BajaNomad - Tourist Visa (El Chaparral) Question?

Tourist Visa (El Chaparral) Question?

Enrique2012 - 3-4-2014 at 01:06 PM

Question: If I commit to the turnoff from the 5, onto the entrance of El Chaparral, stop and park to acquire a tourist visa, am I now obligated to enter Mexico or can I return to the U.S. without having entered Mexico?

If the answer is I must enter Mexico, than can you tell me if (and how) to park in the U.S and obtain the visa on foot?

Thanks in advance!

SlyOnce - 3-4-2014 at 01:11 PM

If you get your visa there you must enter MX by car.

MX consulate is in little Italy in San Diego, you could go there.

David K - 3-4-2014 at 01:12 PM

Park in a U.S. side lot, walk in using the pedestrian entrance for Mexico. INM will be there.

Enrique2012 - 3-4-2014 at 01:28 PM

Thanks. David, and chance you could be a little more specific? Where is the INM after I cross by foot?

dasubergeek - 3-4-2014 at 03:01 PM

The pedestrian crossing is now on the EAST side of the freeway; the path goes past the McDonalds, then around the back of the old customs house that's south of the McDonalds. You'll see stairs, and you'll go into a very Spartan room where you'll push a button and get either a red or green light. The INM office is right off this room—ask anyone and they'll point you, though the last time I walked across there was a big sign.

Unfortunately, then you have to cross back into the U.S. If you don't have a SENTRI card, a Global Entry card, a passport card or a U.S. green card, this means a very, very long wait, especially at the weekend. (Today, Tuesday, 1400 hours, the SY wait is 1 hour for standard lanes and 40 minutes for Ready Lane; the Otay Mesa wait is no delay.)

I suggest going to the Otay Mesa crossing instead if you just want to go and return. There's a David You can always then drive west along the 905 if you want to enter at San Ysidro.

Bear in mind that FMMs are *single entry visas* and technically as soon as you leave Mexico you're supposed to turn them in. Supposed to. :rolleyes:

Enrique2012 - 3-4-2014 at 03:19 PM

Thank you so much. One final question, do they stamp the visa there or do I need to take it to a bank and return this "room"?

Thanks all, your quick replies are greatly appreciated.

BAJA.DESERT.RAT - 3-4-2014 at 03:22 PM

Hola,

while we are on the subject, does this walkin differ from the old way of crossing on foot prior to the new El Chaparral crossing ?

can we still get off the 5 freeway, the stop before going into mexico, stop at the stop sign, turn right and immediately turn right into a parking lot ? walking out of the parking lot, turn left and go to the bridge and to the turnstile ?

i don't need an fmm as i only want to take a taxi to the costco to buy some meds. due to medicine that is fake, i prefer to buy it at costco, then back to the line by taxi to cross on foot.

also, i did notice a handicap sign at the northbound crossing the last time, is there a handicap line, can i go to the head of the line ?

i thank you in advance,

BIEN SALUD, DA RAT

dasubergeek - 3-4-2014 at 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Enrique2012
Thank you so much. One final question, do they stamp the visa there or do I need to take it to a bank and return this "room"?

Thanks all, your quick replies are greatly appreciated.

They will stamp it right there. There is a window for the Banjercito (military) bank. The cost is 306 pesos, about $23-$25 depending on the exchange rate.

sancho - 3-4-2014 at 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BAJA.DESERT.RAT

does this walkin differ from the old way of crossing on foot prior to the new El Chaparral crossing ?

Not totally clear on your question, but there is NO foot access
at the Old Crossing into TJ, as posted you have go to the
ped crossing on the East side of Hwy 5, after you pass
Mex Customs at the new ped crossing, there are SEVERAL steps leading down to the street level, if that affects
you, I believe this is temp., as Mex is building a new build
there that will house mex Customs,Immigration

dasubergeek - 3-4-2014 at 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BAJA.DESERT.RAT
Hola,

while we are on the subject, does this walkin differ from the old way of crossing on foot prior to the new El Chaparral crossing ?

can we still get off the 5 freeway, the stop before going into mexico, stop at the stop sign, turn right and immediately turn right into a parking lot ? walking out of the parking lot, turn left and go to the bridge and to the turnstile ?

i don't need an fmm as i only want to take a taxi to the costco to buy some meds. due to medicine that is fake, i prefer to buy it at costco, then back to the line by taxi to cross on foot.

also, i did notice a handicap sign at the northbound crossing the last time, is there a handicap line, can i go to the head of the line ?

i thank you in advance,

BIEN SALUD, DA RAT

When you get off the freeway, you can still turn right and then right into the Border Station parking. When you exit the parking lot, turn left into Camino de la Plaza and go OVER the freeway, then turn right on San Ysidro Blvd. You'll go past the McDonald's, then go around the back of the old customs house, through the turnstiles (there's a gate for the disabled), and up the stairs—I believe there's an elevator but I can't swear there is. Once you're inside, ask how to get downstairs on the other side.

On the way back, you can roll right up to the handicapped entrance on the left. It might be easier to use the Ready Lane line on the right (hugging the wall) as there are fewer people, and have your "con permiso" ready on your lips. Then just roll across when you get to the front. I'm sure that if this information is inaccurate, they won't be shy about telling you.

David K - 3-4-2014 at 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Enrique2012
Thanks. David, and chance you could be a little more specific? Where is the INM after I cross by foot?

I think since I was here this morning, you got some great answers...

The newer ped crossing into Mexico is different... it is on the east side of the car lanes. There's a Jack in the Box and Trolley station near this.

David K - 3-4-2014 at 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dasubergeek

Bear in mind that FMMs are *single entry visas* and technically as soon as you leave Mexico you're supposed to turn them in. Supposed to. :rolleyes:

The

is correct! :light:

When we last obtained them, a few days before our trip, I told the INM officer exactly this... and it was quite okay to walk out of Mexico with the new FMM and come back later in the week with it.

Since there is no collection formality for land travelers or ability for drivers leaving Mexico to hand it back before exiting Mexican territory, the INM has provided an address where it is to be mailed back, before it expires. The FMM is good for 180 days... and if you leave Mexico and return (say to go to the doctor or re-supply) there is no logic to not using it for the full 180 days you paid for.

apple - 3-4-2014 at 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dasubergeek
Unfortunately, then you have to cross back into the U.S. If you don't have a SENTRI card, a Global Entry card, a passport card or a U.S. green card, this means a very, very long wait, especially at the weekend. (Today, Tuesday, 1400 hours, the SY wait is 1 hour for standard lanes and 40 minutes for Ready Lane; the Otay Mesa wait is no delay.)

How is passport card faster for entry on foot than a passport with RFID?

DENNIS - 3-4-2014 at 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by apple
How is passport card faster for entry on foot than a passport with RFID?

Not sure. Is there a Ready Lane for pedestrians? They seem to require the card even though the book may also have the chip.

DENNIS - 3-4-2014 at 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

There's a Jack in the Box and Trolley station near this.

I think it's a McDonalds.

David K - 3-4-2014 at 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

There's a Jack in the Box and Trolley station near this.

I think it's a McDonalds.

The place I am talking about (just inside US by trolley tracks) is a Jack in the Box. :light:

DENNIS - 3-4-2014 at 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

There's a Jack in the Box and Trolley station near this.

I think it's a McDonalds.

The place I am talking about (just inside US by trolley tracks) is a Jack in the Box. :light:

There must be a JIB somewhere in that area, but the fast food joint directly adjacent to the end of the line trolley stop, is a McDonalds....the most busy one I've ever seen.
When's the last time you went through there on foot?

tjsue - 3-4-2014 at 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by apple
How is passport card faster for entry on foot than a passport with RFID?

Not sure. Is there a Ready Lane for pedestrians? They seem to require the card even though the book may also have the chip.

Yes, there is a Ready Lane for pedestrians. It's faster than the GP line, but not as fast as the Sentri line. I take it all the time when I cross on foot.

DENNIS - 3-4-2014 at 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tjsue

Yes, there is a Ready Lane for pedestrians. It's faster than the GP line, but not as fast as the Sentri line. I take it all the time when I cross on foot.

OK...so which fast food joint is right outside the customs building, across the street from the trolley stop? Is it Mickey D's, or is it Jack'n the box?

tjsue - 3-4-2014 at 09:10 PM

When you get off the trolley there's a Mickey D's right in front of you. The JIB is up a little ways going away from the trolley.

DENNIS - 3-4-2014 at 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

The place I am talking about (just inside US by trolley tracks) is a Jack in the Box. :light:

Quote:

Originally posted by tjsue
When you get off the trolley there's a Mickey D's right in front of you. The JIB is up a little ways going away from the trolley.

David K - 3-5-2014 at 08:38 AM

Well, I never said there wasn't a McD's... But, for sure there is a Jack in the Box... I have been there, parked by it, and it is just a hundred feet or so from where you come out of the customs building when you walk back into the U.S.
I also just checked Google and saw it right where I said it was.

sancho - 3-5-2014 at 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by apple
How is passport card faster for entry on foot than a passport with RFID?

I have that ? too, along with the Passport Card being
accepted in the Ready Lane/Line and not the US Passport
Book with chip, there a few other
doc's that are accepted in the Ready Lane/Line,
among others is a Border
Crossing Card, issued to Mex Nationals, so here is
a US Born Citizen, with a US Passport having to wait
longer to enter his Country than a Mex National

dasubergeek - 3-5-2014 at 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sancho

Quote:

Originally posted by apple
How is passport card faster for entry on foot than a passport with RFID?

$30 gets you a passport card and then you can join the happy masses. Make sure you walk down the right side of the path (hug the papered-over wall) and just excuse yourself as you go down toward the Ready Lane entrance.

apple - 3-5-2014 at 12:50 PM

wow, I just realized that an RFID passport isn't good enough for the ready lane. that's a bummer

DENNIS - 3-5-2014 at 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sancho
a Border Crossing Card, issued to Mex Nationals, so here is
a US Born Citizen, with a US Passport having to wait
longer to enter his Country than a Mex National

We have to keep in mind that the Mexicans do the same thing on entering Mexico. They wait behind us. Any reorganization of this would surely cause bad feelings.
Anyway, were all nothing better than victims when in the border zone.

Enrique2012 - 3-6-2014 at 12:22 PM

Thanks everyone. I picked-up my tourist visa yesterday in the line entering Mexico and it couldn't have been easier. However, I was surprised by a few things: There is no bank in this office as you enter the country. The officer stamped my visa (without paying) and stapled a "receipt" to the back telling me that I needed to go to the bank and pay the 306p fee (despite having already stamped it). He told me I didn't need to do it ASAP and that I could wait until I arrived in Loreto.

Seeing as though the visa is already stamped I am failing to see the need to go to the bank. Am I missing something?

[Edited on 3-6-2014 by Enrique2012]

DENNIS - 3-6-2014 at 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Enrique2012

Seeing as though the visa is already stamped I am failing to see the need to go to the bank. Am I missing something?

Maybe so.

dasubergeek - 3-6-2014 at 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by Enrique2012

Seeing as though the visa is already stamped I am failing to see the need to go to the bank. Am I missing something?

Maybe so.

It's the right thing to do. We complain about people not following our laws, but then we ignore theirs.

The law—sit down, shut up, I know—the law says you have to turn in your FMM when you leave. There's absolutely no way to do that at Tijuana. Literally. The door when you exit to the stairs on the Mexican side doesn't have a handle on the outside. You would have to cross back to the States, then go BACK to Mexico to turn in your FMM, then cross back to the States.

Right.

However, if you were going to fly home, or if you were leaving across the Guatemalan border at Tapachula or the Belizean border at Chetumal, you would end up having to pay the 306p, because they check BOTH the stamp AND the receipt. (The Internet is full of whiny British subjects who take cheap Thomas Cook charter flights to Cancun, then complain about having to pay 800p to leave, which is the unpaid FMM and unpaid airport use tax.)

Technically, during an FMM check, they can ask for your receipt. Hands up all those who've ever had to show a receipt anywhere in Baja.

Right-o, back to the program already in progress.

[Edited on 3-6-2014 by dasubergeek]

elgatoloco - 3-6-2014 at 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Enrique2012
Thanks everyone. I picked-up my tourist visa yesterday in the line entering Mexico and it couldn't have been easier. However, I was surprised by a few things: There is no bank in this office as you enter the country. The officer stamped my visa (without paying) and stapled a "receipt" to the back telling me that I needed to go to the bank and pay the 306p fee (despite having already stamped it). He told me I didn't need to do it ASAP and that I could wait until I arrived in Loreto.

Seeing as though the visa is already stamped I am failing to see the need to go to the bank. Am I missing something?

[Edited on 3-6-2014 by Enrique2012]

Was that the walking line or........

Enrique2012 - 3-6-2014 at 04:04 PM

Yes. the walk-in line going into Mex. Just before you pass the Mexican Customs officers there is a hallway to your right with a sign "Tourist Visas" over the doorway. I have to admit it was pretty slick. Now, if they would just put a bank cajero in that office it would be REALLY slick.

sancho - 3-6-2014 at 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Enrique2012
The officer stamped my visa (without paying) and stapled a "receipt" to the back telling me that I needed to go to the bank and pay the 306p fee (despite having already stamped it). He told me I didn't need to do it ASAP and that I could wait until I arrived in Loreto.

Seeing as though the visa is already stamped I am failing to see the need to go to the bank[Edited on 3-6-2014 by

That pay down the road thing, I've always been curious
about, in the past they have said pay within 5 days,
wonder if anyone, Mex Immigration or other, could
look at your fmm and determine you had not paid the
fee? Since it is stamped, it may be a situation of
courtesy to follow thru and pay the fee

David K - 3-6-2014 at 06:04 PM

In Tijuana, the INM officer had a cash box and can take the money or walk a few windows over to a bank teller, then come back for the final stamp. It was daytime and the choice was mine the officer said as to who to pay. In Tecate, we were told if the bank teller is closed, they can now take the money too (just like Tijuana). I would think all the border INM officers now had the same ability...?

Alm - 3-6-2014 at 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BAJA.DESERT.RAT
Hola,

while we are on the subject, does this walkin differ from the old way of crossing on foot prior to the new El Chaparral crossing ?

Yes. Prior to new El Chap crossing you walked to Tijuana on the West of Hwy5 through the turnstile. Now you walk East of Hwy 5. Walking back to the US is still the same route as prior to El Chap, and yes, it can take an hour.

sancho - 3-7-2014 at 11:48 AM

I know there is no ped/foot access to the New Crossing
into TJ from the US, I SUPPOSE one could walk to the
New Crossing from inside TJ, one can see it from the
ped bridge over the TJ River

DENNIS - 3-7-2014 at 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sancho
one can see it from the
ped bridge over the TJ River

That river bottom is a sight to behold. Half the criminals in TJ live there on the ground under the stars. It's a killing zone without equal.

sancho - 3-7-2014 at 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

That river bottom is a sight to behold. Half the criminals in TJ live there on the ground under the stars

Quite a few blue tarps used as tents, a few guys under the bridge asking for coins from peds on bridge, I assume the
cops won't let them up on the bridge to hassle peds, I
imagine more than a few US deportees, probably not a
place for an evening stroll

dasubergeek - 3-7-2014 at 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sancho

That pay down the road thing, I've always been curious
about, in the past they have said pay within 5 days,
wonder if anyone, Mex Immigration or other, could
look at your fmm and determine you had not paid the
fee? Since it is stamped, it may be a situation of
courtesy to follow thru and pay the fee

In situations where they are doing strict control of FMMs (airports in the border zone or with lots of charter flights, border crossings to Guatemala and Belize, the immigration checkpoint south of Nogales, etc.) you are required to show TWO pieces of paper: the FMM itself, which is stamped, and the DNI ("derecho de no inmigrante"), which is the bank receipt. No DNI, they make you pay for your FMM again.

The checkpoint at Guerrero Negro is not one of those "strict control" points.

Bugman - 3-7-2014 at 06:15 PM

Just a little note to add to this thread. A bit late at this point but perhaps some can use for future reference. If you just want to hop across on foot to get your visa and then come back there is a little trick if the line is too long and you don't have any sort of ready lane permissions to cross faster. About 100 feet from where the line enters the gated area to the border station you can usually see one or two folks soliciting customers to get in their buses. What these guys are doing is getting their buses in line and as the bus approaches the front of the line they charge you 5 bucks to hop on. Then you get to hop out when the bus gets to the front of the line and it puts you near the front of the line to have your passport or green card checked. I have done this twice now and both times I only waited about 30 minutes or less to get back into the USA when it would have taken much longer had I gone two zip codes over to the end of the pedestrian line. Of course, now that I have told you this it will probably take me an hour next time but too late as the cat is now out of the bag......

sancho - 3-8-2014 at 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bugman
If you just want to hop across on foot to get your visa

I've done that at the Old Ped Crossing, have you done this
at the New Ped Crossing into TJ? The Op of this thread,
Enrique, says there was no teller/bank at the New Ped
Crossing, it may have been closed? Have you got an fmm
and paid for it at the New Ped Crossing? If not, I wouldn't know
where to begin to find a bank near the border at TJ

Alm - 3-8-2014 at 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sancho
The Op of this thread, Enrique, says there was no teller/bank at the New Ped Crossing, it may have been closed? Have you got an fmm
and paid for it at the New Ped Crossing? If not, I wouldn't know
where to begin to find a bank near the border at TJ

Good point. And it has to be - I suspect - a certain bank, not just any bank like HSBC. Not too many Nomads cross by foot, I guess...

dasubergeek - 3-8-2014 at 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sancho
I know there is no ped/foot access to the New Crossing
into TJ from the US, I SUPPOSE one could walk to the
New Crossing from inside TJ, one can see it from the
ped bridge over the TJ River

There will be... Congress just funded the rest of the border-area reconstruction, which includes the rest of the lanes NB at SY, the repointing of I-5 to connect without that stupid double-hairpin turn, new SB inspection lanes on that new part of I-5, and a new pedestrian crossing at Virginia Ave. (You can see the gate Mexico built for it from the US side.)

It's supposed to be done in 2015 or early 2016. Hands up, all those who believe those numbers. :lol:

Alm - 3-8-2014 at 07:27 PM

Quote:

Congress just funded the rest of the border-area reconstruction, which includes the rest of the lanes NB at SY, the repointing of I-5 to connect without that stupid double-hairpin turn, new SB inspection lanes on that new part of I-5...

So all those nice SB El Chap lanes have been built for nothing. Wouldn't be the first time.