BajaNomad

Expired FMM from Feb 2011, Re-entry into Mexico possible?

defrag4 - 11-1-2011 at 08:15 PM

Hey guys, long time no see! I posted up a trip report back in March of our epic 3-week visit to Baja in my 87 4runner. Love this site you guys gave me all kinds of info on baja, thus I return with even more questions!

Here is the scenario. Back in February 2011 we crossed into baja and received our 180-day FMM. We had a blast down there and came back home, somewhere in my head I knew I had to return this FMM but it slipped my mind until this week!

Now I am planning to return to Mexico on Dec. 1st. I am wondering what will happen with this expired FMM? Will I just be fined and issued another one? Will I be turned away since I already "spent" my 180-day visa up? I am kind of freaking out here, Mexico is the first leg of our Pan-American adventure! I need to get in!

Also, I do not recall getting a vehicle import permit when we went to Baja, just want to confirm that this was not necessary even when traveling all the way to Cabo San Lucas.

Here was my trip report back in March
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=51851

and here is our new blog for our PanAm trip!
http://homeonthehighway.com


Thanks alot guys!

:o

Your travels will be happy travels.........

CasaManzana - 11-1-2011 at 08:36 PM

No vehicle import permit needed for Baja. As for the 180 tourist permit- no need ever to return it. They have no record of you down here. They say this will change some day but don't hold your breath, just get a new one and make sure you stop at the border Migration office to get it stamped if you get it at a US travel club. If you plan to get it at the border be sure you are between 8AM-6PM...many of my friends report the Migration office is closed other hours even though they say 24 hr service available.

rts551 - 11-1-2011 at 08:43 PM

Are you sure there is no record? when my son got his it was entered into the computer,,, and when he turned it in the info was put in the computer as well.

Maybe there is no cross reference, but one of these days someone is going to get the wrong info....and the fine will be still. $109 at GN if you do not have a visa.

defrag4 - 11-1-2011 at 08:44 PM

From what I am reading they never tracked the older FMT however the new FMM is entered into a computer. Dunno.

BajaDanD - 11-1-2011 at 11:10 PM

Just dont show them the old FMM. they will not know or care.

funkynassau - 11-2-2011 at 06:43 AM

Defrag4! What a great story, loved the photos too. Such an awesome adventure!

Funkynassau

KurtG - 11-2-2011 at 08:20 AM

Three weeks ago we got new FMM's at Tecate. After filling out the new one I gave the agent my old one from last year. He looked at it, shrugged and threw it in a desk drawer. At the bank the receipt is computer generated and has the payee's name on it.

David K - 11-2-2011 at 08:24 AM

Throw away the expired one and do NOT take it to Mexico! Play dumb if they question you about any of it... They want us returning to Mexico and spending money!

There is an address to mail in your FMM before it expires NEXT TIME... It is posted on Nomad, and was provided by Discover Baja Travel Club.

defrag4 - 11-2-2011 at 08:46 AM

Thanks for the info guys, Sounds like as long I play dumb and do not show them my old FMM I should not have a problem getting a new one. :light:

you guys are as handy as a shirt pocket :D

sancho - 11-2-2011 at 11:02 AM

When the fmm's came in, May 1,2010, there was
some confusion. I have never read or heard anyone
being denied an fmm, either in the same yr or having
not returned an expired one. Myself I go out of the way
to return it before it expires. Mexicalli generally stamps my
passport on entry, I then get an exit stamp behind it.
But I understand that doesn't matter at all. I'm just
a little uptight about paperwork. I'm not TOTALLY
under the opinion that the fmm info is not on
their computer. In the future who knows, it's Mex

rts551 - 11-2-2011 at 11:10 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by sancho
When the fmm's came in, May 1,2010, there was
some confusion. I have never read or heard anyone
being denied an fmm, either in the same yr or having
not returned an expired one. Myself I go out of the way
to return it before it expires. Mexicalli generally stamps my
passport on entry, I then get an exit stamp behind it.
But I understand that doesn't matter at all. I'm just
a little uptight about paperwork. I'm not TOTALLY
under the opinion that the fmm info is not on
their computer. In the future who knows, it's Mex


I am with you Sancho. FM2 and FM3's are located on a central database (you can tell if you fill out the application on-line yourself. You can recall it at any time.) Why wouldn't the FMM's. I would rather be safe than sorry. Its too easy to turn it in where we cross. The people who ignore the rules are the ones who get the most upset (read the prior posts on this subject and the GN immigration office giving fines).

Bajahowodd - 11-2-2011 at 01:19 PM

Recently, at San Ysidro, we obtained new FMMs. Just to further cloud matters, consider this:

On our last trip down, we crossed fairly late and did complete the paperwork for FMMs. Part of the process included the agent swiping our passports on his computer. When we went to the adjacent bank, we were told that they only did the visa transaction until 10PM, and he sent us away. We went back to the Immigration officer. He stamped our FMMs, and told us we could pay at "any" bank.

Nest morning, we went into a Bancomer in Ensenada and were told they did not do this. Long story short, especially inasmuch as we were not specifically told what, if any deadline there was to pay, we proceeded to spend a couple of weeks in Baja, and returned without ever paying.

Fast forward to last month. We again went to obtain new FMMs. My wife and I had long since disposed of our old, unpaid for visas. We had no problem in obtaining new ones.

BUT, a traveling companion, who had left her old, unpaid for FMM inside her passport, and handed it to the officer, was required to pay for both the prior year, and for the new one. No fine, as such.

BajaBlanca - 11-2-2011 at 02:37 PM

great info Bajahowodd. gracias for the taking the time to tell the story.

David K - 11-2-2011 at 05:47 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by rts551
Quote:
Originally posted by sancho
When the fmm's came in, May 1,2010, there was
some confusion. I have never read or heard anyone
being denied an fmm, either in the same yr or having
not returned an expired one. Myself I go out of the way
to return it before it expires. Mexicalli generally stamps my
passport on entry, I then get an exit stamp behind it.
But I understand that doesn't matter at all. I'm just
a little uptight about paperwork. I'm not TOTALLY
under the opinion that the fmm info is not on
their computer. In the future who knows, it's Mex


I am with you Sancho. FM2 and FM3's are located on a central database (you can tell if you fill out the application on-line yourself. You can recall it at any time.) Why wouldn't the FMM's. I would rather be safe than sorry. Its too easy to turn it in where we cross. The people who ignore the rules are the ones who get the most upset (read the prior posts on this subject and the GN immigration office giving fines).


I don't get this line Ralph: " Its too easy to turn it in where we cross."

Do you drive north across the border? Where do you hand in the FMM along the northbound line? Tijuana and Tecate would require some serious cross city driving to get close to the INM office (as they are on the entrance lane into Mexico).

Parking, walking to and back, getting into the 1-2 hour line... It would be great if there was a kiosk or agent that you drove past before leaving Mexico, but until that happens, I think mailing it in is the only 'easy' way...? Please enlighten me!

rts551 - 11-2-2011 at 05:52 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Quote:
Originally posted by rts551
Quote:
Originally posted by sancho
When the fmm's came in, May 1,2010, there was
some confusion. I have never read or heard anyone
being denied an fmm, either in the same yr or having
not returned an expired one. Myself I go out of the way
to return it before it expires. Mexicalli generally stamps my
passport on entry, I then get an exit stamp behind it.
But I understand that doesn't matter at all. I'm just
a little uptight about paperwork. I'm not TOTALLY
under the opinion that the fmm info is not on
their computer. In the future who knows, it's Mex


I am with you Sancho. FM2 and FM3's are located on a central database (you can tell if you fill out the application on-line yourself. You can recall it at any time.) Why wouldn't the FMM's. I would rather be safe than sorry. Its too easy to turn it in where we cross. The people who ignore the rules are the ones who get the most upset (read the prior posts on this subject and the GN immigration office giving fines).


I don't get this line Ralph: " Its too easy to turn it in where we cross."

Do you drive north across the border? Where do you hand in the FMM along the northbound line? Tijuana and Tecate would require some serious cross city driving to get close to the INM office (as they are on the entrance lane into Mexico).

Parking, walking to and back, getting into the 1-2 hour line... It would be great if there was a kiosk or agent that you drove past before leaving Mexico, but until that happens, I think mailing it in is the only 'easy' way...? Please enlighten me!


Yes. Most crossings go to the North when going from Mexico to the USA. Its easy for us. We cross at Tecate or Algodones. Kevin gets out of the truck and walks across turning in his FMM as he does. We meet him on the other side. He usually beats us across. Are you enlightened?

David K - 11-2-2011 at 05:56 PM

OK... so you stay in line and someone has to leave your vehicle and walk north.... at Tecate or Algodones. What if you are traveling with childern or a lady who isn't comfortable doing that (leaving the security of your car in a border city)?

Doable, but hardly what most would call 'easy'... I just asked because I was wondering if they actually set up a hand in station.

rts551 - 11-2-2011 at 05:59 PM

women and children cross all day long. But if your scared that is fine. Sorry I couldnt help you ut.
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
OK... so you stay in line and someone has to leave your vehicle and walk north.... at Tecate or Algodones. What if you are traveling with childern or a lady who isn't comfortable doing that (leaving the security of your car in a border city)?

Doable, but hardly what most would call 'easy'... I just asked because I was wondering if they actually set up a hand in station.

mulegejim - 11-2-2011 at 06:14 PM

Here are two addresses to use for mailing in FMMs.

Instituto Nacional de Migracion
Puente Puerta S/N
Colonia Federal
Tijuana, B.C. Mexico C.P. 22310

Secetariat of Tourism
PO BOX 2448
Chula Vista, CA 91912

[Edited on 11-3-2011 by mulegejim]

David K - 11-2-2011 at 06:27 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by rts551
women and children cross all day long. But if your scared that is fine. Sorry I couldnt help you ut.

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
OK... so you stay in line and someone has to leave your vehicle and walk north.... at Tecate or Algodones. What if you are traveling with childern or a lady who isn't comfortable doing that (leaving the security of your car in a border city)?

Doable, but hardly what most would call 'easy'... I just asked because I was wondering if they actually set up a hand in station.


Read again amigo... I didn't say I was scared (or my wife), so don't imply that. It just is not 'easy' to get seperated at the border, find the place to hand it in and hope to regroup on the other side... Not everyone is experienced Baja travelers.

sancho - 11-3-2011 at 11:16 AM

DK, No most crossings is not EASY to return an fmm,
I would'nt know where to begin to park in TJ to walk
to Immigration at the border. I usually cross back at downtown
Mexicalli, and while in line let the wife drive while I walk
to Immigration. I don't believe it matters in the least
if one turns in an fmm. I do it because I'm a little
picky about paperwork and try to follow Mex Imm
Regs

mulegejim - 11-3-2011 at 12:16 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by sancho
DK, No most crossings is not EASY to return an fmm,
I would'nt know where to begin to park in TJ to walk
to Immigration at the border. I usually cross back at downtown
Mexicalli, and while in line let the wife drive while I walk
to Immigration. I don't believe it matters in the least
if one turns in an fmm. I do it because I'm a little
picky about paperwork and try to follow Mex Imm
Regs


Once again, there is an easy way to return FMMs.

Here are two addresses to use for mailing in FMMs.

Instituto Nacional de Migracion
Puente Puerta S/N
Colonia Federal
Tijuana, B.C. Mexico C.P. 22310

or

Secetariat of Tourism
PO BOX 2448
Chula Vista, CA 91912

[Edited on 11-3-2011 by mulegejim]

[Edited on 11-3-2011 by mulegejim]

Hook - 11-3-2011 at 06:12 PM

Havent you read about the beheadings in Mexico? Those are persons who illegally entered the country with expired FMMs.

defrag4 - 2-29-2012 at 11:43 AM

Forgot about this post, for its worth. We showed up to immigration, kept our old FMM in our pockets, handed over our passports, and received brand new 180-day permits. No problems whatsoever.

David K - 2-29-2012 at 12:58 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by defrag4
Forgot about this post, for its worth. We showed up to immigration, kept our old FMM in our pockets, handed over our passports, and received brand new 180-day permits. No problems whatsoever.


Just as some of us predicted!:light: