BajaNomad - FMM needed to fish in Mexican Waters

FMM needed to fish in Mexican Waters

elskel - 12-28-2011 at 11:28 PM

With the new Immigration law passed last May, anyone entering Mexican waters to fish will need an FMM. Such as leaving from San Diego to fish for the day. Link attached, http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2...a-fish-mexico/

fishing

captkw - 12-29-2011 at 07:20 AM

HOLA, HUHHH !! any more on this ??? :?:

Anglers need a visa to fish in Mexico

elskel - 12-29-2011 at 11:16 AM

Anglers need a visa to fish in Mexico
As expected, all anglers venturing into Mexico on fishing trips – by sea or by land -- now are required to obtain a visa in order to fish there.

The cost of the visas will be approximately $21, but will be tied into the value of the peso. Anglers must also have a fishing permit (approximately $11) or a yearly Mexican fishing license (approximately $45).

The Sportfishing Association of California today released some of the parameters surrounding the new documentation that all anglers must have to fish in Mexico. The local landings are working out an arrangement for a private company to administer the visas at the docks. SAC member vessels will obtain a visa through a program sanctioned by the Mexican Immigration Department (INAMI). All crew members must have a visa in order to work on fishing boats in Mexico. The third party company will work out of the local landings to make it easier for local anglers to obtain a visa.

“This program will permit the application process to be administered through a company approved by INAMI,” the SAC release said today. “This company is currently working with the sportfishing landings in San Diego to establish the required infrastructure. Once the process is ‘live’ the feasibility of opening it up to the general boating public will be evaluated by the San Diego Landings.”

According to SAC, on May 25, 2011, a new immigration law in Mexico was enacted by Mexico’s Immigration Department “in order to create in our country a framework of guarantees to protect the rights of the individuals in our country, facilitate and manage the migratory flows to and from Mexico, favoring the protection and respect of human rights of Mexicans and foreigners, regardless their origin, nationality, gender, ethnicity, age and immigration status.” Source INAMI (Mexico’s Immigration Department).

INAMI informed SAC that the new immigration law requires that all foreigners entering Mexican waters

INAMI has informed us that Articles 33, 44, 46, 50, 153, and 154 of the new immigration law require that all foreigners entering Mexican territory, which includes Mexican territorial waters and contiguous waters (24 miles) from shore, must have a Visa.

INAMI said anglers have two primary ways to apply for a Mexican visa if they intend to enter Mexico’s territorial waters. Boaters may appear at the Mexican land border points of entry and obtain a visa through an INAMI designated facility. Or boaters may report to the Port of Ensenada’s point of entry and contact the IMANI Office at the Port to obtain a visa.

SAC is offering the third option for anglers to get a visa at the local landings.

The new rules are:

All U.S. or international tourists travelling to Mexico must have a visa to enter Mexico. It’s called a FMM permit. This permit must go through a different process, depending on whether one is entering Mexico by land or by sea.

INAMI has authorized a third party organization to issue the water entry visa at the five San Diego landings for tourists with passage on any SAC member vessel. All other visas must be obtained in Mexico.

The cost of the visa will vary and depend on the length of the trip and the value of the peso.

INAMI will monitor the border and do random inspections of all vessels crossing into Mexican waters. Private boaters along with commercial passenger fishing vessels will be checked.

All those boarded will be asked to show a national ID and a Mexican visa.

All FMM visas must be returned within 24 hours upon return to the U.S.

Recreational boaters who aren’t fishing, but just traveling through Mexico’s territorial waters, will not be required to have a visa.

Also, all crew members will be required to have a FM3 visa, which can be obtained through the third party company set up at the landings or at a INAMI office.

Visa applications may be made at the following locations:

Fisherman’s Landing, 2838 Garrison Street, San Diego, CA 92106 (619) 221-8500 www.FishermansLanding.com

H&M Sportfishing, 2803 Emerson Street, San Diego, CA 92106, (619) 222-1144 www.HMLanding.com

Point Loma Sportfishing, 1403 Scott Street, San Diego, CA 92106, (619) 223-1627 www.PointLomaSportfishing.com

Seaforth Sportfishing, 1717 Quivira Road, San Diego, CA 92109 (619) 224-3383 www.SeaforthLanding.com

Dana Landing, 2580 Ingraham Street, San Diego, CA 92109, (619) 226-2929 www.Danalanding.com

This is the Final Straw

Lobsterman - 12-30-2011 at 07:37 AM

Well I promise (as God is my witness) never to set foot in Mexico again or buy anything manufactured there. You guys can have this screwed up, crime invested, corrupt and immoral country all to yourselves.

I'm sure I'll drive my boat from San Diego all the way down to Ensenada to purchase a one day Visa. Then head back 10 miles to the Coronado Islands to fish for the day. There are two more options but equally as bad. And that's for everyone in the boat each day you fish there.

So I'm signing off like ********************************* Jesse did.

Enjoy your flocked up country. You all deserve what the mexicans have in mind for you gringos in the future in their financially collasping country.

I'm sure I will not be the only person boycotting mexicao because of this event. Just plain "stupid is as stupid does".

[Edited on 1-1-2012 by BajaNomad]

bajabass - 12-30-2011 at 08:03 AM

Or, you can buy a California licence and try to find fish after all the productive areas have been shut down by the MLPA closures. Oh, by the way, Jesse checked out here because of all the negative, mean-spirited posters. NOT because he dislikes Mexico. @$%&$#@%^???? WTF, do you even know him????
:?:

Also, it is much more than 10 miles from Ensenada to the Coronados. You don't "buy" a one day visa, you request the free 7 day version. Did you call any of the landings listed to check on the applications there for visas??? I wonder if Mexicans can fish U.S. waters with out licence or visa????

Good luck with your boycott, from cars and trucks, to clothes and televisions, MANY of our retail products come from Mexico.

[Edited on 1-2-2012 by bajabass]

lobsterman

captkw - 12-30-2011 at 08:42 AM

and the good ole usa is not corrupt ?? ever hear of the fed reserve bank,,its a private bank that's robbing us blind,,keep watching your tv,,a and do what your told,,oh,a get a driving ticket for talking on a cell for example,,$250 fine and you insure goes up,,and as the cop is pulling back onto the hwy,you see him talking on his,,cell phone..to his ------ yeb,,the usa is the only free place on the planet and has good health care,the schools get better by the hr,and no corrupt politiction's,,you probly dont relize,,that new zeland is the highest rated place in the world to live in,,,yea ,,its time to open are eye's,mind,s ..what you belive,,may not be the thruth !!!

David K - 12-30-2011 at 08:53 AM

Lobsterman is the same person who said so many bad things about Shari at Bahia Asuncion... now these lies about Jesse. He also is quite the navigator! Good luck on finding the Coronado Islands!!

bajabass - 12-30-2011 at 09:09 AM

I was not going to bring up previous indescretions, this was bad enough.

New Visa Requirements - Land and Sea?

HotSchott - 12-30-2011 at 10:18 AM

Originally published December 29, 2011 at 5:12 p.m., updated December 29, 2011 at 5:51 p.m.

As expected, all anglers venturing into Mexico on fishing trips – by sea or by land – will be required on Jan. 1 to have a visa in order to fish there due to an immigration law enacted in May by the Mexican government.

Mexican authorities are expected to begin enforcing the visa requirements for fishermen on Jan. 1, starting with random checks of commercial passenger fishing boats and private boats in Mexican waters. The new visa regulation will impact thousands of anglers who board boats in San Diego and fish in Mexico.

Ken Franke, president of the Sportfishing Association of California, an organization that represents over 200 commercial passenger fishing boats in Southern California from San Diego to Ventura, has been working for months with Mexican officials to solve the visa issue. He believes the genesis of the new immigration regulation stemmed from Mexico receiving so many inquiries last year about passports and the proper documentation required of fishermen. He believes the government decided to make it clear with these immigration regulations, starting with fishing.

“Mexico is tightening its border in the current political climate,” Franke said.

Franke and others questioned weren’t sure if this new tourist visa in the future would be required for all tourists, not just fishermen, entering Mexico. In other words, would a foursome going down to play golf at Bajamar or Real Del Mar also need a tourist visa?

“The implications are ridiculous,” said John Yamate, part owner and general manager at Seaforth Sportfishing. “Everything Mexico gives us is unclear, the do’s, the don’ts and who it affects. I see this for what it is, and that’s a big money grab.”

The visa requirement is expected to severely impact half-day and three-quarter-day fishing trips into Mexican waters by the commercial passenger boats out of San Diego. It will mean a nearly 34 percent increase in the cost of a ticket for a three-quarter-day trip ($95 for the trip plus $33 for the visa) and a 73 percent increase in the cost of a half-day trip ($45 for the trip plus $33 for the visa).

“Maybe if there’s a really good bite on yellowtail at the Coronado Islands, fishermen will pay the extra cost, but the average angler won’t pay this,” said Capt. Ron Baker, who runs the Point Loma, often into Mexican waters, for owner Fred Huber out of Point Loma Sportfishing. “The recreational dollar already has been hit hard, and now you’re going to add this extra cost to fish Mexico. It could lead to the demise of our local fleet here.”

Huber said the new visa requirement will eliminate the winter rock cod trips his half-day boat, the Daily Double, makes to the lower end of the 9-Mile Bank in Mexican waters.

“The other thing that hits us is that all our crew members will need visas, too,” Huber said. “That’s going to cost $250 per crew member. We use interchangeable crew members on our boats here, so it’s going to be important to make sure we get visas for the right crew members.”

The cost of the visas will range from $33.06 for three days of fishing or less to $250 for a yearly visa. The cost will vary depending on the value of the peso. All captains and crew members of sport boats will need the visa as well as all anglers on the boats. Fishermen who venture to Mexico on private boats also will need the visas and a Mexican fishing permit (approximately $11) or a yearly Mexican fishing license (approximately $45).

The visa is not required for anglers who are passing through Mexican waters (considered from shore out to 24 miles) to reach international waters beyond Mexico’s 24-mile zone. Anglers on boats that are fishing offshore for bluefin, albacore or other migratory fish in open water won’t need the visa.

But anglers on long-range boats that fish around inhabited Mexican-owned islands like the buffer zone of the Revillagigedo Islands will need the visa.

Starting Jan. 1, the five San Diego landings are expected to have Mexican fishing visas available after securing them in bulk from a new company, MEX Tourist Assistance. The company is a Mexican-based company owned by Ana Guillermina Amezaga, according to Troy Williams, a U.S.-based representative of the company. MEX Tour Assistance guarantees a three-hour turnaround on visa applications, said Williams, who works in the aerospace industry and is an avid angler. He said the company will give a $5 discount on all visas through Feb. 1. The company is adding an $11 handling charge to the visa cost, and some captains already say they’ll look into getting their own to avoid the surcharge, or as one captain put it, “the tax on the tax.”

For now, private boaters will have to visit the Mexican immigration office in Tijuana in order to get a visa.

Yamate said fishermen must bring some form of identification to the landing in order to get a visa.

“We’re trying to establish a system modeled after our Mexican fishing permit system,” Yamate said. “Is it a pain in the butt? Yes. It also means that all anglers, adults and children, will need some form of identification, whether it’s a driver’s license, birth certificate, library card, school I.D., something for identification.”

Yamate said passports won’t be required, which is ironic because the passport issue, and whether they were required by anglers going to fish in Mexico, spawned this new visa regulation.

Captains see this is just another strike against the fishing industry in Southern California. On Jan. 1, in addition to the visa requirement in Mexico, the South Coast Region fishing closures mandated by the Marine Life Protection Act take effect, as does the two-month rockfish closures for nearshore waters, from the Mexican border to Point Conception.

The fee schedule charged by MEX Tour Assistance will be as follows:

FMM 3 days or less – $33.06.

FMM 4-9 days -- $38.06.

FMM 10 days or more -- $43.06.

FM3 for one year -- $250.

According to SAC, on May 25, 2011, a new immigration law in Mexico was enacted by Mexico’s Immigration Department (INAMI) “in order to create in our country a framework of guarantees to protect the rights of the individuals in our country, facilitate and manage the migratory flows to and from Mexico, favoring the protection and respect of human rights of Mexicans and foreigners, regardless their origin, nationality, gender, ethnicity, age and immigration status.”

“The law is in Articles 33, 44, 46, 50, 153 and 154 of the new immigration law that all foreigners entering Mexican territory, which includes Mexican territorial waters and contiguous waters (24 miles) from shore, must have a visa,” the SAC release said.

INAMI said anglers have two primary ways to apply for a Mexican visa if they intend to enter Mexico’s territorial waters. Boaters may appear at the Mexican land border points of entry and obtain a visa through an INAMI designated facility. There is one just across the border in Tijuana. Or boaters may report to the Port of Ensenada’s point of entry and contact the IMANI Office at the Port of Ensenada to obtain a visa.

SAC’s third option is to work through MEX Tourist Assistance to make it easier for anglers to get their visas.

The cost of the visa will vary and depend on the length of the trip and the value of the peso.

Visa applications may be made at the following locations:

Fisherman’s Landing, 2838 Garrison Street, San Diego, CA 92106 (619) 221-8500 www.FishermansLanding.com

H&M Sportfishing, 2803 Emerson Street, San Diego, CA 92106, (619) 222-1144 www.HMLanding.com

Point Loma Sportfishing, 1403 Scott Street, San Diego, CA 92106, (619) 223-1627 www.PointLomaSportfishing.com

Seaforth Sportfishing, 1717 Quivira Road, San Diego, CA 92109 (619) 224-3383 www.SeaforthLanding.com

Dana Landing, 2580 Ingraham Street, San Diego, CA 92109, (619) 226-2929 www.Danalanding.com

dizzyspots - 12-30-2011 at 10:19 AM

so...does this apply if your are staying in the Baja Norte area...San Felipe to Gonzaga...no FMM no Visa just fishing license???

Bob H - 12-30-2011 at 10:46 AM

I read about the visa requirement this morning in the San Diego Union. What a big money grab for the Mexican government. I guess they need to tap in to whatever they can to help pay for all the free health care from the Popular insurance to everyone who lives in Mexico!!

$33 per person, including any crew memebers on board, in addition to Mexican fishing permit. WOW!

I'll get my fish at the market!

bajabass - 12-30-2011 at 10:50 AM

I believe you have always needed and FMT-FMM for that area. Not sure it is considered the tourist zone. Be safe, just have all your paperwork handled. The cost of a 180 day FMM, twice, and an annual Mexican license, and no worries, you are good for a year of Baja fishing!! Yeah, that will tally close to $100.00. Contrary to previous posts, there are fish, and it is a bargain!!!

Ricardo - 12-30-2011 at 11:06 AM

I think with all the new security requirements being implemented between the countries things will get tougher and tougher.

Not Baja but similar problems to the north. This is a cut and paste.
From the St Lawrence river (US Canada Border goes down the middle)

Hi guys; Here is something that you need to keep an eye on. Two cases of border patrol giving tickets to boaters on the river.
Case #1 was a US. fisherman who was drift fishing in Cdn. water near Gan. when he was stopped by Cdn. border patrol and asked for his fishing license which he had. They then asked for his reporting in # and he did not have one since he had not landed but had had just come by boat from the US to fish, not touched land or anchored. They told him since he was not under power he was deemed to have landed and they gave him a ticket for $1,000.00 which had to be paid on the spot by credit card ot they would impound the boat. The guy paid the ticket – I saw the photo copy of this ticket at a meeting of the 1000 Is. International Tourism Council. He was told that he should have gone to report in station in Gan and phoned in when he came over AND phoned back in before he left Cdn. water. US fishing guides and resort owners are having fits!!

Case #2 was reported to Mary at Caiger’s by a regular customer who said it happened to member of his family ( I have no proof to confirm this ). A guy on a PWC went from Canada to Boldt Castle, just to look at it from the water. He drove around it and decided to stop on the water to look at it more closely. While stopped on the water he never touched land or anchored. He was stopped by US border patrol and given a $300 ticket for illegal entry into the US. The customer that told Mary the story went to customs at Boldt Castle to inquire about the law and the officer on duty said that he knew nothing about the law. The ticket was written by a different agency. Apparently there are laws on the books in both countries that say if you are not under way you are considered to have landed and they have been there for ever but have not been enforced. This should make for an interesting season for tournament anglers and recreational fishermen. We need to spread the word and get some form of ruling from those in power. Tight Lines

That's the copy of the email. I have heard other stories but can't confirm if they are true or not. The best thing to do before you cross the border, is to make some phone calls to U.S. or Canada Customs and get the proper information. If you don't it could cost you a lot of money and some major head aches. Apparently within a few years things will be changing.

Below is some more info I received from a friend.

the Form 68 (I think that’s what its call) will be fazed out in 3-4 years and you will have to apply for another type security card and must submit a float plan for approval prior to fishing US waters. So this will really put a squeeze on things ref border waters with US. This is going to throw a screw into the Kingston Open as well, as some if not most fish US side or islands

Mengano - 12-30-2011 at 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajabass
The cost of a 180 day FMM, twice, and an annual Mexican license, and no worries, you are good for a year of Baja fishing!! Yeah, that will tally close to $100.00. Contrary to previous posts, there are fish, and it is a bargain!!!

How is that a bargain? The cost of the same fishing license in California is $50 (no visa needed) and includes fresh water fishing (of which there is none in Baja) and the right to take mollusks, crustaceans and invertebrates, which are illegal to take in Mexico for foreigners. So how is twice the fee for a limited range of species a bargain?

bajabass - 12-30-2011 at 12:31 PM

There is no way to compare Baja fishing to California. Why do you think the entire San Diego fleet fishes mostly Mexican waters???? More fish, bigger fish, better fish!!!! That is why!! What hoops would a Mexican citizen have to jump through to legally fish Catalina or San Clemente Island?? Then again, why would he want to??? All the most productive areas are closing down for the Marine Life Protective Acts next year! Concentrating more fisherman into an even smaller area. I'm not wealthy by any means, but I smiled in anticipation when I bought a new annual licence 2 days ago.

Mengano - 12-30-2011 at 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajabass
There is no way to compare Baja fishing to California.

Maybe, but that was not your statement. You said $100 was a "bargain." Now you are selling the sizzle, not the steak, by making judgmental comparisons instead of dollars-to-dollars comparisons. I am also not sure that there is no way to compare Baja fishing to California.

Try comparing fishing for rainbow trout in Baja to fishing for rainbow trout in California. Try comparing collecting abalone in Baja (illegal!) to collecting same in California.

mtgoat666 - 12-30-2011 at 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mengano

Quote:

chuck:
re your statement that there is no freshwater fishing in baja,... au contraire, fulano, there are trout in the SPM mountains, but not sure what license is required to fish trout. probably many other fresh water spots with fair fishing, such as san ignacio, and areas in baja sur.

you can't compare CA fishing to baja fishing just on basis of number of species,... different species and different water temps and different governments, etc...

re needing a visa to enter mexican territorial waters,... it's their country and they can make their own rules! for comparison, what does US require of canadians enntering US waters for leisure fishing? and what does US require of mexicans entering US waters for leisure fishing?

relative to USA, seems to me that it is quite a bargain to fish in baja, as you can fish from shore with no license! try that in the USA!

[Edited on 12-30-2011 by mtgoat666]

bajabass - 12-30-2011 at 01:43 PM

Though the opportunities are few, there are trout in Baja. There are bass in a few bodies of water. The mainland has some of the best bass fishing in the world! El Salto and Lago Huites, been there, done it, with my Mexican licence that is good for the whole country.

Try fishing Florida with a CA licence. Talk to some divers and ask them how hard it is to find a legal abalone in CA waters. Goat has a great point in that no licence is required for shore fishing. For the amount of quality fishing time, and fillets in my fridge, Mexico is a real bargain.

Oh, not to mention that the majority of trout taken by sport fisherman in CA are hatchery raised, pellet fed, foul tasting, non-fighting jokes for fish!!! :lol:

DENNIS - 12-30-2011 at 01:46 PM

It's my understanding that in and above Meling Ranch, there are places with trout the size of Albacore....well, almost. Large and abundant, anyway.

bajabass - 12-30-2011 at 02:02 PM

Is that a fishermans exaggeration Dennis???

dizzyspots - 12-30-2011 at 02:08 PM

i think Baja Norte..at least on the Gulf side is a free-zone...been asked for Mex license (in hand) but not other papers...and it is their country...they make their laws we make ours..I like the fishing license deal good for 12 mos from date of PURCHASE...if I buy an Az license today..its full price and expires at midnight tomorrow! Happy New Year Nomads

DENNIS - 12-30-2011 at 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajabass
Is that a fishermans exaggeration Dennis???

I'll bet I could have learned that from you, Jon.
Anyway, I knew Andy Meling [not sure of his status today] and he was going to start taking pack trips in to fish and he would tell me stories about the trout that would make you dizzy. He wasn't one to embellish a story either.

bajabass - 12-30-2011 at 02:20 PM

I have heard of those fish before. They do exist. But the size of albacore????

I may have to take a hike next time I venture north. :light:

The real money grab?

BillP - 12-30-2011 at 02:37 PM

Just wondering, how will this affect the cruise lines that do the 3 day Ensenada deal? Have they been getting visas all along? What about their crews, will they have to get FM3s? Will this finish what few ships still making Ensenada a POC?

elskel - 12-31-2011 at 07:20 AM

To the people who fish Mexico, especially in their private boats from SD, it is a CHOICE. At this point the problem for most people will be obtaining a FMM and getting it stamped for 180 days. This might be having to cross the border and then returning to US. I always used to ask for 180 days when picking up. Currently, I have a FM-2 and this does not pertain to me. By the way a non-resident annual CA fishing license is $120.

elskel - 12-31-2011 at 07:24 AM

Fishing Mexico's waters is a privilege for us, it is not our waters.

Hook - 12-31-2011 at 08:45 AM

So, why dont the free, 7 day FMM rules apply if they are fishing north of San Quintin?

Why.........because someone in the Mex govt figured out another way to squeeze money out of a dwindling resource; the Mexican tourist.

To me, this is another example of that puzzling theorum of Mexican economics; raise prices when the market is down. It happens all the time over here. Then, one day you notice the business is gone and the owners are wondering what happened.

durrelllrobert - 12-31-2011 at 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
It's my understanding that in and above Meling Ranch, there are places with trout the size of Albacore....well, almost. Large and abundant, anyway.

I'm sure you meant albatross; not albacore because of the guilt associated with taking the BIG ones :lol:

sancho - 12-31-2011 at 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by HotSchott
For now, private boaters will have to visit the Mexican immigration office in Tijuana in order to get a visa.

FMM 3 days or less – $33.06.

FMM 4-9 days -- $38.06.

FMM 10 days or more -- $43.06.

I know this is new info and the implementation may
change a bit, it says 'Fishing Visa' required, if 1 has
an existing fmm for the 180 days is this considered
not part of the fishing visa? or can 1 get free 7 day
at the border and use it to satisfy the new regs?
The way I read it, if 1 has the $23 180 day fmm
and is kayaking fishing he MAY also need a fishing
visa? We all know Mex is QUIRKY and throws out
regs on a whim, but it is THEIR Country

elskel - 12-31-2011 at 08:35 PM

I believe the fishing visa they are talking about is an FMM. I believe the 7 day free visa exists. You must get at the border. If I were to walk across the border for a 7 day free Fmm, I would pay the $22 and pick one up for 180 days.

Hook - 1-2-2012 at 08:40 AM

Yeah, I really dont understand this fee structure that is published in that news item.

If it is simply an FMM, has that facilitating company simply decided to tack on fees and arbitrarily based it on length-of-stay?

Or is it something entirely different than an FMM????

I hope the first Nomad who elects to purchase one through the landings will post a copy of it.

That is, IF anyone chooses to fish Mexican waters on a cattle boat out of SD. What a huge hit that industry is gonna take from this.

bajabass - 1-2-2012 at 08:50 AM

At least once they pay, they won't find all of the productive, popular inshore areas closed to fishing!!!

bajabass - 1-2-2012 at 09:03 AM

The reason those boats head south is because of seasonal rock fish closures, and of course, the great fishing!! Not sure of the dates, but shallow water rockfish are off limits for a portion of the year.

Between the state of CA, and the new MX requirements, west coast fisherman are getting screwed from both sides of the border. Once all the kinks are worked out in this new gig, Ca fisherman try to fish around the MLPA closure areas, Mexico will see a larger number of fisherman I believe. Both on sport boats and personal craft.

If the violence continues to slow down in Baja, more trailer boaters will head down also. It will take time, but fishing in CA is going to get even tougher than it already is.

elskel - 1-2-2012 at 10:24 AM

The fees for the FMM at the landing do include a service fee for the middle man company. I do fish private boat out of SD into Mexican waters and a couple of times a year on sport boat. I have a FM-3, it does not affect me, but does affect my kids who fish with me. I am going to walk across the border and get FMM for my kids for 180 days and then walk back across the border.

bajabass - 1-2-2012 at 10:31 AM

Very simple solution! If you go to Baja on a regular basis, the 180 day visa makes perfect sense, other than the fact it is supposed to be returned upon leaving the country. Very few ever do. So, do it twice a year, you can fish and travel for less than fifty bucks a year, legally!

bajagrouper - 1-3-2012 at 12:19 PM

Starting yesterday fees for the FMM which will be renamed visitor card will be
292 Pesos ..........

Hook - 1-3-2012 at 12:52 PM

Puulease let us know if the FMM (or renamed "visitor card" or whatever they've decided to call it THIS year) is actually what is being issued to customers of the landings. Still unclear if the permit at the landings is a different type of fishing visa.

In fact, someone should take their FMM down to Pt Loma, FL, or Seaforth and compare it to what is being issued for the boats. If a simple FMM is all it takes, then the landings should publicize this. There are many who still possess a valid FMM.

Of course, this raises the question. If you fished on one of the boats with your FMM, would the landing be forced to confiscate it from you at the end of the trip because it's an, uhhh, LEGAL REQUIREMENT that you turn in your FMM when you leave the country. :lol:

jureal - 1-3-2012 at 01:39 PM

The rules state that upon return to the US, the FMM must be surrendered. The head of the company that is selling the new FMM to the sportfishing passengers has already admitted that the price of the FMM is about $15 and the fees that he charges includes the handling fees. The longer the trip, the higher are the handling fees as the basic FMM is still $15 regardless of the trip length.

Hook - 1-3-2012 at 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jureal
The rules state that upon return to the US, the FMM must be surrendered. The head of the company that is selling the new FMM to the sportfishing passengers has already admitted that the price of the FMM is about $15 and the fees that he charges includes the handling fees. The longer the trip, the higher are the handling fees as the basic FMM is still $15 regardless of the trip length.

So, you are saying that it IS simply an FMM? You've seen what they are issuing?

Of course this makes no sense..........but lots of dollars for the company. There is no incurred handling fees or expenses that are dependent on the length of the trip that I can see.

However, if you werent issued one by that company, then there shouldnt be any FMM for them to confiscate from you at the end.

And just to be clear, Aduana agents usually recommend that you get a 180 day FMM and re-use it, irregardless of the "law" that it must be surrendered when you leave the country.

mtgoat666 - 1-3-2012 at 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hook
Of course, this raises the question. If you fished on one of the boats with your FMM, would the landing be forced to confiscate it from you at the end of the trip because it's an, uhhh, LEGAL REQUIREMENT that you turn in your FMM when you leave the country. :lol:

i imagine that it is a lot of work to make daily trips to TJ to file FMMs, and I doubt the TJ immigration agents allow vendor to just pop in once a week to pick up a stack of new FMMs and drop off a stack of aged FMM applications.

FMM vendor is probably required to know and follow the law if they want to stay in business. i suspect that if a vendor is buying many FMMs every day, then immigration agents will coerce that vendor into collecting FMMs at trip end.

elskel - 1-3-2012 at 06:43 PM

The picture on the WON blog of the so called fishing visa looks exactly like a FMM, the same one given out at the border when driving south.

Possible New FMM Requirements?

sancho - 1-4-2012 at 11:46 AM

I believe something was posted a few days back re:
POSSIBLE fmm changes, this info is about a week old,
don't know how, if at all, it will be implemented.
There is a new/different fmm being required of
anglers on Sport fishing boats/ private boats
fishing the coast of Baja as of Jan.1, 2012. http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2011/dec/28/anglers-need-visa...
This is the passage that made me take notice
All U.S. or international tourists travelling to Mexico must have a visa to enter Mexico. It’s called a FMM permit. This permit must go through a different process, depending on whether one is entering Mexico by land or by sea.
Don't know if this is just meanless wording, or not

[Edited on 1-4-2012 by sancho]

DENNIS - 1-4-2012 at 12:20 PM

With no mention of the free zone or accomodations for day-trippers, I think this is just more misinformation.

BajaWarrior - 1-4-2012 at 04:19 PM

Got this email from Discover Baja today:

Dear Discover Baja Memebers,

A very Happy New Year to all of you.
As often happens in Mexico the beginning of the new year brings changes in permits or rules and regulations. This year is no exception. We became aware yesterday afternoon that the cost of FMMs or Tourist Visas increased yesterday morning. They went up from 262 pesos to 294 pesos. This is despite the fact that we called repeatedly to ask if there would be any changes----ahhhh Mexico!!

If you have purchased tourist visas from Discover Baja and have not yet had them stamped, call us at 800-727-2252 and we will do a second bank receipt for the additional 32 pesos (no additional charge to you!) From today on the pre-paid visas purchased through Discover Baja will cost $34.00 each. We are sorry for any inconvenience this causes any of our members.

The new enforcement of tourist visas for those fishing continues to be a bit of a problem. For our members who fish regularly in Mexican waters, you need to purchase an FMM or tourist visa (now 294 pesos or $34.00 through our office.) These are good for 180 days after you get them stamped at immigration in Mexico. Have your visa and passport (or passcard) on you when fishing.

For those going out on a 1-day fishing excursion we are still working with immigration to determine if there is a visa for a shorter period that can be sold. We will keep everyone posted.

We wish all of you many happy Baja experiences in 2012. Thank you for letting us be part of your adventures.

Saludos,
Carol, Hugh, Maythé and Monica

fishing visa's ?

cj5orion - 1-5-2012 at 07:18 AM

Anybody got info about these new visa's ????

In particular.....if your boat is kept in Baja do ya gotta get one ?

sancho - 1-5-2012 at 11:34 AM

I posted a little info off the SD Newspaper here
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=57290
What I believe, is that this new fmm/fishing visa
is aimed at Sportfishing boats and private boaters
fishing the N Baja coast in Mex waters. It appears this fmm
is different in appearance to the regular fmm,
say 1 has a boat in Coral or La Salina, I would guess
he has to get the fishing visa, I don't think the Mex Navy
could determine your port of origin. Say 1 is fishing a
panga out of Punta Banda, I doubt you would need
1. Just read a reply that Discover Baja club is claiming
that you can use the regular 180 fmm to satisfy this
new Fishing fmm requirement, I'm not sure of that because
some report the fishing visa in different looking than
tha 180 fmm, what the heck it is Mexico. I hope that is the
case though. a bit confusing

[Edited on 1-5-2012 by sancho]

[Edited on 1-5-2012 by sancho]

bajatravelergeorge - 1-5-2012 at 01:07 PM

Saturday, on Lets Talk Hookup on 1090am, they were saying you only need it if your fishing within 24 miles of the coastline or an island. There was some peeing and moaning about the fact that there's only a couple of places to buy the visas.

I predict that this will go the way of the dodo bird pretty quick when the number of commercial sportfishing boats heading into Mexican waters drops dramatically due to lack of customers willing to shell out the extra dough and effort to comply. Mostly on the shorter trips out of San Diego. They'll be losing the fishing license revenue as well.

FISHING FMM'S FROM WESTERN OUTDOOR NEWS

BAJA.DESERT.RAT - 1-5-2012 at 02:21 PM

Hola,

this still does not answer all the questiions, but as usual, clarifications will come sooner or later. it's already later.

don't shoot me, i'm only passing info.

BIEN SALUD, DA RAT

New visa requirements set for U.S. anglers fishing Mexican Waters

BY BRANDON HAYWARD
WON Staff Writer

SAN DIEGO — It’s official: U.S.-based anglers fishing Mexican waters need a FMM visa, while crewmembers on sportboats will need an FM3 visa.

The new requirements stem from a Mexican law passed on May 25, 2011, and enacted by (INAMI) Mexico’s Immigration Department.

On May 25, 2011 a new immigration law in Mexico was enacted. According to a press release, the new law was created “in order to create in our country a framework of guarantees to protect the rights of the individuals in our country, facilitate and manage the migratory flows to and from Mexico, favoring the protection and respect of human rights of Mexicans and foreigners, regardless [of] their origin, nationality, gender, ethnicity, age and immigration status.”

What the new law means for anglers is that a visa must be obtained before fishing on both sport and private boats. Any trips that fishes within trip 24 miles of land—including islands—needs to have visas for everyone on the vessel. International “safe passage” clauses allow for transit inside the 24 mile buffer without permits. Trips fishing outside of 24 miles of Mexico—including islands—will not need visas. Come the summer/fall offshore season, trips that fish outside of 24 miles will not need visas.

A third party, Mexican-owned company, Mex Tour Assist, has been set up to process and assist with visas. The cost of the visas for sportboat anglers will be, as of January 1, per person: Three days or less: $28.00, four to nine days: $33.06, 10 to 30 days: $38.06
As of February 1, the costs will increase, and be, per person: Three days or less: $33.06, four to nine days: $38.06, 10 to 30 days: $43.06. The cost of the FM3 work visa — which needs a sponsor, which Mex Tour Assist provides — is $250 after the $90 handling fee to Mex Tour Assist. They are issues per boat, so if a crewmember works on multiple boats, they’d need multiple visas if fishing within 24 miles of Mexican territory.

All four San Diego landings have been set up to sell the visas — which are simply being tacked on to ticket prices — to sportboat anglers. But the landings will not be selling visas to private boaters.

Private boaters can purchase the visas at Dana Landing in Mission Bay. Cost will be $35 per person, per trip. John White at Dana Landing said that it will take less than 5 minutes to process the visa. No anglers came into the landing on New Years Day to buy a visa and go private boat fishing in Mexico.

The other option is to obtain the visa in Mexico and bypass the handling fees. But only the Port of Ensenada’s INAMI office sells the FMM visas that are valid at sea.

Troy Williams at Mex Tour Assist told WON that FMM Visas purchased in Tijuana and San Ysidro are not valid at sea. “They stamp them valid for land or sea. The stamps they put on in Tijuana (and San Ysidro) are for land travel only,” said Williams. “The only place to get the FMM for sea use is in Ensenada.”

Cost is $21 if obtained in Ensenada. The visa for anglers and boaters is different from the terrestrial FMM. A visa is needed for each trip. Few anglers are expected to visit Mexico to get the visas.

Passports are not needed to get the visas. In fact, John White at Dana Landing said that a credit card is acceptable identification for private boaters getting a visa. For juveniles, a school ID or library card are acceptable. National IDs are being required by INAMI. National IDs will be asked for if boarded/checked.

The visas have to be returned after the trip, and it is the responsibility of the angler to return the visa. Mailing the visa is one option. As is returning it to the place of issue.
The visa requirement has hit the 3⁄4-day fleet hard. It will be $123 — after visa and Mexican permit — to fish the Coronado Islands on H&M Landing’s Malihini. The boat did not get out New Year’s Day or Monday. Rick Marin at H&M Landing said that the Malihini will do something it’s never done before — offer local 3⁄4-day trips that will not fish in Mexican waters. The trips will be online Monday through Thursday and cost just $70 — $123 will be the price to fish the islands on its Friday, Saturday and Sunday trips to the Coronados.
Long range boats will no longer have to check into Ensenada to fish Guadalupe Island. The visas are totally separate from licenses and permits, so permits remain the same. The Red Rooster III and Royal Polaris were the first boat to depart with the visas on Jan. 2.

Here are more details about the visa, provided by Mex Tour Assist:
There are two primary options provided by INAMI that allow anglers to apply for a Mexican Visa if they intend to enter the Territorial Waters of Mexico:
• Boaters can appear at the Mexican land border points of entry and obtain a Visa through an INAMI designated facility.
• Boaters may report to the Port of Ensenada point of entry and contact the IMANI Office at the Port to obtain a Visa.
The facts:
• All US or International tourists traveling to Mexico must have Visa to enter Mexico. This is called an FMM permit. This permit must go through a different process depending on whether one is entering by land or by sea.
• INAMI has authorized a 3rd party organization to initiate the water entry Visa process at the 5 San Diego landings for tourists with passage on any SAC member vessel.
• The SAC landings will only be facilitating the Visa. All other Visa’s must be obtained in Mexico.
• The cost of the Visa will vary depending on the length of the trip and the value of the Peso
• INAMI will monitor the border and execute random inspections of all vessels crossing into Mexican territorial waters, including monitoring the private marine recreational sector
• If you are boarded by INAMI, they will ask you for a National ID and your Mexican Visa
• The Visa must be processed and paid for ahead of time
• All FMM Visas are to be returned within 24 hrs upon return to the U.S.
• Vessels traveling through the territorial waters of Mexico, not engaging in activities, but seeking only “innocent passage” while enroute to international waters, will not be required to have a Visa.
• Crew members will be required to have a FM3 which can be obtained through the 3rd party company or in a INAMI office

sancho - 1-5-2012 at 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajatravelergeorge

I predict that this will go the way of the dodo bird pretty quick when the number of commercial sportfishing boats heading into Mexican waters drops dramatically due to lack of customers willing to shell out the extra dough and effort to comply. Mostly on the shorter trips out of San Diego. They'll be losing the fishing license revenue as well.

I would not count on it going away, I'm not sure Mex Immigration cares that Passengers on San Diego boats
have to spend a few extra $, you are right in that Mex has shot itself in the
foot before with neddless regs. The part that interests me is that Discover
Baja has recieved info that you can use the 180 day

fmm to satisfy the fishing visa. So if 1 fishes out of San
Diego, go to TJ and get a 180 fmm

sancho - 1-5-2012 at 04:55 PM

That info directly conflicts with the posted info from
Discover Baja, who apparently claims 1 can use the
reg 180 day fmm to satisfy the requirements for
the New Fishing Tourist card. Not the 1st time
info has had a couple interpretations. The WON
info does seem clear about the fmm being stamped
as valid at sea. So much for the info that a regular
land crossing 180 day fmm will do for fishing

David K - 1-5-2012 at 05:01 PM

Maybe call Hugh or Carol and direct them to this post... they do read and post on Baja Nomad.

sancho - 1-5-2012 at 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BAJA.DESERT.RAT

• All US or International tourists traveling to Mexico must have Visa to enter Mexico. This is called an FMM permit. This permit must go through a different process depending on whether one is entering by land or by sea.

I just noticed this on the WON info, I wonder if this
is to be taken exactly as printed? If so the Mex
IMM Office at TJ will have a few more customers

And

bajaguy - 1-5-2012 at 05:06 PM

What if you have a valid FM-2 or FM-3 and launch in Baja???

sancho - 1-5-2012 at 05:10 PM

On the BN News section, Baja Desert Rat has a post
that MAY have an answer, looks like it is clear as mud

David K - 1-5-2012 at 05:13 PM

Of course it isn't true, otherwise it would take hours to get into Mexico... We just crossed south as we always have and with a green light, drove right to San Felipe and beyond.

BillP - 1-5-2012 at 05:19 PM

From everything I've read, the new visa is only for those entering Baja by water(fishing or not), not land, is good for only for one entry/exit, and has three time frames and pricing structures. In the beginning, only the San Diego Landings will be selling them for their boats as well as the private boats.

Employees on San Diego boats will be required to get FM3's.

FM2's and FM3's trump the fishing visa.

Private boats transiting further south can still get their visa's at Ensenada as always.

Your mileage may vary......

[Edited on 1-6-2012 by BillP]

cj5orion - 1-5-2012 at 05:57 PM

SO ?
Gonzaga Bay......is probably "safe" ?

BillP - 1-5-2012 at 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cj5orion
SO ?
Gonzaga Bay......is probably "safe" ?

If you're entering Mexico by land, procedure remains the same, just get your regular FMM at the border.

bajagrouper - 1-5-2012 at 07:36 PM

As of Monday, Jan 2nd the price of an FMM went up to 294 pesos but because of the decline of the peso against the dollar it will actually come out to about $21 USD for the 180 day FMM now renamed VISITOR WITH NO LUCRATIVE ACTIVITY ...........

[Edited on 1-6-2012 by bajagrouper]

[Edited on 1-6-2012 by bajagrouper]

bajagrouper - 1-5-2012 at 07:56 PM

As of Monday, Jan 2nd the price of an FMM went up to 294 pesos but because of the decline of the peso against the dollar it will actually come out to about $21 USD for the 180 day FMM now renamed VISITOR WITH NO LUCRATIVE ACTIVITY.............

[Edited on 1-6-2012 by bajagrouper]

New Mexican Fishing Law

boe4fun - 1-7-2012 at 10:32 AM

This appeared in yesterdays Western Outdoor News:
New visa requirements set for U.S.
anglers fishing Mexican Waters
BY BRANDON HAYWARD
WON Staff Writer
SAN DIEGO - It's official: U.S.-based
anglers fishing Mexican waters need a
FMM visa, while crew members on sportboats
will need an FM3 visa.
The new requirements stem from a
Mexican law passed on May 25, 2011,
and enacted by (INAMI) Mexico's Immigration
Department.
On May 25, 2011 a new immigration
law in Mexico was enacted. According to
a press release, the new law was created
"in order to create in our country a
framework of guarantees to protect the
rights of the individuals in our country,
facilitate and manage the migratory
flows to and from Mexico, favoring the
protection and respect of human rights
of Mexicans and foreigners, regardless
[of] their origin, nationality, gender, ethnicity,
age and immigration status."
What the newJaw means for anglers is
that a visa must be obtained before fishing
on both sport and private. boats. Any
trips that fish within trip 24 miles of land
needs to have visas for everyone on the
vessel. International "safe passage" clauses
allow for transit inside the 24 mile
buffer without permits. Trips fishing outside
of 24 miles of Mexico will not need
visas. Good news: come the summer/fall
offshore season, trips that fish outside of
24 miles will not need visas.
A third party, Mexican-owned company,
Mex Tour Assist, has been set up to
process and assist with visas. The cost of
the visas for sportboat anglers will be, as
of January I, per person: Three days or
less: $28.00, four to nine days:' $33.06,
10 to 30 days: $38.06. .
As of February I, the costs will increase,
and be, per person: Three days or
less: $33.06, four to nine days: $38.06,
10 to 30 days: $43.06.
The cost of the FM3 work visa -
which needs a sponsor, which Mex Tour
Assist provides - is $250 after the $90
handling fee to Mex Tour Assist. They
are issued per boat, so if crew members
work on multiple boats, they'd need
multiple visas if fishing within 24 miles
of Mexican territory.
All four San Diego landings have been
set up to sell the visas - which are simply
being tacked on to ticket prices - to
sportboat anglers. As of press time, landings
will not be selling visas to private
boaters. Private boaters can purchase
the visas at Dana Landing in Mission
Bay. Cost will be $35 per person, per trip.
John White at Dana Landing said that it
will take less than 5 minutes to process
the visa. No anglers came into the landing
on New Year's Day to buy a visa and
go private boat fishing in Mexico.
The other option is to obtain the visa in
Mexico and bypass the handling fees. But
only the Port of Ensenada's INAMI office
sells the FMM visas that are valid at sea.
Troy Williams at Mex Tour
assist told WON that FMM Visas
purchased in Tijuana and San
Ysidro are not valid at sea .
"They stamp them valid for
land or sea.The stamps they
provide in Tijuana (and San Ysidro)
are for land travel only said
Williams. "The only Place near
the border) to get the FMM for
sea use is in Ensenada.
Cost is $21 if obtained in Ensenada.
The Visa for anglers and
boaters is different from the ter-
restrial FMM. A "new" visa is
needed for each trip. Few anglers
are expected to visit Mexico to
get the visas.
Passports are not needed to
get the visas. In fact, John
White at Dana Landing said
that a credit card is acceptable
identification for private
boaters getting a visa. For juveniles,
a school ID or library card
are acceptable. National IDs are
being required by INAMI. National
IDs will be asked for if
boarded/checked.
The visas have to be returned
after the trip, and it is the responsibility
of the angler to return the
visa. Mailing the visa is
one option. As is returning it to
the place of issue. ..
The visa requirement has hit
the day fleet hard. It will be
$123 - after visa and Mexican
permit - to fish the Coronado
Islands on H&M Landing's Malihini.
The boat did not get out
New Year's Day or Monday. Rick
Marin at H&M Landing said that
the Malihini will do something
it's never done before - offer local
day trips that will not fish
in Mexican waters. The trips will
be online Monday through
Thursday and cost just $70 -
$123 will be the price to fish the
islands on its Friday, Saturday
and Sunday trips to the Coronados.
Long range boats will no
longer have to check into Ensenada
to fish Guadalupe Island.
The visas are totally separate
from licenses and permits, so
permits remain the same. The
Red Rooster III and Royal Polaris
were the first boats to depart
with the visas on Jan. 2.
Here are more details about
the visa, provided by Mex Tour
Assist:
The facts:
• All U.S. or International
tourists traveling to Mexico
must have a visa to enter Mexico.
This is called an FMM permit.
This permit must go
through a different process depending
on whether one is entering
by land or by sea.
• INAMI has authorized a 3rd
party organization to initiate
the water entry visa process at
the 5 San Diego landings for
tourists with passage on any
SAC member vessel.
• The SAC landings will only
be facilitating the visa. All other
Visa's must be obtained in Mexico.
• The cost of the visa will
vary depending on the length
of the trip and the value of the
Peso.
• INAMI will monitor the
border and execute random inspections
of all vessels crossing -
into Mexican territorial waters,
including monitoring the private
marine recreational sector.
• If you are boarded by INAMI,
they will ask you for a National
ID and your Mexican
visa.
• The visa must be processed
and paid for ahead of time
• All FMM Visas are to be returned
within 24 hrs upon return
to the U.S.
• Vessels traveling through
the territorial waters of Mexico,
not engaging in activities, but
seeking only "innocent passage"
while enroute to interriational
waters, will not be required
to have a visa.'
• Crew members will be required
to have a FM3 which can
be obtained through the 3rd
party company or in a INAMI
office.

[Edited on 1-7-2012 by boe4fun]

woody with a view - 1-7-2012 at 01:10 PM

mexico is just cutting their own throat. i buy a yearly license and fish 2-3 times. i buy the 180 visa twice a year. now they want me to buy another monthly $44 permit? per person? to fish from a panga?

i guess a lot of people are going to be watching closely to see if there are any realistic beurocrats (sp?) left in Mexico. so the ex-pat will need to shell out +/- $500/year to fish off his lancha for the year?

WOW!

sancho - 1-7-2012 at 01:37 PM

There has been a couple post re: this New Mex
Fishing visa/fmm. Heard this morn on the SD Fishing
radio Show that SAC, which is a Sportfishing Org.,
is going to meet with Mex IMM this week to iron out
the very typical mis info that generates from the
Mex Govt., not to say the US doesn't do the same.
1 thing is to find out whether the regular 180 day
fmm can be used to SATISFY this New Reg, as it stands now
it can not be, that is 1 can't board a Sportfishing boat
from SD and use the 180 day fmm, you have to purchase
the New Fishing fmm. And private boaters going into
Mex waters to fish the coast need the New fmm. If your boat is in Baja whether you
can use the 180 day fmm is still unclear
I believe some sort of clarification will come

Bajaboy - 1-7-2012 at 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by woody with a view
mexico is just cutting their own throat. i buy a yearly license and fish 2-3 times. i buy the 180 visa twice a year. now they want me to buy another monthly $44 permit? per person? to fish from a panga?

i guess a lot of people are going to be watching closely to see if there are any realistic beurocrats (sp?) left in Mexico. so the ex-pat will need to shell out +/- $500/year to fish off his lancha for the year?

WOW!

Don't forget to buy the Biosphere Permit if you're going to Bahia Asuncion....

woody with a view - 1-7-2012 at 01:50 PM

cha-ching! it ain't cheap being gringo!!!!

boe4fun - 1-7-2012 at 07:15 PM

Hi Zac, As I understand it, if you own property in BA you're exempt from having to purchase a biosphere permit. Also, regarding the new law, this was posted on the Vagabundos board: I have read that the state department is going to be discussing this with Mexico in February as it apparently violates the NAFTA agreement ?
As usual, whenever Mexico deposits another change in their laws, the followup is EXTREMELY VAGUE. FM2's and FM3's are exempt but what will the expats in Mexico be required to do as the land FMM is supposed to be different than the water FMM and the water FMM has different fees and time frames.
Woody, Maybe we should stick with strictly surf fishing!

[Edited on 1-8-2012 by boe4fun]

woody with a view - 1-7-2012 at 07:31 PM

good idea, Pablo.

mtgoat666 - 1-7-2012 at 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by woody with a view
cha-ching! it ain't cheap being gringo!!!!

even more expensive being a mexican! the cost for mexican to apply for USA visa is about $150. Ouch!

shari - 1-7-2012 at 09:25 PM

I have tried to call the guy in charge to get some clarification, but cant get through...but it is my understanding that this visa is for people entering mexico by boat...like the long range boats. I think (and I could very well be mistaken) that your normal tourist visa covers you for renting a panga for a day as you entered mexico by land.

I know many will disagree, but I think it is fair that the long range boats that fish along side of us here have to get the same permits we do...that their clients need tourist visas to fish in mexico. Why should Juan, a national local have to jump through so many hoops and get all these permits when foreigners can come and fish beside him and not have to get any??? doesnt seem right to me.

It is a blow to the long range boats, particularly for the crew members who must get a work permit...but they are working in mexico.

Mengano - 1-7-2012 at 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666

Quote:

Originally posted by woody with a view
cha-ching! it ain't cheap being gringo!!!!

even more expensive being a mexican! the cost for mexican to apply for USA visa is about $150. Ouch!

The cost for a Mexican for a visitor's visa is $140 and it lasts for a number of years with multiple entry rights. The cost for a Mexican for a border crossing card is also $140, and is good for 10 years. The cost of the FM3 (now called "No Inmigrante") is $160 and is good for only one year.

Do you want to research and rethink your post, professor?

aguachico - 1-9-2012 at 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by shari
I know many will disagree, but I think it is fair that the long range boats that fish along side of us here have to get the same permits we do...that their clients need tourist visas to fish in mexico. Why should Juan, a national local have to jump through so many hoops and get all these permits when foreigners can come and fish beside him and not have to get any??? doesnt seem right to me.

It is a blow to the long range boats, particularly for the crew members who must get a work permit...but they are working in mexico.

I believe most would agree with you that any boat entering Mexican waters whether inshore or offshore should have visas. The hoops Juan has to jump through is no different than the hoops a US charter boat has to go thru, if not more. Getting caught without those permits... well that's another story.

Hopefully all the info will get published soon. Mexico has put the cart before the horse, once again, by implementing and announcing new laws whtout establishing the faciclities to enforce or support them. The TIP for Baja are a perfect example.

The fact that a 3rd party is issuing these perrmits without a valid passport reeks of backdoor dealing. The FMM's are only $40 per year.

Does anyone know what type of visa you receive when you catch a cruise ship to rosarito?

durrelllrobert - 1-9-2012 at 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mengano

The cost for a Mexican for a visitor's visa is $140 and it lasts for a number of years with multiple entry rights. The cost for a Mexican for a border crossing card is also $140, and is good for 10 years. The cost of the FM3 (now called "No Inmigrante") is $160 and is good for only one year.

The total cost for my Canadian wife's "CONDITIONAL" Residenent Card to enter the US from Mexico was close to $2000, including 2 trips to Juarez for interviews. Now it will cost an additional $590 to apply for interview in Orange County to remove the "CONDITIONAL" status. :fire:

bajabass - 1-10-2012 at 06:16 AM

Don't miss an appointment! Or you get to start all over again. Oh, you get to pay again also! Don't ask how I know. :no:

Why Not A Multiple Entry Tourist Visa?

Bomberro - 1-10-2012 at 12:53 PM

The Mexican Consulate in San Diego can issue a Tourist Visa with multiple entries, after the issue you need to go to a Mexican Bank and pay the fee. One can park on US side and walk to the bank at Mexican Entry point at San Ysidro and pay the fee. This would be good for 180 days, should allow fishing the season without getting multiple visas for locals who take their boats into Mexican Waters. Hope this helps!

bajagrouper - 1-10-2012 at 10:20 PM

There is no multiple entry tourist card for Mexico!!!!!!!!
It is a Mutable Immigration Form, that is supposed to be turned in when you leave Mexico, just read what it says on the top of the form..........

Tourist Card

Bomberro - 1-11-2012 at 08:49 AM

http://www.peoplesguide.com/1pages/chapts/redtape/tourist-cd...
This is one link to some info.

sancho - 1-11-2012 at 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bomberro
The Mexican Consulate in San Diego can issue a Tourist Visa with multiple entries, after the issue you need to go to a Mexican Bank and pay the fee.

On the fmm form, it states 'shall be returned upon leaving
Mexico', but most of us use it for mulitiple trips until it expires, adding to the confusion is Mex Imm will often tell you to use it for mulitiple
entries. The form you state the Mex Con in SD will issue
is the same form you get at the border Mex Imm Office,
I was under the impression the Consulate stopped issuing
tourist cards 15 yrs. ago, besides what is the point, you
have to get the fmm VALIDATED from Mex IMM, that means
going into a Mex IMM office at the border. The link
you mention is dated 1999

CaboRon - 1-11-2012 at 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by aguachico

Quote:

Originally posted by shari

Does anyone know what type of visa you receive when you catch a cruise ship to rosarito?

As a past passenger on several occasions, I can tell you that the process was not noticed by the passengers ... everything was handled between the cruise company and the mexican port authority.