BajaNomad

Obtaining FM3 at Mexican Consulate in US

CaboSako - 9-27-2010 at 08:50 AM

I've heard in the past you were able to go into the Mexican consulate and obtain an FM3 the same day. Is that still possible?

I need one for my 4y/o and the Cabo office is fining me $300usd because his last tourist visa expired 3 months ago.

Back in San Diego for a week and have not been able to get a st8 answer from the SD consulate over the phone.

Any 411 is much appreciated. :tumble:

Sako

bacquito - 9-27-2010 at 11:07 AM

I tried in San Diego, Calexico, and Yuma, Az with no luck.

bacquito - 9-27-2010 at 11:18 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by CaboSako
I've heard in the past you were able to go into the Mexican consulate and obtain an FM3 the same day. Is that still possible?

I need one for my 4y/o and the Cabo office is fining me $300usd because his last tourist visa expired 3 months ago.

Back in San Diego for a week and have not been able to get a st8 answer from the SD consulate over the phone.

Any 411 is much appreciated. :tumble:



Sako


If your 4y/o is with you why don't you just cross the boarder and get a new tourist visa? Or perhaps I don't undestand-did your 4y/o's tourist visa expire or did a fm3 expire? At any rate, it is my experience that the Mexican consulate cannot help.

CaboSako - 9-27-2010 at 11:49 AM

School is asking for an FM3. When we applied for it in Cabo, we didn't realize his visa was expired. Otherwise, we would have crossed the border and returned with a new visa.

They've stopped the process until we pay the fine. I was planning on getting the FM3 processed in SD on our visit here.

I guess plan b is to get the tourist visa and re-apply in Cabo...maybe they won't remember or realize we have a pending file with them (fingers crossed).

bajajudy - 9-27-2010 at 12:08 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by CaboSako
maybe they won't remember or realize we have a pending file with them (fingers crossed).


I would not count on that. They have computers now!
I understand not wanting to pay that big of a fine but remember that these are the people you will be dealing with every year so dont pi$$ them off.

DENNIS - 9-27-2010 at 12:13 PM

Kids have to be squared away with immigration in order to attend school?

pacside - 9-27-2010 at 12:55 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Kids have to be squared away with immigration in order to attend school?


Good one Dennis:yes::wow:

oxxo - 9-27-2010 at 01:02 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by CaboSako
School is asking for an FM3. When we applied for it in Cabo, we didn't realize his visa was expired. Otherwise, we would have crossed the border and returned with a new visa.


I still don't understand. His FM3 expired or his tourist visa?

A $300 fine seems excessive for an FM3 and there is no fine on an expired FMN. There might be some miscommunication.......or perhaps someone in Mexico is looking to make a buck. I know someone in the Cabo immigration office who might be able to help you. Send me a PM if you want more information.

[Edited on 9-27-2010 by oxxo]

CaboSako - 9-27-2010 at 02:02 PM

Sorry, his tourist visa expired. We never got him an fm3, since we would visit family in the states every 6 months. We had the gamut of FMs. FM3 for me, FM2 for wifey, FMt for 4 y/o, and a Mexican born 2 y/o (I'm the father, he was just born in Mexico :P) . And of course the renewal dates are all different, so we're constantly renewing something lol. Still need to go to La Paz to get a Mexican passport for my 2 y/o, but that's another story.

Oxxo, thanks. Pm on the way.

DavidE - 9-27-2010 at 02:40 PM

NOT ANY MORE...

FM3's have to be obtained in-country (Mexico) at the INM office representing where you intend to reside.

krafty - 9-27-2010 at 02:55 PM

We did get our FM-3 in SD but had to wait 24 hrs. for processing

DENNIS - 9-27-2010 at 02:56 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by krafty
We did get our FM-3 in SD but had to wait 24 hrs. for processing


How long ago was that? Recently?

Bajajorge - 9-28-2010 at 08:43 AM

When I originally tried to get an FM3 at a Mexican Consulate in the US, it was a circus and I didn't get one until I got down to San Felipe.

I first called the consulate in Las Vegas(my home state is Nevada) and got the information of what was required for an FM3. Due to the Mexican Consulate in Sacramento being closer to my residence, I went to Sacramento with the required paperwork. They told me the paperwork was all wrong and did not give me an FM3.:mad: I guess the Sacramento and Las Vegas consulates are on different wave lengths.:?:

I then waited till I got to Baja, paid my couple of bucks additional to a service and got my FM3 in San Felipe. :spingrin:

rts551 - 9-28-2010 at 09:08 AM

SaKo

Even if you obtain the FM3 in the US, it has to be registered with the immigration in Cabo in order to be valid.Almost the same process as if you got the original in Cabo to start with......and I don't think their memory is that short. I would try and negotiate the fine down

krafty - 9-28-2010 at 12:11 PM

No, a couple of years ago.

larryC - 9-28-2010 at 03:04 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DavidE
NOT ANY MORE...

FM3's have to be obtained in-country (Mexico) at the INM office representing where you intend to reside.


I am just now getting my FM3 renewed and tried to get it in San Diego and was told the same as DavidE, no more visas issued out of country. A few freinds were lucky enough to get theirs renewed in San Diego but I missed out. Good luck with yours.
Larry