The end of the year is just around the corner, and many Central Americans are surely planning to travel to their countries of origin to share the December festivities with their families.
In order to travel, it is necessary to plan the trip and the first thing you must have on hand is a valid passport, that is, up to date.
Some travelers will need to apply for a passport for the first time, and others will need to renew it because it is expired or about to expire.
Enlace Latino NC He consulted with the three Central American consulates and the Mexican consulate in North Carolina to find out what his fellow citizens need to do to have their passports ready to travel without any problems.
Below, the consulates of Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras informed us whether their citizens need to make an appointment to process a passport, and how long it takes to deliver this document.
Consulate General of Mexico in Raleigh
Mexicans who need To process the passport for the first time or for renewal, requires make an appointment , which can be obtained even for the same day, as reported by Oscar Solís, Consul of Press and Media, Enlace Latino NC.
Appointment options
Consul Solís explained that Mexicans have different options to make their appointment:
· Calling the Call Center: 424-309-0009 from 8:00 am to 5.00:XNUMX pm (Mexico time). Open on weekends and some holidays.
· WhatsApp: sending a message to the same phone number
· Through the platform quotes.sre.gob.mx
Documents to process the passport
Mexicans only require two documents to prove their nationality: a Birth Certificate, which can be obtained online, and a recent and valid photo ID issued by a Mexican or U.S. authority.
To see the requirements for processing the passport and other documents, you can visit the website: consultmex.sre.gob.mx/raleigh
Take into account the schedule: However, he warned that when calling, it should be noted that the Call Center staff attend during Mexico time, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, weekends, and some holidays.
Appointment the same day or week
"If you call the call center at the beginning of the week, you can get an appointment for today, but there are fewer appointments available for Thursday. It is recommended to make the appointment on Monday starting at noon," said Consul Solís.
Same day document delivery
Mexicans have the advantage of being able to obtain their passport on the same day of their appointment, which takes between 45 minutes and 1 hour.
“All the documents we issue are delivered on the same day, some may take longer due to incomplete documents. But we have the capacity to serve up to 20 people every 20 minutes. But it can change depending on the number of people and the procedures that take place that day,” explained the official.
Travel by plane or by road
Solís emphasized that a passport is only essential for traveling by plane to Mexico, as required by airlines, but the movement of Mexicans is generally done by road.
“We have a high demand curve that starts from Thanksgiving, because around 5 million Mexicans travel by the end of the year. That is why they should anticipate having all the permits they can obtain online, so they can pass with their vehicles," said Solís.
People who prefer to travel by land must obtain a permit for the “temporary importation of vehicles” for the duration of the trip to Mexico. This permit is available on the website banjercito
Address of the consulate: 431 Raleigh View Rd, Raleigh, NC, United States, North Carolina
Opening Hours Head Office from 8:00 am to 4: pm
For more information you can go to Facebook page from the Consulate General of Mexico in Raleigh. You may also call: 919-615-3653.
Consulate General of Guatemala in Raleigh
The Consulate General of Guatemala in Raleigh has several options so that its citizens do not have problems with their passport when traveling at the end of the year.
According to Vice Consul Fabian Raymundo Estrada Osorio, the Guatemalans require an appointment to carry out consular procedures.
Moreover, the Passports are delivered on the same day of the appointment.
“Our community is advised that they must know the expiration date of their documents in order to renew them at least 6 months in advance. Likewise, the Consulate General supports each case of compatriots who are going to travel and who have already purchased their airline ticket,” said the vice consul.
Passport extension
Vice Consul Estrada Osorio said that Guatemalans are also offered the process of Passport extension, This procedure is completely free and is valid for 18 months.
"This allows our fellow citizens to have their expired or expiring passports extended and to travel without any problems during this New Year," he said.
The requirements to be eligible for a passport extension are:
- Expired or expiring passport.
- Have your birth certificate or valid DPI from RENAP
- Fill out the Guatemalan passport extension form at the Consulate General.
Special travel pass
Estrada Osorio commented that the consulate has an option for nationals who for some reason cannot renew their passport, and have a proven emergency to be able to travel to Guatemala.
"We can help you with a Special Travel Pass. This process is also free of charge and the citizen must sign the form and have his or her Birth Certificate or DPI," said the official.
Where to make an appointment
Guatemalans can schedule their appointment through the website citaconsularguatemala.com
Address of the consulate: 6050 Six Forks Rd, Raleigh, NC, United States, North Carolina
Opening Hours Head Office from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm Monday to Friday.
You can also contact us at the number: 984-200-1601
For more information you can go to the Facebook page of the Consulate General of Guatemala in Raleigh.
Consulate General of El Salvador in Charlotte
This consular representation no appointment required to carry out the passport procedure andor deliver the same day in which the procedure is carried out.
"They just need to adjust to the schedule and wait if there are many people, but they get the passport on the same day, they don't have to wait under any circumstances," said Consul Emilia Resinos to Enlace Latino NC .
The consul said that Salvadorans should keep in mind that "for everything passport process They must present a valid DUI (Single Identity Document), both to obtain this document for the first time, for renewal and for replacement.
Where to make an appointment
Salvadorans who need to do other procedures can get an appointment on the portal portalcitas.rree.gob.sv
Address of the consulate: 1520 West Blvd, Charlotte, NC, United States, North Carolina
Opening Hours Head Office The Consulate General of El Salvador serves its citizens from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
For more information, please call: 1-(888) 301-1130 or write to: consuladocharlotte@rree.gob.sv
You can also visit the Facebook page
Consulate General of Honduras in Charlotte
This consulate no appointment required for passport processing , according to information provided by Consul Enrique Flores.
However, the consul recommends that his fellow citizens, if they plan to travel, should prepare more than 6 months in advance to complete the procedure.
“As for the Dating, I can only speak for this consulate, here the passport It can be processed without an appointment from 6.00:XNUMX am Monday to Friday, and Delivered the same day ", said Consul Flores to Enlace Latino NC.
Where to make an appointment
To carry out other procedures, Hondurans must go to the Consular Appointment Portal
Consulate address: 5727 N Sharon Amity suite “A”, Charlotte, NC, United States, North Carolina.
Opening Hours Head Office The consulate is open from 8.00:4 am to 00:XNUMX pm, and is closed on weekends.
You can also go to the Facebook page for more information and news.
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