U.S. Embassy News, Updates, and Information
  • Glenn Wilson
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    COVID-19 Information for U.S. Citizens in Mexico Last updated: [01/26/21]
    ...
    COVID-19 Information for U.S. Citizens in Mexico

    Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Mexico City, Mexico (January 22, 2021).
    The number of COVID-19 cases continues to increase throughout Mexico. As of January 18, Guanajuato, Jalisco, Mexico City, México state, Nuevo León, Puebla, and Querétaro report the highest number of active cases. States reporting the highest rates of hospital occupancy are Mexico City, Mexico State, Guanajuato, Hidalgo, Nuevo León, Puebla, and Nayarit. Mexican health authorities reiterated calls for people to stay home as much as possible and leave only for work and essential activities, following social distance measures, frequent hand hygiene, and mask-wearing. Schools remained closed in nearly all states.

    Effective January 26, all airline passengers to the United States ages two years and older must provide a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within three calendar days of travel. Alternatively, travelers to the United States may provide documentation from a licensed health care provider documenting recovery from COVID-19 in the 90 days preceding travel. Check the CDC website for additional information and Frequently Asked Questions. This requirement does not currently apply to travelers entering the United States by land or sea or to children under two years of age. It applies to U.S. citizens, as well as foreign nationals, regardless of vaccination status. ...
    Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Mexico City, Mexico (January 22, 2021).

    Covid Testing and Airline Travel. What you need to know.

    Health Alert – Mexico COVID-19 Update (December 11, 2020)
    The number of confirmed and suspected COVID-19 cases reached its peak nationwide by mid-July and began a decrease that lasted until mid-September. Cases then increased until mid-November. The end of November resulted in a slight decrease and plateau. There is still not enough data to evaluate with certainty epidemiological trends in December. In many states, there has been a considerable increase in the number of cases as well as of hospitalizations. Mexico City, Mexico State, Nuevo Leon, Guanajuato, and Sonora report the highest number of active cases for the preceding two-week period as of December 9. The states reporting the highest rates of hospital occupancy are Mexico City, Mexico State, Guanajuato, Durango, and Hidalgo as of December 9. Mexican health authorities have reiterated calls for people to stay home as much as possible and leave home only for work and essential activities according to the color assigned to each state under the national stoplight system, always following social distance measures, frequent hand hygiene, and mask-wearing. Schools remained closed in nearly all states.

    The Mexican government has not yet approved a COVID-19 vaccine. When one is approved, we encourage you to consult with your local health care professional about how you can receive the vaccine. We encourage U.S. citizens resident in Mexico to follow host country developments and guidelines.

    The national stoplight system allows for a gradual phase-in of additional economic activities in states and municipalities. The four metrics to determine the four colors that indicate risk level from maximum to minimum (red, orange, yellow, and green) are the trend in numbers of new cases, hospital occupancy trends, current hospital occupancy rates, and the percentage of positive cases.

    Two states are designated “red” under the federal stoplight system between December 7 and 20 (Baja California and Zacatecas). Under red, only essential activities are allowed. Essential activities include: the provision of medical services and supplies, grocery delivery services, operation of grocery stores, restaurant delivery and carryout services, assurance of public safety, maintenance of fundamental economic functions and government social programs, work in critical infrastructure, construction, and manufacturing of transportation equipment. Hotels are limited to 25 percent occupancy for guests working on critical activities. Parks are also limited to 25 percent occupancy.

    Twenty-four states are designated “orange” under the federal system between December 7 and 20 (Aguascalientes, Baja California Sur, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Guerrero, Guanajuato, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Mexico City, Mexico State, Michoacan, Morelos, Nayarit, Nuevo Leon, Puebla, Quintana Roo, Queretaro, San Luis Potosi, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tamaulipas, Tabasco, and Yucatan). Under orange, hotels, restaurants, barbershops, open-air parks, and gyms are limited to 50 percent capacity. Markets and supermarkets will operate at 75 percent capacity. Additionally, shopping malls, churches, cinemas, theaters, museums, and cultural events will be limited to 25-percent capacity.

    Three states are designated “yellow” under the federal stoplight system between December 7 and 20 (Colima, Oaxaca, and Tlaxcala). Under yellow, all work activities are permitted. Public space may open on a regular basis, while enclosed public spaces can open with reduced capacity. All activities should be carried out with basic prevention measures. People at higher risk of developing COVID-19 symptoms should continue to take extra precautions.

    Three states are designated “green” under the federal stoplight system between December 7 and 20 (Campeche, Chiapas, and Veracruz). Under green, all economic and social activities, including school, are permitted while taking appropriate precautions.

    Please see information on additional state and local restrictions and links to state COVID-19 websites in the “Local Resources” section on our website. This information is not comprehensive and is subject to change without notice. Please confirm directly with the local government and other trusted sources for more information on closures and restrictions in different Mexican states and municipalities.

    The United States and Mexico entered a joint initiative March 21 restricting non-essential travel along the U.S.-Mexico land border to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus; this restriction has been extended until January 21. Non-essential travel includes tourism and recreational travel. These restrictions apply to travel in both directions across the border. Mexican border and local authorities are conducting enforcement actions to discourage non-essential travel in some areas. Travelers entering Mexico by land from the United States may be denied admission if the purpose of their visit is considered non-essential. We recommend that travelers carry evidence of the essential nature of their visit and evidence of their resident status in Mexico, if applicable. Travelers entering Mexico via land may be subject to temperature checks and additional health screening. Travelers may experience significant delays and face the possibility of being returned to the United States or asked to quarantine in Mexico. At some U.S. ports of entry, operating hours have changed; please review CBP’s Port of Entry wait times web page for additional information. Please see the DHS website or embassy fact sheet for more information.

    Passengers and aircrew members arriving at and departing from Mexican airports may be subject to health screenings, including temperature checks. Those exhibiting symptoms may be subject to additional health screenings and/or asked to quarantine voluntarily.

    The Department of State issued a Level 3 Health Advisory for Mexico on September 8, advising U.S. citizens to reconsider travel to Mexico due to COVID-19, and to exercise increased caution in Mexico due to crime and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk – read the entire Travel Advisory. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in many areas of Mexico, as travel by U.S. government employees to certain areas is prohibited or significantly restricted. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice for Mexico due to COVID-19 on December 2. ... (more at the link) ...
    Health Alert – Mexico COVID-19 Update (December 11, 2020).
    See also: Travel Restrictions – Fact Sheet (Updated January, 2020).

    Status of U.S. Consular Operations in Mexico in Light of COVID-19 (Updated November 25, 2020)
    The U.S. Embassy in Mexico City and all U.S. consulates general in Mexico suspended routine consular and visa services March 18 due to COVID-19.

    U.S. citizens in need of 24/7 emergency assistance should call 55-8526-2561 from Mexico or 1 (844) 528-6611 from the United States. For information on other services, see below.

    American Citizens Services (ACS)/Passport Services:

    Effective October 20, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City and Consulates General Guadalajara, Hermosillo, Matamoros, Merida, Monterrey, Nogales, Nuevo Laredo, and Tijuana will resume limited appointments for some routine passport, citizenship, and notarial services. Passport, citizenship, and notary appointment availability will be strictly limited due to physical distancing requirements in our offices and public waiting rooms. Each applicant requires their own appointment. All visitors to the embassy and consulates age two and older must wear a mask.

    At this time, Consulate General Ciudad Juarez and Consular Agencies Acapulco, Los Cabos, Cancun, Mazatlan, Oaxaca, Playa del Carmen, Piedras Negras, Puerto Vallarta, and San Miguel de Allende, are only able to provide emergency services. Please contact these locations by email or call +52 55-8526-2561 for more information on the availability of emergency passport or notarial services at these consulates and consular agencies.

    Appointments for passport and citizenship applications that require a personal interview (applicants under age 16, first-time adult passports, replacement for a lost or stolen passport, and Consular Reports of Birth Abroad) and for notarial services are available on our website. Due to the limited number of appointments available, there may be no openings visible on the website. If no appointments are available when you first check the online calendar, please keep checking the calendar for newly released appointments and daily cancelations. All appointments and openings are subject to change and cancellation based on local health conditions.

    If you cannot find an open appointment and have urgent travel plans (within the next month) or another emergency need for a passport, please contact the location nearest you by email or call +52 55-8526-2561 to request an emergency appointment.

    More at the link:
    Status of U.S. Consular Operations in Mexico in Light of COVID-19 (Updated November 25, 2020)

    Change in Availability of American Citizen Services (October 20, 2020)
    Effective October 20, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City and Consulates General Guadalajara, Hermosillo, Matamoros, Merida, Monterrey, Nogales, Nuevo Laredo, and Tijuana will resume limited appointments for some routine passport, citizenship, and notarial services. Passport, citizenship, and notary appointment availability will be strictly limited due to physical distancing requirements in our offices and public waiting rooms. Each applicant requires their own appointment. All visitors to the embassy and consulates age two and older must wear a mask.

    At this time, Consulate General Ciudad Juarez and Consular Agencies Acapulco, Los Cabos, Cancun, Mazatlan, Oaxaca, Playa del Carmen, Piedras Negras, Puerto Vallarta, and San Miguel de Allende, are only able to provide emergency services. Please contact these locations by email or call +52 55-8526-2561 for more information on the availability of emergency passport or notarial services at these consulates and consular agencies.

    Appointments for passport and citizenship applications that require a personal interview (applicants under age 16, first-time adult passports, replacement for a lost or stolen passport, and Consular Reports of Birth Abroad) and for notarial services are available on our website. Due to the limited number of appointments available, there may be no openings visible on the website. If no appointments are available when you first check the online calendar, please keep checking the calendar for newly released appointments and daily cancelations. All appointments and openings are subject to change and cancellation based on local health conditions.

    If you cannot find an open appointment and have urgent travel plans (within the next month) or another emergency need for a passport, please contact the location nearest you by email or call +52 55-8526-2561 to request an emergency appointment. ...
    Event: Change in Availability of American Citizen Services (October 20, 2020)

    Video: U. S. Consular Agent. Ericka Montez Ruiz, Midday Rotary Club of San Miguel de Allende Oct 13


    SMA Consular Agency resuming limited in person services by October 13

    From this Facebook post from Erika Montes Ruiz (the new SMA Consular Agent):

    Hello American expat community!

    I'm happy to announce that our Consular Agency has been certified by Proteccion Civil. As such, we are resuming limited in person services by October 13. At the moment, we can only offer emergency passport and notary services, by appointment ONLY. No walk ins will be accepted in order to comply with city guidelines on operating during the pandemic.

    If you have a travel date coming up within the next four weeks or need your passport renewed for a legal or administrative matter, we will make every effort to assist you.

    You can request your appointment by email to . As a reminder, if we are not able to serve you as soon you require due to the limited number of appointments we are able to offer, you may also request an appointment at the Embassy in Mexico City by contacting .

    Unfortunately, routine and non-emergency services throughout Mexico remain suspended. We will let you know as soon as they resume again.

    Please keep in mind that our services are by appointment only. Once your appointment has been confirmed, we will provide additional information on the requirements and sanitary procedures. We request your patience as we resume limited services, as we are making every effort to do so safely for both our staff and the U.S. citizens we serve. If you have a general question, please email us to
    SMA Consular Agency resuming limited in person services by October 13 (Facebook post)

    Subject: Mexico Travel Advisory – Level 3: Reconsider Travel – U.S. Embassy Mexico City (September 8, 2020)

    Location: Mexico

    The U.S. Department of State updated the Travel Advisory for Mexico on September 8, 2020. Reconsider travel to Mexico due to COVID-19. Exercise increased caution in Mexico due to crime and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

    Read the Department of State’s COVID-19 page before you plan any international travel.

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 3 Travel Health Notice for Mexico due to COVID-19.

    Mexico has lifted stay at home orders in some areas and resumed some transportation and business operations. Visit the Embassy’s COVID-19 page for more information on COVID-19 in Mexico.

    Violent crime – such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery – is widespread. Armed criminal groups have been known to target and rob commercial vessels, oil platforms, and offshore supply vessels in the Bay of Campeche.

    The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in many areas of Mexico, as travel by U.S. government employees to certain areas is prohibited or significantly restricted.

    U.S. government employees may not travel between cities after dark, may not hail taxis on the street, and must rely on dispatched vehicles, including from app-based services like Uber or from regulated taxi stands. U.S. government employees may not drive from the U.S.-Mexico border to or from the interior parts of Mexico, with the exception of daytime travel within Baja California, between Nogales and Hermosillo on Mexican Federal Highway 15D, and between Nuevo Laredo and Monterrey on Highway 85D (during daylight hours and with prior Consulate authorization only).

    Read the country information page. ... (More at the link).
    Mexico Travel Advisory – Level 3: Reconsider Travel – U.S. Embassy Mexico City

    ~~~~~
    Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
    The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling and living abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
    • Receive important information from the Embassy about safety conditions in your destination country, helping you make informed decisions about your travel plans.
    • Help the U.S. Embassy contact you in an emergency, whether natural disaster, civil unrest, or family emergency.
    • Help family and friends get in touch with you in an emergency.
      More info.


    Update On Social Security Letter to American Citizens with Mexico Addresses
    This is from the director of Federal Benefits Unit at the US Embassy - Rick Meyer.

    SSA will be delaying the mail out of the annual questionnaire:
    Due to the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency, the Social Security Administration will delay mailing the 2020 Foreign Enforcement Questionnaire until at least September 2020. It normally goes out in June.

    This Foreign Enforcement Questionnaire is for those overseas who still receive SS and the SSA just wants to make sure that they still live there, they are still alive, not other changes, etc. It is for those who have a foreign address on file with SSA ; those who have a US address on file with SSA do not need to be concerned about this.

    Thanks @Barbara Erickson
    ~~~~~
    Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). More info.
    ~~~~~
    The SMA Consular Agency is closed to routine services.

    Notarials - Embassy is doing only Emergency notarials. If you have any questions, send an email to .
    Also https://www.notarize.com/ has been used to notarize documents overseas. Your state might or might not allow it.

    Passports are being renewed on an Emergency basis only. All inquiries should be sent to .
    Currently the Embassy is taking EMERGENCY appointments only. If someone has a real emergency (expiring passport is not an emergency) they can write to and explain their case. If it is deemed an emergency, then they will be given an appt. They will then be given an Emergency passport which is good for 1 year. The COST is the same as regular passport. $145 first time, $110 renewal. And they can exchange within one year for the full validity passport (10 yrs for 16yo and up) at no additional cost. $115 for minors 15 and under, either first time or renewal.

    Questions regarding appointments for emergency services such as US passports, visas, notarial services, CRBA (Consular Report of Birth Abroad) - send appointment requests to .

    The U.S. Embassy in Mexico City is scheduling a limited number of routine appointments for U.S. passport, CRBA, and notary services. If no appointments are available when you first check the online calendar, please keep checking the calendar for added and/or canceled appointments. The Embassy continues to provide limited emergency consular services, including emergency passports and notarial services, to U.S. citizens by appointment only. Email to request an emergency service. — U.S. Embassy

    The U.S. Consulate General in Guadalajara continues to provide essential consular services to U.S. citizens by appointment only.

    Some routine appointments can be scheduled online by ....

    Email to request an emergency service. Please do not come to the Consulate without an appointment.     — U.S. Embassy

    The U.S. Consular Agency in San Miguel de Allende suspended routine American Citizen services starting March 18, 2020, until further notice. A small number of appointments are available at the Agency for those requiring in-person emergency services. Those requiring emergency consular services, including emergency passports and notarial services to U.S. citizens should contact . If the Agency is unable to accommodate your emergency appointment, you may also request the Embassy at to request an appointment in Mexico City. For U.S. citizen emergencies after close of business, please call and ask to be connected to the duty officer in Mexico City.

    Telephone from Mexico: 55-8526-2561
    Telephone from United States: 844-528-6611
    Email:
    Plaza La Luciernaga,
    Libramiento Jose Manuel Zavala No. 165, Locales 4 y 5
    Colonia La Luciernaga     — U.S. Embassy

    See Making an Appointment for contact information for other locations and the latest status.
    ~~~~~


    Glenn Wilson Options
  • Glenn Wilson
    89
    Last Update: COVID-19 Information for U.S. Citizens in Mexico Last updated: [01/26/21].
    Glenn Wilson Options
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