BajaNomad

FMM Couple of thoughts

thebajarunner - 7-22-2025 at 02:55 PM

First off...
Went into the border office at TJ/SY crossing to get a new FMM
Totally different process, I was really surprised
Yeah, you have to go through the line with all the new (and mostly Mexican) arrivals.
But when you get to the desk you hand over you passport or card and it gets
scanned
Two questions asked verbally,
How long are you staying and where are you headed?
Then the rather clunky looking printer under the counter (with a few knuckle raps from the officer) and bang!!! You get handed a fresh FMM
Next customer!!
No more standing at the counter in the back and trying to fit your answers into the lines, no more to do, just gracias and out the door.
Milagro!!

Second....
How many Gringos really do take the time and effort?
I was there about 10 minutes and was the only applicant in sight.
Lots of US cars were pushing across, no one else ws stopping to make the effort.

Final comment...
They still refuse to give my little bride a card.
Born in Jalisco?
Next customer please

David K - 7-22-2025 at 05:47 PM

Interesting!
I got my last FMM, also at Tijuana... the area south of office (buildiing near the giant flagpole) was under construction. We parked on the south side, after passing the red/green light/ gate, and turning off to the right. This was two months ago (May 10, 2025). Still had to fill out the lines (brought my readers as the text is tiny for old eyes). Just got the free 6 day/ 7 nights one, so no money needed. Used my passport card, so no stamping of a book.

surabi - 7-22-2025 at 07:20 PM

Why would you think they would give your wife an FMM? Of course they won't. If she was born in Mexico, she's a Mexican citizen. Tourist cards are for foreign tourists, not Mexican citizens or residents. Your wife can stay in Mexico as long as she wants, she doesn't need any sort of permission to enter or stay.

[Edited on 7-23-2025 by surabi]

Tioloco - 7-22-2025 at 08:54 PM

Quote: Originally posted by surabi  
Why would you think they would give your wife an FMM? Of course they won't. If she was born in Mexico, she's a Mexican citizen. Tourist cards are for foreign tourists, not Mexican citizens or residents. Your wife can stay in Mexico as long as she wants, she doesn't need any sort of permission to enter or stay.

[Edited on 7-23-2025 by surabi]


Maybe she was born in Mexico but lives in USA and has no Mexican ID cards?? Countless Mexican citizens have no documentation to prove their citizenship.

BajaBlanca - 7-22-2025 at 09:34 PM

No payment or is it right there too?

Try to buy property using that argument

thebajarunner - 7-23-2025 at 10:07 AM

Quote: Originally posted by surabi  
Why would you think they would give your wife an FMM? Of course they won't. If she was born in Mexico, she's a Mexican citizen. Tourist cards are for foreign tourists, not Mexican citizens or residents. Your wife can stay in Mexico as long as she wants, she doesn't need any sort of permission to enter or stay.

[Edited on 7-23-2025 by surabi]

thebajarunner - 7-23-2025 at 10:14 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Interesting!
I got my last FMM, also at Tijuana... the area south of office (buildiing near the giant flagpole) was under construction. We parked on the south side, after passing the red/green light/ gate, and turning off to the right. This was two months ago (May 10, 2025). Still had to fill out the lines (brought my readers as the text is tiny for old eyes). Just got the free 6 day/ 7 nights one, so no money needed. Used my passport card, so no stamping of a book.


David
The office is in the same location as always, just a little more complicated to access. Stay as far right as usual and duck in when you see the building,
parking is the same
Do not go through the gates and the lights, it is probably 100 yards before that official entry into TJ
Inside the building is the same as always, last office on the left just past the banco.
Only real change is the scanner and the quick completion

And my basic question sitll is...... are we the only ones who bother to get an FMM?

Mexicans can't buy property?

lencho - 7-23-2025 at 10:19 AM

Quote: Originally posted by thebajarunner  

Try to buy property using that argument

Are you saying that your wife, a Mexican citizen, tried to buy property in Mexico and couldn't because...
Uhh, ¿why? :?:

surabi - 7-23-2025 at 01:08 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Tioloco  


Maybe she was born in Mexico but lives in USA and has no Mexican ID cards?? Countless Mexican citizens have no documentation to prove their citizenship.


Place of birth is on passports. So if she has a US passport, that info is readily visible. And if she has a US passport or green card, she would have had to submit her birth certificate or other Mexican ID to obtain those.

People who have no documents to prove their citizenship can't legally cross international borders, and I doubt the OP's wife is going back and forth across the US/Mexico border illegally and without proper ID.

David K - 7-23-2025 at 02:29 PM

Quote: Originally posted by thebajarunner  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Interesting!
I got my last FMM, also at Tijuana... the area south of office (buildiing near the giant flagpole) was under construction. We parked on the south side, after passing the red/green light/ gate, and turning off to the right. This was two months ago (May 10, 2025). Still had to fill out the lines (brought my readers as the text is tiny for old eyes). Just got the free 6 day/ 7 nights one, so no money needed. Used my passport card, so no stamping of a book.


David
The office is in the same location as always, just a little more complicated to access. Stay as far right as usual and duck in when you see the building,
parking is the same
Do not go through the gates and the lights, it is probably 100 yards before that official entry into TJ
Inside the building is the same as always, last office on the left just past the banco.
Only real change is the scanner and the quick completion

And my basic question sitll is...... are we the only ones who bother to get an FMM?
Those of us who support the rule of law over the "if they don't then I don't " group.

In May, I was a passenger and my friend wanted to park after the gates, which meant turning right after the secondary inspection area onto a future set of lanes that come from the building.which we walked to the INM desk outside of that building. The area was in mid-construction.

surabi - 7-23-2025 at 02:40 PM

Even if someone is an "I don't like following rules" type, it is foolish not to bother to get proper paperwork, as it can be a big hassle if one is asked for their INM document and can't produce it.
Mexico does in fact deport people for that reason.

thebajarunner - 7-23-2025 at 04:28 PM

Responses, in no particular order.

David, I have never come across without getting an up to date FMM, dating back to about 1972 when I first learned that they were required

Blanca, no charge for the FMM if less than a week. 180 days is about $40 US

Lencho..... I ma not saying she can never buy property, just has to go through a very lengthy process to gain her "Credencial para Votar"
The checklist I have has 15 items to gather up and then submit and wait'?hope for issuance
Yes, we have an old expired Mexican pasaporte, as well as birth certificates, but gathering and submitting and waiting is frustrating.
Most of my US career was real estate development
Wanna buy some property here?
Bring cash to the title company and you are on your way!
Not so simple in Mexico.

surabi - 7-23-2025 at 07:05 PM

Mexican bureaucrats seem to be in love with paperwork, the more the better. I used to find it funny when I had to go into the office to pay my property taxes (now I can do it online), that even though they were computerized, they still seemed to have huge stacks of paperwork on all their desks.

And everyone, no matter how lowly their office job, takes every opportunity to wield their little bit of power.

I had a friend years ago who went to get a Mexican driver's license. The employee kept sending her away for yet another piece of paper. On her third office visit, she asked him why he couldn't have just given her a list of everything she needed to bring in the first time.

He said, gesturing around his little windowless office, "Look at this office. I've been working here for 30 years. Asking you for more documents is the only fun I get."

At least he was honest.

thebajarunner - 7-24-2025 at 07:50 AM

Surabi great story
My brother in law (not a favorite) was a US State Dept officer for years
He ended up in London in the Visa department of the US embassy
I asked him why, since we do not require visas from the Brits
"I am keeping the Nigerians out of your back yard" he said
But, when people asked me what he did I said
He denies visas (and loves it)

SFandH - 7-24-2025 at 10:03 AM

Quote: Originally posted by thebajarunner  


just has to go through a very lengthy process to gain her "Credencial para Votar"
The checklist I have has 15 items to gather up and then submit and wait'?hope for issuance
Yes, we have an old expired Mexican pasaporte, as well as birth certificates, but gathering and submitting and waiting is frustrating.


I know a lawyer in Tijuana who formerly worked for the INM. He can get it done for you with minimum hassle. $$$$
U2U me if you want more info.

AKgringo - 7-24-2025 at 10:52 AM

In 2012, after a lengthy period of no visits to Mexico, I stopped at the border to get a tourist permit. I was told by Mexican immigration that no permit was necessary for Baja.

It was in late 2014 after several Baja trips that I discovered this forum and learned that an FMM was required! Ignorance of the law is not OK, but if you just show up and drive across the border there is nothing visible to advise anyone that one is needed.

I have never been asked for one entering Baja, or anywhere along the road for that matter.

lencho - 7-24-2025 at 11:58 AM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
I have never been asked for one entering Baja, or anywhere along the road for that matter.

Years ago at the GN border where they spray cars' underside (with water?), I refused to pay for that scam, so the spray guys sicked Migra on me, sure that they were going to pop me for no tourist card.

I presented my FM-2/inmigrado booklet (which looks much more official than these whimpy FMM papers), and they became more polite, engaging in a friendly chat before sending me on my way.

I assume that someone without documents, would have experienced some grief in that situation.

David K - 7-24-2025 at 03:34 PM

2007, state border (BC & BCS): INM officer asked for our FMMs and examined them... then the spray strip was next, as I recall.

2009, the state border INM officer looked at mine and as I was trying the get Baja Angel's out of the glove box, he said we could go.

In 2010, the state border INM officer would not allow 'EDM-1' Art's wife into Baja Sur without one, cost Art a US$100 'fine'.

2012, the state border INM officer never got out of the booth and just waved to us to move along.

2015, the state border INM officer was no where to be seen.

The same was true on my three trips into Baja Sur in 2017 and my trip in 2019... abandoned INM booth.

AKgringo - 7-24-2025 at 05:03 PM

In 2019 at Mexicali East I pulled into What I believe is the correct place to get an FMM, and the agent inspecting a vehicle vigorously waved me off and pointed to the lane heading south.

I tried pulling into the next driveway but it was a one-way exit and I was again waved off. I decided to find a place to park and walk back to get my paperwork, but security fences prevented that.

At that point it appeared that my only option was to leave my dog and car somewhere close to the border and use the pedestrian crossing back to Calexico, or spend a couple of hours in border traffic and circle back through the same gate again.

I confess to becoming a scofflaw at that point and continued my journey without an FMM with no negative consequences. I don't recommend that anyone else take that course of action, but I tried and failed to do the right thing.

Ateo - 7-24-2025 at 09:19 PM

Just throwing it out there for the few that might like this option:

Do your FMM online. Pay it online.

Only problem is you still have to stop and get it stamped somewhere.

OT: I was flying over Sea of Cortez and could see BOLA today and it looked beautiful.

Alm - 7-24-2025 at 10:24 PM

Quote: Originally posted by thebajarunner  

How many Gringos really do take the time and effort?
I was there about 10 minutes and was the only applicant in sight.
Lots of US cars were pushing across, no one else ws stopping to make the effort.

Has been like this for as long as I remember ... This is why they do those FMM checks on the highways, though very occasionally. I think last time it was on at San Felipe-ish a year ago? Some already have 180 days FMM that hasn't expired. Imagine the lines at the counter if all gringos were following the rules :)

Alm - 7-24-2025 at 10:39 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Ateo  
Just throwing it out there for the few that might like this option:

Do your FMM online. Pay it online.

Only problem is you still have to stop and get it stamped somewhere.

Yes. Takes a bit of time with pages loading slowly, and every year they change something, making it less user-friendly, don't remember what it was the last time. Though it helps doing it in comfort of your home.

lencho - 7-24-2025 at 10:43 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Alm  
Imagine the lines at the counter if all gringos were following the rules :)

Couldn't be worse than any international airport when a flight comes in...

20241027_153052-768x355.jpg - 33kB

(Cancún International last year)

Go back and read my previous post

thebajarunner - 7-25-2025 at 09:29 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Alm  
Quote: Originally posted by Ateo  
Just throwing it out there for the few that might like this option:

Do your FMM online. Pay it online.

Only problem is you still have to stop and get it stamped somewhere.

Yes. Takes a bit of time with pages loading slowly, and every year they change something, making it less user-friendly, don't remember what it was the last time. Though it helps doing it in comfort of your home.


You no longer have to physically fill in anything, not even your own signature.
Just stand in line and when you get to the agent your card/passport is scanned and the little printer spits it out
I got asked two questions
How long?
where headed?

It is not the process it is just eh hassle of getting into and out of the office and the lines.

David K - 7-25-2025 at 12:39 PM

Of the many trips I made to INM at the border (Tijuana, Tecate, Mexicali West), I have never had lines to wait my turn at... Lucky, I guess.

And yes, dozens of U.S. plated vehicles stream by without stopping. After all, they may not read the Internet to learn of the horrors that await them if caught (lol)! Sure, some may already have an active FMM from the previous trip... but I bet not a lot!

They may just revert to the 'not needed in Baja California' rule or 'one week is okay without' that many have heard by the border officials...?

In any case, thanks Dick for the report and I hope all Nomads share their INM/ FMM experiences.

AKgringo - 7-25-2025 at 01:54 PM

My last FMM was issued at Mexicali West in late December this year. I drove through the gates, turned left and parked by the Immigration building about fifty yards away.

I walked through the building to the front, got my form filled out and stamped by the agent, paid and left for points south. There was no one else there and my total time from crossing into Baja to negotiating Mexicali traffic was 15 minutes or so, 20 at the most.

Ateo - 7-26-2025 at 07:38 AM

Quote: Originally posted by thebajarunner  
First off...
Went into the border office at TJ/SY crossing to get a new FMM
Totally different process, I was really surprised
Yeah, you have to go through the line with all the new (and mostly Mexican) arrivals.
But when you get to the desk you hand over you passport or card and it gets
scanned
Two questions asked verbally,
How long are you staying and where are you headed?
Then the rather clunky looking printer under the counter (with a few knuckle raps from the officer) and bang!!! You get handed a fresh FMM
Next customer!!
No more standing at the counter in the back and trying to fit your answers into the lines, no more to do, just gracias and out the door.
Milagro!!

Second....
How many Gringos really do take the time and effort?
I was there about 10 minutes and was the only applicant in sight.
Lots of US cars were pushing across, no one else ws stopping to make the effort.

Final comment...
They still refuse to give my little bride a card.
Born in Jalisco?
Next customer please


I didn't see this process happening at the TJ airport last week. Hopefully soon!