mooose29 - 3-11-2020 at 10:37 PM
So I figure I would start another thread so as to not get lost in all the back and forth on visa or FMM from my other post.
So last week I used the CBX to cross into the TJ airport. I had my 180 day FMM as it has been OK for a couple years now to cross back and forth with
the 180:day FMM and since I still had time on it I figured I would use it and save the money for my 10 day trip.
As I entered the TJ airport after the bridge you have to show your paperwork to the Mexican immigration officer. I presented my 180 day and he
informed me that the law has changed this year in the last month or so and that we are no longer allowed to cross back and forth with the 180 day and
we are supposed to turn it in when we leave. He said that he would let me enter this time with my visa/FMM but to please make sure that next time I
have a new form when entering the country. My wife who crossed a week later using the CBX got her 7 day for free right on the self service computer
at the CBX terminal it only took her a couple minutes by the way. More than 7 days was easy to but you had to take the extra step of stopping and
paying right before the immigration officer. All of this is located right there so very easy.
I’m sure there will be a lot of back and forth on this I am simply telling you what was told to me in person by the very polite and nice Mexican
immigration officer. He seemed as miffed as I was by the change in the policy.
I love everything about crossing at the CBX and using the TJ airport for your flight it was super simple very straight forward and it is a very clean
airport. I definitely recommend it.
JZ - 3-11-2020 at 10:40 PM
Hey Moose, the information is very much appreciated. Thank you.
surabi - 3-11-2020 at 11:52 PM
The law hasn't changed. What may be happening is that INM officials at the Baja borders have been told by their superiors in Mexico City to start
applying the law as stated, which they have been ignoring. The tourist card says and has always said, that it it is valid for your stay in Mexico.
Meaning that once you leave the country, you are no longer "staying" in Mexico and it is supposed to be turned in, not used for multiple exits and
entries.
This is how it's always worked on the mainland, and it's fedreal law, so the way Baja INM has been operating has been against the regulations.
gnukid - 3-12-2020 at 04:07 AM
Don't show it coming in, you just keep it with you.
wilderone - 3-12-2020 at 09:43 AM
I don't see how getting the required FMM for a trip fewer than 7 days for no cost is breaking the law. Rather, that is the logical choice. If you
happen to have a 180-day that has not yet expired, that is inconsequential. If your next trip was a fly-in from the USA for 10 days, your FMM issued
for that trip would be yet another FMM, paid for in your airfare. And then the next trip you use your still-valid 180-day, drive across - nobody is
looking at it, nobody knows when you came and went, but it's still valid. What difference does it make -- you're holding a valid, legal FMM for your
trip.
David K - 3-12-2020 at 10:23 AM
Spot on, wilderone.
karenintx - 3-12-2020 at 01:11 PM
Is there a penalty/fine for having two FMMs listed in the Mexican INM computer?
AKgringo - 3-12-2020 at 03:06 PM
I posted this before, but it is within the time frame the OP mentioned, so one more time!
On Jan 21st I crossed southbound at Calexico West. The agent asked how long I will be in Mexico, and I replied that this trip would be for five or
six weeks, but I need to return in May for a couple of weeks.
He took it on himself to issue the FMM for 180 days! I asked about turning it back in, and he told me to "turn it in here" after the second trip.
I also asked what to do with it if the second trip gets cancelled, and he said to throw it away!
[Edited on 3-12-2020 by AKgringo]