BajaNomad

Turning in the FMM

thebajarunner - 10-31-2018 at 04:10 PM

Being a fine upstanding and law abiding person I presented my 6 month FMM which had just expired to the nice migra lady in the Los Cabos airport two weeks ago.
She smiled, said thanks, quickly tore it in two and dropped it into the waste can.
I sort of blinked and said something to the effect...' Aren't we supposed to turn those in?" and she smiled back and said, "Yes, you just turned it in" or words to that effect.
So much for worrying about the big new computer network that will be tracking me down and woofing at me next time I stop at TJ to get a new one.

bajabuddha - 10-31-2018 at 04:20 PM

Classic.

David K - 10-31-2018 at 05:41 PM

Flying is different than land travel, but the land travel returning need ended as I have asked multiple times the past 2 years. The free 7 day one was being requested to turn in but when I asked about it last August, the officer said, yes, but if you can't, it's okay.

The difficulty of vehicles to return to the southbound area of the border obviously is understood. I did at Tecate, not so hard there... but Tijuana or Mexicali, no way... I would buy the 180 day one just to avoid trying to return the free 7 day one!

thebajarunner - 10-31-2018 at 05:49 PM

David.... Yes I was flying
But the FMM I was trying to shed was obtained in TJ on land.
Handing a land pass to a flying agent is obviously far above their ability to respond.
I guess the basic "Rule of Mexico" still applies....

"Rules???? We ain't got no stinkin' rules"

PaulW - 10-31-2018 at 06:02 PM

More fake news on this forum.
The Mexican law/regulation was changed several years ago that there is not a requirement to return your FMM when leaving the country. They decided to not modify the form to save money.
Any Migration official will tell you that is a fact. The uneducated people at border are not the officials to ask.

And now for the rest of the story....

thebajarunner - 10-31-2018 at 06:10 PM

Quote: Originally posted by PaulW  
More fake news on this forum.
The Mexican law/regulation was changed several years ago that there is not a requirement to return your FMM when leaving the country. They decided to not modify the form to save money.
Any Migration official will tell you that is a fact. The uneducated people at border are not the officials to ask.


While I have no reason to doubt (or believe) your assertion about the law change....

does "Any Migration official" include the nice lady in the far left booth at immigration at Los Cabos? Because we discussed it and she did not tell me that the law was changed.

and....does "The uneducated people at the border" included those on the migra desk in TJ? Because I have walked several family and friends through the process there this year and none of those folks seemed either uneducated or inadequate in their work.

Pretty strong words my friend....

sancho - 10-31-2018 at 07:23 PM

Mexicali West is the only POE that mentioned they want the
7 day fmm returned, specifically not the 180. Read a reply on fb San Felipe in reference
to fmm's, 'the Mex Immigration regs will change in 7 1/2 hrs.', which apparently refers to the next shift of Imm officers
may well have a different way of applying Imm regs,
that sums it up

BajaBlanca - 10-31-2018 at 08:38 PM

yup. that sums it up. great way to put it.

John Harper - 11-1-2018 at 07:28 AM

What's the problem? In the United States, this would be hailed as the ultimate in local control, states rights, and de-regulated big government. On the other hand, some might liken it to anarchy.

John

paranewbi - 11-2-2018 at 04:21 AM

Flew out of TJ yesterday on free FMM (6 days) agent was adamant that there's no need to return form on way back...asked several times to make sure, same answer.

BajaMama - 11-2-2018 at 05:08 AM

My son and I traveled the Yucatan last April. Our departure airport was Villa Hermosa and we had to go to the airport immigration office and relinquish our FMMs.

thebajarunner - 11-2-2018 at 08:20 AM

When you fly they always take it.
Tried to keep it last year in Puerto Vallarta cuz I knew I would be back doing our annual two weeks in Baja later in the month.
NOPE!!
Sorry pal, flight visas are automatically extracted on departure

Mexitron - 11-2-2018 at 02:20 PM

Speaking of FMMs we got our insurance through Baja Bound online, which was a breeze, but when trying to use their online form for the FMM we kept getting directed to the bank site to pay 24 dollars even though it was only for 7 days and should be free. No biggy, still have to stop for the stamp at TJ(which was much more convenient than before) but still wondering if there's a way to do it online for the 7 day.

sancho - 11-2-2018 at 03:09 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Mexitron  
but still wondering if there's a way to do it online for the 7 day.









No first hand info, but recently read a post of someone
doing just that, getting the free 6nt- 7 day online, so
it apparently can be done

John Harper - 11-2-2018 at 03:32 PM

Quote: Originally posted by sancho  
Quote: Originally posted by Mexitron  
but still wondering if there's a way to do it online for the 7 day.









No first hand info, but recently read a post of someone
doing just that, getting the free 6nt- 7 day online, so
it apparently can be done


Wouldn't you still have to stop to get it stamped at the border?

John

sancho - 11-2-2018 at 03:48 PM

Never have been a online fmm getter, but I can see doing
it like the nite before you leave, just enter info exactly as in
Passport, not sure if they balk if one enters at a different
crossing? Yes, stop at Imm for validation, perhaps a bit
of time saved

AKgringo - 11-2-2018 at 04:28 PM

The last FMM I got was at Mexicali west. The agent looked at my passport, and filled in all the required information on the form in much less time than it would take me to read every line. I paid him in pesos, and was on my way in minutes!

JoeJustJoe - 11-3-2018 at 09:33 AM

Damn I though this site was uptight regarding the FMM in Mexico.

Over at "Talk Baja" on Facebook, they have a few threads going on the FMM, going into Mexico, and babies crossing into Mexico, and if they need a passport or not.

There is a lot of completely wrong information on Talk Baja, like believing babies or even young kids need a passport, although some members know the correct answer, but the wrong information persists.

And although you're suppose to have a passport, and get your FMM, going into Mexico. What I would do, if on an airplane is follow the advise of the airline, and Mexican customs, getting the FMM, and turning it in. However, if I'm driving, and only staying within 100 miles of the border, I and thousands and thousands of people, DO NOT STOP AND GET THE FMM, because nobody is going to care about it.

Seems like a lot of members at "Talk Baja" get off saying it's the law, it's the law! That's fine, if you want to follow the so-called law, that Mexico, is enforcing in airports, and for pedestrians walking in, but allowing cars to drive right through. ( Mexico, couldn't handle the traffic if everybody was stopping and getting their FMM)

Where I take exception, they made up stuff that's not true. If you get into an accident in Mexico, and if you don't have an FMM card. That doesn't mean the accident is your fault. ( you look to your insurance company to protect you)

There is also no evidence, that if you don't have an FMM, that you could be put in a Mexican prison. I have yet to hear about one person who got deported for not having an FMM.

If you don't' have a passport, and you go back into the USA. You are not detained in secondary for hours, and in fact, most people cross back into the US with only a Driver's license, and birth certificate, are not delayed at all. If you're a US citizen, you cannot be denied entry back in the US.

I would tell Sara, the exact same thing as Robert, in the exchange below, although I would want to know how far down is she driving.

_____________________________
Highlights from "TB" on Facebook: ( and no, babies don't need passports)


Sara wrote: Ok, we got in the wrong line at the border in San Isidro, didn’t get stopped, didn’t know where to stop. Now we have to go back and get our tourist card. Do we have to cross back into the US and come back through or can we get to the office from the Baja side?
___________________
Robert wrote: Forget about it. Just keep going and have a good time. Next time plan better!
__________________________
Ron wrote: Robert Wood Bad and totally irresponsible advice to suggest that someone just stay illegally in Mexico.
__________________
Robert: Ron Reid thats why i offered it up. What do you expect when guvmint funnels in 1000’s of cars a day with nobody checking?
________________________
Ron wrote: That has nothing to do with it, It's the law, It's what we are suppose to do, our responsibility, Nobody else's,We should never need someone else to hold our hand and show what we are required to do, Or maybe some people need that?
______________

John wrote: I would say expedite a passport for your baby and do everything by the book as much as possible.. save the good luck for when you really need it..
___________________
Shelah Vasquez wrote: I've been living in Mexico and go to us without a passport for 8 yrs

Paola wrote: Those Americans that do not follow the rules should be detained in secondary for hours. Follow the damn rules. You are the reason the lines take so long to cross. Because you must be questioned checked and re checked while crossing into the US.
_________________
Derek wrote: evin J Munster why? You’re lucky!! What if your luck runs out? No proper paperwork might get you a MX jail cell or a hard time getting back in the US.
___________
Deanne wrote: You and your husband need passports and FMMs and you need a birth certificate for your child. Also obtain Mexican auto insurance. Enjoy beautiful Baja!
_______________________
Norman wrote: You ALL are talking about the LAWS Mexico & USA. It is a Law and We also call it RESPECT.. With what is going on in the US - Mexico Borders. My choice is to do as ask by each country *** OBEY the laws.
____________________-


[Edited on 11-3-2018 by JoeJustJoe]

KasloKid - 11-3-2018 at 10:16 PM

I don't usually jump into an ongoing debate, but I couldn't ignore this one.

To each, their own.
A couple of few weeks ago, immigration were checking for FMM's south of Ensenada. Those without were sent back to the border.

Two years ago while riding to points further south on mainland Mexico, I was stopped by a Federal police officer and had to produce all documentation: passport, FMM, bike registration and proof of insurance of such.

Twenty or so years ago, Immigration officials came through an RV park telling residents to produce their FMM's. Two guys didn't have them so they were escorted to San Jose del Cabo, put on a plane and made to pay for their flight with their own credit cards.

Advising travellers not to get their FMM's is just plain ignorant..
I bet you wouldn't dare advise a foreigner to enter the USA without the proper documentation, would you?

As a fellow inmate on an off-road forum so eloquently put it: If you're in deep enough chit where you need to produce your FMM, you better flocking well better have one.

Making the effort to get an FMM is a minor inconvenience, and, oh yeah, costs you a few dollars.


[Edited on 11-4-2018 by KasloKid]

JoeJustJoe - 11-4-2018 at 08:18 AM

Once again, I make a distinction about crossing into Mexico by car regarding the FMM, within about 100 miles. Even I will stop and get the FMM if I'm going to drive to San Jose del Cabo, which is a trip I only made once in my life. The rest of the time, I take an airplane, and have not choice but to follow proper immigration laws.

I would guess that most people that travel into Mexico by car stay within 100 miles of the border, and stay in Tijuana, Rosarito, and Enseneda.

Believe me when I say, most of these people making brief trips into Baja by car are not stopping and getting their FMM. They just are not, and you could see the cars just going straight through without stopping.

Now if I'm going just to Tijuana, I usually walk, and used the pedestrian entry, and there everybody is forced to go through Mexican customs, if they are US citizens. Since, my trips are brief and less than 7 days, the customs officials, after asking a few questions, usually just hands me back my passport
and doesn't fill out an FMM for me. They seem to only be interested if I'm going to stay longer than 7 days, because that's when they charge a few dollars. ( I would say, 70% of the time, the agents don't fill out an FMM for me)

I do know a few American that are wound up to tight, and actually get upset, if they don't get the FMM,document, and they tell the agent, "it's the law, I'm supposed to get it, and what am I going to do if a Mexican cop stops me and I don't have an FMM?" The agent, usually rolls their eyes, and makes them fill it out. ( usually the agents fills it out for you with quick speed)

I have heard a lot of different corrupt Mexican cop, shake down attempts and scams through the years, but so far I have yet to hear of an FMM shake down attempt by a corrupt Mexican cop.

Now I don't care if anyone gets their FMM and in 2015, it has been a requirement for anybody in Mexico, to get their FMM, but it doesn't look like it's been enforced in the border towns.

Where I take exception is these made up stories about what happens to you if you don't have an FMM, like claiming if you get in an auto accident, in Mexico, and you don't have a FMM, you will go to jail, and be blamed for the auto accident.

The most ridiculous thing I hear is Americans, saying it's the law, and how would you feel if Mexicans, were coming into the US without proper paperwork.

That's irrelevant your feelings about US immigration laws, and the requirements to pass into Mexico. It's also called "transference" where you are transferring your hardcore immigration beliefs onto Mexican citizens.

I have yet to hear about Mexicans, getting upset that Americans, don't carry their passports, and FMM in Mexico. I have yet to hear from a Mexican President, that's makes immigration the number election issue, and then talks about deporting illegal Americans, and building walls to keep Americans out.



[Edited on 11-4-2018 by JoeJustJoe]

Lee - 11-4-2018 at 12:56 PM

Quote: Originally posted by JoeJustJoe  

I have yet to hear about Mexicans, getting upset that Americans, don't carry their passports, and FMM in Mexico. I have yet to hear from a Mexican President, that's makes immigration the number election issue, and then talks about deporting illegal Americans, and building walls to keep Americans out.
[Edited on 11-4-2018 by JoeJustJoe]


Isn't this a straw man argument? Clearly erroneous reasoning. If undocumented gringoes were a million deep in MX, I'm positive the MX media would be reporting it. Relax Joe this will never happen.

It is important for gringoes to have proper documentation, and this includes pets, as gringoes are judged by different standards than anyone else.

When I see video on US TV with gringo bigots screaming at people who aren't white, or speaking another language, that they should speak English (because they're in the US), or else, they should ''go back home,'' it's impossible to believe that this sad behavior would ever happen in Baja towards gringoes. At least not in the same ignorant way.

So, always have your paperwork in order, and obey the laws in Baja. And regardless of the rumors that come around like a broken record, throw away a used or expired FMM.

JoeJustJoe - 11-6-2018 at 03:50 PM

If I'm driving and have a FMM, I'm not go to search around to find a spot where to turn in my FMM.

That's silly, and I doubt anybody actually does that in practice.

Besides, I have read that in 2015 the INM, doesn't require you to turn in your FMM if traveling by land in Baja, and besides there is no procedure to do so.

Now of course the statement on the back may say, you must turn it in, and so you may get people, demanding that you follow the law, although it's just a blanket statement and doesn't apply to all situations.

Now if you are exiting somewhere other than the Baja US/Mexico, border, you should consult the local authorities.

And if you're traveling by airplane, you will be directed by the airlines, and Mexican officials.