BajaNomad - Border Paperwork

Border Paperwork

motoged - 11-9-2009 at 05:17 PM

I don't know what the proper term is for that $20 travel "permit" that I usually pick up at Mexican immigration at Tecate....but this next trip I will be crossing at Mexicali with some other folks (who claim that in the past they never found the office for the form in Mexicali) .

Is there a way to get such a form prior to crossing (and even paying for it) without belonging to some Baja club (as I saw mentioned in a recent previous post I can't find) ?

We will be riding off-road most of the time....and, while I have always had this document with me, I have never been asked for it in ANY of the highway or backroad military checkpoints, I still want to have it "just in case"...

Thanks for any help with this :saint:

[Edited on 11-10-2009 by motoged]

Bajahowodd - 11-9-2009 at 05:34 PM

How far are you going and for how long? You can go to San Felipe and environs for three days without one. FM-T. There's also a free 7 day one. You just have to request it. And if you need to buy one, you cannot get around the need to pay a Mexican bank. I haven't crossed that often in Mexicali. And when I have, I've already had the FM-T. It's interesting in that it's like just crossing the street. The town is there. There must be an office right by.

motoged - 11-9-2009 at 05:42 PM

Two weeks south of the northern "no-need" zone...

Ah, yes, It's a "Tourist Card", I believe...

Still looking for input... :light:

alafrontera - 11-9-2009 at 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd It's interesting in that it's like just crossing the street.

While walking around in Calexico my friend and I accidently crossed, never saw it comming

DENNIS - 11-9-2009 at 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
How far are you going and for how long? You can go to San Felipe and environs for three days without one.

One week. Changed around five years ago.

noproblemo2 - 11-9-2009 at 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by motoged
Two weeks south of the northern "no-need" zone...

Ah, yes, It's a "Tourist Card", I believe...

Still looking for input... :light:

FM-T if you will be in Mex. over 7 days

motoged - 11-9-2009 at 05:52 PM

Okay, we are getting warmer folks. :lol:

It is an FM-T I am looking for in Mexicali.

How can I get one before I get to the border?? I am in Canada right now and don't need it until the end of January....so, aside from thread hijacks, I might get a clear answer...

Udo - 11-9-2009 at 05:55 PM

The easiest to obtain your FM-T is if you are a member of Discover Baja club, or a Vagabundos member. The turaround is about a week, and costs the same.
The big advantage is the convenience factor. :yes:

Udo - 11-9-2009 at 05:57 PM

I forgot to post that if all you are doing is going to San Felipe, you won't need as FM-T, unless staying over 7 days.

[Edited on 11-10-2009 by udowinkler]

grace59 - 11-9-2009 at 06:22 PM

I've done this before in Mexicali. It's easiest at the new Eastern Boarder crossing. We entered the "declare" lane, asked for "Migration" and were pointed to the correct building. You just park, go in and fill out the paperwork (must have your passport with you), walk across the way to the bank, pay (around 26 bucks), take the receipt back to immigration and you are good to go. I was told not to do this on a Sat. as that is a big day for importing cars and the little bank there can be busy. It didn't take long for us the get everything completed. Have fun!

grace59 - 11-9-2009 at 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by grace59
I've done this before in Mexicali. It's easiest at the new Eastern Boarder crossing. We entered the "declare" lane, asked for "Migration" and were pointed to the correct building. You just park, go in and fill out the paperwork (must have your passport with you), walk across the way to the bank, pay (around 26 bucks), take the receipt back to immigration and you are good to go. I was told not to do this on a Sat. as that is a big day for importing cars and the little bank there can be busy. It didn't take long for us the get everything completed. Have fun!

Darn spelling errors....that's the Eastern Border Crossing :mad:

Pacifico - 11-9-2009 at 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by udowinkler
The easiest to obtain your FM-T is if you are a member of Discover Baja club, or a Vagabundos member. The turaround is about a week, and costs the same.
The big advantage is the convenience factor. :yes:

Udo - Are these "pre-bought" tourist cards totally ready to go or do they still need to be stamped at the border? Just curious...... :?:

Bajahowodd - 11-9-2009 at 06:56 PM

FM-T cards cannot be pre-bought. Wherever one may get the form, Vagabundos, Discover Baja, AAA, you still need to go to a Mexican bank and pay the fee to get it stamped to make it legal. So, you may save 5 minutes by getting the form ahead of time. And if anyone charges for the service, well.....

motoged - 11-9-2009 at 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by grace59
I've done this before in Mexicali. ........ Have fun!

Grace,
Thank you for answering the questions asked.

Sheeeeesh to the rest :rolleyes:

of you....Udo....did you read my post........bajahowodd....I don't want to join a club as my post indicated

Howcome such a simple question sets up so much attention deficit responses???? :lol:

Thread hijacks, divergent thoughts, and an inability to stay on-topic....

I am not really ticked, but it takes a while sometimes to get a direct answer to a clear question on BN....

Thanks for the answers to my query....even though some weren't :yawn:

ArvadaGeorge - 11-9-2009 at 09:08 PM

Does anyone know where to go and if a bank is handy in Algodones

grace59 - 11-9-2009 at 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by motoged

Quote:

Originally posted by grace59
I've done this before in Mexicali. ........ Have fun!

Grace,
Thank you for answering the questions asked.

Sheeeeesh to the rest :rolleyes:

of you....Udo....did you read my post........bajahowodd....I don't want to join a club as my post indicated

Howcome such a simple question sets up so much attention deficit responses???? :lol:

De Nada motoged! As to the nature of this forum to get off track...well, it is in the definition of a Nomad..."a wanderer"...our threads wander, our minds wander...I guess this forum is just aptly named :lol:

motoged - 11-9-2009 at 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by grace59

De Nada motoged! As to the nature of this forum to get off track...well, it is in the definition of a Nomad..."a wanderer"...our threads wander, our minds wander...I guess this forum is just aptly named :lol:

Grace,
You are so much more gracious than I.....

The nomad thing gives some slack....but a bunch of these folks never even inhaled....

Now, where was my rant headed?????

DavidT - 11-9-2009 at 10:06 PM

If you cross at Mexicali just pull into the far right hand lane and

Oh, look a squirrel. She's so cute. Wait, maybe it's a He. Does anyone know how to ID squirrel sex?

grace59 - 11-9-2009 at 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DavidT
If you cross at Mexicali just pull into the far right hand lane and

Oh, look a squirrel. She's so cute. Wait, maybe it's a He. Does anyone know how to ID squirrel sex?

motoged - 11-9-2009 at 10:54 PM

Hey,
The squirrel in my back yard goes crazy for the almonds...got tired of the peanuts in the shell...Hmmm, almonds grow on trees and peanuts underground....I wonder if the squirrel knows that...or cares. What is the IQ of a squirrel....and do they care what sex-type they are?

The far right lane, Grace....I will tell the guy driving.

It makes sense that you are more gracious....your name is Grace....I'm 58...are you really 59? What's that like? :bounce:

grace59 - 11-10-2009 at 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by motoged

The far right lane, Grace....I will tell the guy driving.

It makes sense that you are more gracious....your name is Grace....I'm 58...are you really 59? What's that like? :bounce:

No, I was born in 59. I turned the big 50 in Sept. So, are you really 58? What's THAT like? :lol:

Enjoy your trip to Baja. I envy that you're going. The weather has been dreary here and I'm tired of it already. Have fun!

shari - 11-10-2009 at 07:32 AM

Mo...i think you and grace should get a room dude!...at least visit her on your way south...you'll need a beer passing through washington eh!
If you manage to get a FMT form, you can pay for it at any bank in mexico anytime...when the bank is open that is...
i miss the squirrels in the great white north but our little chipmunks are pretty cute and dont get into garbage cans.

grace59 - 11-10-2009 at 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by shari
Mo...i think you and grace should get a room dude!...at least visit her on your way south...you'll need a beer passing through washington eh!
If you manage to get a FMT form, you can pay for it at any bank in mexico anytime...when the bank is open that is...
i miss the squirrels in the great white north but our little chipmunks are pretty cute and dont get into garbage cans.

Shame on you, Shari! Shame, shame! There is nothing wrong with a little friendly chatter on the forum now and then....Lord knows we could use a little more of it. Sometimes it gets a little heated or downright NASTY on here, but, of course, that's why most of us stay. :lol:

Next time I come down I'll bring you a squirrel. We are overrun by the cleaver little critters.

bajabass - 11-10-2009 at 08:04 AM

It is probably illegal to import a squirrel to Mexico. It could upset the fragile rodent population of Baja! Please reconsider. :spingrin:

shari - 11-10-2009 at 08:21 AM

ah dear Gracious...(your new name from now on)...you are a refreshing addition to this sandbox indeed.Someone civil..imagine..but hey...nothin wrong with gettin a room...motog would be quality canuck fun!!! you know I was kidding :spingrin:

EH! but new friends are fun to make en route.

David K - 11-10-2009 at 08:46 AM

Wow... what a variety of answers for poor motoged.

Mexicali and Tijuana borders are open 24 hours, and the INM office is, too. That's where you get a Tourist Card (FM-T) 24/7. If the bank at the border is not open when you cross at Mexicali (it is open at Tijuana 24/7), then the agent will instruct you to pay at ANY BANK, which in your case would be at San Felipe, correct?

IF you get a PRE-PAID FM-T at a club, or the Mexican Consulate in Canada (or USA), then it MUST be stamped at the INM office at the border to validate it.

The federal immigration rules still read trips south of the border zone or stays longer than 72 hours require an FM-T (Tourist Card). Trips up to 7 days long now can use a FREE FM-T.

Only the STATE and San Felipe tourism people say 7 days/ no card (I have seen)... But the state doesn't regulate foreign travelers. I would like to see a FEDERAL form that says the time limit for stays in the border zone are now 7 days instead of 3. That doesn't matter if you go south of the border zone, even on Day 1... then the card is required... (to be legal).

Cyanide41 - 11-10-2009 at 02:45 PM

My FM-T looks like this!

Keep several on hand at all times. And in hand when appropriate. (which is almost at all times). Much like this thread, Mexican officials are often easily distracted. They ask for paper work, I hand them beers and then they forget what it was the wanted.

Sorry, I thought I would just derail this thread even further.

bajalou - 11-10-2009 at 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Wow... what a variety of answers for poor motoged.

Mexicali and Tijuana borders are open 24 hours, and the INM office is, too. That's where you get a Tourist Card (FM-T) 24/7. If the bank at the border is not open when you cross at Mexicali (it is open at Tijuana 24/7), then the agent will instruct you to pay at ANY BANK, which in your case would be at San Felipe, correct?

IF you get a PRE-PAID FM-T at a club, or the Mexican Consulate in Canada (or USA), then it MUST be stamped at the INM office at the border to validate it.

The federal immigration rules still read trips south of the border zone or stays longer than 72 hours require an FM-T (Tourist Card). Trips up to 7 days long now can use a FREE FM-T.

Only the STATE and San Felipe tourism people say 7 days/ no card (I have seen)... But the state doesn't regulate foreign travelers. I would like to see a FEDERAL form that says the time limit for stays in the border zone are now 7 days instead of 3. That doesn't matter if you go south of the border zone, even on Day 1... then the card is required... (to be legal).

Only the downtown (original) crossing in Mexicali is open 24/7. The eastern one is 6am - 10pm 7 days a week.

David K - 11-10-2009 at 03:05 PM

Yes... The original Mexicali crossing... the new one is called 'Mexicali East' I believe... being several miles away, east of Calexico and downtown Mexicali.

Thanks Lou.

motoged - 11-10-2009 at 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by grace59

Shame on you, Shari! Shame, shame!

Gracious me!!! One cannot have shame in a state of Grace

Some good friendly banter and teasing is always refreshing...

I would stop by to visit on the way down (late January '10), but I will be a hostage passenger in a converted school bus (a pusher) with a half dozen guys and dirtbikes headed for San Felipe, which is where we park and ride from (at Kiki's Motel & RV Resort)....so no stops along the way....

So, Grace....you are safe this time :lol:

grace59 - 11-10-2009 at 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by shari
ah dear Gracious...(your new name from now on)...you are a refreshing addition to this sandbox indeed.Someone civil..imagine..but hey...nothin wrong with gettin a room...motog would be quality canuck fun!!! you know I was kidding :spingrin:

EH! but new friends are fun to make en route.

Hey Shari, I know that you were just kidding. I am good both at taking and making jokes. If you can't have some fun in life, why bother? :tumble:

I hope that I can live up to my new name! I may, at times, be gracious, but I'm certainly no angel :saint:

..I like to banter with the best of them.

grace59 - 11-10-2009 at 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by motoged

Quote:

Originally posted by grace59

Shame on you, Shari! Shame, shame!

Gracious me!!! One cannot have shame in a state of Grace

Hear my sigh of relief? :lol:

No, there is nothing wrong with friendly banter. By late Jan. you will be so ready for San Felipe....I will be there twice before that time.. :bounce:

Going next at Thanksgiving, but with tons of "familia" who have never been that way...it will have its highlights, but also lots of drama I'm sure.