• Mexico is a land of diverse cultural and geographical features.Mexico Ruins image by KTep from Fotolia.com
  
  Mexico is a major world power with a robust economy that is ranked 13th in the world by the World Bank, according to the U.S. Department of State. Situated to the immediate south of the contiguous United States, Mexico is also a popular tourist destination for U.S. citizens. Travel initiatives by both the U.S. and Mexico require individuals who wish to travel to Mexico to possess the proper travel documentation, including a valid passport.
  
  

Border Zone

• U.S. citizens are permitted to enter the border zone for periods of not more than 72 hours without obtaining a visa or tourist card from Mexican Immigration. The border zone between the United States and Mexico is a loosely defined region that extends between 20 to 30 kilometers from the U.S. border into Mexico. According to the U.S. Department of State, the Mexican government began requiring all U.S. citizens wishing to travel into the Mexico beyond the border zone to present valid travel documentation such as a passport or passport card since March 2010. Any U.S. citizen who is 16 years of age or older, who crosses into the border zone, is considered by the U.S. Department of State to have left the country and must present a valid passport or passport card in order to cross the border back into the United States.
  
  

Tourist Travel

• U.S. citizens traveling into Mexico beyond the border zone for tourism purposes must purchase a tourist card. The tourist card, sometimes referred to as an FMM, may be obtained from Mexican border crossing points, Mexican tourism offices, Mexican consulates and at most airports with airlines that provide service to Mexico. Many airlines include the fee for the FMM in the price of the ticket for air travelers, according to the U.S. Department of State.
  
  

Business Travel

• Individuals who travel to Mexico for business purposes are required to obtain a travel card authorizing them to conduct business in the country. This type of FMM documentation permits business travel for a period of up to 30 days. Individuals traveling to Mexico for any purpose other than business or tourism, such as for employment or as a student, are required to carry a valid U.S. passport and have a visa. All U.S. citizens who expect to stay in Mexico for longer than 180 days for any reason must also apply for a visa and hold a U.S. passport with at least six months remaining before expiration. A Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant document, such as a passport or passport card, is required for re-entry into the United States for all U.S. citizens who travel outside of the United States, including those who travel to Mexico.