BajaNomad

another FM3 questions (my mistake FMM card)

laketime - 11-28-2010 at 11:33 AM

We drove down to mulege last feb and plan on doing it again this coming feb. Last year we got our FM3 in Ensenada, as that is where a buddy had always got his. He had not drove in to Baja for sometime and did not know there was a fine, but it was nice not having to stop in Tijana.

Anyway we flew down 2 week ago to Cabo. Our kids were going to meet us there for thankgiving and the week before we drove up to Mulege to see some friends then back to cabo for the vist with the kids. Airline had use fill out FM3 but took them back when we left yesterday.

How do we get our FM3 back when we go this coming Feb?:?:

[Edited on 11-29-2010 by laketime]

shari - 11-28-2010 at 11:39 AM

Hola Laketime and welcome to Baja Nomad...I think you may be a tad confused. It sounds like you are referring to a FMM or a tourist visa which is what the airlines has you fill out...not an FM3 which is a visa for people who live part time in baja or work here...so it sounds like the best thing to do is just get another FMM or tourist visa when you come back in february.

durrelllrobert - 11-28-2010 at 11:40 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by laketime
Airline had use fill out FM3 but took them back when we left yesterday.

How do we get our FM3 back when we go this coming Feb?:?:

Please clearify: what did airline have you fill out and take back? I agree, it sounds like a tourist card; not an FM3.

[Edited on 11-28-2010 by durrelllrobert]

DENNIS - 11-28-2010 at 11:44 AM

Welcome to BajaNomad, laketime.
You must be talking about the FMM, Tourist permit. It was called the FMT last year.
In answer to your question....just get a new one. Once you parted company with the last one, you'll never see it again.
I can't believe you prefer to deal with Immigration in Ensenada over....well, any place. You're lucky they didn't send you back to TJ. Ensenada doesn't have the best track record for friendliness or assistance.


I'm posting all over everybody. Sorry.

.

[Edited on 11-28-2010 by DENNIS]

DianaT - 11-28-2010 at 11:50 AM

Laketime,

It can seem rather intimidating to stop when you cross into Tijuana, but it really is quite easy once you do it.

Don't know where you live, but at times when we did not want to stop while driving, we would walk across the border the day before and get our tourist permits. Just don't do it late at night.

Have a great trip

[Edited on 11-28-2010 by DianaT]

krafty - 11-28-2010 at 08:46 PM

My son did this last night around midnight after driving from Sacramento on his way to us in Rosarito and said it was a major pain-noone spoke ANY english and the marines did not want to let him go back to IM after going to get pesos. Where his car was!! It all worked out, but I'm sure it must be better during daylight hours and perhaps with more staff on hand.

BajaBlanca - 11-28-2010 at 08:53 PM

midnight .... bad time to go across any border .... so glad nothing more serious happened to him. Pain as it was, TJ is the correct place to get tourist cards.

[Edited on 7-3-2013 by BajaBlanca]

Hook - 11-28-2010 at 09:18 PM

It is rather humorous that there is rarely anyone who speaks English at INM offices when 75% (probably even higher at TJ) of the people going in there are English speaking only.

Well, maybe humorous is not the right word.....................:rolleyes:

laketime - 11-29-2010 at 05:43 AM

yes, it was an FMM card. Getting a new one sound like the best thing to do.
Can you get them in tacate or mexicali? We might take 5 down this year.

sancho - 11-29-2010 at 01:11 PM

Generally on International flights out of
Mex, Mex Immigration will take your fmm when you board.
On domestic flights, say to TJ they probably
won't. Flying to Mex from the US, the price of the
fmm is included in the ticket taxes. I've heard of
travellers getting the fmm fee back if they
already have an fmm. Would'nt count on that though.
Recently there was a post of someone getting an fmm
at Ensenada, as I remember it was not at the
Immigration office in Ensenada, which is 2-3 blocks
from the harbor, but at a kiosk
near the Harbor area. Said there was no fine and
courteous Officials, but usually there has been some sort of
a fine at Ensenada Imm, so I don't know if that person
got lucky or if the policies have been relaxed
There have been rumors as to being allowed one
fmm per yr., this is apparently a myth

Totally Agree

Bajahowodd - 11-29-2010 at 02:43 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Hook
It is rather humorous that there is rarely anyone who speaks English at INM offices when 75% (probably even higher at TJ) of the people going in there are English speaking only.

Well, maybe humorous is not the right word.....................:rolleyes:


I've often thought that some of the agents feign lacking English skills just for the heck of it. That said, we had to get FMM forms last month at SY for a trip South. It was evening. We walked in and encountered a young man who not only spoke unaccented English, but then stated that the new forms are in Spanish-only and proceeded to fill out the forms for two members of our party who lacked Spanish ability. Nice guy.

As for the airline "confiscation" of the FMM forms, it has to do with an agreement they have with the government. Once the international carriers began including the cost of the visas in their ticket prices, they became obligated to ensure that the people that entered also left.

DENNIS - 11-29-2010 at 02:57 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
I've often thought that some of the agents feign lacking English skills just for the heck of it.


It's more than that...believe me. These agents and others in the office are more aware than most of the shabby treatment Mexicans, legal and otherwise, receive from US Immigration personel. Some of the stories would make you cry for their lack of caring and understanding.
Down here they have a pay-back attitude that permeates the office in spite of how many good ones people have dealt with and peer preasure is strong. Being constantly outgoing and helpful just wouldn't fit the office environment.