Do I Need a Passport for Tijuana?
Yes. By land, Mexico asks for a passport book or card, and you need one of the WHTI documents to return. Flying needs a passport book.
Yes. To walk or drive into Tijuana, you need a U.S. passport book or passport card, and the State Department says all travelers must also apply for an FMM entry permit, even if they stay within about 12 miles of the border. Coming back, U.S. citizens must show a document accepted under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.
Which documents work at which point
| Trip | What you need | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Into Mexico by land | Passport book or passport card, plus FMM | State Department |
| Into Mexico by air | Passport book only; a passport card won't get you on the plane | State Department |
| Back to the U.S. by land | U.S. passport, passport card, Enhanced Driver's License or a Trusted Traveler card (NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST) | CBP |
| Children under 16 returning by land | Birth certificate or other proof of citizenship | CBP |
Your driver's license alone won't do it, unless it is a state-issued Enhanced Driver's License. A REAL ID is a different thing.
If you are going for surgery or dental work
A medical trip makes your documents more important, because you may be crossing back while sore, medicated or in a wheelchair. A passport card is cheaper than a book and fine for walking or driving across. But if you might need to fly home from Mexico, say after a complication, a card won't work. A passport book covers every case, so it is the better pick for surgery. Our passport guide for Tijuana surgery and crossing back after surgery go deeper.
Check these before you leave
- Validity. The State Department says your passport must be valid at the time of entry.
- FMM. You apply online or at an INM office. Ask your clinic whether its driver handles the stop.
- Wait times. Check CBP's Border Wait Times for San Ysidro and Otay Mesa before you leave the clinic.
- Medicine. Keep prescriptions with your paperwork. See bringing medication back from Mexico.
Green card holders
CBP says requirements for lawful permanent residents have not changed: show a valid Permanent Resident Card. A passport is not required for re-entry. Non-citizens should still check Mexico's entry rules for their nationality.
A note on safety
The State Department rates Mexico overall Level 2, and Baja California, including Tijuana, Level 3 "Reconsider travel". It reports high homicide numbers in non-tourist areas of Tijuana. Read is plastic surgery in Mexico safe?
Clinics listed on xcuro in Mexico
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Frequently asked questions
Can I go to Tijuana with just a driver's license?
Not to come back, unless it is an Enhanced Driver's License. Mexico asks for a passport book or card at the land border.
Do I need a passport to walk across to Tijuana?
Yes. The rules for walking and driving are the same: passport book or card, plus an FMM, and an accepted document to return.
Is a passport card enough for Tijuana?
For a land crossing, yes. For flying from Tijuana, no. If there is any chance you will fly, get a passport book.
Sources
- Mexico Travel Advisory, issued May 29, 2026 (archived copy) — U.S. Department of State
- Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative — U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- Border Wait Times — U.S. Customs and Border Protection