BajaNomad

Tourtist Visa

TMW - 5-3-2010 at 10:53 AM

Just got back from the NORRA 1000 race. Going down last Wednesday we went thru Tecate and stopped to get our visa. Things were very different from the last time I got one a few years ago. Instead if a multipage form that you filled out with name and address and occupation and where your going the new form was a single page that the Immigration officer simply put your name on. Then went to the bank down the street to a teller that filled out another form with the banks letterhead which I signed and paid the 262 pesos and he stamped it and gave it to me. No going back to the Immigration officer.

I got it because I didn't want a hassle at Guerrero Negro while running chase for the racers. At Guerrero Negro they just waved us thru going down and coming back. Oh they did spray the truck going down for 20 pesos. The odd thing is I can't find a time frame on the paper for how long its good for.

Martyman - 5-3-2010 at 11:52 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by TW


I got it because I didn't want a hassle at Guerrero Negro while running chase for the racers.


Was it the classic race between the tourtist and the hare?
:biggrin:
sorry couldn't bypass that set-up

sancho - 5-3-2010 at 01:40 PM

There was a scheduled change of some sort
beginning 2 days ago May1, fmt to fmm.
Don't know if you got New Form or not.
Appears you were 3 days or so ahead of
the rumored change. I walked over and back
at San Ysidro Apr 7, got a 180 day fmt.
My form was the same as always, 1 sheet
carbon copy, name address, principle destination
in Mex (baja), I always list La paz, walked next
door to a bank teller, paid $21.50 in pesos,
I believe, went back to Immigration
they stamped it. I was under the assumption
you have to go back to Immigration to have
the form stamped after paying the fee
with a receipt to show you have paid the fee.
Hope to get some feedback on the New Form,
as of May 1,,
and how it has changed if any. RUMOR has it that
they MAY scan passports, and allow 1 fmm
per yr., no more back to back permits
Looking forward to some experiences
with the new regs

[Edited on 5-3-2010 by sancho]

skippermike - 5-3-2010 at 03:47 PM

We had a slightly different set of experiencs in San Diego, last week.
1) Tried to go to the consulate - as we had last Fall for the Baja 1000 - only to be told "They took the forms away from us, you must get the Tourist Card at the border".
2) We went to the office next to secondary and filled out usual form - sign on back - and official filled out single page 8x11 form. Then we walked down the row to the payment window. Paid the $22, and went back to get signed Tourist Card. Done and gone in 10 minutes.
3) As usual, got 180 days.

Re Guererro Negro - we were not stopped for bug spray or Tourist card check in either direction. It was windy and kind of chilly when we went thru. Probably killed bugs anyway?!

Had a great trip to support two teams on day two.

Old cars/trucks/buggies and old drivers were great to see up front in Loreto at days end and for the start on Saturday.

Bajahowodd - 5-3-2010 at 03:56 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by sancho
There was a scheduled change of some sort
beginning 2 days ago May1, fmt to fmm.
Don't know if you got New Form or not.
Appears you were 3 days or so ahead of
the rumored change. I walked over and back
at San Ysidro Apr 7, got a 180 day fmt.
My form was the same as always, 1 sheet
carbon copy, name address, principle destination
in Mex (baja), I always list La paz, walked next
door to a bank teller, paid $21.50 in pesos,
I believe, went back to Immigration
they stamped it. I was under the assumption
you have to go back to Immigration to have
the form stamped after paying the fee
with a receipt to show you have paid the fee.
Hope to get some feedback on the New Form,
as of May 1,,
and how it has changed if any. RUMOR has it that
they MAY scan passports, and allow 1 fmm
per yr., no more back to back permits
Looking forward to some experiences
with the new regs

[Edited on 5-3-2010 by sancho]


If it happens, the folks who really should be carrying the FM-3 will have a wake up call. It would be really interesting to know just how many US and Canadian citizens have full time residences SOB, but rely on the FM-T.