BajaNomad

An OFFICIAL Version of the need for an FMM?

sancho - 2-15-2011 at 03:39 PM

The Mex Immigration Officials on the Mex Mainland have
generally adhered to Immigration Regs a bit more than
their Baja counterparts. This info was spoken to the
Gringo residents of San Carlos, Sonora Mexico last week
Mex Immigration regs apply to the Entire Republic of Mexico
Here are some of the things he addressed
Does this put an end to some of the speculation?
Probably not. This is not mine, it is off the San Carlos board
Few things in Mex re: regulations are clear. I believe this MAY put to rest the misinfo that you don't need a tourist card for 7 days or less, logic says you can use the fmm for 180 days, trips in and out, this APPEARS not to be technically
within the regs, and it does appear to dispell the rumor
that a tourist is allowed 1 fmm per yr. That you can get back to back fmm's. But this is one's Mex Immigration officers
statement. I think the notion there are different Mex Immigration laws for Baja are baseless



he chief of Immigration here in San Carlos gave us his e-mail address where we can send questions. He understands English fine. JTrejo@inami.gob.mx Here are just a few of the things he said. I must look for my notes and add more another time. All people coming into Mexico MUST have visas. If coming for seven days or less, forms must be filled out but no payment is needed. If the man says that only the driver of a car needs a visa, that is wrong. All people in the car need visas. People coming with FMM visas must turn them in whenever leaving the country. Upon returning, a new visa must be secured and paid for. People with 180 day visas must turn them in at the end of 180 days. They can then get a new one for an additional 180 days...and on it goes. Animals must have a Vet statement every year. They also need a statement of vaccinations...rabies, distemper and (I believe) parvo. I will take a form I have from my Vet in the states to both Vanessa and Solomon for a guide. If you adopt a Mexican dog you will need this.
I will try to find my other notes. Maybe other people can add their notes.
__________________

[Edited on 2-15-2011 by sancho]

[Edited on 2-16-2011 by sancho]

DENNIS - 2-15-2011 at 03:54 PM

Yeah....That's pretty much what everyone already knows, but for some reason, there are a few who think it doesn't apply to them.
That said....the surrendering of the FMM on exit is more than just inconvenient at the SY/TJ border crossing. It's unreasonable to expect people would do what they would have to do to turn it in there. Mexico should put a trash can at the gate on the US side.

David K - 2-15-2011 at 06:42 PM

This part:

"People with 180 day visas must turn them in at the end of 180 days."

Then they are good for the duration of the 180 days no matter how many short trips taken into Mexico/ They don't have to be turned in when leaving Mexico before they expire (the same as we did with the 180 day FM-T)?

longlegsinlapaz - 2-15-2011 at 07:12 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
This part:

"People with 180 day visas must turn them in at the end of 180 days."

Then they are good for the duration of the 180 days no matter how many short trips taken into Mexico/ They don't have to be turned in when leaving Mexico before they expire (the same as we did with the 180 day FM-T)?

No!!! It doesn't say what you want it to say, it says what is Mexican law! Only good for 180 consecutive days if you are in the country for 180 consecutive days! :no:
Quote:
Originally posted by sancho
This info was spoken to the
Gringo residents of San Carlos, Sonora Mexico last week
Mex Immigration regs apply to the Entire Republic of Mexico

chief of Immigration here in San Carlos....

~ All people coming into Mexico MUST have visas.
~ If coming for seven days or less, forms must be filled out but no payment is needed.
~ If the man says that only the driver of a car needs a visa, that is wrong. All people in the car need visas.
~ People coming with FMM visas must turn them in whenever leaving the country. Upon returning, a new visa must be secured and paid for.
~ People with 180 day visas must turn them in at the end of 180 days. They can then get a new one for an additional 180 days...and on it goes.

surfdoc - 2-15-2011 at 07:51 PM

Wow..........some folks sure where TIGHT underwear around here.

I believe in knowing the laws and not wearing blinders....one thing traveling in Baja should teach ya is that Nothing is black and white...

But hey thats just me... super Jr around here :D

David K - 2-15-2011 at 08:43 PM

Why shouldn't the FMM be good for 180 days?

If your trip is only 10 days long and then in a moth you should be able to go back with the same FMM as long as it is within the original 180 day period.

I don't know... and that was why I posted my reply as a question...

It was widely published that the FM-T was re-usable during it's dutration for LAND based travelers... Now, that may have been to get as many tourist to return to Baja as possible...?

A $23 dollar TAX on visitors, before they even start their vacation is a lot to ask when there are so many places in America to vacation. A lot of families cannot afford to hand the federal government of Mexico so much money (a family of 5 would cost $115 dollars before they can do anything else in Mexico) and still buy gas, food, hotels, curios, etc. If once maybe... but not two or three more times in 6 months.

[Edited on 2-16-2011 by David K]

shari - 2-15-2011 at 08:59 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by sancho
The Mex Immigration Officials on the Mex Mainland have
generally adhered to Immigration Regs a bit more than

All people coming into Mexico MUST have visas. If coming for seven days or less, forms must be filled out but no payment is needed.

THIS MAKES IT CLEAR THAT EVEN SHORT DURATION STAYS AND PEOPLE WHO ARE JUST IN THE BORDER AREA NEED VISAS TOO.


People coming with FMM visas must turn them in whenever leaving the country. Upon returning, a new visa must be secured and paid for. [Edited on 2-15-2011 by sancho]


TO ME THIS MAKES IT CLEAR THAT NO MATTER HOW LONG YOU ARE IN MEXICO (a week or 6 months), YOU SURRENDER YOUR VISA WHEN YOU LEAVE AND NEED A NEW ONE WHEN YOU COME BACK...IT IS NOT FOR MULTIPLE ENTRIES...THIS IS HOW IT WAS EXPLAINED TO ME TOO.

ps: i only used capitals to differentiate between the quote words NOT to yell at anyone...looks like people interpret differently...which is fine with me but might be uncomfortable in an immigration office.

David K - 2-15-2011 at 09:25 PM

Then they should have a one month FMM for a smaller fee than a 6 month one... to be fair and honest... or even better, go back to the free one (2000 and before) to HELP the people of Baja by allowing more visitors to come in...

surfdoc - 2-15-2011 at 09:52 PM

Wink

gnukid - 2-15-2011 at 10:02 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Then they should have a one month FMM for a smaller fee than a 6 month one... to be fair and honest... or even better, go back to the free one (2000 and before) to HELP the people of Baja by allowing more visitors to come in...


dk for head secretary of baja tourism!

akshadow - 2-15-2011 at 10:27 PM

Sounds like it is free for up to seven days.
But I am not sure all regulations/laws apply the same way to Baja as to mainland. Look at car laws for deposit etc.

Frank - 2-15-2011 at 10:40 PM

Im fine with the $23.00 visa fee for more then 7 days.

I just want to know where the hell do I turn it in at? How do they know I turned it in? Do they stamp "exit" on my passport?

I guees Ill find this out when I come visit Surfdoc.

surfdoc - 2-15-2011 at 10:47 PM

That will be true.............

Hell been traveling down here on Touristo's for years.........

Guess next time I go up and hit the Yellow Stancions... I'm gonna turn off the truck and wait til I have someone to take my damn FMT ...


OK...............thats pretty lame right............ think bout it tho......

Hook - 2-16-2011 at 07:10 AM

Stan, did you move to BA or do you still have a place in IB?

I am an FM-3 guy and contribute little to the discussion. I couldnt attend the meeting in San CArlos.

bajabound2005 - 2-16-2011 at 07:36 AM

Back when I did have an FMT, i tried to turn it in and they wouldnt take it, telling me it was good for 180 days and I could use it the next time...of little consequence now as I hold an FM3.

surfdoc - 2-17-2011 at 09:07 AM

Much to the dismay of the other residence here, I've moved FT to Asuncion..
Deb kept the house in IB, But I retained 1/2 ownership of our place in todos santos...

And I'm looking into a FM2 or 3 very soon even tho I've never had a problem getting back to back to back FMT's..

toneart - 2-17-2011 at 10:52 AM

It is good to get a discussion going here with the myriad of interpretations. That is no different than the varying interpretations that each Mexican Immigration official exercises.
It depends on the location, the individual officer and the time of day or time of the month. :rolleyes:

We must try to be legal. Why would we expect Mexico to be any different than the U.S.? However, in all my days traveling and living in Baja, I have never been asked for my papers. That doesn't mean that you shouldn't comply. The thought of what trouble you could have if caught without documents is not pleasant. Arm yourselves with information, or misinformation and do your best to CYA.

Where(?) you turn in your FMMs or get your FM3s & FM2s stamped is the real bugaboo. Dennis' suggestion that they place trash cans north of the border just for that purpose is better than the system as it exists today. :spingrin:

DavidE - 2-17-2011 at 01:18 PM

Do they inspect FMM's right at the border? If so, then the question of "exact interpetation of the law" may be valid. If they check for the FMM at INM checkpoints deeper into the country how would they verify that a person has actually departed Mexico and re-entered rather than merely visited a Mexican border city in order to shop or take care of other business?

If you adhere to the idea of conforming to the law about turning in the FMM, then mail the FMM to the D.F. address as listed on the form, if you cannot or do not wish to turn in the form at the border.

Bajahowodd - 2-17-2011 at 05:35 PM

If you fly into Mexico/ Baja. you pay for the FMM (same fee as for 180 days) and then must surrender it upon checking in to board athe airport, even if you were only there for a long weekend.

As Tony noted, and I can second the thought. I've never been asked to show my FMT or now FMM. Given that there is apparently no more immigration enforcement at the state line by Guerreo Negro, I have to wonder just how great the risk would be if I didn't get the FMM when crossing the border.

That said, similar to what what earlier posted, it would seem that we should all respect the immigration laws of a sovereign nation. Would make us appear as hypocrites given our current attitudes on illegals NOB.

I imagine that if and when Mexico gets an online system that is ubiquitous and reliable, folks may have a rude awakening. But as of now, given the obvious hassle involved in turning back the FMM upon return, it's "blowing in the wind".

[Edited on 2-18-2011 by Bajahowodd]

DavidE - 2-17-2011 at 06:22 PM

I know of several instances where folks have had enounters with police and if the involved did not produce a valid tourist card they were fined 1,000 pesos (in some cases 1,200) and forced to obtain a tourist card and pay for it right there and then. The newly filled out tourist card was then designated "Transmigrante" and good for 30 days. Transmigrante tourist cards are not renewable in Mexico and the bearer must exit the country and then obtain a new tourist card.

toneart - 2-17-2011 at 07:40 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DavidE
I know of several instances where folks have had enounters with police and if the involved did not produce a valid tourist card they were fined 1,000 pesos (in some cases 1,200) and forced to obtain a tourist card and pay for it right there and then. The newly filled out tourist card was then designated "Transmigrante" and good for 30 days. Transmigrante tourist cards are not renewable in Mexico and the bearer must exit the country and then obtain a new tourist card.


Was these incidences in Baja? Do you know where? What branch of police...municipal or state? Were the fines a mordita or official fines by law?