3464james - 6-29-2010 at 09:26 AM
On our recent trip to Gonzaga, I deemed it necessary to obtain a travel VISA into Mexico. I had previously stopped at the Imigracion office at
Mexicali, however hard to park, bank not open ect.. Friend told us that you can get it at the San Felipe airport, on the way south with a slight
detour.
Drove up at 1230 hrs. waited 10 minutes for the official to return from lunch, airconditioned office, nice friendly staff, paid for VISA got VISA,
time; 10 minutes. Saves a whole lot of hassle.
BajaGeoff - 6-29-2010 at 09:29 AM
Good to know. Was the price the same? I know the immigration office in Ensenada has been known to impose a "fine" on people for not getting their
tourist visas in TJ.
sancho - 6-29-2010 at 09:50 AM
That is good info, it is definately at hassle to park
at the Downtown Mexicalli IMM Office, generally
a 6 blk walk back. The San Felipe IMM office in SF
stopped issuing Tourist cards about 4 yrs. ago.
I can't imagine the SF Airport IM office gets a lot
of business though. I suppose a few private planes
headed so. I wonder if you got lucky, or the
SF Airport office would issue fmm's on a regular basis?
capt. mike - 6-29-2010 at 10:15 AM
Aduana and IMMS is there 7 days a week during normal operating hours because it is designated by DGAC as an official airport of entry.
so - sure, anyone could drive up and purchase your FMM.
they are GLAD to take your $$....but you should doble check to see if it is:
1. signed properly
2. marked as PAID.
if not - you bought an official form, it is not verified and the issuer pocketed your $22.
it has happened before.
they also have a receipt they are supposed to issue you from the comandancia - if you don't get that you have no alternate proof that you paid.
we keep BOTH when we have to get them there. or at other mex. AOEs for that matter.
AOE = airport of entry
DGAC = mex equiv of FAA in States
IMMS = immigration
bajalou - 6-29-2010 at 11:09 AM
In the past I was told they would only issue to people arriving by plane. Guess they're a little more open now.
David K - 6-29-2010 at 05:31 PM
Guess they need some lunch money with so few pilots flying in? I do believe that land travelers have a different FMM (FMT) now than flying tourists...
and land tourists can re-use their FMMs over the 6 month period, not flying tourists.
3464james - 6-30-2010 at 07:35 AM
The comandante stamped our FMM and also our passport. No ups no downs no extras. Very polite and professional.
sancho - 6-30-2010 at 09:51 AM
The New/Current fmm has a section for mode of entry,
land,sea,flying. Saw a 1yr . old fmt issued at the
TJ Airport which had appeared to be for entry
by air only. I can't imagine anyone other than
the Original Poster that has got a Tourist Permit
by driving up to the SF Airport, at least it has not
been widely reported
capt. mike - 6-30-2010 at 11:45 AM
same form - one form.
this is a point and bone of contention widely on baja pilots forums.
the rule for single entry and surrender when leaving by air conveyance is supposed to apply to commercial airline travel - not non comm'l private.
but - none of the mexican AOEs will consider that differention and simply enforce a blanket arrangement for simplicity sake.
there is a way to beat it but that won't be opined here...