BajaNomad - crossing in tecate with fm3's

crossing in tecate with fm3's

DrTom - 11-14-2008 at 10:18 AM

okay, this is a bit different than the fmt's which we got from vagabundos.....whats the drill crossing at tecate with fm3's?
thanks in advance

[Edited on 11-14-2008 by DrTom]

DianaT - 11-14-2008 at 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DrTom
okay, this is a bit different than the fmt's which we got from vagabundos.....whats the drill crossing at tecate with fm3's?
thanks in advance

[Edited on 11-14-2008 by DrTom]

If your FM3 is new, you need to have it stamped when you enter Mexico---forget the time limit, but I am sure someone knows.

We had it done at Tecate. Since the parking is awful, we parked on the US side, walked across, and had them stamped.

Technically, the FM3s are supposed to be stamped everytime you leave Mexico and everytime you reenter. We did that once. :lol:

Now we just drive back and forth.

Diane

BMG - 11-14-2008 at 10:35 AM

We also parked on the U.S. side and walked across. Since we flew out last time, I had an exit stamp in my FM3. Immigration looked at it and stamped in an entry stamp. Only took a few minutes.

DrTom - 11-14-2008 at 10:37 AM

hi diane
im trying to figure out when i have to renew these fm3's, i do see a place that says VENCE: 28 de enero del 2009, im figuring thats the expiration date, but when i try to translate vence, it comes up "to win" sigh.... we originally got them on jan 28, 2008 in cabo, so that would make it good for one year?
thanks

also, did you have to go to the bank to get your fm3 processed in tecate.....it effects our timeline if we have to wait for the bank to open to get to catavina with the trailer...

[Edited on 11-14-2008 by DrTom]

[Edited on 11-14-2008 by DrTom]

DianaT - 11-14-2008 at 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DrTom
hi diane
im trying to figure out when i have to renew these fm3's, i do see a place that says VENCE: 28 de enero del 2009, im figuring thats the expiration date, but when i try to translate vence, it comes up "to win" sigh.... we originally got them on jan 28, 2008 in cabo, so that would make it good for one year?
thanks

also, did you have to go to the bank to get your fm3 processed in tecate.....it effects our timeline if we have to wait for the bank to open to get to catavina with the trailer...

[Edited on 11-14-2008 by DrTom]

[Edited on 11-14-2008 by DrTom]

We only had ours stamped by immigration within the first 90 days in Tecate (no bank involved) We did all the initial paperwork at the Consulate in San Diego and then had it registered in La Paz.

The FM3 is only good for 1 year and then it needs to be renewed. We paid more and for several reasons used an agent in La Paz to renew our FM3. We gave him a power of attorney, put money in his bank account in the US, gave him a utility bill, a couple months of bank statements, and filled out a form he e-mailed us.

While they take your FM3s while processing (takes a few weeks), they issue a paper which shows that you are in Mexico legally.

Diane

Dave - 11-14-2008 at 11:13 AM

Quote:

FM3's are issued for one year. You should begin the renewal process at least a few weeks before the expiration date.

I don't understand your question about entry at Tecate. With an FM3 you don't need to stop. Pompano is incorrect about the need to stamp an FM3 when leaving or entering the country. It is NOT a requirement. The only time it is advisable is when you may not make your renewal before the expiration date. You can avoid the fine by having it stamped. Ideally, you should renew where you live, in Cabo.

BMG - 11-14-2008 at 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pompano

Quote:

Originally posted by BMG
We also parked on the U.S. side and walked across. Since we flew out last time, I had an exit stamp in my FM3. Immigration looked at it and stamped in an entry stamp. Only took a few minutes.

Here I am again offering unasked-for information...but...I have some years of experience with all this and want to share.

If you fly out and fly in, you will be given an FM-E at the airport. ..or should be

That form will allow you to fly out. When you fly back in, you will turn in the FM-E at airport Immigration where you re-enter the country.

Now, if you have been in Baja long enough, you realize that not all things will go according to Hoyle-o. But...the more stamps you have, the better!

We only flew out, not in. When we left La Paz last June via air, immigration stamped my FM3 on the exit page. I was also given a form which I did return on re-entry via land at Tecate. Ana was issued a different form which she also returned in Tecate but she uses her Mexican citizenship card while in MX so no stamps.

DrTom - 11-16-2008 at 09:22 AM

when we drove back home last year through TJ, we had to get the fm2's stamped but we didnt get fme's. so when i returned by air in june, i had to go get the fme's at the airport immigration. my wife doesnt have an fme so we'll deal with that when we go down in a couple of weeks....i guess my only question, which i think i know the answer to, is whether theres a fee i have to pay when crossing at tecate next year by car (wait for bank to open). i think all i have to do is get it stamped?

bajabound2005 - 11-16-2008 at 09:24 AM

no fees, only upon renewal.

DrTom - 11-16-2008 at 10:20 AM

thanks