The granting of an Amateur Radio License in Mexico is considered a privilege and not mandatory.
All of the following items MUST be presented to the State Chief Engineer for his consideration, at the same time, when applying for an operation permit:
2. A copy of your current American Amateur Radio License. (Check your expiration date-- If the license expires during the period for which you are requesting a permit, you will probably be permitted to operate only untill your American license expires. The same applies to your Passport expiration date).
3. An INTERNATIONALmoney order in the amount of sixty-five dollars ($65.00) payable to SCT. We suggest this be obtained from the Post Office since some other money orders are not acceptable.
4. You must include a statement indicating the reason for the request for an opreating license and that you will abide by the current Mexican Regulations--The "form" (link below) has been prepared for your use in accomplishing this requirement. Make a copy of it, fill it in carefully and send it with the other items listed here.
5. The last item required is a valid VISA to enter Mexico-- If you go to the Mexican Consul in Brownsville or McAllen, you may obtain a VISA for a maximum of thirty (30) days. Since some time, possibly a month, may be lost in wating for your operating permit to be granted and returned, it is suggested that you go to any Immigration Representative IN MEXICO, (on the Mexico side of any of the Rio Grande crossing bridges) and request a one hundred eighty (180) day Visa, or the length of time that you intend to be South of the border, (the maximum time that you are permitted to remain in Mexico without exiting is 180 days). There is no charge for this VISA.
The above five items must be sent by UPS, FedEx, or DHL to the only individual who can issue you the operating permit in the state of Tamaulipas: His address is on the form letter prepared for your use. An English translation of the prepared form is at the link below.
If you have any questions, Larry Warner, K5SNA, who resides in Harlingen, can be reached by telephone in the evenings and on weekends at (956) 425-9100. If you prepare all the items listed above and send them to Larry, he will expidite your request and possibly have the material hand carried to the appropriate offices in Mexico-- His Mailing address: 2945 Jacaranda, Harlingen, Tx. 78550-8658.
We are indebted to K5SNA for his great assistance in providing the information necessary to prepare these instructions, in translating, in preparing the form letter and in volunteering to assist any ham in obtaining a Mexican Amateur Radio License.