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FMM

freygirl - 6-22-2012 at 07:35 AM

My family and I are driving to Baja to work at an orphanage for 1 week.
Do we need Fmm cards. We will not be going any further south than Ensenada.

woody with a view - 6-22-2012 at 07:38 AM

no.

David K - 6-22-2012 at 08:21 AM

No one will bother you, but 'technically':
a) a tourist is required to have an FMM for stays longer than 72 hours ANYWHERE in Mexico.
b) a tourist can not work in Mexico, even volunteer work.
c) to work in Mexico one needs an FM-3 work visa.

Now, back to 'reality': Nobody will know how long you were in Ensenada, so as far as others are concerned you are there less than 72 hours... as Ensenada is inside the 'border zone' (no FMM needed inside the border zone for up to 72 hours).

Now, wouldn't it be great if INM actually had these rules provided on a handout or on the Internet? (INM is the Mexican Federal Immigration agency)... Then you wouldn't have to ask strangers on Baja Nomad for their interpretation of the facts! :light:

Have a great time and thank you for helping the orphans!

shari - 6-22-2012 at 09:17 AM

yes

Bob and Susan - 6-22-2012 at 12:14 PM

the correct answer is YES

you said "WORK"

BajaBlanca - 6-22-2012 at 01:26 PM

yup.

freygirl - 6-22-2012 at 01:29 PM

am i correct in assuming that if i just go to VISIT the orphanage then i dont need one.

woody with a view - 6-22-2012 at 01:47 PM

yes!

somewhere

bajaguy - 6-22-2012 at 02:03 PM

If someone wanted to get technical, "they" will know.....maybe the Mexican auto Insurance documents or toll road receipts.....you will have insurance, right???

Do the right thing and get the FMM............you will be glad you have it if there is a problem.

Besides, you are not going to "work" at the orphanage, you are going to "visit"

bajaguy - 6-22-2012 at 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by freygirl
am i correct in assuming that if i just go to VISIT the orphanage then i dont need one.

.........."a tourist is required to have an FMM for stays longer than 72 hours ANYWHERE in Mexico".............

Follow the rules................

Mula - 6-22-2012 at 02:08 PM

I don't see what the big problem/resistance is here.

Just get the FMM, be legal and worry free.

David K - 6-22-2012 at 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by freygirl
am i correct in assuming that if i just go to VISIT the orphanage then i dont need one.

Up to 72 hours... see above if longer!

(But seriously, if you 'on accident' were there longer... NO ONE would know, since your 'papers' are not checked by anyone in Baja CA Norte... just don't break any laws... on accident)!

BajaBlanca - 6-22-2012 at 05:06 PM

getting an FMM is so easy, right there at the border, fill out paperwork, pay up. One should follow the rules exactly the same way we expect foreigners to comply with our laws ! Am I right or am I right ? LOL

rts551 - 6-22-2012 at 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaBlanca
getting an FMM is so easy, right there at the border, fill out paperwork, pay up. One should follow the rules exactly the same way we expect foreigners to comply with our laws ! Am I right or am I right ? LOL

You are right. I don't know why anyone would encourage others to break the law.

Bajaboy - 6-22-2012 at 05:16 PM

actually got checked last week.......just get the card(s)

David K - 6-22-2012 at 05:51 PM

Hear that Woody? Don't be a bad boy :light:

David K - 6-22-2012 at 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajaboy
actually got checked last week.......just get the card(s)

Between the border and Ensenada, where the OP is going?

(or at the same place they have always checked them, just inside the Baja CA Sur border, on Hwy. 1?)

BAJA.DESERT.RAT - 6-22-2012 at 05:55 PM

i " kinda " recollect the fmm is free for up to a week or so in a certain area between the border and ????

true or false ?

BIEN SALUD, DA RAT

David K - 6-22-2012 at 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BAJA.DESERT.RAT
i " kinda " recollect the fmm is free for up to a week or so in a certain area between the border and ????

true or false ?

BIEN SALUD, DA RAT

TRUE... you sometimes need to argue with the adueña to issue you one... Good for up to 7 days ANYWHERE in Mexico, free.

bajaguy - 6-22-2012 at 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
(But seriously, if you 'on accident' were there longer... NO ONE would know, since your 'papers' are not checked by anyone in Baja CA Norte... just don't break any laws... on accident)!

But seriously, don't encourage people to break the law.

And you never know where or when your papers may be checked.......no matter what anybody on this forum says.

David K - 6-22-2012 at 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy

Quote:

But seriously, don't encourage people to break the law.

And you never know where or when your papers may be checked.......no matter what anybody on this forum says.

That's a fact! :light:

AMEN !!

captkw - 6-22-2012 at 11:30 PM

sancho - 6-23-2012 at 12:26 PM

Not intending to complicate things further, BUT
very recent printed info from Mex Immigration,
within the last 4 mo's or so, involving the much
debated Marine 1-3 day fmm for fishing the
Coronado Isles, there was a printed phrase that
reads, 'ALL Tourists entering Mexico need an fmm'
this was refering to land entry,
no reference to Border area or the 72 hr rule,
is that to be taken at face value, no, but it is there.
As mentioned there is a free 6nt 7 day fmm, if
driving into Mex I always get some form of Tourist
card, I would bet, that if you stop at Mex Immigration
at TJ they will tell you you don't need 1, I've been to TJ
to help build a couple houses for the poor, no tourist
card was mentioned, that was back in the day though

[Edited on 6-23-2012 by sancho]

freygirl - 6-25-2012 at 07:26 AM

Thanks for the help. Just seemed I couldnt get the same answer twice so wanted to make sure and didnt want to waste my time stopping and getting one if we didnt have to.