BajaNomad

Do I need an FMT?

Islander - 12-1-2009 at 12:40 AM

We're Canadians driving as far as La Paz over Christmas. Crossing at San Ysidro. Do we need FMTs? What's the easiest way to get?

Apologies if this questions has already been asked and answered. And thanks for your help!

fixtrauma - 12-1-2009 at 12:43 AM

Just curious.......what day are you crossing. We are driving to La Paz as well. Crossing at Tecate on Dec. 19th.

garynmx - 12-1-2009 at 03:56 AM

Yes you need one. Get it at the border. Only takes a few minutes. There are some military checks to La Paz and if you do not have a FMT they can make you turn around and go back to border to get one. Easy just to get one from the beginning. At San ysidro after crossing just pull over to right side. The office is right there and bank is there to pay for it.

woody with a view - 12-1-2009 at 06:36 AM

you insurance MAY be invalid without it.

jorgie - 12-1-2009 at 06:36 AM

YES

[Edited on 12-1-2009 by jorgie]

Alan - 12-1-2009 at 06:45 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by garynmx
At San ysidro "after crossing" just pull over to right side.
This could be confusing....

Pull into secondary (declaration area on far right side) at the border. INM is behind the row of offices on your right.

shari - 12-1-2009 at 08:30 AM

well hellllllooo fellow Islanders!!! Welcome to Baja Nomads....which kinda makes you guys "newmads"!! I recommend you spend some time checking out info on this site for ideas and places to stay on your journey...check you U2U mailbox which is up in the right top corner under the logged in part...click on U2U...for the secret island handshake.

Way On The Right

Bajahowodd - 12-1-2009 at 02:04 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Alan
Quote:
Originally posted by garynmx
At San ysidro "after crossing" just pull over to right side.
This could be confusing....

Pull into secondary (declaration area on far right side) at the border. INM is behind the row of offices on your right.


Probably doesn't matter since you'll have FM-Ts, but we've never been requested to show them at army checkpoints. In fact, the most likely spot you'll be asked will be at the State line when you are headed North. That said, there's never been much consistency over the years we've made trips. Actually went to Cabo and back without having FM-T one time, before I learned. Personally, I think it's as much of a matter of respecting the laws of a foreign country than anything else. After all, has anyone with a passport ever been refused an FM-T?

You'll encounter approximately 6 army checkpoints between the border and La Paz. Be interesting to find out who asks for what and if you get searched. Most of the time, searches are done Northbound. Have a great trip.

David K - 12-1-2009 at 02:57 PM

True, the military does not check for them... the only place it has been checked is the Eagle Monument/ state border near Guerrero Negro.

However, the Federal rules for us gringos (Norteamericanos) are to have an FM-T any time we go south of Maneadero (10 miles south of Ensenada) or anytime we are anywhere in Mexico longer than 72 hours... (some reports have said 7 days):?:

WHAT YOU SEE:

The lane to be in (far right, at the end of I-805, just inside Mexico):




The covered parking area:




The row of offices facing the parking area:




The far right office is INM (Immigration/ 'Migra') where you go first... bring passports or photo ID + proof of citizenship.

Fill out the information and include 180 days for the duration of the card and the furthest south you may travel in the next 180 days (ie. Cabo San Lucas or Cancun)... You may use this for other automobile trips into Mexico during the 180 days.



The bank teller is a few windows down where you pay the fee and RETURN to INM for the final stamp.

IF you have a pre-paid FM-T from Discover Baja or other places, then only go to INM for final authorization stamp.

You are in a Latin American republic, the military will be checking your vehicle for transportation of drugs, guns, ammo... There are several check points in Baja where you may be stopped and might have an inspection performed on your vehicle.



In Mexico, you are GUILTY until proven innocent... Do not have drugs (incl. pot), guns or ammo... and you will be fine.

[Edited on 12-1-2009 by David K]

wessongroup - 12-1-2009 at 03:29 PM

DavidK, excellent use of visuals and text to walk all through the process..... thanks for all the work :):)

Bajahowodd - 12-1-2009 at 04:41 PM

DK- Great photos. Just wondering what changes have been wrought due to the soon to be installed auto screening. What I can say is that anyone traveling S/B on I-5 needs to veer over to the right where the on-ramp is for the last entrance. It's the farthest-most lane and there is a gate that will open upon approach. Just wondering about parking, as there seems to be more and more vehicles pulled into segundo.

David K - 12-1-2009 at 04:50 PM

Well... those photos were taken on a Saturday morning... about 11 am, and it was busy! The FM-T part took 5 minutes... Getting out of the secondary parking area took about 45! Avoid Saturday late mornings... if you can.

The far right lane is best accessed using I-805 southbound. I-5 merges with 805 just above the border... and you would need to cross 4 lanes to get over to enter the Secondary parking area. There is an electric gate where you enter that open automatically.

Islander - 12-1-2009 at 08:33 PM

Thank you everyone for all the detailed information. Special thanks to David K for the photos! This is just what I was hoping for. Not to worry, we will get the FMT and be legal.

Does anyone know if the immigration office and bank teller open early? We're planning to cross at or even before dawn on a Sunday morning.

woody with a view - 12-1-2009 at 08:40 PM

both open 24 hours. you might have to bang on the bank window to wake the guy up. also, before 6ish a.m. you need to walk to the left and go around behind and walk against pedestrian traffic towards the north until you come to the gate/border. turn left and right there in front of you will be a building with DARK tinted windows. it looks closed. pull on the door and go inside to get your fmt. then bang on the bank window, then back where you just came from to get the final stamp. then back to your car and viola! you're now legit! don't forget car insurance and if the cops pull you over, insist on paying only at the station.....

DianaT - 12-1-2009 at 08:43 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by woody in ob
both open 24 hours. you might have to bang on the bank window to wake the guy up. also, before 6ish a.m. you need to walk to the left and go around behind and walk against pedestrian traffic towards the north until you come to the gate/border. turn left and right there in front of you will be a building with DARK tinted windows. it looks closed. pull on the door and go inside to get your fmt. then bang on the bank window, then back where you just came from to get the final stamp. then back to your car and viola! you're now legit! don't forget car insurance and if the cops pull you over, insist on paying only at the station.....


A friend who crossed early in the morning at Christmas time had an "interesting" experience. It was his first visit down to see us and really was not sure what was happening.

The immigration official told him no one was at the bank so he could save a couple of dollars and pay the immigration official directly---he did and the official stamped the FMT----it was Christmas time.

Have a great trip.

fyrfly - 12-13-2009 at 08:52 PM

We plan on crossing on December 25th, hopefully REALLY early(at least by 7am). Does anyone know if the bank at the border crossing in TJ will be open?

Hook - 12-13-2009 at 10:10 PM

Over here, we are hearing that there is a new tourist permit coming that will be called an FMM and that the days of renewing an FMT without leaving the country are over.

I realize that most Nomads could care less about renewing FMTs, as they are down here for a limited time.

Computerization of FMT/FMMs are very close...............of course the definition of close in Mexico is not predictable.

BajaNuts - 12-14-2009 at 12:24 AM

Welcome to Islander and to Fyrfly!

don't worry if the "sandbox" gets a little dusty now and then, lots of good folks who can help.............

.............or at least offer an opinion!:biggrin:

Jack Swords - 12-14-2009 at 07:51 AM

As in all things in Mexico, there is no consistency. The Declaration lane was closed when we went through two weeks ago. It was closed by a vehicle with flashing lights, noone around. This forced us into the regular lane where the military was inspecting. This was on a Monday at 6:30 AM. We simply told the inspecting military that we needed FMTs and they led us to the Declaration area in reverse (at the exit). Never inspected, everybody was polite and helpful. Obtained FMT & paid bank, drove out and had an uneventful trip to La Paz. Not checked at any checkpoint. We have, however, been checked for the FMT at checkpoints in the past and the info recorded by hand. Just outside of San Ignacio is a computerized station run by the military where ALL info (license of car, driver, FMT, etc.) is put into the computer. This can take some time as they type with two fingers. Fortunately when we passed at 7 AM it was closed. Cold this time of year in the early morning and nobody wants to move.