Addressing Long Lines at Belize/Mexico Border Crossing Ahead of Upcoming Holidays

There are several long weekends coming up in the next few weeks. While many Belizeans will travel to coastal communities across the country for some sea and sun, there are those who will travel across the border to Mexico. Of recent, the Embassy of Belize in Mexico has taken note of an increase in the volume of Belizeans travelling to Mexico by land.  The sheer number of Belizean travelers has led to significantly longer lines and an extended waiting time at the border crossing points. Ahead of the Easter Holiday, Ambassador Oscar Arnold has been working with Mexican authorities to have that wait time reduced. 

Oscar Arnold

Oscar Arnold, Belizean Ambassador to Mexico

“Since the border opened up we have seen the volumes and number of travelers across the border increased. We know that the pandemic had brought a situation where the border was closed and initially there was a huge group of people crossing over. We saw that decrease but we have seen it increase over the past couple of months. There have been some issues with long lines at the border. We have been in contact with the immigration officials there at Quinta Roo. Over the past weekend they assured me that they opened up an area separate from where you go in to get your passport reviewed, they opened up an area where you can pass with the border card and that alleviated some of the wait time there. But, I also understand that there are some long lines at the Belize side of the border that adds on to that entire wait. Some people have commented that they waited in excess of an hour and a half or two hours just to traverse across the border. We are trying to see how we can get that down. But, obviously you can’t forego the immigration inspection and customs inspections. There is a visitors card that allows you access to border state in Mexico. You will need to apply for it. So, there is an office at the Mexican side, right around immigration area where you would apply for it. From what I understand right now, with the volumes and equipment that you won’t get it the same day, but if you go back another time you can pick up your card. So instead of going through the lengthy process you show this border card. Once it is valid and then you are expeditiously processed through the Mexican side of the immigration.”

Arnold is also warning Belizeans against bypassing the vetting process at the border, as several Belizeans have been caught and detained at immigration checkpoints in Mexico without entry stamps.