BajaNomad

Tourist permits- Mexicali

thebajarunner - 3-29-2006 at 08:40 PM

Baja Vida and I are hoping to clear town tomorrow, may hit Mexicali somewhere around 10 p.m.
Any current info on where permits are obtained, whether they are open 24 hours, etc. would be helpful.
Also, noted a 2 year old post that said they could be had at the San Felipe airport.
Is this still an option?
Thanks...

ps. if BV does not finish his chores his boss says he has to stay home. alas, no idea how to build a fire under him to accomplish this task by tomorrow afternoon...

wornout - 3-29-2006 at 09:02 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by thebajarunner
Baja Vida and I are hoping to clear town tomorrow, may hit Mexicali somewhere around 10 p.m.
Any current info on where permits are obtained, whether they are open 24 hours, etc. would be helpful.
Also, noted a 2 year old post that said they could be had at the San Felipe airport.
Is this still an option?
Thanks...

ps. if BV does not finish his chores his boss says he has to stay home. alas, no idea how to build a fire under him to accomplish this task by tomorrow afternoon...


Can't answer for sure, if they are available at the Airport, but Immigration does still have an office here in San Felipe and they do go to the airport too. I was just in the office last Thursday getting my FM2 renewed.

David K - 3-29-2006 at 09:16 PM

Never got one on that side... but every time it has been written about, it's almost like TJ: "On the RIGHT as you cross in... The bank is on the left across the lanes, and unlike TJ not open 24/7."

The INM office in San Felipe is on the left, just before the big traffic circle with the gas stations (not the white arches). Problem there has been open few or odd hours, and the one bank (on the main , one way street) always has long lines during its few hours of operation.

It has been reported that the official will take your money (and go to the bank for you, wink, wink) so that step is skipped and you are on your way.

thebajarunner - 3-29-2006 at 11:12 PM

Thanks David,
As you can see, we have been delayed, hope to hit the road tomorrow,
wish you were going with us.
Always next year, compadre...
d

David K - 3-29-2006 at 11:56 PM

Thanks Runner!

Just the wrong time of year (kids in school), lots of work, etc.

Please post an excellent trip report so we here can be super envious!

Oh, get a good photo of a 'dork' while you are out there! :lol::spingrin::spingrin:

MICK - 3-30-2006 at 07:19 AM

br, In Mexicali at the old crossing. As you cross the speed bumps before the revision lights park on the right side in the lot. You have to walk across the lanes to the img building and get your visa then back across to the bank. then back to have them stamped. it is only 100 yds or so, so not to bad. It doesn't take to long there.
Have fun, MICK

David K - 3-30-2006 at 08:19 AM

Mick, do you know INM's hours? Is it 24/7? How about the banks days and hours?

Gracias!

bajalou - 3-30-2006 at 08:37 AM

It's a 24/7 port of entry so all should be available those hours. The East entry would be slightly easier but it's only open 6a-10p 7 days a week.

bufeo - 3-30-2006 at 08:46 AM

We just came north yesterday, stopped in at Migraci?n in San Felipe to get our FM3s stamped with a salida, and Patricia told me, "Sorry, they [referring to Mexicali] took our stamps. You'll have to stop at the border."

I told Patricia that I would lodge a complaint with her bosses at the border, but I didn't because the lines were too long. All this may be only a temporary change. It's a pain, though. Patricia and Hugo are nice and have always been helpful. It's been extremely convenient being able to stop at their office (or the airport) for the entradas y salidas.

I didn't ask if one can still obtain FMTs in San Felipe. I would assume so, since the airport still has "international" status (I think...may not this week.)

Maybe someone who frequents this Board and who also lives in the San Felipe area can get the specifics. Sorry that my info is only partial stuff.

Lindalou - 3-30-2006 at 09:48 AM

When we tried to get our tourists papers at img. in San Felipe they did not have the papers that we needed to fill out and she didn't know when they would! That was in Nov. maybe they have them by now. She did tell us we could get them at the airport though. We waited and got them in Santa Rosalia instead.

San Felipe Airport

baja829 - 3-30-2006 at 03:56 PM

Yes, you can get them at the airport in San Felipe. It's open 24 hours. You can get your Visa stamped there as well if you arrive after Patty closes the office in San Felipe, or on weekends when they're closed.