BajaNomad - FM3 Checkpoints

FM3 Checkpoints

cioppa - 3-15-2015 at 05:50 PM

This is my first time posting on this board, but I was hoping someone could answer a question for me.

I'm planning on retiring soon, and plan on spending more time traveling the Baja. My only real experiences in Baja have been fishing trips to La Paz with business associates where everything was taken care of via the travel company.

I wanted to begin my Baja travels with e pre-retirement fishing trip San Quintin next week, and a neighbor of mine said that I would need to get an FM3 because they are now checking for them on the way down.

Can anyone confirm this?

Can you give me any information I would need to follow these new regulations?

Thank you.

bajagrouper - 3-15-2015 at 06:17 PM

There has not been an FM3 for many years, he may have meant an FMT
which is also a term not used any more.
You will not need to get an FMM (tourist permit) if staying in Baja less than 72 hours...a free FMM if staying in Baja for less than 7 days or a paid FMM ( 306pesos)if staying more than 7 days or traveling south into BCS....No auto permit needed unless planning to ferry to the mainland from La Paz. If driving get auto insurance and a fishing license........

[Edited on 3-16-2015 by bajagrouper]

DENNIS - 3-15-2015 at 07:15 PM

Actually, you won't need one for a limited period of time if you stay within the "Free Zone" which on the west coast ends below Maneadero.
San Quintin is south of Maneadero, so you need one.
Get it at the border....right at the gate in Tijuana. They require a passport.

Alm - 3-15-2015 at 07:17 PM

This is not a "new". As a tourist, you need a tourist card - FMM. This regulation has been in place for many, many years, only the card name changed from time to time. Cost $US 25, issued at the INM office at any border crossing, simple. They will ask you for how long you are going to stay there, though lately they tend to just stamp 6 months stay to everybody, without you asking. You will also need to enter some "address" when filling the blank, - just put something like "Campo San Quntin", they don't care.

They "might" ask you to show this card at some military post on the road. How likely - hard to tell, but they do check these cards occasionally. I don't know why taking chances to be turned back or fined (or both), when you can get this card at the border in a matter of minutes.

Alan - 3-16-2015 at 05:02 AM

Alm is correct. Nothing is new other than changing the name a few years ago. It has always been required for travel south of Maneadero and for many, many years they had a rigid checkpoint at the south end of town. Like most all regulations it has been a matter of enforcement and for many recent years no one was really checking until you crossed into Baja Sur at Guerrero Negro. From posts on other boards it appears they have been checking again, albeit sporadically at Maneadero. It is such and easy process I can't understand why so many continue to "play the odds" of getting checked. They are available 24/7 at the San Ysidro crossing. Stay in the far right lane as you approach the border and pull into the Declaracion area, park you car and walk into the large blue bldg. There is an INM office just as you enter. Sometimes the officer will accept your money other times he may send you next door to the bank. Regardless, pay your money, get your passport and visa stamped and be on your way in about 5 minutes.

Gulliver - 3-16-2015 at 05:40 AM

Has anyone heard of being checked for a tourist card recently when driving North?

Marc - 3-16-2015 at 05:58 AM

They will only check if you don't have one.

I can't remember a visa check point north of G Negro, and that was off and on.

Checkpoint

bajaguy - 3-16-2015 at 06:35 AM

If you have your proper documents you don't need to worry about the checkpoints

Gulliver - 3-16-2015 at 07:57 AM

If I had my card I wouldn't be asking. Duh!

I lost it and to replace it requires a trip from Mulege to either Cabo or The border. I'm headed that way at the end of April. and I have my receipt (fortunately) so I suspect there won't be a giant hassle.

TedZark - 3-16-2015 at 10:25 AM

Drove to GN from Ensenada last week. A couple police check points on the way down and a couple military checkpoints. Was never asked for anything. Coming back up, no police checkpoints and two military check points. Someone looked in the trunk for a few seconds and that was it. No problems either direction. No papers asked for, though we had everything we needed.

AKgringo - 3-16-2015 at 10:32 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Gulliver

Has anyone heard of being checked for a tourist card recently when driving North?

In my last five trips, no one has ever asked for a tourist card. Not on the way down, or coming back north!

toronja - 3-16-2015 at 10:44 AM

Just a quick heads up - we have never been checked, but a thread came up recently saying that people had been hitting random checks at GN and Maneadero.

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=77935

The FMM is not difficult to get and worth the peace of mind.

Gulliver - 3-16-2015 at 11:19 AM

As per my previous post, I DID get a tourist card. I ALWAYS do. I lost my wallet and am not at all happy about having to drive to Cabo or Tecate to get a new one as it was due to expire in early May and I am headed North in Late April.

toronja - 3-16-2015 at 11:41 AM

Jeebus, take a chill pill. That comment was for the benefit of the original poster and the rest of the community, not a personal attack. What is with the aggression and defensiveness on this forum?

[Edited on 3-16-2015 by toronja]

BajaBlanca - 3-16-2015 at 11:52 AM

welcome cioppa! as most stated- getting your tourist visa is very necessary going as far south as san quintin. It is the law and it can protect you.

the "visa" office is right at the customs control building, to the far right as soon as you enter Mexico. you fill out a form and you pay right then and there. then you get a stamp. Perhaps take a picture of the FMM so that you have proof in case you lose it, quite easy to do.

Have a wonderful trip!

SFandH - 3-16-2015 at 12:02 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Gulliver

Has anyone heard of being checked for a tourist card recently when driving North?

I drove north from Mulege a couple of weeks ago and was not asked. I've never seen an immigration guy at the checkpoints and I doubt, but don't know, the military guys who man the checkpoints ever ask for immigration type papers. I have been asked for the car registration once though. If you get asked for a visa tell them you lost it and you're on your way to the US.

soylent_green - 3-16-2015 at 12:21 PM

I was recently at a conference where the head of Immigration in Baja spoke - Rodulfo Figueroa.

some common misconceptions.

There is no such thing as a "free zone" or "72 hour rule". Nothing in Mexican law that states this. Through practice and general policy - yes.

If you cross into TJ to go get tacos for a couple hours, you should by law have a FMN.

Realistically of course, there is no way the Immigration office, with one guy in it, can issue thousands of permits for day. BUT, there is not "free zone" law.

7 days or less - your FMN is free

And everyone's concern about returning your FMN when you come back - the head of immigration should the proper manner: pretended he was wadding up a piece of paper and throwing it in a trash can. They don't care if you return it. If you do return it, the wad it up and throw it in the trash can.

soylent_green - 3-16-2015 at 12:28 PM

Also, if anyone feels they are getting mistreated by Baja INM - Mexican Immigration - the official in charge of compliance and to report any improper actions by their officials, the contact is

Ricardo Salazar
664-636-6017

=====

if you live in Baja, spend the money and get your residence.

just sayin

churro - 3-17-2015 at 06:54 AM

I would get the tourist visa for going to SQ... If you have any problems such as a traffic accident, you want to be in the country legaly.... We got one in TJ last week and only took a couple minutes to fill out the form and pay the 25 bucks per person. We had our passports stamped

wilderone - 3-17-2015 at 07:56 AM

Below is news from Discover Baja. Since you are planning to travel in the future just get one. Also it may needed to make your Mexican auto insurance valid. Avoid any worry and be sure to get both.
From Discover Baja
The Mexican Immigration Department has had a checkpoint south of Ensenada on Highway 1 just past Las Canadas, where they are checking to make sure that non Mexican citizens have their FMM tourist permits. If you do not have an FMM, they will turn you back to Ensenada to get the correct paperwork which you can get at the port before you are able to proceed.

Any time you enter into Baja for more than 72 hours, and or head 20 kilometers south of the border Mexican law requires non Mexican citizens to have an FMM. If you will be in Baja for just seven days or less, you can obtain a free FMM at the border.

The easiest way to make sure you have all of your correct paperwork, is to get a prepaid FMM through Discover Baja. Please allow two weeks advance notice so that we can be sure to have an FMM reserved for you.

Please call us at 800 727 2252 or email us at ask@discoverbaja.com to obtain your FMM. See the Discover Baja website for more information on FMM Tourist Permits

Alan - 3-17-2015 at 08:49 AM

This person is a newbie seeking advise from others that love Baja or are at the very least, are interested in Baja. What difference does it make how many times some of you may have travelled without visas without being checked? No where in his question does he ask about the odds of sneaking down there without getting caught. It was a straight forward question; What are the requirements of the host country and what is the process to adhere to those requirements.

This person has the right mindset for Baja and understand they are a guest in this country and has a desire to meet the simple requirements of the host country. People like them are the ones I prefer to encourage to experience Baja. The country's ability to enforce their owns laws should have no bearing as to whether we should adhere to those laws. In 45 years I have never once been checked for a fishing license but I have still never fished here without one.

Perhaps because of their leniency in enforcement too many people have come here with the mindset that there are no rules and they can do whatever they please. When they eventually do get called on their behavior they scream "Gringo targeting".

snagnsc - 3-17-2015 at 02:19 PM

Quote: Originally posted by wilderone

Below is news from Discover Baja. Since you are planning to travel in the future just get one. Also it may needed to make your Mexican auto insurance valid. Avoid any worry and be sure to get both.
From Discover Baja
The Mexican Immigration Department has had a checkpoint south of Ensenada on Highway 1 just past Las Canadas, where they are checking to make sure that non Mexican citizens have their FMM tourist permits. If you do not have an FMM, they will turn you back to Ensenada to get the correct paperwork which you can get at the port before you are able to proceed.

Any time you enter into Baja for more than 72 hours, and or head 20 kilometers south of the border Mexican law requires non Mexican citizens to have an FMM. If you will be in Baja for just seven days or less, you can obtain a free FMM at the border.

The easiest way to make sure you have all of your correct paperwork, is to get a prepaid FMM through Discover Baja. Please allow two weeks advance notice so that we can be sure to have an FMM reserved for you.

Please call us at 800 727 2252 or email us at ask@discoverbaja.com to obtain your FMM. See the Discover Baja website for more information on FMM Tourist Permits

Hey guys, another first time poster here. Ive been lurking on the site and enjoying Baja for years but am in the process fo planning for an extended trip next month.

I was just going to get my own permit at the border upon entry but wanted to know if there any benefit to a group like Dicover Baja? I see they're a travel agent of sorts, but for our trip, we're heading to Rancho Leonero so I don't need accommodations. A discount is nice but will it be more then the 'membership' fee?

David K - 3-17-2015 at 02:30 PM

Quote: Originally posted by snagnsc

Quote: Originally posted by wilderone

Welcome to Nomad!

I have been a member of Discover Baja for many years, and yes they do offer world travel assistance. However, for me it is the best source of Baja books and maps (anyone can buy at their store in San Diego, or online) and members get a discount. They also offer discounted annual Mexican auto insurance (group rates)... and if you are going to Baja for 4 weeks, an annual policy will be cheaper than a daily policy. They have a monthly online magazine, and as a member you will get an email link to it... plus other Baja news messages.

The advantage to getting the FMM tourist card there would be if you cross when the bank teller is closed at the border and the INM personal won't take your money. Rare, but reported... specially if you cross at Tecate.

They also sell fishing licenses and boat permits, I believe. The owners (Hugh, Carol, daughter Jen, and the staff are great folks, too).

Want to know more about the old Spanish missions (California's first missions) in Baja? They have published my many articles the past couple years, parts from which I am writing a new book: http://www.discoverbaja.com/category/missions-of-baja-califo...

Alan - 3-17-2015 at 02:51 PM

Quote: Originally posted by snagnsc

Quote: Originally posted by wilderone

I'm sure you will hear from others but my personal opinion is a resounding YES. After many years of buying insurance I finally had to make a claim. I was so thankful I had purchased my policy through Discover Baja. They followed my claim through the whole process and acted as if it was their own claim. There were several times I didn't get a response to a question I had from the insurance company in a timely manner all it took was a cc: to Discover Baja and the insurance company responded immediately, sometimes within just a few hours. It became quickly obvious that they hold a great deal of clout with the insurance companies. I now have all my Mexican insurance needs through Discover Baja. The paltry membership fee is nothing for the services they provide. I am loyal to Discover Baja for the way they treated me when I needed them. I am sure other will cast their support for one of the many other travel clubs out there for probably many of the same reasons. Regardless which Club you choose I urge you to buy through one of them. If you should ever need to make a claim you will be thankful you have them standing behind you.

snagnsc - 3-17-2015 at 03:12 PM

Thanks for the quick and thorough response David. Well, I wish I could spend four weeks but, that's not the case currently. A job, mortgage, wife and two little ones is keeping the trip to two weeks. So I'm not sure an annual policy is needed at this time.

We are also crossing in SD so I don't see any issue there, as it will be early Monday morning.

Looks like we'll stay the course and keep DB in the memory banks. This is the first time I'll be driving (physically driving, with my vehicle) down and want to make sure I'm covering all my bases.

snagnsc - 3-17-2015 at 03:18 PM

@Alan thanks for the additional info. So, in addition to arranging the permit process they'll be available to assist int he event of an event :biggrin:

The 39.00 is starting to sound more appealing. :light:

Anyone know if I can add the boat to my policy even though I'm not the owner?

[Edited on 3-17-2015 by snagnsc]

sancho - 3-17-2015 at 03:40 PM

I'm a bit more cautious, as compared to back in the day. I
remember reading a Mex Ins policy stating something like
the Insured has to be in the Country, Mex, legally for the
ploicy to be valid. Never heard of a problem, but that always
stuck with me, at the least, a Cop/ Adjuster could make a
point of no fmm, although I know it is not their job description.
Bajabound. I believe it was them, claims at least their 2 major
Ins Co' , HDI and Ace will not invalidate their policies
for lack of Imm papers, I always have the free 7 day or
the 180 day fmm

Alan - 3-17-2015 at 03:48 PM

Quote: Originally posted by snagnsc

@Alan thanks for the additional info. So, in addition to arranging the permit process they'll be available to assist int he event of an event :biggrin:

The 39.00 is starting to sound more appealing. :light:

Anyone know if I can add the boat to my policy even though I'm not the owner?

[Edited on 3-17-2015 by snagnsc]

As long as you have the owner's permission :biggrin:

it probably wouldn't be a problem. I would think you are insuring the vehicle but a question easily answered by DB.