returning to the U.S. from Mexico to present a valid passport book or card whether they enter the U.S. by land, air or sea.
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, all foreign nationals and aliens must show a passport to enter the United States from any foreign country, including Mexico. Most visitors will also need to have a valid visa, unless they are visiting from a country eligible for the visa waiver program. The list of countries eligible for the visa waiver program is available on the Customs and Border Protection website.
One of the easiest ways to apply for a U.S. passport is to visit your local post office, but you can also apply at some court offices, libraries and local government offices depending on where you live, according to the U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs.
The first time you apply for a passport, you will need to fill out Form DS-11: Application for a U.S. Passport, show evidence of U.S. citizenship and photo identification, provide a photocopy of your identification documents, present two regulation passport photos and pay the applicable fee. As of December 2010, the charge for a passport book includes the application fee of $140 and an execution fee of $25. The fees for a passport card include a $30 application and $25 execution fee.
The passport application process can take four to six weeks, so prospective travelers should begin the process early. Expedited service is available for an additional fee of $60.
Obtaining a visa to visit the U.S. depends on your country of origin. Mexican citizens and permanent residents of Mexico obtain the necessary visa, also known as a Border Crossing Card or Laser Visa, through the United States Embassy in Mexico City, Mexico. According to the embassy's website, prospective visitors must first fill out the DS-160 online application through the embassy's website and pay the application fee. The fee for an adult tourist visa fee is $140, as of December 2010. Visa applicants must also schedule an appointment for an interview, gather required documents for the specific type of visa they are requesting and attend a visa interview at the embassy with the required documents.
