joerover - 1-21-2013 at 08:26 PM
When you get stamped out to go to Guatemala, do you need a new tourist card, or reuse the same one on the way back?
bajagrouper - 1-21-2013 at 09:07 PM
you are supposed to turn in the FMM when you depart Mexico, ( read the first paragraph on the back underneath the word IMPORTMENT...it says:
During your stay in Mexico, you must retain this immigration form and surrender it upon leaving the country.
woody with a view - 1-21-2013 at 09:16 PM
Right! When we used to surf Pto Escondido, Oaxaca in the late 80's there were guys who would stay 180 days and catch a bus south to G'mala so they
could exit the country legally. They'd stay a day or two in G'mala and then cross back north and get a new FMM.
That was then, but I'd bet that the game is the same.....
joerover - 1-22-2013 at 11:50 AM
Has anyone traveled from Guatemala to Chiapas in the last 1 or 2 years.
bajagrouper - 1-22-2013 at 01:51 PM
In the last week many travelers are only receiving 30 day FMM's,
of course that can be extended to 180 days at any immigration office...
DavidE - 1-22-2013 at 05:46 PM
Due to differences in language the meaning is oft mis-interpeted...
"YOU MUST SURRENDER YOUR TOURIST CARD"
What it MEANS is you SHOW your tourist card to the INM officer. If you have enough time remaining on your card to visit C.A., return to Mexico, enter
with that card, visit or whatever and exit AGAIN with that card before it expires the official will listen to the story and decide whether to keep it
or hand it back. If you exit with less than a month remaining he may decide to keep it.
Make damned sure if you get a new card on the southern border the official DOES NOT MARK IT "TRANSMIGRANTE" which requires full bore payment, and
FIFTEEN DAYS to exit Mexico. With a Transmigrante FMM there is NO renewals possible, NO extentions, NO "lost cards", no change whatsoever to the
transmigrante status even if you should go to INM headquarters in Mexico City. The rule is iron clad and a PITA.
If the official marks it TRANSMIGRANTE, refuse to pay for it. Call the INM Jefe or Jefa and dar un queja (lodge a complaint). THEN file a complaint
with the Green Angels later no matter what the outcome of your complaint. These bastards are looking for mordida, plain and freakin' simple.
Borders and paper work..
captkw - 1-22-2013 at 06:29 PM
In 1997/98 I drove down to panama and back..when I crossed in to mexico near Mcallen TX. I declared transito status..and all the way down and back
through all the borders...made life a hell of a lot better...In mex past the "free zone" your need to post a bond on your rig (car/truck) & put a
halagram sticker on the windsheid...I belive that system is still enforced....I you dont go "transito" status your in for a lot of greif...checking
in/out at any border and alot of time and money..............K&T
PS..The
south border is/was strange... had a custums (aduna) office & no imagration..that office is around 25 miles north....
[Edited on 1-23-2013 by captkw]
[Edited on 1-23-2013 by captkw]