Porky Pig - 3-6-2006 at 06:30 PM
Several southbound tourists have told us the Ensenada Immigration office has a sign that says all tourist visas must be processed at the border
crossing. There is a $42dll fine for not doing so, Dont know about BCS
Bruce R Leech - 3-6-2006 at 06:37 PM
Wow what next I wonder?
Capt. George - 3-6-2006 at 07:31 PM
They oughta pay us $42 to cross the border with all the greenbacks we bring...wadda lodda crap!
gp
David K - 3-6-2006 at 07:45 PM
What is the purpose of Immigration (INM) in Ensenada if NOT to issue immigration papers (FM-T)?
Sounds like maybe someone was disrespectful or wouldn't 'grease the palm' if it was heald out... and now the officer doesn't want to be bothered with
cheap gringos?
Bob and Susan - 3-6-2006 at 08:20 PM
It was still $21 at Guerrero Negro and Santa Rosalia a month ago...
They collect as usual...no surprises...
Bedman - 3-7-2006 at 01:02 AM
well, this is disconcerting.....
We stop at the Ensenada office because at the San Ysidro crossing they wont let me park the motorhome on the side. One time I drove into Secundario to
try and park and they shooed me out. Any suggestions?
Bedman
Bob and Susan - 3-7-2006 at 04:49 AM
3 AM crossing...no problems
Frank - 3-7-2006 at 07:38 AM
I like to cross @ 3am also. No traffic.
jerry - 3-7-2006 at 08:25 AM
last time i drove south with a moterhome i had some stuff to declare
so i went in the far right lane because i was towing a jeep i was too long to park in the declare line so i got in the buss lane i let the people
with me out to get there visas and i was asked to pull forword again and again till i was way beyondthe place to declare the people got there visas
and joined me and away we went noone would take my paper work or even have me push the red green light they just kept telling my to go go go get out
of the way have a good one jerry
They generally will let you park
Hook - 3-7-2006 at 11:02 AM
well past the covered area. There's room for me even when I'm boat towing and have a total length of about 50 feet.
I do keep someone at the vehicle, though.
tourist visa???
BAJACAT - 3-7-2006 at 07:40 PM
What's this, is this new.The only time I had to get one is when I cross from BCN to BCS...
woody with a view - 3-7-2006 at 08:21 PM
hmmmm...................
bajabound2005 - 3-7-2006 at 09:52 PM
You are supposed to have a tourist visa (or Tourist Card/permit) if you are in Baja for over 72 hours or travel more than 100 kilometers south of the
border (I think that puts you at about Maneadero). The office in Ensenada is SUPPOSED to validate them. We avoid all this by having the Discover
Baja Travel Club doing the leg work for us www.discoverbaja.com -- you have to subscribe to the club which is well worth it; fill out the app, send them the info and a check ($26 per
person). They pay the fee and send the papers back to you -- then all you have to do is stop and immigration and have the papers stamped. We did
this in Ensenada in September without a problem. Otherwise, if I'm not mistaken, you have to get the papers, then go to a certain bank and pay the
fee, then go back to Immigration for the stamp. The "problem" in Ensenada may be that they will only issue the stamp (though I think the bank is
across the street).
bajatorres - 3-7-2006 at 10:54 PM
The "problem" in Ensenada is that the immigation official there thinks he is God. I had a problem 8 years ago because he wanted to flaunt his
authority ( when he had my FM-3 in his hand), said I should have stopped at San Ysidro border for my stamp, I should go back to the border, but he
would do me a favor and stamp it ( after a lengthy lecture). I vowed to never stop there again.
Unfortunately I had to stop in October 2005, and ran into the same old crap. ( I thought maybe he would be gone, but there he was). When I reached GN,
I asked about the legality of getting my stamp at Ensenada, they said that is what Immigration was there for. I let them know what a jacka-- he was,
and that it is unfortunate that other foreigners would have to deal with him.
My advise is to stop at the San Ysidro crossing, get it done and don't put yourself in the position to have to deal with this man.
bAJATORRES
BAJACAT - 3-8-2006 at 12:20 AM
So the quetion is do I have to get one to go to Bola I assume It was only required for crossing to BCS . itn's awhile ago the had that requirement
nule you know the 72 hrs deal/100 km.
clean sweep
Porky Pig - 3-8-2006 at 08:34 AM
Immigration is for sure being more actively checking foreigners in Baja. I have talked to several more tourists both south and northbound. Get your
visa and have it processed before you pass thru the border or you may be faced with an additional $500 peso fine, even at Guerrero Negro. As always,
this is not hard fact and some may pass thru as of old. I think one of the reasons behind the "crackdown" is "Operation Clean Sweep" in which
foreigners wanted for crimes in other countries are being deported. We read about at least 4 USA persons being deported this past week alone from the
Ensenada area
David K - 3-8-2006 at 08:45 AM
The immigration laws have always stated that a TOURIST CARD (FM-T) IS REQUIRED for any visit to Mexico that is over 72 HOURS long no matter where in
Mexico OR ANYTIME you travel SOUTH of the 'Border region'... In Baja this has been always stated as MANEADERO on the Pacific and either MEXICALI or
SAN FELIPE on the gulf side.
The FM-T was FREE until mid year 2000, then a US$20 fee or tax was charged for one, but the FM-T was made reusable during the up to 180 days it was
issued for.
Last year, they decided to help increase tourism by making the FM-T FREE for visits up to 7 DAYS long.
The confusion seems to be that NOWHERE in BAJA CALIFORNIA (NORTE) is the FM-T inspected or checked... and Tijuana and Baja California state tourism
department people have made statements that the entire state of Baja California (Norte) is in the border zone and the FM-T is not needed until you
reach the border with Baja California Sur.
The problem is immigration papers are required by the FEDERAL government... and the word from them has not changed... ie FM-T needed for visits of 72
hours or longer near the border or travel south of Maneadero/San Felipe for any time. Free FM-T for up to 7 day vacation or US$20 FM-T for up to 6
month (180 days) period.
bajatorres - 3-8-2006 at 10:27 PM
Bajacat ...
I would say that you should get your FMT at the border, do not try to do it at Ensenada.
To go to BOLA, you are required to have it.
I went back and read my previous post, and did not mean that there was a problem at GN, they were great there.
Ensenada Immigration is the issue.
Strange
Sharksbaja - 3-9-2006 at 02:31 PM
We have always obtained out FMTs in Ensenada. Now that they have the new banco window inside it became even easier. Never crowded and easy parking.
Too bad the guy is mad, he probably is overwelmed by the change and istaking it out on the FMT seekers.. He always gives gringos a hard time. Has for
a long time.