BajaNomad

FMM Tourist Card

wyatthurley55 - 11-8-2017 at 09:25 AM

Ill be riding to Cabo next week from Tecate with my brothers (will post pics after) and 2 of them are flying home from SJD. Will the FMM card work for this or do they need an actual visa? Ive never had a problem because I always end up hauling all the gear back so this is new to me. Any answers are appreciated! Viva Baja!!

David K - 11-8-2017 at 09:39 AM

At the border, you pull over and park as soon as possible and walk to the INM office/ desk. There you obtain the FMM Tourist Card and you must have a valid passport to get one. The cost is 500 pesos (~$30US) and valid for up to 180 days. If less than 7 nights in Mexico, you can get a FREE FMM, but it must be returned when you exit Mexico.
If flying out, they collect them when you board the plane, typically. The 180-day FMM is multiple use for land travel, one trip only for air travel.

NOTE: different border agents will often have different versions of the rules. Viva Mexico!

TECATE UP CLOSE:


The green circle is where I parked, a block east of the entrance street into Mexico. The blue arrows is my walking path to the INM office. You walk across the street you entered Mexico on, enter the building (INM) and the red arrows are going back to my truck. There are turnstiles entering and exiting the border office area.



[Edited on 11-8-2017 by David K]

woody with a view - 11-8-2017 at 09:59 AM

So you only return them if flying or if they are the free version?

INM Tecate

bajaguy - 11-8-2017 at 10:27 AM

Why don't you just park in the INM/Aduana parking lot next to the INM building??

willardguy - 11-8-2017 at 10:35 AM

I don't see a red circle

TMW - 11-8-2017 at 10:47 AM

I drive down to the first lite and go right and around the block coming back to where David shows two red arrows on the left. The covered area to the left with what looks like black post below it is a parking area, I think for the government workers, there is a guy there that will show you where to park so you can go in for the FMM papers. I usually tip him a couple of dollars.

David K - 11-8-2017 at 11:08 AM

Quote: Originally posted by bajaguy  
Why don't you just park in the INM/Aduana parking lot next to the INM building??

Because it is a one way street to the left (east) and I wanted to see if I could find a close spot on that street without the multi-block circle around drive: 2nd block south, block west, block north, and then drive east to parking. I did, and that was fine.

David K - 11-8-2017 at 11:13 AM

Quote: Originally posted by woody with a view  
So you only return them if flying or if they are the free version?


Yes, per the rules told me by INM officers at Mexicali this year... Flying, they are taken from you automatically. Driving, you need to figure how to get close to the INM on your drive home, then circle back through the city to get into the northbound lanes. Tecate is the easiest for that... again only for the FREE FMM.

mtgoat666 - 11-8-2017 at 11:17 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Quote: Originally posted by willardguy  
I don't see a red circle


It looks redder than anything else I could describe, but I am color-blind, so what color is that circle (it is automatically that color, I cannot make it different)?


your circle is GREEN

John Harper - 11-8-2017 at 11:21 AM

What happens if you don't return them? They did not tell me to return them last April, and coming through at TJ I have no idea how you would get over to the INM office on the way out. That looks like a non starter for sure.

John

David K - 11-8-2017 at 11:21 AM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Quote: Originally posted by willardguy  
I don't see a red circle


It looks redder than anything else I could describe, but I am color-blind, so what color is that circle (it is automatically that color, I cannot make it different)?


your circle is GREEN


LOL, thanks... I am red/green color blind!

bajaguy - 11-8-2017 at 11:23 AM

Exactly

Quote: Originally posted by TMW  
I drive down to the first lite and go right and around the block coming back to where David shows two red arrows on the left. The covered area to the left with what looks like black post below it is a parking area, I think for the government workers, there is a guy there that will show you where to park so you can go in for the FMM papers. I usually tip him a couple of dollars.

David K - 11-8-2017 at 11:26 AM

Quote: Originally posted by John Harper  
What happens if you don't return them? They did not tell me to return them last April, and coming through at TJ I have no idea how you would get over to the INM office on the way out. That looks like a non starter for sure.

John


Because your passport is scanned, you could get flagged to pay the full 180-day FMM cost if you stop for another free FMM in the next 6 months. They are tracking people who get the free ones to catch people who stay longer without paying the fee for 180 day stays. We have not heard of this happening, but hey, how else will they catch cheaters? :wow::o

John Harper - 11-8-2017 at 11:30 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Quote: Originally posted by John Harper  
What happens if you don't return them? They did not tell me to return them last April, and coming through at TJ I have no idea how you would get over to the INM office on the way out. That looks like a non starter for sure.

John


Because your passport is scanned, you could get flagged to pay the full 180-day FMM cost if you stop for another free FMM in the next 6 months. They are tracking people who get the free ones to catch people who stay longer without paying the fee for 180 day stays. We have not heard of this happening, but hey, how else will they catch cheaters? :wow::o


Ahh, good point.

John

soylent_green - 11-8-2017 at 11:38 AM

Quote: Originally posted by John Harper  
What happens if you don't return them? They did not tell me to return them last April, and coming through at TJ I have no idea how you would get over to the INM office on the way out. That looks like a non starter for sure.

John

nothing.
Anecdotal 3 hand stories will appear here and online from time to time though.


[Edited on 11-8-2017 by soylent_green]

David K - 11-8-2017 at 12:51 PM

Quote: Originally posted by soylent_green  
Quote: Originally posted by John Harper  
What happens if you don't return them? They did not tell me to return them last April, and coming through at TJ I have no idea how you would get over to the INM office on the way out. That looks like a non starter for sure.

John

nothing.
Anecdotal 3 hand stories will appear here and online from time to time though.


[Edited on 11-8-2017 by soylent_green]


Exactly! There used to be an address to mail the FMM/FMTs back, as they knew it was insanity to get tourist to drive across the city to the entry border area, park, walk, and then go back to the end of the line in Tijuana and Mexicali.

wyatthurley55 - 11-8-2017 at 01:58 PM

Thanks everyone! All my questions were answered lol

sancho - 11-8-2017 at 08:51 PM

Quote: Originally posted by soylent_green  

nothing.
Anecdotal 3 hand stories will appear here and online from time to time though.
[Edited on 11-8-2017 by soylent_green]








With you on that, have never seen any HARD evidence of a
Tourist not returning any length of fmm. free or the 180 day,
who was penalized. Mexicali West insists on the 7 day being
returned, so I do, just to avoid the what if's. I don't think I
could navigate thru TJ back to the Chaparrel crossing to
attempt to return the free fmm, if there was some sort of
reprocussion for not returning a 7 day fmm, it would have been widely reported












chrishaynesusa - 11-9-2017 at 08:27 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Quote: Originally posted by woody with a view  
So you only return them if flying or if they are the free version?


Yes, per the rules told me by INM officers at Mexicali this year... Flying, they are taken from you automatically. Driving, you need to figure how to get close to the INM on your drive home, then circle back through the city to get into the northbound lanes. Tecate is the easiest for that... again only for the FREE FMM.


can Tecate be used to depart and return the Payed for FMM while traveling trough Baja?

David K - 11-9-2017 at 08:29 AM

Quote: Originally posted by chrishaynesusa  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Quote: Originally posted by woody with a view  
So you only return them if flying or if they are the free version?


Yes, per the rules told me by INM officers at Mexicali this year... Flying, they are taken from you automatically. Driving, you need to figure how to get close to the INM on your drive home, then circle back through the city to get into the northbound lanes. Tecate is the easiest for that... again only for the FREE FMM.


can Tecate be used to depart and return the Payed for FMM while traveling trough Baja?


All border crossings issue the FMM. If you pay for the 180 day one, you do NOT have to return it.

KasloKid - 11-9-2017 at 09:46 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Quote: Originally posted by chrishaynesusa  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Quote: Originally posted by woody with a view  
So you only return them if flying or if they are the free version?


Yes, per the rules told me by INM officers at Mexicali this year... Flying, they are taken from you automatically. Driving, you need to figure how to get close to the INM on your drive home, then circle back through the city to get into the northbound lanes. Tecate is the easiest for that... again only for the FREE FMM.


can Tecate be used to depart and return the Payed for FMM while traveling trough Baja?


All border crossings issue the FMM. If you pay for the 180 day one, you do NOT have to return it.


Huh? You do NOT have to return it????
Where did you get this info from?

David K - 11-9-2017 at 09:50 AM

From the INM officers, themselves, every time I get a new one.
In fact, the one time I got the FREE FMM, just to see how that procedure goes, the issuing INM officer was very clear in that the free one must be turned back in when you exit Mexico, but the pay one did not.
This has been the case for several years, but some keep posting the old rules unaware of the changes.

bajaguy - 11-9-2017 at 09:54 AM

Pay for the 180 day FMM, worth the $23 not to put up with the hassle of trying to return the free one.....

PaulW - 11-9-2017 at 09:54 AM

We were told keep the 180 and return the free 7 day.
Your experience will probably be different. Ask when you get the fmm. We returned a free 7 day one last week at Algodones where we obtained it and the guy was surprised, but entered the return into the database.

sancho - 11-9-2017 at 02:00 PM

Quote: Originally posted by PaulW  
We were told keep the 180 and return the free 7 day.
Your experience will probably be different. Ask when you get the fmm. We returned a free 7 day one last week at Algodones where we obtained it and the guy was surprised, but entered the return into the database.








That is the most accurate post re: returning fmm's, the Imm
regs are what the Imm Officer says they are at the time you
are talking to him. There is little consistent reg application.
Take for instance walking into TJ, using the ped crossing
east of the 5, Mex Imm desks are stationed just as you enter,
where you will get an fmm, 7 day or 180 to proceed, to return
one would be quite a task, walking wise, I can't imagine they
get one returned

KasloKid - 11-9-2017 at 11:57 PM

Quote: Originally posted by PaulW  
We were told keep the 180 and return the free 7 day.
Your experience will probably be different. Ask when you get the fmm. We returned a free 7 day one last week at Algodones where we obtained it and the guy was surprised, but entered the return into the database.


That's interesting... last year and the previous year I enquired about a 7 day free FMM at Algodones for my son and was told I had to produce written hotel reservation proof. :?: (I had already gotten my 180 day one at San Luis). We instead crossed at the Mexicali West crossing and got one there.. returned it there as well.

[Edited on 11-10-2017 by KasloKid]

KasloKid - 11-10-2017 at 12:02 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
From the INM officers, themselves, every time I get a new one.
In fact, the one time I got the FREE FMM, just to see how that procedure goes, the issuing INM officer was very clear in that the free one must be turned back in when you exit Mexico, but the pay one did not.
This has been the case for several years, but some keep posting the old rules unaware of the changes.


I wonder if this policy is applicable in Baja only? I've gotten a few in the past at San Luis (Sonora) and was told every time that I had to return in prior to it expiring.

David K - 11-10-2017 at 09:25 AM

It shouldn't be since the border is a federal not state controlled item.
About three years ago is when they seemed to clear up the fact that if you paid for 180 days, it should be valid for 180 days, not just one trip. What a mess at the border if people who take daily, weekly, or monthly trips had to stop every time, in and out?!!!

Just to refresh the confusion

AKgringo - 11-10-2017 at 09:57 AM

Here is the link to the Mexican government information site; https://www.gob.mx/

It still says that the FMM is good for one visit. I believe you when you say that I could get away with multiple crossings, but that is not the way it is written!

EDIT; I apologize, the link is not the one I searched for and found in English!


[Edited on 11-10-2017 by AKgringo]

danaeb - 11-10-2017 at 10:31 AM

FWIW, I fly out of TIJ to La Paz every 2-3 months with a 180 day FMM. I have never had a problem with INM accepting it, as long as my stay doesn't exceed the expiration date.

Paco Facullo - 11-10-2017 at 10:35 AM

Well, as much as David K goes he probably knows all the boarder officers on a first name bases...

He only gets ONE every 180 day's or so...

David K - 11-10-2017 at 10:53 AM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
Here is the link to the Mexican government information site; https://www.gob.mx/

It still says that the FMM is good for one visit. I believe you when you say that I could get away with multiple crossings, but that is not the way it is written!



Very possible they are only talking about the flying into Mexico FMM which is one time use. The driving into Mexico is unlimited over the 180 days. Government bureaucrats in Mexico City probably have no clue as to the Tijuana and other Baja border traffic situation or tourism use of cars.

David K - 11-10-2017 at 10:55 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Paco Facullo  
Well, as much as David K goes he probably knows all the boarder officers on a first name bases...

He only gets ONE every 180 day's or so...


Most of the time (90%?) I don't talk to border people as I get the green light, or already have the FMM from the previous trip. I have gotten two FMMs in 2017. One at Mexicali West and one at Tijuana.

TMW - 11-10-2017 at 10:57 AM

I get two per year and never turn them in. I have not been asked for one in at least 10 years. In the last 20 years only Guerrero Negro has ever asked for mine.

AKgringo - 11-10-2017 at 11:10 AM

David, I failed to check the link I posted, but it was supposed to connect to the current English version of instructions for an on-line, FMM application for ground travel to Mexico.

mtgoat666 - 11-10-2017 at 11:30 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
Here is the link to the Mexican government information site; https://www.gob.mx/

It still says that the FMM is good for one visit. I believe you when you say that I could get away with multiple crossings, but that is not the way it is written!



Very possible they are only talking about the flying into Mexico FMM which is one time use. The driving into Mexico is unlimited over the 180 days. Government bureaucrats in Mexico City probably have no clue as to the Tijuana and other Baja border traffic situation or tourism use of cars.


David, you are silly and unwise to dismiss mexican bureaucrats as clueless. I am sure the mexican govt immigration customs/officials at all levels are aware of what goes on in Otay and Tijuana border xings, they are the country's busiest land crossing, and a huge amount of goods and people cross the border in TJ/Otay area --- and govt is not clueless about USA-mexico trade and immigration/travel.
I notice that the border operations have changed and continue to change, and it is obvious that the government is leading the changes, and given the huge amount of traffic that still flows relatively easily across the border, it does seem that the government is aware and competent - certainly not clueless.

If you are writing a guidebook for gringos traveling to baja, perhaps you should perhaps go meet the managers that run the border, interview the officials, before you spout off based on your anecdotal evidence crossing the border a couple times per year :light::light::light::light:
:light::light::light::light:
:light::light::light::light:

David K - 11-10-2017 at 12:13 PM

Quote: Originally posted by TMW  
I get two per year and never turn them in. I have not been asked for one in at least 10 years. In the last 20 years only Guerrero Negro has ever asked for mine.


The same here.

Goat, you are welcome to write your own guidebook containing all the love you have for bureaucracy and restrictions of freedom. My road guide is going to share what I saw traveling 15,000 miles in Baja this year as well some input from my previous 50+ years of traveling in Baja. I instruct readers on the process of getting an FMM at the border and there is no personal opinion included. The road guide can easily be upgraded for future changes.

JZ - 11-10-2017 at 12:20 PM

P!sses me off that they take them when flying back. I just got one driving across and lost it flying back.


[Edited on 11-10-2017 by JZ]

JZ - 11-10-2017 at 12:23 PM

Quote: Originally posted by TMW  
I get two per year and never turn them in. I have not been asked for one in at least 10 years. In the last 20 years only Guerrero Negro has ever asked for mine.


The only times they ask for one are when you get an import permit or at the airport flying to the US.

Sr.vienes - 11-10-2017 at 01:34 PM

Guerrero Negro is also the only place I have ever been asked for my FMM. Never in my wildest dreams would I try to circumvent Mexican government bureaucracies but as I’m sure most of you know there is a road around the checkpoint.

bajaguy - 11-10-2017 at 02:53 PM

I would not want to play Russian Roulette with Mexican Immigration
Quote: Originally posted by JZ  
Quote: Originally posted by TMW  
The only times they ask for one are when you get an import permit or at the airport flying to the US.