SAN DIEGO — Americans planning to cross the border into Mexico may want to bring along some cash — or ‘pesos’ — because crossing the border could cost
a fee.
U.S. citizens and other non-Mexican citizens who walk across the border to spend an extended period of time must now pay a fee for a permit, similar
to a visa.
The fee is $28 to remain in the country for seven or more days.
The permit fee is part of a pilot program that currently only applies to people crossing on foot at both Otay and San Ysidro ports of entry. It could
eventually be extended to vehicle lanes, Mexican officials said.
The new procedure will help Mexico keep better track of foreigners in the country and those who cross for work, Mexican immigration officials said.
But many see the fee as an inconvenience.
“We have enough things going down in Mexico to add another barrier or another excuse for not going into Mexico,” said Andres Mosqueira, who lives and
works in San Diego but has family in Tijuana.
Others say the procedure is confusing and worry frequent crossers could get ripped off.
“If you’re staying more than seven days, you’re supposed to buy the permit. The confusion is that at the border, [officials] are not telling people
that. They’re saying, ‘Oh you need to start buying a permit,’” said Mike Coburn, an American who lives in Mexico and crosses the border frequently.
Some Mexican businesses are not happy with the new fee.
“It doesn’t sound very smart,” a local businessman said. “The economy isn’t doing well and tourism is just starting to pick up and if you start
charging people, well that won’t help.”
[Edited on 11-16-2014 by Whale-ista]BAJA.DESERT.RAT - 11-15-2014 at 11:15 PM
Hola,
so...isn't this the old way ? no fmm needed if you are in mexico for seven days or less and you do not go south of maneadero ?
they are gouging unsuspecting tourists that are not aware of the above.
BIEN SALUD, DA RATbajaguy - 11-16-2014 at 07:28 AM
I don't think it is "gouging", it is more like enforcing the current law. What about the "tourists" who never get an FMM or lie about their status in
Mexico?monoloco - 11-16-2014 at 08:01 AM
What's to stop folks from lying and just saying they are visiting for less than 7 days?Hook - 11-16-2014 at 08:41 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by monoloco
What's to stop folks from lying and just saying they are visiting for less than 7 days?
Only a legitimate enforcement of the rules by Mexico; say, something like using a constructed checkpoint at, say, someplace like Maneadero. bajaguy - 11-16-2014 at 08:51 AM
Except for people who are living in the areas north of Maneadero........illegally on an FMM or no paperwork at all
Quote:
Originally posted by Hook
Quote:
Originally posted by monoloco
What's to stop folks from lying and just saying they are visiting for less than 7 days?
Only a legitimate enforcement of the rules by Mexico; say, something like using a constructed checkpoint at, say, someplace like Maneadero.
Hook - 11-16-2014 at 09:22 AM
So, you'd prefer to draw a line ABOVE a city containing several hundred thousand and inconvenience all of them, too?
You have to accept that you cant catch everyone. Just an acceptable percentage for the effort you're willing to make.
Amazing how the Mexican government builds enforcement infrastructure..........and then abandons it. It happens over and over.Bajahowodd - 11-16-2014 at 05:59 PM
Sounds like it will absolutely kill the weekend traffic from the San Diego kids who take the trolley down to party for the night. Stupid.
[Edited on 11-17-2014 by Bajahowodd]
FEE'S
J.P. - 11-16-2014 at 07:17 PM
In the late 50's I was stationed in El Paso the Mexican Gov. had a 3ct. toll on the new bridge over the Rio.rts551 - 11-16-2014 at 07:47 PM
To "keep better track of foreigners in the country" they aught to do just as the US does and require everyone have a Visa or Mexican ID who enters
the country.
[Edited on 11-17-2014 by rts551]Bajaboy - 11-17-2014 at 01:12 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by rts551
To "keep better track of foreigners in the country" they aught to do just as the US does and require everyone have a Visa or Mexican ID who enters
the country.
[Edited on 11-17-2014 by rts551]
I agree with you on this and agree that Mexico has the right and obligation to enforce their immigration policy.
But I still don't see the logic in charging tourists $28 per 7+ day visit. It really adds up with a family of four that likes to vacation multiple
times per year in Baja.DENNIS - 11-17-2014 at 01:53 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by rts551
To "keep better track of foreigners in the country" they aught to do just as the US does and require everyone have a Visa or Mexican ID who enters
the country.
Thanks, Ralph. That is hysterical.DENNIS - 11-17-2014 at 01:55 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Bajaboy
But I still don't see the logic in charging tourists $28 per 7+ day visit. It really adds up with a family of four that likes to vacation multiple
times per year in Baja.
Just vote with your feet. Eventually Mexico will get it.rts551 - 11-17-2014 at 06:02 PM
why not Dennis, I remember the uproar in Nogales, az and San Dingo when the US cracked down. it settled down after a while. and it might keep
some of the RIFRAF out.. 20...some per person. try the minimum of $500 per person if you want to come to the US. I know its just Mexico.
[Edited on 11-18-2014 by rts551]SlyOnce - 11-19-2014 at 09:12 AM
I live in Playas. I cross every day to work in the US. So thus I never stay more than 7 days. The law does not apply to me.
If they start enforcing this in the vehicle lanes it will back up traffic to Los Angeles.
I will have to leave.
The mayor of TJ and just about everyone else is against this, lots of articles in the MX newspapers opposing enforcement in TJ.SlyOnce - 11-19-2014 at 09:17 AM
For example here is a new article from Governor Kiko Vega saying the law won't be enforced due to several reasons.
No problemas, they announced it has been put on the back burner so for now it is a non-issue.David K - 11-19-2014 at 09:19 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by SlyOnce
I live in Playas. I cross every day to work in the US. So thus I never stay more than 7 days. The law does not apply to me.
If they start enforcing this in the vehicle lanes it will back up traffic to Los Angeles.
I will have to leave.
The mayor of TJ and just about everyone else is against this, lots of articles in the MX newspapers opposing enforcement in TJ.
IF you live in Playas, does that not make you an American resident of Mexico? If you live in Mexico, don't you want to have the correct visa (to
either try and comply or at least protect yourself from deportation if discovered)?
I wonder how many consider the land from Tijuana to Maneadero a Neutral Zone where you can live but never need to bother with the correct paperwork,
because nobody at the border checks?PaulW - 11-19-2014 at 04:03 PM
More info arrived in my in box
¡No Pasa Nada! La ley depende de la hora del día. As I was explaining to recent first-time visitors, the law is applied in different ways at
different times in different places by different law enforcement in Mexico. That is either part of the amusement or, if you are a strictly paint
between the lines type, a big frustration. Relax and enjoy all of the different characters on your Baja amusement ride.
For now, they withdrew the idea of forcing visitors into purchasing the temporary visa. They revert to the honor system (wink) for anyone visiting
for more than 72 hours to stop at the immigration office at the border and buy the approx $23USD tourist visa.
LOS ANGELES, CA.- State Governor, Francisco "Kiko" Vega de Lamadrid, agreed with the Commissioner of the National Migration Institute (INM), Ardelio
Vargas Fosado, the suspension of the pilot program implemented in California to collect from foreigners who enter by land border crossings into
Mexico, the above fee, after holding a conference callon Tuesday morning, before the opening ceremony "Baja California Investment Forum", which takes
place in Los Angeles, California.
The State president acknowledged in the first instance the willingness shown by the Commissioner of the INM (Migration) to suspend the pilot program
as it is made. A rearrangement and establishment of an operational scheme that prevents this action inhibitor for the arrival of visitors to convert,
impedes the dynamics of the region between Baja California and the neighboring state of California.
Francisco Vega de Lamadrid said that while recognizing that the so-called Law of Non-Resident (DNR) for foreigners entering Mexican territory for more
than seven days, a bill that provided for requirement in the Federal Law concerning to the Migration Act, which to date, does not have the necessary
infrastructure for its implementation at land border crossings, and also it has lacked an adequate strategy, so from when its application was
announced it has created confusion among the border population and visitors alike.
ANNOUNCES REFORM INITIATIVE TO MODIFY RECOVERY IN RESPECT OF LAND BORDER CROSSINGS
Meanwhile, the Governor of Baja California, announced that a State Executive, will be presenting in the coming days, a Reform Initiative to provide
mechanisms for not charging the Non Resident in regard to land border crossings, since by recording the dynamic border region of Baja California to
the state of California, that if implemented, under current conditions, will result in strong inhibitor, not only for tourism but in general for trade
and economic relations of the region.
We have paid attention to the potential impact this measure, which has been raised in a very timely manner by businesses in our state, especially
tourist servers, so we will be doing what is necessary to amend this regulation and avoid damages to the productive sectors of Baja California, said
the governor of the state.Bajahowodd - 11-19-2014 at 05:55 PM
'nuff said. But why did anyone try this in the first place?
