BajaNomad

Obtaining Tourist Cards

Bob H - 12-29-2008 at 08:52 PM

I know this subject has been beat to death and I tried to do a search but too many threads come up.

Question: When obtaining your tourist cards crossing in through TJ... what are the hours of operation to do this? We'd like to cross early and get them there and head on down.

If not, how hard is it to obtain these tourist cards passing through Ensenada?

Are there better alternatives?

Thanks,
Bob H

BajaNomad - 12-29-2008 at 09:02 PM

Bob,

I believe it's 24/7 at the San Ysidro crossing - not sure if the bank is also 24 hours or if you have to pay at a later time.

Misplaced my 'certified' original of my birth cert - and only had a xerox copy of it, but was granted a FM-T (thank goodness!) Saturday at SY (@ noon?).

At 28th Par yesterday - inspector asked about agricultural items, but did not ask/check our FM-T's. FYI.

Ensenada's always been a pain for me whenever I've tried to use that location to obtain a tourist card... it's been a few years now however since it's generally pretty easy at SY. Don't know about Otay or Tecate.

-
Doug

Woooosh - 12-29-2008 at 09:05 PM

At San Ysidro just pull into the declaration area and the offices are on the right. You have to go to a few different windows to pay and go back and forth- but it's a one stop 24/7 shop.

FMTs

roundtuit - 12-29-2008 at 09:14 PM

Ensanada, Guerro Negero, and Santa Rosalia "ARE"
subject to fines for not obtaining at the border.
:no::no::no:

Bajahowodd - 12-29-2008 at 09:15 PM

I always want to obey the laws of foreign countries, as I would expect foreigners to do the same here. However, it has been at least six years since anyone has asked to see my tourist card. Used to be an absolute traveling North at the State line. But recently, just get waived through.

roundtuit - 12-29-2008 at 09:23 PM

If there is someone at the state line you will be asked to show. Excluding the spray for bugs guy:lol::lol::lol:

Bob...

Mexray - 12-29-2008 at 09:24 PM

...I've never had a problem doing the FM-T 'dance' at the TJ border...I've always done it in the wee hours of the morning when things are not very busy, to say the least!

To avoid the Red/Green light routine, and the 'look' into the back of the truck, in the declaration area, I like to go through with the regular traffic, then pull off to the Right just after the declaration area and park near where the taxis hang out...I then walk back up to the declaration area to get our FM-T's...the bank window has always been open when I've stopped there.

Also, they've never bothered me about signing my wife's name on the form along with mine...Pat stays back with the car to keep the taxi drivers entertained...:lol:

Bajahowodd - 12-29-2008 at 09:25 PM

Never ever have been asked Southbound. Just the fake spray. Northbound, been waived on by a guy in a chair by the shack for years.

David K - 12-29-2008 at 11:29 PM

Doug, your bigger issue will be returning without proper proof of citizenship! Good luck, and you may be invited into Secondary to swear you are an American.:rolleyes:

BajaNomad - 12-29-2008 at 11:35 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Doug, your bigger issue will be returning without proper proof of citizenship! Good luck, and you may be invited into Secondary to swear you are an American.:rolleyes:
I know I have dark hair and dark complexion.... but that one I'm not too worried about.

:biggrin:

David K - 12-29-2008 at 11:41 PM

Not your Mediterranean features... your lack of birth cert. (a xerox copy is no bueno).:yes:

You will be fine... Ferna will put you up while Michelle gets to go home!

Many, many moons ago...

Mexray - 12-30-2008 at 12:56 AM

...I flew from Northern Calif down to Calexico in a Cessena 172 with three buddies...one was a Greek who owned a small restaurant in the SF Bay Area.

We partied all weekend in Mexicali...give me a break here, it was the early 60's, and Mexicali was a happen' place for a young lad, like myself... :lol:

Anyway...when we hired a cab to take us back to the Calexico airstrip, we got stopped at the border when the agent looked into the cab and discovered our Greek friend clothed in his newly bought serape and huge sombrero!:o

We had about a 10 minute wait while our buddy tried to explain that the guy on his Drivers License was really him...I think the agent was really puttin' him on, as no self respecting Mexican trying to 'run' the border would be caught dead in that garb! :lol:

Bob H - 12-30-2008 at 09:40 AM

Thank you everyone for all the great advice and information.
We are headed down to Mulege to visit some friends who just moved there last year. Love that area.
Bob H

David K - 12-30-2008 at 10:46 AM

Bob, drive safe....

Elizabeth and I will be in L.A. Bay area this weekend following Lou's turkey party tomorrow in San Felipe!

Bob H - 12-30-2008 at 12:13 PM

Hi David. We never exceed 55 mph in the cabover, never. And always slow down around blind curves. We are just going to mosey our way down with an overnight in Catavina over and back.

Leaving January 21st.

Have fun in Baja this weekend you two.

Bob H

Bajahowodd - 12-30-2008 at 12:24 PM

Doug doesn't have a passport?

sancho - 12-30-2008 at 01:40 PM

Has anyone had trouble getting the
180 day tourist card? Have read
Mex Imm is, on occasion , reluctant
to give 180 days?
thanks for your time

Bajahowodd - 12-30-2008 at 02:06 PM

Never had a problem. Never been questioned or turned down. I do have one beef, however. When I occasionally fly down, the airline hands out the cards, as the fee is included with the fare. But they always confiscate the card when boarding for a return. I usually need to obtain about two a year for land travel. But even if I have a card, I have to pay the airline additionally, and then surrender it like a week later. The only time I was able to hold onto my card was when flying from Cancun through DF and changing planes on Aeromexico.

David K - 12-30-2008 at 02:14 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by sancho
Has anyone had trouble getting the
180 day tourist card? Have read
Mex Imm is, on occasion , reluctant
to give 180 days?
thanks for your time


They used to fill out the card, and unless you remember to ask for the 180 day limit, they would put down 90 days... Once, I insisted that he change it because the $20 fee is the same no matter how many days... so I wanted all 180! He complied, but said the altered figure may 'void' the FM-T!:lol:

Last times I have filled out the day section myself, and put down 180 days... no questions asked..

David K - 12-30-2008 at 02:16 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Never had a problem. Never been questioned or turned down. I do have one beef, however. When I occasionally fly down, the airline hands out the cards, as the fee is included with the fare. But they always confiscate the card when boarding for a return. I usually need to obtain about two a year for land travel. But even if I have a card, I have to pay the airline additionally, and then surrender it like a week later. The only time I was able to hold onto my card was when flying from Cancun through DF and changing planes on Aeromexico.


Land travel FM-T rules are different than air travel... I guess they figure if you can afford to fly, then an extra $20, each time is not a problem?

[Edited on 12-30-2008 by David K]

Bajahowodd - 12-30-2008 at 03:26 PM

I remember back before they instituted the current system. There was an Exit Tax or Fee, payable in cash only (may have even been pesos only) as you entered the gate area at the airport. I remember some college age kids having partied away all their money in Acapulco, begging everyone for cash so they could go home.

docbru - 1-22-2009 at 06:05 AM

We crossed at Tecate Dec 27 and the cards were stamped by the Inmigracion officer; no visit to the bank, no charge; gracias!

David K - 1-22-2009 at 07:59 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by docbru
We crossed at Tecate Dec 27 and the cards were stamped by the Inmigracion officer; no visit to the bank, no charge; gracias!


Yes, the free cards are valid for 7 days...

Did you want more? Did he write in an expiration date longer than 7 days?

DianaT - 1-22-2009 at 09:08 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by docbru
We crossed at Tecate Dec 27 and the cards were stamped by the Inmigracion officer; no visit to the bank, no charge; gracias!


What does the stamp say? I recently saw something I had not seen before. Timo and Barbareno crossed at Tecate before the bank was open.

They got their FMTs but the stamp said they needed to visit a bank and pay.

[Edited on 1-22-2009 by jdtrotter]

docbru - 1-22-2009 at 10:16 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Quote:
Originally posted by docbru
We crossed at Tecate Dec 27 and the cards were stamped by the Inmigracion officer; no visit to the bank, no charge; gracias!


Yes, the free cards are valid for 7 days...

Did you want more? Did he write in an expiration date longer than 7 days?


We were in Baja for 2 weeks. I didn't even look at the expiration date. I'll see if I still have one and let you know. The whole thing seems a bit of a farce to me.

Bajahowodd - 1-22-2009 at 11:31 AM

Geez. Never knew that. I've always paid even for a four day trip to Guerrero Negro at whale time.

David K - 1-22-2009 at 01:53 PM

I think the 7 day free FM-T program started about 2 years ago, maybe more? The idea was to get people to come back to Mexico as the US$20/ pp tax was way too much for some to handle, with big families specially!

Bajahowodd - 1-22-2009 at 02:00 PM

I see. Just have to ask, I guess. No biggie for me, usually, as when I get the 180 day FMT, I used it several times, in excess of seven days. I guess the real question is what on the card distinguishes it? Do they actually note seven day pass?

Lot's of (different) info... some is the same!

David K - 1-22-2009 at 02:38 PM

Hope Docbru can find his and see what is stamped on it?

Mine has the date satmped on it and the number of days is written in... 180. I paid at the teller six windows to the left of the INM office at TJ.

Here's some info on the FM-T and Free 7 day FM-T from the Internet:

Mexico Mike's website:

Mexican Tourist Permit Is An FMT, Not A Visa
You need a Mexican tourist card (FMT) to Travel Mexico Beyond the border

You don’t need a Mexican visa to travel to Mexico as a tourist. You need a Mexican tourist card, called an FMT. Mexican tourist cards (not visas) are no longer free (except in Sonora). Although the cost of your Mexican tourist card varies according to the peso and does go up periodically, a Mexican tourist card will set you back about $20 (237 pesos - October 2008—the cost will only go up but the peso is fluctuating now so it could be less). Sonora has a “Sonora Only” tourist card that you need to get. You do not need a Mexican tourist permit for Baja. Technically, you can only be a tourist in Mexico for 180 days out of 365. Technically, (but seldom enforced) you try to return to Mexico after your 180 days are up, you could be told to go home. I have only rarely heard of this being enforced. Your car permit to drive in Mexico is another document you will need if you are driving in Mexico beyond the border.

Once again a 7 day FMT tourist permit for Mexico is free. October, 2008. No guarantee it will be forever. This changes periodically.
=================================================

Also, from our local Discover Baja Travel Club:

Mexican Immigration advises all tourists who are driving to Mexico to obtain a Tourist Permit or FMT. If you are in a traffic accident anywhere in Mexico you will be asked for your Tourist Permit. If you are visiting Mexico for seven days or less, the Tourist Permits are free and may be picked up at a Mexican Immigration Office at the port of entry. There are Mexican Immigration offices at every border crossing. Tijuana Immigration Office and banjercito should be open 365 days/year and 24 hours/day.

For stays of longer than seven days, Tourist Permits cost 237 pesos. Discover Baja has made arrangements with the Mexican Office of Immigration to sell these Tourist Permits to our members. The cost is $29. To obtain one of these pre-paid permits, you will need to provide a clear copy of a current passport or certified birth certificate AND picture ID along with a completed application. If you are not a US or Canadian citizen, call our office (800) 727-BAJA (2252) for details about obtaining a Tourist Permit. All tourists over the age of two must have a Tourist Permit for travel to Mexico.

The latest news from Homeland Security is that passports will not be needed to return to the United States from Mexico by land or sea until at least the summer of 2009. However, beginning in January of 2008, land or sea travelers returning to the United States from Mexico will need to show a birth certificate as well as a picture ID.

Procedures for Discover Baja to sell Tourist Permits have changed. Our staff is required to turn in copies of all Tourist Permits we have sold before we receive additional ones. It is also a two-day process to get the Permits paid for at the bank. Because of this, there will be a period of time each month, when Tourist Permits will not be available from our office. Please try and give Discover Baja staff a two-week notice if you need Tourist Permits.

After purchasing a Tourist Permit you must have it stamped at an immigration office. The maximum length for a Permit is 180 days and it is good for multiple entries. Before your Tourist Permit expires, return it to a Mexican Immigration Office or send it to:

INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE MIGRACION
PUENTE PUERTA S/N
COLONIA FEDERAL
TIJUANA, B.C. MEXICO C.P.22310

=====================================================

L.A. Times info site:

Entry Requirements

Passports

All travelers to Mexico are required to present proof of citizenship, such as an original birth certificate with a raised seal, a valid passport, or naturalization papers. Those using a birth certificate should also have current photo identification, such as a driver's license or official ID, such as a state or military issued ID. Driver's licenses and permits, voter registration cards, affidavits and similar documents are not sufficient to prove citizenship for readmission into the United States. If the last name on the birth certificate is different from your current name, bring a photo identification card and legal proof of the name change, such as the original marriage license or certificate. Note: Photocopies are not acceptable.

Some U.S. citizens have encountered difficulty boarding flights in Mexico without a passport.

The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires that by January 1, 2008, travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico, and Canada have a passport or other secure, accepted document to enter or re-enter the United States. As of press time, this requirement is scheduled to apply to all air and sea travel to or from Mexico, effective December 31, 2006.

Safeguard your passport in an inconspicuous, inaccessible place like a money belt, and keep a copy of the critical pages with your passport number in a separate place. If you lose your passport, visit the nearest consulate of your native country as soon as possible for a replacement.

For an up-to-date, country-by-country listing of passport requirements around the world, go to the "Foreign Entry Requirement" Web page of the U.S. State Department at http://travel.state.gov.

Visas

You must carry a Mexican Tourist Permit (FMT), the equivalent of a tourist visa, which Mexican border officials issue, free of charge, after proof of citizenship is accepted. Airlines generally provide the necessary forms aboard your flight to Mexico. The FMT is more important than a passport, so guard it carefully. If you lose it, you may not be permitted to leave until you can replace it -- a bureaucratic hassle that can take anywhere from a few hours to a week.

The FMT can be issued for up to 180 days. Sometimes officials don't ask but just stamp a time limit, so be sure to say "6 months," or at least twice as long as you intend to stay. If you decide to extend your stay, you may request that additional time be added to your FMT from an official immigration office in Mexico.

In Baja California, immigration laws have changed; they allow FMTs for a maximum of 180 days per year, with a maximum of 30 days per visit. This is to encourage regular visitors, or those who spend longer periods in Mexico, to obtain documents that denote partial residency.

For travelers entering Mexico by car at the border of Baja California, note that FMTs are issued only in Tijuana, Tecate, and Mexicali, as well as in Ensenada and Guerrero Negro. If you travel anywhere beyond the frontier zone without the FMT, you will be fined $40. Permits for driving a foreign-plated car in Mexico are available only in Tijuana, Ensenada, Tecate, Mexicali, and La Paz.

Note: Children under age 18 traveling without parents or with only one parent must have a notarized letter from the absent parent(s) authorizing the travel. Mexican law requires that any non-Mexican under the age of 18 departing Mexico must carry notarized written permission from any parent or guardian not traveling with the child. This permission must include the name of the parent, the name of the child, the name of anyone traveling with the child, and the notarized signature(s) of the absent parent(s). The child must carry the original letter (not a copy) as well as proof of the parent/child relationship (usually a birth certificate or court document), and an original custody decree, if applicable.

Customs

What You Can Bring into Mexico

When you enter Mexico, Customs officials will be tolerant as long as you have no illegal drugs or firearms. You're allowed to bring in two cartons of cigarettes or 50 cigars, plus 1 kilogram (2.2 lb.) of smoking tobacco; two 1-liter bottles of wine or hard liquor, and 12 rolls of film. A laptop computer, camera equipment, and sports equipment that could feasibly be used during your stay are also allowed. The underlying guideline is: Don't bring anything that looks as if it's meant to be resold in Mexico.

What You Can Take Home from Mexico

Returning U.S. citizens who have been away for at least 48 hours are allowed to bring back, once every 30 days, $800 worth of merchandise duty-free. You'll pay a flat rate of duty on the next $1,000 worth of purchases. Any dollar amount beyond that is subject to duties at whatever rates apply. On mailed gifts, the duty-free limit is $200. Be sure to keep your receipts or purchases accessible to expedite the declaration process. Note: If you owe duty, you are required to pay on your arrival in the United States -- either by cash, personal check, government or traveler's check, or money order (and, in some locations, a Visa or MasterCard).

To avoid paying duty on foreign-made personal items you owned before your trip, bring along a bill of sale, insurance policy, jeweler's appraisal, or receipts of purchase. Or you can register items that can be readily identified by a permanently affixed serial number or marking -- think laptop computers, cameras, and CD players -- with Customs before you leave. Take the items to the nearest Customs office or register them with Customs at the airport from which you're departing. You'll receive, at no cost, a Certificate of Registration, which allows duty-free entry for the life of the item.

U.S. Citizens

For specifics on what you can bring back and the corresponding fees, download the invaluable free pamphlet Know Before You Go online at www.cbp.gov (click on "Travel," and then click on "Know Before You Go! Online Brochure"). Or contact the U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP), 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20229 (tel. 877/287-8667) and request the pamphlet.

Canadian Citizens

For a clear summary of Canadian rules, write for the booklet I Declare, issued by the Canada Border Services Agency (tel. 800/461-9999 in Canada, or 204/983-3500; www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca).