BajaNomad

NOW needing to pay at the Bank for Visa at San Ysidro???

DawnPatrol - 10-28-2014 at 10:14 AM

Is this right?
I just heard from a friend that he went to San Ysidro to get his Visa and was told that he has to now pay at the bank???

WTF? I was just there in May and we paid the Immigration guy right there.... is this a new procedure?

If so it sucks as we like the previous 24/7 availabilty when we crossed.

Anyone purchase a Visa at San Ysidro very recently???

Alan from San Diego

Bajaboy - 10-28-2014 at 10:20 AM

yes, you are supposed to pay at the bank next door. Easy process

DawnPatrol - 10-28-2014 at 10:22 AM

do you know if its 24/7 ??? or regular bank hours?

David K - 10-28-2014 at 10:35 AM

In Mexico, the rules can change from day to day and person to person.

I also was given the choice to pay the INM officer or go to the bank window, next door. The INM had a cash box in their drawer to take the money.

Don't let the bureaucrats ruin your trip!

Jack Swords - 10-28-2014 at 12:09 PM

We have found that a prepaid FMM solves the bank issue. All typed up, ready to go, just a stamp and 180 days written in by immigration. Couple of minutes...

pbods - 10-28-2014 at 12:28 PM

How do you get a pre-paid FFM?

David K - 10-28-2014 at 12:34 PM

Join Discover Baja Travel Club (San Diego): http://discoverbaja.com or (and check to see if they still have them to seel) Vagabundos del Mar travel club (northern Calif.).

LancairDriver - 10-28-2014 at 12:37 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by pbods
How do you get a pre-paid FFM?


I have been using Discover Baja. Call and they will tell you how.Very convenient.
619-275-4225
800-727-2252
www.discoverbaja.com

bajaspuds - 10-28-2014 at 12:38 PM

I went through TJ about a month ago and got a visa ... early a.m. ... the official took my 300 pesos, said dollars would be okay too [$25]. Very courteous and professional. Perhaps it was the early hour, but nothing else seemed open in the immigration offices area there, except the bathrooms. Maybe during regular business hours you have to use the bank ...

David K - 10-28-2014 at 12:40 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaspuds
I went through TJ about a month ago and got a visa ... early a.m. ... the official took my 300 pesos, said dollars would be okay too [$25]. Very courteous and professional. Perhaps it was the early hour, but nothing else seemed open in the immigration offices area there, except the bathrooms. Maybe during regular business hours you have to use the bank ...


Thank you!!!

Bob and Susan - 10-28-2014 at 12:42 PM

I paid first week of sept for fmm's and paid in the office...

I asked about bank...new rules to make it easier for the tourist

Bajaboy - 10-28-2014 at 12:55 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DawnPatrol
do you know if its 24/7 ??? or regular bank hours?


yes, the bank is 24/7. There are also a few atms as well.

Alm - 10-28-2014 at 01:27 PM

I fail to see how FMM prepaid through Discoverybaja with added service fee is better than paying to INM. Filling it takes only a couple of minutes.

To answer the OP question - yes, tourists have always been supposed to pay through the bank, and 99% of time they did. This is not NEW regulation. What is new is the recent tendency of INM to take the payment directly, bypassing the bank.

Bob53 - 10-28-2014 at 01:43 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Alm
I fail to see how FMM prepaid through Discoverybaja with added service fee is better than paying to INM. Filling it takes only a couple of minutes.


I used to get mine through Discover Baja too but it really doesn't make any sense now since the bank office is right down the hall. Plus, Discover Baja charges about $10 extra per tourist card and $39 to become a member.

David K - 10-28-2014 at 05:13 PM

It removes just one possible hassle at the border... you still need to stop and get the entry stamp on your pre-paid FMM... but if they don't want to take the money (laughable) and the bank teller is closed... you will be good to go. This may be an issue at Tecate where the border is not open 24/7?

I have always paid at the border for the FMM or FM-T before it... after it was no longer free (mid-2000). That, and 9-11 increased border waits, and the sucky economy has really hurt Mexican tourism. No more crowds of Americans in San Felipe (or other spots) on holiday weekends like before 2000!

Sandlefoot - 10-28-2014 at 05:24 PM

The big reason to pay at the bank is that is the only way you will get a receipt! I had to fly out one time and did not have a receipt and the INM official said "No receipt, you did not pay!" I did not get a receipt because I got the FMM on the way in on the plane!!!! Took some "splannin" but we worked it out. Bottom line, if there is a snow balls chance you may need to fly out, get a receipt at the bank. I have yet to have the INM office offer one.

Just my experience, I am sure everyone else's is different!!!

Happy Trails

Jack Swords - 10-28-2014 at 05:32 PM

As in all things, Mexico...to each his own. We are members of Vagabundos, get our annual boat insurance and our annual auto insurance thru them. They also prepare our FMMs and we get them all typed up WITH a receipt from the bank. One stop for the stamp, and we are on our way. We also get the international health certificate for our dog. All of these avoid hassles that we have experienced in the past, An example, the 24 hour Immigration was not open as the guy failed to show up. Another time he was asleep and we had to bang on the window. Simply want an easy passage and the prepaid FMM does that for me.

woody with a view - 10-28-2014 at 05:39 PM

right on, Jack! some folks want to go a cheap as possible, some folks realize time=money and spend both wisely.

to each their own......

Bob53 - 10-28-2014 at 06:12 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Jack Swords
All of these avoid hassles that we have experienced in the past, An example, the 24 hour Immigration was not open as the guy failed to show up. Another time he was asleep and we had to bang on the window. Simply want an easy passage and the prepaid FMM does that for me.

Having a prepaid FMM would not solve these two issues because you still have to have the immigration official at the border stamp your FMM cards.

[Edited on 10-29-2014 by Bob53]

Jack Swords - 10-28-2014 at 06:19 PM

We simply stopped at Ensenada Immigration for the stamp. Was not an issue. We have also gone to La Paz immigration for the stamp, but prefer not to. Positive demeanor, friendliness pays off. Thing is, if something could go wrong, it probably will. Like insurance, hopefully never needed, yet nice to have it when you do. Again, to each his own....

BornFisher - 10-28-2014 at 07:10 PM

Got one in SY about 2 weeks ago. Paid the guy $25. No bank. 5 minutes.

Alm - 10-29-2014 at 01:41 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Sandlefoot
The big reason to pay at the bank is that is the only way you will get a receipt! I had to fly out one time and did not have a receipt and the INM official said "No receipt, you did not pay!" I did not get a receipt because I got the FMM on the way in on the plane!!!!

When you're landing in international airport like Loreto or Cabo, you get FMM blank on the plane, yes. But only the blank. INM officer will stamp it - with a big green stamp that has small red date in the middle - and give it back to you.

There is never bank teller involved and there is never any "receipt" other than the stamped FMM , in this case, because FMM fee is included in the ticket price. And they apply same stamp to your passport.

Stamped FMM together with stamp in passport is your proof of status, you don't need anything else. If you had a properly stamped FMM, and the officer at departure wanted some "receipt", he is an idiot because tourists are supposed to return and he is supposed to collect stamped FMM forms, not "receipts".


[Edited on 10-29-2014 by Alm]