BajaNomad

How long between tourist visas (FMTs)?

bajameerkat - 11-9-2007 at 10:10 PM

Hello,

I've been Googling this and searched the Baja Nomad forums, but couldn't find the answer.

I have a friend who flew into Baja and got a tourist Visa (FMT). This was almost 180 days ago, so he has to leave Mexico now.

For different reasons, he can't get an FM3 right now.

Our question is: how long does he have to stay out of Mexico before being allowed to fly back into Baja and get another FMT for another 180 days?

[Edited on 11-10-2007 by bajameerkat]

Dave - 11-9-2007 at 11:26 PM

If your friend gets to an immigration office he might get an extension on his current visa. Failing that he could go to a different office and get a new one. ;) Or, he could fly out turn around and fly back.

There is no waiting period to get another FMT.

Al G - 11-10-2007 at 12:04 AM

Dave...are you saying you don't need a FM3, just go to the local immigration office and renew for another 180 days???
How long is an extension good for? What are the probabilities of getting an extension or renewal in Baja Sur?
I will be moving there in January and will get a FM3, but you know crap does happen so it would be good to know...

bajameerkat - 11-10-2007 at 12:39 AM

Dave,

Thanks for the reply. I guess we're a little confused because we're getting different information from different people. For example, this site:

http://www.mexicomike.com/books/techstuff.htm

"Technically, you can only be a tourist in Mexico for 180 days out of 365. Technically, (but seldom enforced, particularly with the new time limitations), if you try to return to Mexico after your 180 days are up, you could be told to go home. I have only rarely heard of this being enforced."

So I guess it matches what you say - my buddy could just turn around and get another FMT for 180 days. In other words, there's "the law" and what happens in reality.

But just so we understand this a bit better - do you know if Mexico has a website that would list these rules out? I speak a bit of Spanish, so it doesn't have to be in English.

Thanks for the help!

Dave - 11-10-2007 at 02:34 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Al G
Dave...are you saying you don't need a FM3, just go to the local immigration office and renew for another 180 days???
How long is an extension good for? What are the probabilities of getting an extension or renewal in Baja Sur?


Didn't say anything about an FM3. Different kettle of fish.

I know of tourists who have been allowed to remain longer than their original FMT. Whether it's an extention or they issue a new visa, don't know. As to how long or probabilities in Baja Sur, don't know that either.

Up north, folks just go up to the border and get a new one. Who's gonna know that you didn't actually leave? No one cares anyway. If I were south I might make the rounds of all the migra offices. I doubt they talk to each other much. ;)

bajajudy - 11-10-2007 at 07:04 AM

I was told that after 180 there were no more extensions. That might be just in San Lucas office. Before we got our FM3's we used to leave to get a new visa. No one ever asked how long have you been gone!

Mango - 11-10-2007 at 11:38 AM

Yep, I believe it can only be extended to 180. They used to give air travelers shorter visas, 60 or 90 days, etc.. and you had to extend it within Mexico if you wanted your full 180 days. Basically they charged you the fee again for the extension; which I found to be complicated and long process as it took me nearly all day waiting in lines, going to banks, etc.

I have also read the statement about allowing an FMT only for 180 days out of 365; but, that has not been my experience.

I just go get a new FMT every 6 months. You could try getting a new one at immigration; but, I think they only issue them at ports of entry. Which would be a border or an airport...

Diver - 11-10-2007 at 11:49 AM

I have a "friend" that encountered the same situation. He took a day and drove up to GN and just north past the sur/norte border. After a few miles, he turned around and drove back south to the inspection station. He told them he was just heading south and they wrote him a new FMT on the spot for another 180 days. He hit the bank and paid for the new FMT then threw away the old one !!

.

vandenberg - 11-10-2007 at 12:11 PM

When you try to get your FMT at Guerrero Negro, you're already in violation of their visa requirement, since they are required below Maneadero. Could get you in trouble if you have any difficulties before you get to GN.

Diver - 11-10-2007 at 12:57 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by vandenberg
When you try to get your FMT at Guerrero Negro, you're already in violation of their visa requirement, since they are required below Maneadero. Could get you in trouble if you have any difficulties before you get to GN.


Hmmm
Last year was the first year we got our FMT's in Tecate'.
Every year before that, we got them from the nice (often pregnant) lady at GN. Never a problem; she likes my kids.
I have heard of someone being charged a bit extra at GN vs the border but nothing about any trouble.
.

Why's that?

Dave - 11-10-2007 at 06:15 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by lencho
Quote:
Originally posted by Mango
I just go get a new FMT every 6 months. You could try getting a new one at immigration;

THAT would be interesting. Only way I can figure to do that without getting in trouble is to claim you lost the other one.


If your FMT expires every 6 months why wouldn't you get a new one?

Isn't the only issue if you left the country? And how would migra know? If you drive out you're not required to turn it in.

Masquerading as a tourist is easy unless you have a long term recorded lease, or a record of utility bills, etc. documenting a timeline of residence.

Or...someone rats you out. ;)

longlegsinlapaz - 11-10-2007 at 09:52 PM

Kate, he might have just sailed into the bay & this was where he first tread on Mexican soil.:light: Those sneaky "boat people" have many more ports of entry then those driving or flying in!;)

Show me

Dave - 11-10-2007 at 10:27 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by lencho
If technically a tourist is only allowed in the country 180 days in a running year, legally you CAN'T get a new one.


Has this been established?

Mexico has a law that tells a tourist who just spent 180 days in Cabo spending himself silly that he can't return for 6 months?

Really? :lol:

stanburn - 11-11-2007 at 01:42 AM

Sneaky boat people indeed! That is how I came down 3 years ago & my first port of entry was Mazatlan which is where I obtained my FMT. No fines & no questions, well except to establish that I hadn't stopped anywhere where there was an immigration office.

Mango - 11-11-2007 at 11:09 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by lencho
Quote:
Originally posted by Mango
I just go get a new FMT every 6 months. You could try getting a new one at immigration;

THAT would be interesting. Only way I can figure to do that without getting in trouble is to claim you lost the other one.
[edit-- I assume you meant an immigration office down somewhere that you "should" have a visa to be there in the first place.)

When Migra finally gets computerized, it's going to change the behavior of a lot of Gringo scofflaws... :)

--Larry

[Edited on 11-11-2007 by lencho]


Not to be picky; but, you sliced one of my sentences up and took it out of context...

The complete quote/sentence should have read:
Quote:
Originally posted by Mango
I just go get a new FMT every 6 months. You could try getting a new one at immigration; but, I think they only issue them at ports of entry. Which would be a border or an airport...


So you pretty much have to goto a port of entry IMO; or, like Lencho said... you could wind up in trouble if your current FMT is expired. But, that shouldn't stop you from asking if your FMT is not expired. You may have to pay a little extra "fee" this way; but, it might be possible.

Pescador - 11-12-2007 at 07:18 AM

The immigration office in Santa Rosalia told me there are no extensions allowed any more. But they said I would have to leave the country for a 24 hour period and then I could get a new FMT at that point.
Of course I fooled them and got an FM3 but that is a different point.:rolleyes:

Haven't seen this question....

Lee - 12-1-2007 at 12:57 PM

What does the FM3 ''renewal'' look like?

A ''stamp'' to my existing FM3? A ''new'' FM3?

It can't be more passport photos to accompany the application, can it?

bajajudy - 12-1-2007 at 01:00 PM

They will renew the document that you already have with a typed in new date of expiration.