Passports & Visa

Do I need a Student Visa to Participate in OSEA?
No. You do not need a student visa to participate in any OSEA program. You only need a Mexican tourist visa that is available upon arrival at the Mexican border at which you enter the country. Do not seek to get a student visa based on participation in OSEA.

US Government Passport Requirements
If you are a US Citizen you can leave the USA without a passport. However, if plan on returning to the USA, you must have a US passport. In other words, when traveling to México you are required to use a US passport -- not to get into Mexico but to get back into the USA from Mexico! Go to the State Dept. Passport Servicesto apply for a new passport or process a renewal.

To review the US State Dept official information on travel requirements for México.
Processing time to get a passport is updated daily on the US State Dept. web page:

ROUTINE SERVICE	As of (Tuesday January 12, 2010 ), we are processing routine applications in approximately 4-6 weeks from the time of application.
EXPEDITED SERVICE*	As of (Tuesday January 12, 2010 ), we are processing requests for expedited service, that include overnight delivery to and from the Passport Agency, about 2-3 weeks door-to-door*.

Mexico Tourist Visa
México requires a visa. The Tourist Visa is issued at port of entry and can be issued for one month to three months. They are renewable for a total of 6 months.

If you wish, you can get a Mexican visa prior to travel from a Mexcan consulate office or embassy. you may go to the office and request a tourist visa of an extended 6 months at a minimal charge. If you are planning on staying in Mexico beyond 90 days for purposes of study at a Mexican institution or conducting business, consider applying for an FM3 Visa for approximately $100.

If you travel to Mexico without a visa... When you enter Mexico upon arrival in or when crossing the border into Mexico you will receive and fill out a Mexican Visa Form and Customs Declaration Form. When you hand this over to the Mexican Migration Officer, always request 90 days. If you are given fewer number of days than your trip, you will need to pay a service fee at the Migration Office to have your visa extended. Besides the fee (approx. $25) this is hassle as it requires losing one if not two days to go through the process.

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US Consulate in Mérida, Yucatán
Calle 60 no. 338-K x 29 y 31, Col. Alcala Martin, Mérida,
Yucatán, México 97050
Telephone (52)(999) 942-5700 or 202-250-3711 (U.S.).
http://merida.usconsulate.gov/