BajaNomad

border immigration office

marv sherrill - 2-2-2009 at 06:19 PM

Is the immigration still next to the bank near the declare lane or did they move it back behind the building near the walk in border crossing? thanks

fandango - 2-2-2009 at 08:59 PM

it is still the first office on the right as you enter the declare lane. tijuana.
tried to get an fmt on tuesday, 27 january, with a drivers license and birth certificate. no deal. passport only.
looks like they have moved the barricades that are down the way near the restrooms, so you don't have to push the button for the red/green when you exit.
the "declare" agent was pleasant.
the immigration agent was not.

Bajahowodd - 2-3-2009 at 01:09 AM

Fandango- So did you proceed without FMT? We had two occurrences at San Ysidro that were problematic. One time, there was no agent in the office. We waited about 20 minutes, and decided to leave. I guess he was either on lunch break or had to take a dump. Another time, we were also refused with birth certificates. So we now consider passports the SOP. I must say, however, that in the many years we have traveled, all the way to Cabo, or just part way down to GN or San Ignacio, we have only been asked for FMTs one time- that at the state line heading North. From another thread, it appears that one may invalidate their Mexican auto insurance without having an FMT, so in the future, I will err on the side of caution.

[Edited on 2-3-2009 by Bajahowodd]

woody with a view - 2-3-2009 at 07:10 AM

"after hours" whenever that may be, if the office by the declare area is closed you can go behind the row of buildings and proceed towards the turnstiles that pedestrians use crossing into mexico. when you are at the turnstile the building is on your left up against the fence. even at night from 50' feet away the windows are so blackened with tint that it looks like the light are out. pull on the door and wake the guy up. then walk to the bank. then walk back to migra for the final stamp. then go have fun!

BajaNomad - 2-3-2009 at 07:34 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by woody in ob
"after hours" whenever that may be, if the office by the declare area is closed you can go behind the row of buildings and proceed towards the turnstiles that pedestrians use crossing into mexico. when you are at the turnstile the building is on your left up against the fence.
That's the same office I believe, with a door on each side of the building. (???)

Just an interesting point of note - we crossed at SY on Dec 27 - and were issued FM-T with Birth Certs - in fact, I couldn't find my original and was issued an FM-T with a xerox copy of my birth cert.

It is what it is.

-
Doug

David K - 2-3-2009 at 08:59 AM

Just give the officer a big smile... tell him how sorry you are that you only have the birth certificate and driver's license... and that you really want to have a good time in Mexico... "P-L-E-A-S-E" :biggrin:

OR... go to your post office and get the passport or passport card, and not worry anymore!!

bajaguy - 2-3-2009 at 10:32 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Just give the officer a big smile... tell him how sorry you are that you only have the birth certificate and driver's license... and that you really want to have a good time in Mexico... "P-L-E-A-S-E" :biggrin:

OR... go to your post office and get the passport or passport card, and not worry anymore!!





Passport card is only good for re-entry into the US.......it is not a substitute for a passport to obtain a visa to enter other countries

[Edited on 2-3-2009 by bajaguy]

David K - 2-3-2009 at 10:37 AM

So a lot of people who only got the card to travel to Mexico (because it is cheaper than a regular passport) are in for a surprise?!

bajaguy - 2-3-2009 at 10:50 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
So a lot of people who only got the card to travel to Mexico (because it is cheaper than a regular passport) are in for a surprise?!





From the US State Dept web site:

The wallet-size passport card is convenient and less expensive than the passport book. However, the U.S. Passport Card cannot be used for international air travel. ..........This new travel document can be used to enter the United States from........Mexico....... at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry.

fandango - 2-3-2009 at 12:44 PM

howodd:
we travelled without the fmt. we didn't go further south than ensenada, gone for 5 days. this is the first time we were refused an fmt for lack of a passport. i will confirm the requirements from a mexican government website (that hopefully states an fmt is available with ID and birth cert.) and carry that with me until i get a passport.

i read another post regarding the insurance being invalid without the fmt.
i called discover baja and confirmed that the fmt is not required for the insurance to be in force.

Bajahowodd - 2-3-2009 at 05:35 PM

I sure wish we could get definitive clarification about this. The jist of another thread was that having an accident and not having FMT constitutes a crime. A crime gives the insurer an opening to deny coverage under their policy exclusions.

And regardless of what the Mexican government website says, one is always subject to the whims of the immigration officer. Besides, in a few months, U.S. immigration is going to require passports for re-entry. So, the issue will be moot.

And five days, even no farther South than Ensenada, is a breach of the FMT requirements. Interesting, though- if for some reason I was asked for my FMT in Ensenada after being there five days, I'd probably just say that I arrived yesterday.

David K - 2-3-2009 at 05:47 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
So a lot of people who only got the card to travel to Mexico (because it is cheaper than a regular passport) are in for a surprise?!





From the US State Dept web site:

The wallet-size passport card is convenient and less expensive than the passport book. However, the U.S. Passport Card cannot be used for international air travel. ..........This new travel document can be used to enter the United States from........Mexico....... at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry.


Yes, I knew it was for land crossing... but, isn't it odd for the State Dept. to say that is all you need... if Mexico isn't going to accept the card? You wouldn't purchase BOTH, since the idea of a card was to give people with budgets a cheaper way to cross the border... If you need a passport book, then no point on having a passport card, too... if it isn't any good for entering Mexico.

Also, the Mexico FM-T is really not a 'visa' that needs to be stamped into a passport like at other countries... they just need to SEE proof of citizenship and photo ID.... well at least that is all they used to need!

See why I don't like BIG government!:lol:

bajaguy - 2-3-2009 at 05:57 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K

Also, the Mexico FM-T is really not a 'visa' that needs to be stamped into a passport like at other countries... they just need to SEE proof of citizenship and photo ID.... well at least that is all they used to need!






FMT - The Short-Term Non-Immigrant Visa

Short term visas are intended for visitors to Mexico on short term (6 months or less) visits; usually tourists and short-term business trips. For trips of longer than 6 months, a non-immigrant or immigrant visa should be considered -- see the sections below for details. FMT visas are issued by airlines and are also available at ports of entry* Also See: Entry Requirements for Tourists

Hmmmmmmmm, seems like a FMT is visa to me........

David K - 2-3-2009 at 06:02 PM

FM-T/ TOURIST CARD: It is NOT stamped in a passport book as typical visas... it is a seperate form you fill out, and is called a 'Tourist Card' by Mexican customs... regardless of what that U.S. web site wants to call it.

The bank stamps it when it is paid, and the INM officer stamps it when you bring it back to him... and then you keep one copy.

How come this is not known already to you?

woody with a view - 2-3-2009 at 06:13 PM

Quote:

i read another post regarding the insurance being invalid without the fmt. i called discover baja and confirmed that the fmt is not required for the insurance to be in force.


other insurers require you to be in the country legally. why would discover baja have a lesser requirement? do you have their reply highlighted with a signature along with a notary? or do you just accept what someone on the phone (who?) told you????

i'm just saying.....:?::?::?:

fandango - 2-3-2009 at 07:08 PM

dang woody!!! you are freakin me out!!

okay!! i will leave monday instead of sunday and swing by discover baja and get a 6 month fmt, with a BIRTH CERTIFICATE.

woody with a view - 2-3-2009 at 07:10 PM

$20 is a small price to pay. losing a day in baja? jeez, i dunno!

knowing you're legit? epic!!!

David K - 2-3-2009 at 10:34 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by fandango
dang woody!!! you are freakin me out!!

okay!! i will leave monday instead of sunday and swing by discover baja and get a 6 month fmt, with a BIRTH CERTIFICATE.


Don't forget that with that pre-paid FM-T from Discover Baja, you STILL must stop at the border and take it into INM for the stamp, making it VALID!

Because you have to stop there anyway, no need to take an extra day to go to Discover Baja... the 24-7 bank teller for FM-T payment is in the same building, about 6 offices to the left from INM... Unless you are concerned about not having a passport yet? Who knows what the INM official will want to see with your pre-paid FM-T???

Bajahowodd - 2-4-2009 at 12:36 AM

It's all going to be academic in a few months because U.S. immigration is going to require a passport to re-enter the U.S. What I have read very recently is that the economic downturn has left the passport agency twiddling their thumbs. Now is the time to get a passport. The closer we get to June, the more likely there will be crowds and a backlog.