BajaNomad

FMM needed for 2 weeks in Puerto Penasco?

bajagrouper - 6-28-2015 at 11:25 PM

Planning 2 week visit to PP do I need an FMM, someone said it is a free zone and an FMM is not needed but lately I see reports of immigration stopping folks on Highway 5 on the way to San Felipe...

[Edited on 6-29-2015 by bajagrouper]

elgatoloco - 6-29-2015 at 07:35 AM

Get it then there is no question/problem/issue. The laws and the way they are interpreted by the individual officials that you may or may not come across is what most concerns me. We ALWAYS have current visa/fish license/insurance/registration/etc. We have enjoyed many many many trips over many years and never been asked for any of it, yet. One less thing to concern ourselves with and raises the enjoyment level a notch or three.

YMMV. :saint:

full disclosure - nerve been to that side of the gulf. so no problem if you totally discount everything i said about our experiences :biggrin:

David K - 6-29-2015 at 08:42 AM

FMM was always needed for a visit of two weeks, anywhere in Mexico. The Border Zone exemption was for stays no longer than 72 hours. San Felipe (and perhaps Pto. Peņasco) was once inside this 'border zone', but never for 2 weeks.

sancho - 6-29-2015 at 08:45 AM

It's always been a reg that over 72 hrs anywhere in Mex you need an fmm, I believe there is a check on the Hwy no. of Guaymas, I believe that check is so. of PP though, I always have an fmm. unless it's a short Ensenada trip.
There was a piece out of a San Diego print newsletter a few days ago mentioning the supposed requirement
walking into TJ, that all visitors will be required to get a tourist
permit. States they will open their new Imm building next month
there will be 2 ped lines going into Mex in that build, those without Passports and I assume Passport cards will be sent back
to the US, the rest will be required to get a tourist permit, no free 7 day, I can't see how this will fly

SFandH - 6-29-2015 at 09:39 AM

Quote: Originally posted by sancho  

There was a piece out of a San Diego print newsletter a few days ago mentioning the supposed requirement
walking into TJ, that all visitors will be required to get a tourist
permit. States they will open their new Imm building next month
there will be 2 ped lines going into Mex in that build, those without Passports and I assume Passport cards will be sent back
to the US, the rest will be required to get a tourist permit, no free 7 day, I can't see how this will fly


Sancho, I searched for the article you referenced and couldn't find it. I've been walking across regularly for 15 years or so and am interested. Do you remember what the publication was? I did find these two recent articles related to the crossing:

http://www.kpbs.org/news/2015/jun/24/wait-times-shorter-san-...

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2015/jun/11/free-clinic-medic...

BTW, the US has done a fine job in eliminating the chaos that used to exist when walking back to the US and the Mexicans have made the wait more tolerable by providing shade, marked off lines, and policing the situation. It's much less stressful and quicker. But there still are times where the wait can be over an hour. I take a book with me.


[Edited on 6-29-2015 by SFandH]

bajaguy - 6-29-2015 at 09:57 AM

http://m.sandiegoreader.com/news/2015/jun/26/stringers-welco...

SFandH - 6-29-2015 at 10:00 AM

Thanks

maryellen50 - 6-29-2015 at 10:15 AM

The Mexcan free zones have nothing to do with an FMM. A free zone means you don't need a vehicle permit but does not apply to an FMM; everyone needs an FMM if they are in Mexico for more than 72 hours.
Ive talked to people entering Baja who did not get an FMM and were stopped at a checkpoint farther south and they had to return to the border to get one. So its not worth it to save the $20-$30 for the FMM.
Also be careful about driving in that area as there have been increased violence with roadblocks in sonoyta. I would go thru Nogales. Google "sonoyta" and you will see plenty of news about the recent problems there.
www.mexadventure.com/MexicoTravel/Sonora/Puerto-Penasco-Tour...

DENNIS - 6-29-2015 at 10:50 AM



Not quite so. The Free Zone has had everything to do with the FMM/FMN..Tourist Permit. In Baja, it is the most northern region where the 72 hour exemption was in place.......no permit required. The line is/was just south of Maneadero on the Pacific side. Not sure where it is/was on the gulf.
Baja doesn't use the vehicle permits.

SFandH - 6-29-2015 at 10:56 AM

maryellen50 is talking about a program in Sonora. Check out the link she provided. It appears to be accurate information.

Alm - 6-29-2015 at 11:29 AM

Quote: Originally posted by SFandH  
maryellen50 is talking about a program in Sonora. Check out the link she provided. It appears to be accurate information.

...and it appears to confirm what (almost) everybody said so far: you do need FMM if you are staying in Mexico for more than 72 hours. Doesn't matter where.

David K - 6-29-2015 at 11:39 AM

The terms "Free Zone" and "Border Zone" are confusing perhaps?

The Sonora Free Zone applies to the region where no car permit is required (with the bond $$$). All of Baja California (peninsula, not state) is a Free Zone (no auto permit required).

Border Zone is the entire country's U.S. border region... typically border cities or to 20 kms. south, but in Baja as far south as Maneadero (and for several years, San Felipe)... It is an area where NO tourist card is required for UP TO 72 hours.

SFandH - 6-29-2015 at 12:17 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  


All of Baja California (peninsula, not state) is a Free Zone (no auto permit required).



That will be next to go.

sancho - 6-29-2015 at 12:44 PM

I don't believe ' blanket statements' re: Mex Imm regs can be made any longer, as in the past. It depends which Mex office/officers you are dealing
with. Algondones has recently required some/all San Felipe tourists to get fmm's regardless of length of stay. It always has had a random application to the Imm regs. The article above CLAIMS all tourists entering TJ by foot will need a tourist permit. No one here can
state with any accuracy what Mex Imm will require, tomorrow
or next month


Alm - 6-29-2015 at 01:30 PM

Quote: Originally posted by sancho  
Algondones has recently required some/all San Felipe tourists to get fmm's regardless of length of stay. It always has had a random application to the Imm regs. The article above CLAIMS all tourists entering TJ by foot will need a tourist permit. No one here can
state with any accuracy what Mex Imm will require, tomorrow
or next month

Let's not make these murky waters murkier yet.

What INM "requires", is clear - no FMM for staying less than 72 hours unless you travel beyond the border zone.

What some INM officers may "ask", is a different story. The article in SDreader above doesn't say that foot tourists in Tijuana require FMM, or that all of them will require FMM in future. Some do, and some will. If INM regs will change and all tourists will require FMM, than it will change.

Algodones: I read about that incident. Doesn't appear to be a system or something to do with existing regulations.

sancho - 6-29-2015 at 04:24 PM

Alm, you need to re read that article. I'm not saying it will turn out as stated, but contrary to what you read, the article says
' No matter how long you are staying, either 7 or 2 days you
have to pay for your tourist visa', 'If you have a passport,
you will fill out paperwork and pay the 332 p'. Obviously
using tourist visa to mean an fmm, if you are suggesting
the Imm officers are acting rogue, that is another matter,
I fail to see what I said as murky. Although if implemented as stated in the
article, there will be such a blowback from TJ merchants
that I can't see it continuing. But as for me contributing to the
unclear Mex Imm regs, nope

SFandH - 6-29-2015 at 05:08 PM

They will need to make a multiple entry visa that you pay for annually or something like that. There are many people like myself that cross frequently as part of our routine, either to shop, visit relatives/friends or because they have business interests. 100s if not 1000s every day at San Ysidro. Especially considering the number of Mexican Americans living near the border in the US that have family in TJ.

The US has a visa (laser visa I think it's called) for Mexicans who cross frequently that allows them to go within the border zone - up to the freeway checkpoints I believe. Mex will/should do the same. That would make sense.

[Edited on 6-30-2015 by SFandH]

TedZark - 6-29-2015 at 05:25 PM

I've brought family across twice in the last few months - all got FMM and if seven days or less - free. This was at San Ysidro crossing into TJ.

SFandH - 6-29-2015 at 05:27 PM

Did you do that voluntarily or were you stopped and required to do it?

[Edited on 6-30-2015 by SFandH]

TedZark - 6-29-2015 at 05:54 PM

We voluntarily stopped as we knew each visit would be over 72 hours, one time heading down to Baja Sur and one time not. Would not have been caught either time, but I am a guest here and would like to keep that on good terms.

Alm - 6-30-2015 at 12:49 PM

Quote: Originally posted by sancho  
the article says
' No matter how long you are staying, either 7 or 2 days you
have to pay for your tourist visa', ... Obviously
using tourist visa to mean an fmm, if you are suggesting
the Imm officers are acting rogue,

The article quotes the words of one of the agents at SY. Not the words - or conclusion - of the author.

And - yes, I am suggesting that this agent was acting rogue. Wouldn't be the first time. 7 days visa is free, and for 2 days one doesn't need a visa.

David K - 6-30-2015 at 12:54 PM

2 days in the border zone

Alm - 6-30-2015 at 01:36 PM

DavidK - yes. No visa for 72 hours in border zone.