Travel to Mexico and Nicaragua, passport expires in October.

by Deborah T
(FL, USA)

Question: Will there be a problem if I travel to Mexico in a week and then to Nicaragua in July to August? My passport expires in October. I have no time to renew my passport before my first trip next week and it will be too close for our trip to Nicaragua in July. Can I wait until August or Sept to renew without a problem?

Answer: There should be no problem. Mexico only requires that your passport be valid during your time of stay in the country.

You must possess a valid U.S. passport in order to enter Nicaragua. Although there is a bilateral agreement that waives the six-month validity passport requirement, U.S. citizens are urged to ensure that their passports are valid for the length of their projected stay in the country before traveling.

U.S. citizens must have an onward or return ticket and evidence of sufficient funds to support themselves during their stay. A visa is not required for U.S. citizens; however, a tourist card must be purchased for $10 upon arrival. Tourist cards are typically issued for 30 to 90 days.

A valid entry stamp is required to exit Nicaragua. Pay attention to the authorized stay that will be written into your entry stamp by the immigration inspector. Visitors remaining more than the authorized time must obtain an extension from Nicaraguan Immigration. Failure to do so will prevent departure until a fine is paid.

There is also a $42 departure tax. Many airlines include this tax in the price of the ticket. If the tax is not included in the ticket, payment can be made at the airline counter upon departure.

Per Nicaraguan law, individuals should exit Nicaragua with the same passport with which they entered the country.

According to Nicaragua’s Law for Foreigners, foreigners must be in possession of a valid identity document at all times while in Nicaragua and may be required to show it to Nicaraguan authorities upon request. Acceptable identity documents are: (1) a permanent residency card, (2) temporary residency card, or (3) valid passport or travel document accompanied by an entry stamp.

You may want to bookmark the webpage about passport renewals so that you can easily access it when you return from Nicaragua.

How to Renew Passport by Mail