BajaNomad

FM card in Mexicali

gorgekiter - 12-17-2011 at 12:13 PM

Looking for advice on the easiest place to get our FM cards when we cross at Mexicali.

We've headed all the way south over to the mainland via the ferry. If not Mexacili, is there an easy place to get one at Guerro Negro?

Thanks!

David K - 12-17-2011 at 06:23 PM

FMM (obtain at the border IMN office). Waiting until GUERRERO NEGRO subjects you to a $100 (dollar) fine.. As experienced by edm-1 last July.

gorgekiter - 12-17-2011 at 09:58 PM

thanks- 15 years ago we were able to get them in Guerrero Negro- but I didn't thing that was the case anymore. At the IMN office can you pay for it there or do you have to go to a bank first?

tourist card before you hit the border

volcano - 12-18-2011 at 07:56 AM

some of us join the discover baja travel club...see their website...and order our tourist card through them...then just have to present it at the border,,,no running around to offices at the border. they also offer car insurance deals for members. If you don't have the time for that you may be able to pass their office on the way.

David K - 12-18-2011 at 11:21 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by gorgekiter
thanks- 15 years ago we were able to get them in Guerrero Negro- but I didn't thing that was the case anymore. At the IMN office can you pay for it there or do you have to go to a bank first?


The process is:

Go to INM with current passport. Fill out your portion on info on FMM card (paper). If your trip is 7 days or less, it is free.

If you want a FMM good for up to 180 days it has a fee of about $23 dollars, write that in and the city that will be the furthest south in any trip you may take in the 180 days (Cabo San Lucas for example). Now you have to GO to a bank to pay... this is the dumb part if there is no bank teller at the border open.

Return to INM with the paid receipt & FMM for the AUTHORIZATION stamp. Now you can go...

ANOTHER option mentioned above, is to join the Discover Baja Travel Club and get a PRE-PAID FMM, which takes the going to a bank part out of the equation. You still MUST stop at the border INM office and get it stamped to VALIDATE the thing.

Before the 180 days is up you are supposed to return the FMM. There is an address to mail them back to. Discover Baja has it, and it has been posted here on Nomad.

Ken Cooke took many photos showing how to find the INM office at Mexicali in his recent trip report...

Use the Nomad search button to help find info.

Have fun!

durrelllrobert - 12-18-2011 at 11:33 AM

All of the above may seem more complicated than it has to be but think of how it is nearly impossible for a Mexican national to get the equivalent card to go into the USA.

David K - 12-18-2011 at 11:42 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by durrelllrobert
All of the above may seem more complicated than it has to be but think of how it is nearly impossible for a Mexican national to get the equivalent card to go into the USA.


Really? All the businesses in San Ysidro and Chula Vista sure count on Mexican citizens coming north to shop. BajaCactus and family regularly have come north to shop for them and the motel, and go to the zoo, etc.

The percentage (or income level) of Americans that cross the border to shop or vacation in Mexico is prpbably not too much different than Mexicans who (legally) come north to shop or vacation... I am guessing?

Maybe your point that it is easier or cheaper for us to go south? That is probably because Mexico needs our dollars much more than America needs pesos (as a part of the economy)?

durrelllrobert - 12-18-2011 at 12:24 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K


Maybe your point that it is easier or cheaper for us to go south? That is probably because Mexico needs our dollars much more than America needs pesos (as a part of the economy)?

Exactly. The US Border Crossing Card is the equivalent of the FMM for Mexico. To get the BCC a Mexican national must first obtain a Mexican passport which is expensive and time consuming so only a very small percentage of Mexican get them (compared to 21.7% of population that get them in US).
Next, they must apply for the BCC at the US Consulate ($140 NONREFUNDABLE). Then wait months to get an Interview/ fingerprint appointment and about 15% are rejected.

David K - 12-18-2011 at 09:19 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by durrelllrobert
Quote:
Originally posted by David K


Maybe your point that it is easier or cheaper for us to go south? That is probably because Mexico needs our dollars much more than America needs pesos (as a part of the economy)?

Exactly. The US Border Crossing Card is the equivalent of the FMM for Mexico. To get the BCC a Mexican national must first obtain a Mexican passport which is expensive and time consuming so only a very small percentage of Mexican get them (compared to 21.7% of population that get them in US).
Next, they must apply for the BCC at the US Consulate ($140 NONREFUNDABLE). Then wait months to get an Interview/ fingerprint appointment and about 15% are rejected.


Now, you cannot get an FMM anymore without a passport... over $100 for us, so not cheap either... Oh well... it helps thin the masses from crossing over.