BajaNomad - Visitor Visa for Baja

Visitor Visa for Baja

1Bajalover - 3-26-2011 at 12:30 PM

This is off the current subject but I am wondering if it is better/less time consuming, etc to get a visitors visa before entering Baja instead of having to pull over at the entrance to do it ?

and the lists are very helpful, thank you!

woody with a view - 3-26-2011 at 12:49 PM

what IS the current subject, BTW?

call discover baja or discoverbaja.com for $39/year membership they can handle all of your needs. if you are going to cross at TJ, in the daylight, just hope a tourist bus full of gringos does not get in front of you.

time=money.

sancho - 3-26-2011 at 05:34 PM

I have never waited any time at Mex Immigration at
the TJ cossing. the process takes 7 min., the cost
at the Border for an fmm is $23 or so, thru one of the
travel Clubs it is $39 to join plus $34 or so for the card,
you still have to stop with a prepaid card at the border
to get it validated, I'm no math genius, but $73
or $23, no contest. If you are ALREADY a member of
Discover Baja, I suppose a pre paid card
may make sense DK makes a good point, at odd hrs.
or Mex Points of Entry that have restricted hrs. of
operation the pre paid card may come in handy.
mtgoat, I believe you are the poster that takes DESERVED
shots at GWB, that is one of my top 3 sports.
No doubt the tourists that fly in make up the majority
of the Mex Tourist $, those of us that camp for free
in Baja, buying the fish tacos, and deposito beer don't
amount to alot

[Edited on 3-27-2011 by sancho]

[Edited on 3-28-2011 by sancho]

BajaBlanca - 3-26-2011 at 05:39 PM

I think if you can get it beforehand - do it ... Just MHO.

Bajahowodd - 3-26-2011 at 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sancho
I have never waited any time at Mex Immigration at
the TJ cossing. the process takes 7 min., the cost
at the Border for an fmm is $23 or so, thru one of the
travel Clubs it is $39 to join plus $34 or so for the card,
you still have to stop with a prepaid card at the border
to get it validated, I'm no math genius, but $73
or $23, no contest

I completely concur. Even if paying way more than you need to pay is no big deal to you, the very fact that you will still need to pull into the secondary area to have your visa stamped, ultimately saves you zip in time.

Woooosh - 3-26-2011 at 06:20 PM

Hard to believe this is being enforced with Mexico's desperation for tourist dollars. They should pay you the $23 to come down here imo.

David K - 3-26-2011 at 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 1Bajalover
This is off the current subject but I am wondering if it is better/less time consuming, etc to get a visitors visa before entering Baja instead of having to pull over at the entrance to do it ?

and the lists are very helpful, thank you!

YOU are missing an important piece of information...

YOU STILL MUST PULL OVER AT THE BORDER EVEN WITH A PRE-PAID tourist card obtained north of the border!!!

IT is necessary to VALIDATE it with a stamp done at the INM office at the border when you enter Mexico.

Since you have to stop for that, it takes a whole of 5 minutes to just get it all done there the one time.

EXCEPTIONS to getting the tourist card at the border would be if you are crossing at Tecate or any border where there is a question of a bank teller nearby and open, to pay the fee... In that case, getting a pre-paid one at Discover Baja Travel Club (or elsewhere) would be a BIG aid in getting your trip to a fast start.

BUT, you still need to stop at the border to get the pre-paid card STAMPED!!! :light:

[Edited on 3-27-2011 by David K]

woody with a view - 3-27-2011 at 07:31 AM

my wife doesn't like the walk to the IMM office at 4am. then back to the bank. then back to the office to SIGN and stamp. then back to the truck. it is too tedious to jump through their rediculous hoops. if i have one paid for already, she signs it and i make one trip (still needing nerves of steel for that dark walk. i wonder if the soldiers would help if 3-4 drunks were to start a fight!). she will have already signed it so they can't play games. i've actually had them make me go back and get her to sign in their presence. wouldn't let me hhave her sign when i went to the bank..... ahh, i love mexico.

for all of the money i spend in baja, and getting ready to go every year an extra $40 is not even rounding error....

Bajahowodd - 3-27-2011 at 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh
Hard to believe this is being enforced with Mexico's desperation for tourist dollars. They should pay you the $23 to come down here imo.

I have two different thoughts on this.

Anyone who spends any time on this forum knows that DK has often lamented the fee issue. And, it wasn't all that long ago that you didn't have to pay to spend time in Mexico.

That said, given the crazy paranoia throughout the world about terrorism, then add the massive drug/ cartel issue, it would seem to me that it could be well justified that Mexico takes a pro-active role in determinig just who is transiting their country.

But, seeing mixed messages such as the closure of the IMM office at Guerrero Negro, along with the almost non-existent army checkpoint query about immigration status (how many of y'all have ever been asked to show your visa at a checkpoint?) it appears to be more folly than good policy.

Maybe some pencil pusher in DF has done the math and determined that the real tourist dollars come from those who fly in. And, of course we all know that to fly in, at least commercially, you must have a valid passport, and automatically buy the visa; the price of which is embedded in the cost of the ticket.

Kinda like how the US runs its wars today. Private contractor Immigration.

[Edited on 3-27-2011 by Bajahowodd]

Woooosh - 3-27-2011 at 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh
Hard to believe this is being enforced with Mexico's desperation for tourist dollars. They should pay you the $23 to come down here imo.

It is a missed opportunity for Mexico, to be sure. I've paid more to enter other countries so it's really not about the $23. It'a about the chance to welcome you and encourage you to spend while you are here. How about the person in the IMM stamps your visa and returns it with a stamped and numbered (controlled) "welcome" packet. A discount booklet with offers of considerable value from Baja hotels, merchants and restaurants? Didn't Rosarito and TJ just create a promotion tool for tourists? Why not include that? Maybe a coupon for a free at the Mexican Duty Free? Include the medical lane access pass for return trip across the border. Just make the $23 stop a value for short and longer term visitors and encouragement to spend and enjoy themselves. Nah...

[Edited on 3-28-2011 by Woooosh]

wilderone - 3-28-2011 at 07:58 AM

"...the IMM office at 4am. then back to the bank. then back to the office"

At TJ, migra, the bank and a cambio are all adjacent to each other within 30 yards. Dark walk? Sheesh.

gnukid - 3-28-2011 at 08:07 AM

Many times we have arrived with prepaid tourists visas from Discover or Vagabundos and those were refused by the INM due to some change or misprint or something so the money was lost, as was the time spent.

Just go to the border and go through the process and do it as is normally required.

I have also noticed that most border visitors do not get a visa and very few people seem to think it is required because it's not if you are going back and forth in the Northern portion of Baja. You do need a visa to go to Baja Sur. This difference between Northern and Southern locations is another reason why there is a vast difference between Nomad replies depending on whether you go North or South and there really should be some designation on the replies or color code whether the person is from the North or South and whether their comment refers to North or South-it would save a lot of time and mis-communication.

David K - 3-28-2011 at 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by wilderone
"...the IMM office at 4am. then back to the bank. then back to the office"

At TJ, migra, the bank and a cambio are all adjacent to each other within 30 yards. Dark walk? Sheesh.

I have read many times that the INM office facing the parking area is closed in the dark AM hours, but the back side facing the pedestrian entrance to Mexico is manned. Same for the bank teller there.

the fee, you can afford it

mtgoat666 - 3-28-2011 at 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh
Hard to believe this is being enforced with Mexico's desperation for tourist dollars. They should pay you the $23 to come down here imo.

the USA charges people for Visas too. And the USA economy is in the dumps (you can thank GWB), and every USA govt (local, state, fed) is spending $$ to promote tourism,... so why doesn't the USA waive visa fees to promote immigration?

The silly complaint about a $20 visa fee is ridiculous. If you can afford to take time off work and travel hundreds of miles, stay in hotels, eat out, etc.; then you can afford a tourist visa fee.

Govt fxns can be supported by taxes or fees. Take your choice.

fishabductor - 3-28-2011 at 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666
the USA charges people for Visas too. And the USA economy is in the dumps (you can thank GWB), and every USA govt (local, state, fed) is spending $$ to promote tourism,... so why doesn't the USA waive visa fees to promote immigration?

the fee for a visa to the US was $150 we did it 7 yrs ago. The sad fact is that most who pay the $150 with hopes of going to the states are denied access and lose the $150. You can't even make a visa appointment w/o paying upfront.

My wife was denied hers, but after 2 hrs of refusal to accept the denial, which I did at the various windows that deal with the outside public, I was finally readmitted into immigration and was able to appeal the denial, in the end my wife got here visa, and it is now a greencard.

You all don't know how easy you have it. It is very difficult and expensive for the average mexican who wants to make a visit to the States and return to mexico.(not talking about those looking to visit and not return).

Woooosh - 3-28-2011 at 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh
Hard to believe this is being enforced with Mexico's desperation for tourist dollars. They should pay you the $23 to come down here imo.

In the USA it is mostly cities and states putting up the money for tourism attraction programs and they often compete against each other for domestic and foreign tourists. Mexico is different in that it has set a national goal to be #7 in world tourism by 2016. To get there they need to fix many things obviously, but one is to make Mexico a clear value to those who would choose Mexico as a vacation destination. In Rosarito the many nice and clean 200 peso per night hotels are doing just fine, it's the ones still priced at pre-recession times that are suffering. The roadside taco stands locals prefer are doing just fine too- it's the overpriced menus that are suffering. Mexico needs a fresh strategy to attract the mid to lower income tourists who would (in this economy) chose Mexico over other destinations- or even those staying closer to home for a "stay-cation". Why not start by encouraging those getting their $23 tourist visas to spend more while they are in Mexico?

[Edited on 3-28-2011 by Woooosh]

1Bajalover - 3-28-2011 at 09:17 AM

All great info! thanks! I am thinking that getting the visa at the entrance makes the most sense as it takes a few minutes and the cost is reasonable - I am going to Baja Sur and it was a problem when we were coming north last time - we got stopped in Guerrero Negro and had to pay much more for the visa or so it seemed anyway as we were leaving the next day - and had not been asked for it in the month or so down there until we got to that checkpoint heading north

fishabductor - 3-28-2011 at 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 1Bajalover
All great info! thanks! I am thinking that getting the visa at the entrance makes the most sense as it takes a few minutes and the cost is reasonable - I am going to Baja Sur and it was a problem when we were coming north last time - we got stopped in Guerrero Negro and had to pay much more for the visa or so it seemed anyway as we were leaving the next day - and had not been asked for it in the month or so down there until we got to that checkpoint heading north

The fine is $750pesos(2 years ago) if I remember right for being in the country w/o a visa.

[Edited on 3-28-2011 by fishabductor]

Bajahowodd - 3-28-2011 at 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by fishabductor

Quote:

The fine is $750pesos(2 years ago) if I remember right for being in the country w/o a visa.

[Edited on 3-28-2011 by fishabductor]

Not looking to encourage being a scofflaw, but it has been noted on this forum that the Immigration office at Guerrero Negro was closed several months ago. So, it would not appear there will be anyone there to request your visa.

That said, as was noted above, the US charges many times more than Mexico for a visa, and the payment is non-refundable, should your application be denied.

So the $20+ charged by Mexico presently does not appear to be a burden. Frankly, if the government wishes to get into subsidizing the tourism industry, they could do it through incentives given to the businesses of said industry.

Otay

bajaguy - 3-28-2011 at 02:59 PM

It took some friends 15 minutes at Otay........easy-squeezy

David K - 3-28-2011 at 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy
It took some friends 15 minutes at Otay........easy-squeezy

Can you confirm if the bank teller at Otay is also open 24/7 with the INM office there? If not, do you recall the hours open and if all 7 days or not?

bajablonde - 3-28-2011 at 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy
It took some friends 15 minutes at Otay........easy-squeezy

Can you confirm if the bank teller at Otay is also open 24/7 with the INM office there? If not, do you recall the hours open and if all 7 days or not?

Nope, was there on a Monday at 10AM.......next time, I will take photos of the hours of the office and the bank.......

David K - 3-28-2011 at 04:55 PM

Thanks... then Otay is pretty useless if you need to get a paid 8-180 duration torist card...

mtgoat666 - 3-28-2011 at 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajablonde

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy
It took some friends 15 minutes at Otay........easy-squeezy

Can you confirm if the bank teller at Otay is also open 24/7 with the INM office there? If not, do you recall the hours open and if all 7 days or not?

Nope, was there on a Monday at 10AM.......next time, I will take photos of the hours of the office and the bank.......

bajaguy:
you must have had a a blonde moment?

[Edited on 3-28-2011 by mtgoat666]

sancho - 3-29-2011 at 09:03 AM

Don't want to fall into the trap of becoming one of
the suggestion/correction posters, but I believe
it is illegal, or at the least frowned upon to take
pictures of Govt Buildings in Mex

David K - 3-29-2011 at 09:07 AM

Where in this thread is a photo?