BajaNomad

Ensenada Tourist Visa Question

skipowell - 11-17-2012 at 10:30 AM

Nomads
I know that have been many posts regarding this but would like to get the most up to date info.

We have friends who will be coming through Rosarito on Sunday to spend a few days with us there before they head down to Baja Sur for 2 months (lucky ones.) They will be needing tourist visas, being that they are coming through on Sunday it would seems the San Ysidro location will not work as the banks are closed??

They will be driving through Ensenada during the week, so could someone please share directions to where you obtain a visa there.

Appreciate the help thanks!
Lori

fandango - 11-17-2012 at 11:05 AM

My understanding from previous posts is that you cannot get a visa in Ensenada.

Get it at your point of entry and if the bank is closed at that time, pay down the road.

DENNIS - 11-17-2012 at 11:11 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by fandango
My understanding from previous posts is that you cannot get a visa in Ensenada.

Get it at your point of entry and if the bank is closed at that time, pay down the road.


Actually, you can although they prefer you do it at the border. It's just baloney harrasment as far as I'm concerned, but what do I know.

David K - 11-17-2012 at 11:13 AM

The 'bank' at the immigration office (INM) at the border is not a 'normal' bank, but instead one that is there for you to get the tourist card... Now, I personally have not been across there since last July, but then they were available to accept payment 7 days a week... and during most of the day... I posted the hours last July.... HERE IS that part from last July:

A week before our trip began, we did a run to Tijuana to get our tourist cards (also called an ‘FMM’, it is like a visa needed for trips beyond the border towns or stays over 3 days). The fee for an FMM ( for 180 days) was 290 pesos or US$24, each The INM office at the Tijuana border is open 7 days a week from 6 am to 10 pm. The INM official can now receive the payment, so no need to have an open bank nearby, as in the past. We also purchased pesos at the Chula Vista Costco money exchange (Palomar exit, I-5 to Broadway, north) for some of our trip purchases (mostly gasoline) and the exchange rate was 12.905 pesos per dollar. Except for the border region gas stations, the cost of gasoline was $2.95/ gallon (10.05 pesos/ liter).
If I post a price in pesos, the equivalent dollar value will be shown.

[Edited on 11-17-2012 by David K]

sancho - 11-17-2012 at 03:12 PM

By all accounts they will be driving into Mex using the
new crossing, which is accessed bascially the same
as the original/old San Ysidro crossing, If it were
me, I would pull over at Mex Customs at the new
crossing. Logic tells me they will either be able to
get and pay for the fmm/tourist card at the Mex immigration
office or the bank teller will be open, or as posted, they will
issue them an fmm and you pay down the road
wihtin 5 days or so at a bank, I would not get down to
Ensenada without an fmm, although a post a few months
someone claimed to have got an fmm at Immigration
in Ensenada without any questions

J.P. - 11-17-2012 at 05:49 PM

You can get a fmm at Ensenada, Depending on their mood as to if you will pay a fine for not getting it at the border

David K - 11-18-2012 at 11:02 AM

Well, if they aren't in the mood, then to get one, you drive 70 miles back north?

The border is the only logical place... and if you are going to cross in the middle of the night, then get a PRE-PAID FMM at Discover Baja Travel Club (naturally you need to go there when they are open)... and only stop for the stamp, at the border INM office.

woody with a view - 11-18-2012 at 11:04 AM

except they close now from like 8pm til 6am so a stamp in the middle of the night might not happen.

Ateo - 11-18-2012 at 11:13 AM

I got one in Ensenada in 2008.............if there was a fine it was so small I didn't even notice. Follow the signs to the Migration office upon entering town.

EnsenadaDr - 11-18-2012 at 12:37 PM

Dealing with "Migracion" or Immigration in Ensenada can be an interesting experience depending on the mood of the employees there. I remember back in 2009 I went to renew my student visa there with my daughter and had my daughter's dual citizenship birth certificate that was issued in Mexico. They asked me where her father was and why I didn't have a letter to have her in Mexico, even though she had Mexican documentation. The visit had nothing to do with my daughter, yet they gave me such a hassle about the letter they wouldn't issue me my student visa so I just left and had my school do it..then at the Border in Tijuana the other week the Immigration worker screamed at me and said "You are in MEXICO, this is not the US, you UNDERSTAND?" I guess both were having a bad hair day.

David K - 11-18-2012 at 03:45 PM

Did you reply yes you knew because in the US the rules don't don't change from place to place or person to person.

He is gone

bajaguy - 11-18-2012 at 03:55 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
Dealing with "Migracion" or Immigration in Ensenada can be an interesting experience depending on the mood of the employees there. I remember back in 2009 I went to renew my student visa there with my daughter and had my daughter's dual citizenship birth certificate that was issued in Mexico. They asked me where her father was and why I didn't have a letter to have her in Mexico, even though she had Mexican documentation. The visit had nothing to do with my daughter, yet they gave me such a hassle about the letter they wouldn't issue me my student visa so I just left and had my school do it..then at the Border in Tijuana the other week the Immigration worker screamed at me and said "You are in MEXICO, this is not the US, you UNDERSTAND?" I guess both were having a bad hair day.





The "Mini Adolph" who was running the Ensenada INM office in 2009 was a real pain in the burro. He was transferred/replaced. The guy running the office now seems to be quite pleasant and friendly and that appears to have had an impact on the Ensenada office employees who are really nice to deal with now.

J.P. - 11-18-2012 at 04:11 PM

Quote:
The "Mini Adolph" who was running the Ensenada INM office in 2009 was a real pain in the burro. He was transferred/replaced. The guy running the office now seems to be quite pleasant and friendly and that appears to have had an impact on the Ensenada office employees who are really nice to deal with now.











I took my friend in there to get a tourist visa and the nasty little guy fined her for not getting it at the border. The fine was only 5$ but we had to go to the bank and pay and take the reciept back then we had to take the fmm to the bank and pay and take it back and let hin stamp it. The next time she went in she went by herself and he was all smiles and flirty and gave her tourist permit with mo problem:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

Update

skipowell - 11-19-2012 at 08:05 PM

Our friends and family got though with no problems on a Sunday at 6 :15 pm. They were coming down from Tahoe so with the lack of real info these chose to get a really early start. They were able to get tourist card and pay for for it at bank.
Of course they forgot to ask what the hours are ( I did ask them to do this), they did share, that it didn't look like they were not closing down anytime soon.
Thanks to the Nomads who gave the clear FMM directions as they said no,problem finding office at new Chapparal crossing.

David K - 11-19-2012 at 11:53 PM

Wonderful!:bounce: