Alarming! Traveling to Mexico has become a headache for Colombians

Hundreds of Colombians have returned to the country with the disappointment of not having been able to cross the gates of Mexican airports. These denials not only frustrated the expectations of traveling to Mexico, but also led these Colombians to lose the money invested in the trip. In 2022 alone, the number of non-admitted persons exceeded 32,000.

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Traveling to Mexico and not getting admitted

For at least 32,000 Colombians, traveling to Mexico became a waste of money. A report issued by Migración Colombia states that tens of thousands of Colombians were denied entry into the country because they were inadmissible.

The alarming figures are due to practices that would deny entry to visitors who, despite fully complying with the entry requirements, would not be allowed to enter the territory.

Migration authorities in Colombia have spoken out after publishing the scandalous figure.

In the most recent statement on relations between Colombia and Mexico, Migración Colombia stated that: “Both countries highlighted the good state of bilateral relations and reiterated their willingness to join efforts to ensure, within the framework of respect for human rights, the safe, orderly and regular migration of Colombian tourists and migrants”.

According to the competent authorities, the main reason for inadmissibility are inconsistencies in the answers provided by travelers when questioned by Mexican immigration authorities.

However, Colombians who were inadmissible when traveling to Mexico reported on several occasions that they were victims of mistreatment by the Mexican authorities, due to the apparently deliberate decision to deny Colombian tourists.

In 2023 the number of inadmissible persons traveling to Mexico decreased

According to Migración Colombia figures, 2022 was a year in which the trend of Colombians to travel to Mexico increased and more than 10% of the total number of foreigners in Mexico were Colombians.

In the same year, the total number of Colombians rejected worldwide increased considerably and reached a total that exceeded 45,300 people.

It should be clarified that in 2021 the number of Colombians inadmissible would have been around 18,600 people. Therefore, the increase in 2022 reveals an alarming figure of 32,796 Colombians inadmissible when traveling to Mexico.

However, some recent reports show that the number of inadmissible persons is decreasing. At Cancun airport, the number of not admitted is reportedly down by 42.4%. In the case of Mexico City and Monterrey, the reduction is 40.7%. On the other hand, the number of rejections at Guadalajara airport has decreased by 21.2%.

Estas cifras reflejan el estado de las inadmisiones a colombianas y colombianos en los aeropuertos de México. Así fue la variación porcentual de Junio en relación a Mayo:

Cancún: -42.4%
Ciudad de México/Monterrey: -40.7%
Guadalajara: -21.2%

Esto refleja el gran momento que… pic.twitter.com/5xgC4xHUbZ

— Moisés Ninco Daza (@MoisesAlvaro_) July 6, 2023

The reduction of Colombian Colombians inadvertently allowed to travel to Mexico met through a statement sent by the Colombian migratory authorities towards the end of the previous year.

It is expected that the figure continues to decline as, on average, more than 100 Colombian were rejected daily.

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Avoid losing your savings when traveling to Mexico

Although Colombians do not require a visa to enter Mexico, it is important for travelers to know that as of April 1, 2022 all Colombians planning to enter Mexican territory must complete a mandatory pre-registration.

This procedure consists of filling out, with sufficient time in advance, a pre-trip form in which the tourist must provide the following information:

• Contact information for a contact in both Colombia and Mexico
• Valid passport
• Proof of lodging reservation
• Return ticket
• Document with detailed information about the activities to be carried out during the trip
• In case you are a resident, the corresponding documentation such as a temporary or permanent resident card.

For more information about requirements for travel to Mexico, please click here.

What to do if you are inadmissible when traveling to Mexico?

According to the statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on October 24, 2022, if a Colombian is inadmissible to enter Mexico, remember that the Mexican government is committed to guarantee Colombians in this situation the right to alert via telephone both their relatives and the Colombian Consulate.

In addition, the authorities must provide a copy of the record that includes the reasons behind the denial.

Following the many complaints filed during the past year, the competent authorities in Mexico have proposed to respond to the appeals of thousands of Colombians who have been denied entry, as well as to facilitate the pre-registration process.

It is recommended that Colombians pay special attention to all the requirements to travel to Mexico so they can avoid losing all their savings, bank loans and expectations.

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