Member's Home Forums General Discussion Mexico Mexico Aeronautical & Regulatory Mexico fining US Pilots $ 3,900 to $4,000 USD

Mexico’s DGAC is strictly enforcing the limitation of how long US registered aircraft can remain in Mexico and has fined multiple pilots in the last several days with amounts reaching US$ 4,000. There has been no leniency whatsoever regardless of the causes for the over-stay.

It is important to point out that this is only an issue for those that remain in Mexico over 6 months or Have a Multiple Entry Permit and stay past December 31. Flights to Mexico for shorter periods or those that use Single Entry Permits and depart in less than 6 months do not have an issue.

When you enter Mexico you can obtain a Single-Entry or Multiple Entry permit for your aircraft. The Single-Entry permit is valid for 180 days or until the aircraft departs the country. The Multiple Entry permit is valid until the end of the calendar year (December 31). With a Multiple Entry Permit, you can enter Mexico as many times as you like but the aircraft cannot remain for more than 6 months at a time and must also depart on or before December 31 of the year in which the permit was issued. In either case, a Single or Multiple Entry Permit is only legally valid when accompanied by the stamped receipt of payment for the permit, so don’t lose it and keep it on board the aircraft. In addition, operators are required to make sure that their liability insurance policy remains in effect at all time while the aircraft is within Mexico.

While this is an issue that has primarily affected pilots with Multiple Entry Permits who stayed past December 31?st, it can happen to any pilot with a Single Entry Permit who stays more than 6 months in Mexico. All pilots who plan to travel to Mexico should plan to remove their aircraft from the country well in advance of the 6 month deadline (or prior to December 31 I they have a Multiple Entry Permit) to avoid being fined. Pilots SHOULD NOT expect to obtain extensions, pardons or leniency of any kind for overstaying their maximum permit time limit. This includes if you obtain a Multiple Entry Permit for the following year while you are still inside Mexico. Fines are averaging US$ 3,900 to US$ 4,000.

Review of Entry Process:

You must enter Mexico through an International Airport Of Entry (AOE). Upon landing, you can expect an inspection of the aircraft by the Military, Customs and/or Federal Police. You will then have to present the following documents to obtain an Entry Permit for the aircraft:
1. Airworthiness Certificate for the aircraft
2. Registration Certificate for the aircraft (No Pink Temporary Registration Certificates allowed. Only a permanent Registration Certificate or FAA Temporary Registration Certificate issued by the Aircraft Registration Branch in Oklahoma City “Flywire” are allowed)
3. Insurance policy for the aircraft that demonstrates liability coverage of at least US$ 300,000. In addition the documentation should clearly show:
a. Aircraft Tail Number
b. Insurance policy number
c. Dates of coverage of the policy
d. Geographic territory covered by the policy
4. Airman certificate (pilot license) for each crew member with the following:
a. The phrase “English Proficient” on the back
b. Appropriate Type Rating for all required crewmembers. Note that FAR 61.55 (a)(3) and international regulations require that BOTH crewmembers be Type Rated in aircraft Type Certificated for a minimum crew of 2. Also note that Single-Pilot Waivers issued by the FAA may have no validity for international operations.
5. Medical certificate for each crewmember

In addition, USA and Mexican laws require that the aircraft have a Radio Station License and that at least one crewmember have an FCC Restricted Radio Operator Permit (or better). While these are rarely requested, it is still a legal requirement (it’s not a problem until there is a problem).

Once the documents have been presented and reviewed, you can request either a Multiple Entry Permit or a Single Entry Permit. This requires that you complete several forms to formally request the permit. You will also need to pay for the permit in Mexican Pesos or using a VISA or MASTERCARD. We strongly recommend bringing pesos as credit card terminals at DGAC offices have been notorious for failure at the worst times. You can convert USD to MEX Pesos at many US banks along the USA-Mexico border. The Multiple Entry Permit or Single Entry Permit will consist of a series of pages which outline the dates of validity of the permit and the limitations. These include:
• Expiration date of the Permit
• The requirement to bring the Permit and the proof of payment of the permit aboard the aircraft at all times
• That the aircraft must enter and depart Mexico through AOE’s
• Follow Mexican aeronautical regulations
• That you CANNOT conduct cabotage or any kind of revenue generating flights
• That you have followed Mexican immigration and customs regulations including the filing of the Mexican APIS

You will also have to comply with Mexican Immigration and Customs Entry procedures. Please note that generally speaking, pilots are not allowed to bring anything into the country so be sure to have your spouse and/or passengers be the owners of any items other than your personal items.

AGAIN, it is imperative that the aircraft not remain in Mexico for more than 6 months at a time or past December 31'st if using a Multiple Entry Permit.

The underlying issue appears to be that there are operators of US Registered aircraft who have been operating in Mexico for up to 5 years and have never left the country. Aside from violating the regulation on the maximum amount of time they can remain in Mexico, it also raises concerns about how annual inspections, maintenance, pilots, etc. are being conducted in Mexico. Unfortunately, this means that pilots who innocently overstay will receive the same treatment as those that are abusing the regulations.

So what do you do if you have a Multiple Entry Permit and want to stay past December 31 without having to leave Mexico?

If you plan to arrive in Mexico and stay past the New Year, then you would have to purchase a Single Entry Permit that is good for 6 months. On your next trip to Mexico the following year, then you would request a new Multiple Entry Permit.

For example: You have a Multiple Entry Permit for 2017. On December 22, 2017 you land in Mexico and want to stay until January 4, 2018. Upon arrival, you do not present your Multiple Entry Permit, instead you request and pay for a Single Entry Permit which is good for 6 months. On January 4, 2018 you surrender your Single Entry Permit and depart. When you subsequently return on another flight in 2018 you can then request another Multiple Entry Permit for 2018 for any future flights for that year.

If you have any questions contact Caribbean Sky Tours at +1 786 206 6147 or +52 222 375 2630 or email us at info@caribbeanskytours.com

Rick can you verify that the below is correct?

Thanks,
Kipp Wingo
KDVT

So what do you do if you have a Multiple Entry Permit and want to stay past December 31 without having to leave Mexico?

If you plan to arrive in Mexico and stay past the New Year, then you would have to purchase a Single Entry Permit that is good for 6 months. On your next trip to Mexico the following year, then you would request a new Multiple Entry Permit.

For example: You have a Multiple Entry Permit for 2017. On December 22, 2017 you land in Mexico and want to stay until January 4, 2018. Upon arrival, you do not present your Multiple Entry Permit, instead you request and pay for a Single Entry Permit which is good for 6 months. On January 4, 2018 you surrender your Single Entry Permit and depart. When you subsequently return on another flight in 2018 you can then request another Multiple Entry Permit for 2018 for any future flights for that year.

If you have any questions contact Caribbean Sky Tours at +1 786 206 6147 or +52 222 375 2630 or email us at info@caribbeanskytours.com
_________________________
Caribbean Sky Tours
www.caribbeanskytours.com

This is a reminder to all pilots planning to fly to Mexico or are currently in Mexico regarding staying past December 31'st into the New Year. The bottom line is that your aircraft CANNOT be in Mexico without a valid permit. If you entered with a Multiple Entry Permit, you MUST leave the country before December 31'st. If you plan to enter, DO NOT enter with your Multiple Entry Permit, you should request a Single Entry Permit which is good for 180 days.