BajaNomad

signing in & out

Smoke - 9-12-2007 at 05:31 PM

Is there an easier way to get your FM3 stamped when you leave the boarder driving out of Baja at TJ, than walking back in and then walking back out.

CaboRon - 9-12-2007 at 05:37 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Smoke
Is there an easier way to get your FM3 stamped when you leave the boarder driving out of Baja at TJ, than walking back in and then walking back out.


Smoke,

As far as I know you only have to get it exit stamped if it will expire while you are not in Mexico..

Anyone else care to chime in on this?

- CaboRon

DENNIS - 9-12-2007 at 05:41 PM

Keep your little trips in and out to yourself. Off the record, Mexican immigration really doesn't want to be bothered.

Al G - 9-12-2007 at 07:08 PM

Dennis...I take that to mean only stamp when you renew...can you renew early if you know you will be north when it expires...or is it better to pay a fine to renew when you return?

comitan - 9-12-2007 at 07:40 PM

Dennis

Its more difficult than that when you live south of GN, you are suppose to get them stamped there, but if you pass through there at night they are closed. I have also heard of some people bypassing immigration check point by going into GN turning right on divided street going through the dump and coming out at the military station visa versa on the return trip.

bajalou - 9-12-2007 at 08:11 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by CaboRon
Quote:
Originally posted by Smoke
Is there an easier way to get your FM3 stamped when you leave the boarder driving out of Baja at TJ, than walking back in and then walking back out.


Smoke,

As far as I know you only have to get it exit stamped if it will expire while you are not in Mexico..

Anyone else care to chime in on this?

- CaboRon


That's my take on FM3. 15 or 30 days after returning to start renewal process. Where I go they will NOT renew more than 30 days prior to renewal date.

DENNIS - 9-13-2007 at 06:20 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by comitan
Dennis

Its more difficult than that when you live south of GN, you are suppose to get them stamped there, but if you pass through there at night they are closed. I have also heard of some people bypassing immigration check point by going into GN turning right on divided street going through the dump and coming out at the military station visa versa on the return trip.

I see what you mean. It isn't even a point of discussion north of the divide. Could you imagine the problems for EVERYBODY if all with an FM had to deal with imigration with each exit. Some people come and go twice a day. I think your idea of the detour maks a lot of sense.

Bob and Susan - 9-13-2007 at 06:32 AM

they do not stamp the fm3 at guerrero negro
they do sometimes write the number down on a log

i have NO stamps in my fm3 and no problems

it's like at the USA border when you drive...
they don't stamp anymore...but...
when they swipe the passport it logs the entrance

last crossing at the USA border the guy asked me what i did crossing the border ALL the time....
NO funny stuff HERE!!!
I was honest, we talked, and we made the people behind just wait:saint::saint:

when you fly that's a "different animal"
those guys at the airports LOVE to use the stamper

you NEED to stamp your USA passport when you leave AND when you return
USA immigration is ALOT stricter

osoflojo - 9-13-2007 at 07:23 AM

In 15 years of having an FM-3 it has never been stamped when leaving by land. Tried that once many years ago and they told me it was not necessary.

DENNIS - 9-13-2007 at 07:36 AM

Oso....

15 years? You could have had all this nonsense behind you long ago. Why are you stuck on FM3?

comitan - 9-13-2007 at 07:53 AM

Right now my immigrado request is in Mexico City, and has come back once for explanations one was for checking out and not stamped when returning.

DENNIS - 9-13-2007 at 07:56 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bob and Susan

last crossing at the USA border the guy asked me what i did crossing the border ALL the time....
NO funny stuff HERE!!!

He probably drew his conclusion from the DMV info at hand, don'tcha think?

Smoke - 9-13-2007 at 06:26 PM

I think there is an answer in there somewhere.:D. I should have explained that I flew home after getting my FM3issued in La Paz. I did not get it stamped at the aiport in San Jose when I left. On my next trip down at the customs window at entry I gave the agent my fm3, he tore up the questionaire they give you on the airplane and gave me hell for not having my FM3 stamped when I left. Soooo when I drove home the next month the only way I could see to get my book signed was to drive out, park, walk back in to the migration office on the Mexico side and get it stamped.

longlegsinlapaz - 9-13-2007 at 07:33 PM

The trick is to drive in & out OR fly out & back...but the combination of driving out & flying back is a sin I committed ONCE! They don't like seeing half a trip documented! I had to & swear to the La Paz Immigration office that I drove my RV back to the states & nobody would stamp my FM3 (Es NO necessito!) on my leaving the country....then flew back....one-way airline stub was my proof. They provided the missing entry in my FM3, before they'd renew it! I've NEVER gotten stamped out when I drive & always in & out when I fly. Easier to just stay here all the time! :lol:

comitan - 9-13-2007 at 07:37 PM

Larry

Whatever you get beyond FM-2.

Smoke - 9-13-2007 at 09:03 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by longlegsinlapaz
The trick is to drive in & out OR fly out & back...but the combination of driving out & flying back is a sin I committed ONCE! They don't like seeing half a trip documented! I had to & swear to the La Paz Immigration office that I drove my RV back to the states & nobody would stamp my FM3 (Es NO necessito!) on my leaving the country....then flew back....one-way airline stub was my proof. They provided the missing entry in my FM3, before they'd renew it! I've NEVER gotten stamped out when I drive & always in & out when I fly. Easier to just stay here all the time! :lol:


Legs, you are absolutely right. Soon as te house is done think I will stay.
JIm

CaboRon - 9-13-2007 at 09:45 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Smoke
I think there is an answer in there somewhere.:D. I should have explained that I flew home after getting my FM3issued in La Paz. I did not get it stamped at the aiport in San Jose when I left. On my next trip down at the customs window at entry I gave the agent my fm3, he tore up the questionaire they give you on the airplane and gave me hell for not having my FM3 stamped when I left. Soooo when I drove home the next month the only way I could see to get my book signed was to drive out, park, walk back in to the migration office on the Mexico side and get it stamped.


Smoke,
Yes, it is different when flying. When leaving at the Cabo airport you have to go over to the office in the arrivals area and get your visa exit stamped....then when returning you must get it entry stamped. They are very strict about this at least at SJD.....
No one cares if you are driving exept for the initial stamp and your renewal situation.

- CaboRon

Smoke - 9-14-2007 at 04:28 PM

Thanks folks, that pretty much covers it. I do hope to make the rest of my trips by plane.