BajaNomad

Is there a problem with no FM-T when leaving via air?

BajaBruno - 4-22-2010 at 08:46 AM

I have a young friend who has dual Mexican/US citizenship. He lives in Mexico and usually travels on his Mexican passport. However, he sent his Mexican passport in for renewal and hasn't yet received it back. He is traveling to the US for his honeymoon and will be using his US passport, but he is concerned that the ticket counter agent will hold him up because he has no FM-T, or other evidence that he is legally traveling in Mexico. Remember, that he is not carrying any proof that he is a Mexican citizen.

I don't recall having this problem, but I always put my FM-T in my passport. The ticket agent takes it out and never says a word. At least, that's the way I remember it happening--I never really pay attention to it.

The question is, will the ticket agent hassle him if he leaves Mexico without an FM-T or some other evidence of legally being in Mexico?

Heather - 4-22-2010 at 09:45 AM

We drove down once and I got my FM-t at the border. My daughters who were probably 3 and 6 at the time were told they didn't need them. When we flew back, though, it was a bit of a problem. We had to go to the immigration, at the airport, and purchase them there. We then went back to the airlines, and dropped them off. Maybe he should go to immigration before he gets to the airport and ask there. I'm sure he'll be charged something for the papers!

sancho - 4-22-2010 at 10:30 AM

I have flown within Mex without a valid
fmt. With your friend, I assume you are
flying to the US. TRADITIONALLY, but I'm sure
not always, Mex IMM
collects your fmt when boarding for the US,
they often do not for flights into TJ.
If asked for the fmt and not being able
to give them one, I think it would depend
on the mex IMM officer collecting the fmt,
could be the can of worms
or just waved thru

Bajahowodd - 4-22-2010 at 12:36 PM

Does he not have any other Mexican-issued document, such as a drivers license? Or, perhaps a copy of a utility bill with his name and address on it? It just seems kind of silly that he could be required to purchase an FM-T. Is he purchasing a round trip ticket originating in Mexico? Not sure how detailed the Mexican immigration data base is, but it is possible that if they swipe his US passport, it will show his dual citizenship. I assume that he is fluent in Spanish, and with a little luck, he'll be able to board his flight without any hassle.

In any event, please let us know how this turns out.

oldjack - 4-22-2010 at 01:22 PM

I fly into/out of SJD... recently, within the last several weeks I have observed that if you don't have a FMT the airline(USAir) worker sends you straight to the immigration office... the cost for loosing the small portion of the FMT is $50usd... the cost for an emergency FMT(because you don't have one) will exceed your expectations or maybe challenge your negotiating skills.... the advanced trip to immigration is the answer if you do not want to miss your flight...

Bob and Susan - 4-22-2010 at 01:56 PM

kate...that's what i was thinking

he isn't alowed an fmt since he's a mexican national

longlegsinlapaz - 4-22-2010 at 02:08 PM

Bruno, I'd suggest that he contact an appropriate local agency for proof of citizenship or get a photocopy of his Mexican passport or a copy of his Mexican birth certificate before he attempts to fly out. He doesn't have his voter's card?? It'd be a shame to screw up his honeymoon!!:yes:

chippy - 4-22-2010 at 03:25 PM

As long as he has his IFE card it shouldn´t be an issue.

Pompano - 4-22-2010 at 05:17 PM

I don't know if this information will help you or not, but recently I have had 3 US citizen friends fly from LAX to Loreto and back, staying with me a week....without FMT's and no problemo. No issued, none requested...either way.

Go figure.

BajaBruno - 4-22-2010 at 09:39 PM

Thanks, everyone, I'll pass this info on to him.

Bajahowodd & Legs: he lives in Mexico City, went to university there, and does have all the usual Mexican ID; but, he was born in the US while his father was doing research at a university in Washington DC. I think he is just worried about the issue Kate brings up and doesn't want to start a questioning session with Mexican Immigration on exit. He just wants to fly to Houston with his new wife to catch a honeymoon cruise.

Interestingly, about five years ago my wife's sister-in-law, who was a fourth year student in dental school, was denied a US visa to do the same trip on her honeymoon, for reasons that were never explained to her.

Pompano: maybe it's the venue--they have the bureaucracy wound pretty tight at Juarez International Airport.

Weird

Bajahowodd - 4-23-2010 at 01:12 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Pompano
I don't know if this information will help you or not, but recently I have had 3 US citizen friends fly from LAX to Loreto and back, staying with me a week....without FMT's and no problemo. No issued, none requested...either way.

Go figure.


I'm assuming they flew Horizon. And its sister airline Alaska flies more passengers to Mexico than any other US airline. They always carry the blank forms on the flights. I do remember one time flying to Cabo on one of American's first flights to there, they forgot to stow the forms. When we arrived, we had to stand on the tarmac while immigration handed out forms, and we filled them out standing up. So, it would seem in the case of your friends, a double whammy. The airline blew it, and so did the immigration folks at LTO.