A very useful guide on how to get to Laredo, TX from San Miguel de Allende, was published by Mittie Roger on Sean and Mittie, a blog about their adventures as a couple living in San Miguel and traveling across Mexico.
Border runs are a familiar part of the American expat life in Mexico, especially as (relatively) new laws complicate temporary visas to work and live there. Coming and going is easier than one would think, though. The most common route for people in San Miguel de Allende is to the consulate in Laredo, TX.
Visa Requirements
Many Americans come to Mexico on 6 month tourist visas. Because the Mexican side of the border is quite lax with doling them out, some “renew” them indefinitely, crossing the border every 6 months and asking for a new one. Mexican law stipulates, however, that a tourist shouldn’t spend more than 6 months in a given year. Someone who stays more than 6 months and less than 4 years is considered a temporary resident.
Temporary residential status (previously called FM3, forma migratoria 3, and currently called residente temporal) was previously obtained through the immigration office in San Miguel de Allende. A couple years ago that changed. The current procedure includes returning to the consulate in your country of origin to request the visa.
If you are being offered employment, this means *gulp* that you have to wait in your country of origin for as long as it takes immigration (INM) to process the paperwork and with the famous inefficiencies of Mexican bureaucracy, that can be a long time. But if you’re location independent and not looking for a work permit in Mexico, the visa can be obtained with a single visit to the consulate in your country of origin. *Here is a link to the requirements for the temporary visa without work permission.*
Make an appointment! They will not see you if you don’t. *Here is where you make the appointment.*
Bus to border
While many choose to drive to the border, we’ve found that taking the bus is a cheap, easy way to get to the border. It costs about 60-90 usd one way, is air conditioned, plays movies and has spacious seats. It takes around 12 hours to get from San Miguel de Allende to Laredo, Texas.
Buses make it easier to cross the border
Sean and I have tried several different bus lines, routes and time tables. Our current favorite is through Grupo Senda, which includes Turimex (which also runs in the United States and is far preferable to something like Grey Hound), Transportes Del Norte, and Senda Express. We’ve explored the following options:
- SMA –> QRO –> Laredo, TX
Cost: 75 usd, 1 way
Times: 7 pm, arrives at 8:30 (supposedly)
Notes: Taking the bus across the border can be slow depending on the volume of traffic crossing. Passengers must take all belongings off the bus and go through the border security individually. The bus station in Laredo is right next to the border, the consulate and the hotel Rialto where we always stay. - SMA –> QRO –> Nuevo Laredo, Mexico.
Cost: 65 usd, 1 way
Times: 5 pm and 8 pm departure both arrive at reasonable times (7am and 9am respectively)
Notes: 7 minute cab ride to the border, then walk across the pedestrian bridge (often faster than busing across the border)
Lucky for us, the consulate is only a few blocks from the border and easily in walking distance. Since they are only open from 8-11 am, we generally spend the night at the Hotel Rialto and make our appointment for the following day.
Here is their information:
Address: 1612 Farragut St, Laredo, TX 78040, United States
Phone:+1 956-723-6369
Office hours: 8-11 am
Source: Sean and Mittie
