BajaNomad - When is a Visa required?

When is a Visa required?

ILikeMex - 12-29-2013 at 09:06 AM

Hi.
Planning a short camping trip to Erinderia just south of Ensenada.

Do I need a Visa for 3 nights if just going to "Ensenada" area?
Thanks

TMW - 12-29-2013 at 12:07 PM

To Ensenada no further south below Maneadero yes.
I believe the 7 day visa is free any longer and you pay.
Easy to get at the border.

David K - 12-29-2013 at 12:15 PM

Ejido Erendira is about a 50 mile drive from Ensenada... and until recently there was no checking for tourist permits in all of Baja Norte. That seems to have changed, so better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it... they say!

1) Stop at the INM Office at the Mexican Border
2) You must have a current passport for ID to get the FMM Tourist Card.
3) For no more than 7 days trip, it is free. About US$25 for up to 180 days.
4) Discover Baja members can pre buy one in San Diego, but you still need to stop at the border to validate it (stamp it).

ILikeMex - 12-29-2013 at 03:19 PM

Thanks so much.

Bajahowodd - 12-29-2013 at 06:08 PM

Anyone checked the website of Coyote Cal's recently? For years, they said no visa was required to get there.

David K - 12-29-2013 at 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Anyone checked the website of Coyote Cal's recently? For years, they said no visa was required to get there.

The San Felipe web sites also have claimed the same... and it was basically true... no checkpoint anywhere, except at the Baja Sur border on Hwy. 1.

dasubergeek - 12-29-2013 at 10:15 PM

I haven't seen any reports of checkpoints on the way to San Felipe, though, have you? I mean, there's the permanent retén at the junction of 3 and 5, but that's military, not INM.

BajaNomad - 12-30-2013 at 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dasubergeek
I haven't seen any reports of checkpoints on the way to San Felipe, though, have you? I mean, there's the permanent retén at the junction of 3 and 5, but that's military, not INM.

While I believe that San Felipe - whether by definition or not - has actually been considered within the "no FMM needed" zone, it's been reported that military is asking for FMM's at stops along Hwy 1 recently in San Ignacio, El Rosario, and perhaps in Las Cañadas as well (although that could've actually been INM at the stop there?).

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=71206

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=70805

[Edited on 12-30-2013 by BajaNomad]

san felipe fmm

akshadow - 12-30-2013 at 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Anyone checked the website of Coyote Cal's recently? For years, they said no visa was required to get there.

The San Felipe web sites also have claimed the same... and it was basically true... no checkpoint anywhere, except at the Baja Sur border on Hwy. 1.

akshadow - 12-30-2013 at 11:26 AM

San Felipe tourist office has said for years none required. One year I had people coming to visit so stopped by the San Felipe Immigration Office and they said required. told my guests and they opted to not get permit/FMT at that time. No inspections no problems. I do think there will be increased inspections as Mexico matures their computer systems etc., and seeks more revenue.

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Anyone checked the website of Coyote Cal's recently? For years, they said no visa was required to get there.

The San Felipe web sites also have claimed the same... and it was basically true... no checkpoint anywhere, except at the Baja Sur border on Hwy. 1.

sancho - 12-30-2013 at 11:29 AM

This topic gets a work out, it seems many here believe
it is appropriate behavior as a Visitor to Mex to ignore
Mex Immigration regs because there is no formal
check/checkpoint for legal Immigration status as a
Tourist? San Felipe Immigration has for yrs. acted
somewaht independently of Fed Immigration guidelines, who wants to spend $24 dlls if one does not have too?
If ever asked for an fmm, never have been, I want to
produce one, to any sort of Mex Authority whether it's
in their legal right to request one or not
There was more than one report, the East Mexicali gate
into Mex, Mex Immigration there stated Every Tourist entering
need an fmm, either the free 7 day or the $24 dll one, I wouldn't think that means a day visitor to Mexicali
needs one, it would be nice if Mex Immigration had a
clear/direct policy, but it is Mex

[Edited on 12-30-2013 by sancho]

dasubergeek - 12-30-2013 at 11:52 AM

sancho, it's not that we don't want to abide by the rules, it's that the rules are unclear. (Though "3 nights" sounds like more than 72 hours, in which case yes, you need an FMM even if you're going to sleep in the Zona Norte de Tijuana.)

sancho - 12-30-2013 at 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dasubergeek
sancho, it's not that we don't want to abide by the rules, it's that the rules are unclear

No doubt unclear, but the tone of many posts SUGGESTS
it is within one's right as a Visitor to Mex to ignore
Mex Immigration regs, it's been demonstrated here many times it stems from not wanting to have to pay the $ for the
180 day fmm, simply because there is rarely
a formal check of Immigration status, to me, that is RUDE to
the host Country of Mex, granted it is difficult/impossible to find
current/accurate info, seems different Imm Offices can
have conflicting interpretations. Until there is some sort
of penalty imposed by Mex Imm some will ignore the regs,
Spending a nite in Zona Roja?

[Edited on 12-30-2013 by sancho]

Simple Simon

bajaguy - 12-30-2013 at 01:35 PM

Stop at the border crossing and get the FMM.

Day trip to TJ or Ensenada, wing it.......3 nights, 72 hours, south of Manedearo....checkpoints or none...who cares, just get the FMM.

David K - 12-30-2013 at 05:35 PM

You know, if the money actually helped the Baja people, then sure... but what goes to D.F. (Mexico City) stays in D.F., as they say!

Have you to seen the surging Baja California independence movement?
Baja had been ignored by the mainland more often than not... it seems like a different country (Baja vs. Mainland Mexico)... Services, highways, and more lacks in Baja so say the Baja people.

How hard is is for the agency (who has collected millions since they began the tax on tourists in mid-2000) to produce the printed rules for Baja California???

72 hours (ie. 3 days) or less in the Border Zone: No FMM needed. Longer NEEDED... ANYWHERE in Mexico.

WHAT is the BORDER ZONE in Baja? To Maneadero, on the west side? To San Felipe (or Mexicali only?) on the east side? Those are the 'traditional points'.

The past printed details only applied to Mainland Mexico (20 kms. from border is border zone). Baja has always been different... just like why you don't need a vehicle permit in Baja... because it is ALMOST AN ISLAND! :smug:

What has the FM-T and FMM money collected since mid 2000 totaled to? Where has it gone? How much has been returned to Baja to benefit tourism or the businesses in Baja hurt by the tax or unclear rules?

Can you imaging the log jam if EVERY non-Mexican southbound car has to stop at the border for an FMM? Has anyone in the Mexican government thought it out... ???

[Edited on 12-31-2013 by David K]

Print it

bajaguy - 12-30-2013 at 06:10 PM

David.............

Please print this and take it with you to Baja. When you are asked for your FMM/drivers license/vehicle registration/vehicle insurance by INM, any police agency or the military....just give them a copy. I' sure they will agree with you and send you on your way with a smile.

It's not OUR job to decide what they do or how they do it, it's not our country They don't have to make it easy, they don't have to collect it from you when you leave.....but you must turn it in....they don't care how you do it.

They make the rules, even if the rules change every day, are in conflict with each other or are not fair.

Just get the FMM.............like you always say......it is better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

I doubt things will be different if the Baja Independence Movement is successful.....and it can always get worse.

However....YMMV

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
You know, if the money actually helped the Baja people, then sure... but what goes to D.F. (Mexico City) stays in D.F., as they say!

Have you to seen the surging Baja California independence movement?
Baja had been ignored by the mainland more often than not... it seems like a different country (Baja vs. Mainland Mexico)... Services, highways, and more lacks in Baja so say the Baja people.

How hard is is for the agency (who has collected millions since they began the tax on tourists in mid-2000) to produce the printed rules for Baja California???

72 hours (ie. 3 days) or less in the Border Zone: No FMM needed. Longer NEEDED... ANYWHERE in Mexico.

WHAT is the BORDER ZONE in Baja? To Maneadero, on the west side? To San Felipe (or Mexicali only?) on the east side? Those are the 'traditional points'.

The past printed details only applied to Mainland Mexico (20 kms. from border is border zone). Baja has always been different... just like why you don't need a vehicle permit in Baja... because it is ALMOST AN ISLAND! :smug:

David K - 12-30-2013 at 06:41 PM

bajaguy:
This is a discussion forum, so that's what we are doing... It's not a personal thing with me, you or anyone else... so please don't think I am talking about ME when discussing Baja issues.

I posted the details on getting an FMM last time I did it for everyone's benefit.
I would hope the Mexican INM people would provide some black and white details for everyone, as well.

TMW - 12-31-2013 at 09:44 AM

How many on here actually turn in their tourist visa when returning to the US? Whether it is a 30 or 180 day visa it is required to be turn in before returning to the US even if you stay just 10 days.

David K - 12-31-2013 at 09:55 AM

Apparently, they know car travelers have a near-impossible way to get to the INM office when northbound (since INM is at the southbound gates only and traffic is what it is, specially for RVs and towing), so they have provided a mailing address to return the thing before it expires.

From Discover Baja's web site:

Before your Tourist Visa expires, return it in person to any Mexican Immigration Office OR mail to: INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE MIGRACION
PUENTE PUERTA S/N
COLONIA FEDERAL
TIJUANA, B.C. MEXICO C.P. 22310

TMW - 12-31-2013 at 10:02 AM

If you get it at Discover Baja Travel Club you can turn it in to them or mail it to them. Carol said by turning it in helps them helps keep their ability to issue them. I don't know if they will accept a visa issued at the border.

David K - 12-31-2013 at 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by TW
If you get it at Discover Baja Travel Club you can turn it in to them or mail it to them. Carol said by turning it in helps them helps keep their ability to issue them. I don't know if they will accept a visa issued at the border.

The address Discover Baja posts to return the FMM is to Mexico, not to Discover Baja.

sancho - 12-31-2013 at 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy

It's not OUR job to decide what they do or how they do it, it's not our country
They make the rules, even if the rules change every day, are in conflict with each other or are not fair.

That is exactly the point, it is THEIR Country, Tourists
should do their part to abide by Mex's regs/laws,
are the regs confusing/ clear as mud, heck yes,
obviously the $ collected on fmm's is Federal, who would
expect it to funnel directly back to Baja. Fmm fees
collected entering Mex from AZ, TX, I doubt go directly
to the states to the south. Is someone here making
suggestions to the Mex Govt how to spend/distribute
the fee's they collect, simply because one camps in Baja
a few nits a yr?

windgrrl - 1-2-2014 at 04:58 PM

I buy from Discover Baja and mail ours back every year. No biggie. Before we started driving, the airlines collected ours on return.

David K - 1-2-2014 at 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by windgrrl
I buy from Discover Baja and mail ours back every year. No biggie. Before we started driving, the airlines collected ours on return.

Mail to who? Discover Baja or the Tijuana address provided by Discover Baja? This is what I was trying to confirm from TW's reply. I mailed ours to the Tijuana address (requires some additional postage).

windgrrl - 1-2-2014 at 05:31 PM

I mail the visas to Mexico using the address provided by DB. I enjoy imagining whether or not the visas actually arrive at their intended destination.

http://www.discoverbaja.com/fmt.html

I see there is an option to drop visas off at the Mexican Immigration office. That would save the cost of a stamp, but not time on return. Then there's that issue of where to park at Tecate again! :lol:

[Edited on 1-3-2014 by windgrrl]