BajaNomad - New border requirements for TJ

Just crossed into TJ with the new facility online. It is poorly run and very inefficient. On top of that the wait was 20 minutes, plus to avoid in the future I had to purchase a 6 month tourist visa for 20.50. You also have to fill out a customs card even though you only going to be there for a few hours...amazing!!!! Who is actually going to look at these cards?
In addition you have to now walk further to get to Revolution as the building opens up near the second bridge. The complaints were heard all around Tijuana from merchants that heard from their customers. Just when TJ was recovering from the last decade of poor business , Mexico has now found a new way to shoot themselves in the foot! Very bad business decision! :mad:

Sure sounds a whole lot easier to go southbound compared to northbound, eh!
Compared to USA homeland security, Mexico immigration customs is a cake walk!
So be grateful!

DavidT - 8-20-2015 at 10:32 PM

AT BUSY CROSSING, PEDESTRIANS NEED PASSPORTS TO ENTER MEXICO

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Walking into Mexico at the nation's busiest border crossing with the United States is no longer an uninterrupted stroll for foreigners.

Pedestrians and motorists have generally entered Mexico unencumbered along the 1,954-mile border with the United States.

Now, pedestrians going to Tijuana from San Diego at the San Ysidro crossing must choose between a line for Mexicans who walk through unchecked, and a line for foreigners who must show a passport, fill out a form and - if staying more than a week - pay 322 pesos, or roughly $20, for a six-month permit.

Travelers have long followed similar protocol at Mexican airports, but the procedure marks a big change at land crossings that weren't designed to question everyone and fully enforce that nation's laws.

"This is about putting our house in order," said Rodulfo Figueroa, Mexico's top immigration official in Baja California which includes Tijuana.

The switch went without a hitch on its first full day of operations Thursday. About a dozen foreigners stood in line, directed by English-speaking agents to six inspection booths. It took about 10 minutes from start to finish.

About 20 people were denied entry during a six-hour stretch because they had no passports. Agents exercised discretion to let others through with a warning to come prepared next time.

Susan Cox, who took a bus from Las Vegas to San Diego and walked across, was surprised but understanding.

"The more security, the better," Cox said as she headed to see her fiance, who was deported from the U.S. and lives in Tijuana. "Maybe they'll stop people coming into Mexico who are on the run, people who are a threat."

Others disapproved. Jesus Reynosa, a Tijuana taxi driver who caters to pedestrian crossers, said he has struggled for American customers after the 2001 terror attacks led to heightened U.S. border security - and longer lines - to return to San Diego and a spell of drug-fueled violence several years ago spooked tourists.

"We used to have thousands of Americans, now we have few. Soon we'll have even fewer," he said while waiting for customers.

Motorists will see no change, and if lines get too long, officials say they will also wave pedestrians through.

The changes, which have been in the works for years, came as Donald Trump has surged to the top of the Republican field in the U.S. presidential race. He has insisted that Mexico sends criminals to the U.S. and he pledges to build a border wall at Mexico's expense.

For Mexico, it is a step toward closing an escape route for American criminals who disappear in Mexico. Border inspectors will tap into international criminal databases.

More than 120 Americans expelled from Mexico this year while living in Baja California had arrest warrants in the U.S., according to Figueroa, delegate of the National Migration Institute. Some ordered to leave last year were on the FBI's most-wanted list.

But authorities say the benefits extend beyond stopping unwanted visitors. A recent hurricane stranded twice as many Americans in Cabo San Lucas than U.S. authorities thought were there, Figueroa said, and registering as a foreigner would have made it easier to identify those who needed help.

Figueroa said Mexico can initially process about 1,000 foreigners daily, up from about 50 currently.

"If the line becomes clogged up, we will just let everybody through," Figueroa said. "If we can't check everybody, we won't."

Figueroa said San Ysidro is believed to be the first U.S. land crossing to have a separate line for foreigners to show passports and that it will serve as a model for others as they are upgraded.

Aurora Vega, a spokeswoman for the National Migration Institute, referred questions to other departments. Officials at the Foreign Relations Department and Mexican Embassy in Washington had no immediate comment.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_MEXICO_CHECKS_FORE...

SFandH - 8-21-2015 at 04:50 AM

plus to avoid in the future I had to purchase a 6 month tourist visa for 20.50.

Please explain what you said above. Are you saying that if you buy a 6 month FMM you can avoid completing a form on your next walk across entry? That you can use the FMM for multiple entries?

For folks who don't know, a new Mexican immigration and customs building has opened at SY that southbound pedestrians must walk through to enter Mexico. They're performing more rigorous ID inspections on foreign pedestrians than they do on foreign drivers. It will be a real mess if/when they start the same procedure with drivers.

They are certainly making it more time consuming for Americans to walk across, completing forms, asking questions, and are requiring a passport.

Here's a news article with photos.

http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2015/aug/19/mexico-...

[Edited on 8-21-2015 by SFandH]

David K - 8-21-2015 at 05:40 AM

What's to prevent Americans (who are people of all races) from simply walking in using the Mexicans only line? I have seen blond and red haired Mexicans, in Mexico as well. Maybe if we have a colorful shirt on and a camera around our neck, we would be caught in that line?

woody with a view - 8-21-2015 at 09:41 AM

just tell them, in your best Cajun accent that you are a citizen of the world!

sancho - 8-21-2015 at 09:48 AM

That is my ? too, OP, are you under the impression you can
pay for a 180 day fmm, then use it for a return trip to Baja?

Pescador - 8-21-2015 at 09:54 AM

Just dress up and do your very best Cheech and Chong imitation and walk right through the Mexico line. I swear it will work.

David K - 8-21-2015 at 10:02 AM

sancho, I documented it here when I bought my tourist card in 2012, in Tijuana...

The federal INM officer told me (when I asked) of course I can return to Mexico next week on the same card I just bought (i.e. a second entry into Mexico) for my next trip across the border.

Before it expires, you can return it to them in person or by mail... as reported here recently by another Nomad who saw it happen, when they get it, it is wadded up and thrown in the trash!

sancho - 8-21-2015 at 10:20 AM

sancho, I documented it here when I bought my tourist card in 2012, in Tijuana...

The federal INM officer told me (when I asked) of course I can return to Mexico next week on the same card I just bought (i.e. a second entry into Mexico) for my next trip across the border.

DK, with all due respect, I mean that, quoting an incident from 3 yrs back is not applicable, the new ped crossing Imm build at
SY appears to be enforcing the long unenforced Mex Imm regs, so info you got from a particular Imm officer you dealt with yrs ago may not apply. My question to the OP is if he believes he
can walk across again with his previously paid for fmm, present it to
Mex Imm and be allowed into Mex with his days/weeks old fmm

SFandH - 8-21-2015 at 10:34 AM

Sancho, yes, that is the question. I hope the OP clarifies what he said.

When I had the FMM multiple entry answer wrong, another bajanomad pointed out to me, and I'll quote the FMM verbatim since I have an unexpired one in front of me:

On the back, in English under the word "Important", which is in red and capitalized it says:

"During your stay in Mexico you must retain this immigration form and surrender it upon leaving the country."

So who knows what is going on.

woody with a view - 8-21-2015 at 10:34 AM

OP might not have an opinion on the matter. MexMigra is notorious for not knowing their own regulations (or not enforcing them) so until each of us walks across twice on the same FMM nobody's version of reality is worth any more than what has already been presented.

SFandH - 8-21-2015 at 10:40 AM

True, but I'm asking the OP to clarify what he said, which doesn't make any sense:

"plus to avoid in the future I had to purchase a 6 month tourist visa for 20.50."

to avoid what?

woody with a view - 8-21-2015 at 11:02 AM

i'll just keep driving....

rayfornario - 8-21-2015 at 11:54 AM

plus to avoid in the future I had to purchase a 6 month tourist visa for 20.50.

rayfornario - 8-21-2015 at 11:57 AM

True, but I'm asking the OP to clarify what he said, which doesn't make any sense:

"plus to avoid in the future I had to purchase a 6 month tourist visa for 20.50."

to avoid what?

To avoid standing in a line to be questioned and have to fill out a customs form every day I go in to TJ. The lines are problematic because of the all the day trip foreigners their in line filling out a customs form

SFandH - 8-21-2015 at 11:59 AM

Thanks for answering. So with a valid FMM the entry process is quicker.

[Edited on 8-21-2015 by SFandH]

rayfornario - 8-21-2015 at 12:00 PM

Quote: Originally posted by sancho

Please explain what you said above. Are you saying that if you buy a 6 month FMM you can avoid completing a form on your next walk across entry? That you can use the FMM for multiple entries?

Yes, that is what it means. To me, it is just an added tax to what was once free. You can make as many trips as you want, no more custom forms to fill out which means you can just walk through. I did it today.

[Edited on 8-21-2015 by SFandH]

That is my ? too, OP, are you under the impression you can
pay for a 180 day fmm, then use it for a return trip to Baja?

SFandH - 8-21-2015 at 12:06 PM

Sancho, sounds like that's it. Even though the process contradicts what is said on the back of the card. Maybe they have changed the FMM card.

Good! I guess...............

[Edited on 8-21-2015 by SFandH]

fdt - 8-21-2015 at 02:48 PM

A video on facebook of a gringa looking mexican crossing with no questions asked

https://www.facebook.com/TJTQ.mx/videos/vb.266782340113636/4...

elgatoloco - 8-21-2015 at 03:01 PM

Quote: Originally posted by woody with a view

i'll just keep driving....

Word!

Bajahowodd - 8-21-2015 at 04:30 PM

Quote: Originally posted by woody with a view

i'll just keep driving....

The problem with that is if you are only going to TJ for the day, you will have to pay for Mexican insurance, unless you are crazy.

woody with a view - 8-21-2015 at 04:35 PM

no problem, since i NEVER go to TJ for the day, week or month. it's the same as LA. the best part about TJ is getting past it on the way to anywhere else......

LaTijereta - 8-21-2015 at 04:41 PM

Is that the same line you would use if you have a "RP" immigration card??

David K - 8-21-2015 at 05:53 PM

Along the same thinking as Kris... HOW DO THEY KNOW YOUR FMM IS VALID unless you show it to them, and there is no signed line for those with valid FMMs, SO YOU STILL WILL BE IN A LINE OF PEOPLE who don't have it yet!!

rayfornario - 8-21-2015 at 08:50 PM

Along the same thinking as Kris... HOW DO THEY KNOW YOUR FMM IS VALID unless you show it to them, and there is no signed line for those with valid FMMs, SO YOU STILL WILL BE IN A LINE OF PEOPLE who don't have it yet!!

The way they did it today was just to show it to him with my passport and then you go through. Only difference is no questions and no forms. It saves time...

rayfornario - 8-21-2015 at 08:58 PM

Now lets see what its like on a weekend day. Heading down tomorrow to take my wife out for lunch. Hopefully with enough complaints this will go by the wayside. If not, when they open the Virginia street P.O.E, that will alleviate congestion.

mtgoat666 - 8-21-2015 at 09:19 PM

That's not how it works. Calm down. Take a deep breath. Relax. It ain't bad. Don't worry, be happy.

Peace out!

Feel the Bern!

[Edited on 8-22-2015 by mtgoat666]

rayfornario - 8-22-2015 at 07:10 PM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666

That's not how it works. Calm down. Take a deep breath. Relax. It ain't bad. Don't worry, be happy.

Peace out!

Feel the Bern!

Just came back from TJ. Once you have the 180 day FMM; you go in the same line as Mexican nationals to the left. If asked, Show your 180 day FMM. No more line! :smug:

[Edited on 8-22-2015 by mtgoat666]

SFandH - 8-22-2015 at 08:10 PM

Just came back from TJ. Once you have the 180 day FMM; you go in the same line as Mexican nationals to the left. If asked, Show your 180 day FMM. No more line! :smug:

thanks for the info

David K - 8-22-2015 at 08:13 PM

So, even though you aren't a Mexican, you use their line? Is that their instructions, wow? It is good that they told you you can use the FMM for as many crossings into Mexico you want for the 180 days.

rayfornario - 8-23-2015 at 12:14 PM

So, even though you aren't a Mexican, you use their line? Is that their instructions, wow? It is good that they told you you can use the FMM for as many crossings into Mexico you want for the 180 days.

Yep! I think it is a way for them to control the congestion around the counters when people are filling out there customs forms. You just go on the Mexican National line and they just glance at if asked.
What is funny is that all the employees are hired if they speak good english, however, many of the people having to fill out forms are Chinese, Korean and other nationalities and the forms are only in english! The line gets bogged down because they can't fill out the forms and are turned back to the U.S
All of that business is what Tijuana is losing. My friend who runs one of the bars on Revolution said you could see the difference on Friday night because many of the young people from San Diego that would normally go down for a night are fun, are not coming due to the new passport requirements. Talk about a bad business decision!

SFandH - 8-23-2015 at 12:55 PM

Americans who walk across regularly will just need to get passports and buy the 180 day permit. I know there are costs involved but not a lot of money. The TJ tourist businesses that cater to day and night trippers will take a hit, again.

A benefit nobody has mentioned is that this means the US officials dealing with Americans walking back from TJ will no longer need to inspect birth certificates and other forms of ID. All Americans will have a passport. And eventually they will all be RFID. The lines back into the US will move faster.

Here is some interesting data that has been repeated in the recent news articles.

"About 25,000 pedestrians (and 50,000 motorists) cross daily at San Ysidro to work, shop and play but it is unclear how many are foreigners in Mexico. U.S. Customs and Border Protection says about one-third entering San Diego are U.S. citizens, one-third are U.S. legal residents and the rest are from other countries, largely Mexico."

http://www.mercurynews.com/nation-world/ci_28672691/u-s-pede...

[Edited on 8-23-2015 by SFandH]

Bajahowodd - 8-23-2015 at 04:50 PM

Anyone else think that the Mexican requirement for a passport even for pedestrians is not because of pressure exerted by the US immigration folks, just to lighten their load?

Since the drug war carnage that wracked the TJ area a few years ago seems to have abated, the passport requirement by the US has seemed to put a total damper on tourism in TJ.

laventana - 8-24-2015 at 10:51 AM

thanks for the info....very helpful timely thread.

I have a current FMM and USA passport and now will be going through the Mexicans only lane with luggage friday. So this thread has answered my critical issues, was the FMM good for multiple entries and also pointed me to the time saving Mexicans crossing to use... Thanks a boatload. We will see if it makes a difference with luggage, shouldn't. I am sure all still have the stop light random button for all.

I am also assuming this will be much more navigable with 2 suitcases of 50 lbs each. The old one was a challenge to put it mildly on the cutback section after existing..

Not that it will be hard to find, but where is the new entrance. The temporary one was kind of rural. Going behind buildings dumpsters and such on the US side and such. Then dumped into the sea of people in line heading to the USA.

The reason I ask is you walked another 300 or so yards before to get the taxis for the airport. Obviously there will be taxis, and probably in a more formal exit is my impression? can anyone comment on that? IE does the exit dump area add on more time to get the airport, do I need to budget in more time? Which I will be budgeting more time now, just because kinks may be working themselves out.

Can not wait till they get that OM walkway done....

David K - 8-24-2015 at 11:02 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Bajahowodd

Anyone else think that the Mexican requirement for a passport even for pedestrians is not because of pressure exerted by the US immigration folks, just to lighten their load?

Since the drug war carnage that wracked the TJ area a few years ago seems to have abated, the passport requirement by the US has seemed to put a total damper on tourism in TJ.

I think it finally offers an effective method for stopping criminals and kidnappers from escaping into Mexico. Now start looking for people on the American side sneaking across the border going south... for a change!

rayfornario - 8-24-2015 at 11:20 AM

Quote: Originally posted by laventana

thanks for the info....very helpful timely thread.

I have a current FMM and USA passport and now will be going through the Mexicans only lane with luggage friday. So this thread has answered my critical issues, was the FMM good for multiple entries and also pointed me to the time saving Mexicans crossing to use... Thanks a boatload. We will see if it makes a difference with luggage, shouldn't. I am sure all still have the stop light random button for all.

I am also assuming this will be much more navigable with 2 suitcases of 50 lbs each. The old one was a challenge to put it mildly on the cutback section after existing..

Not that it will be hard to find, but where is the new entrance. The temporary one was kind of rural. Going behind buildings dumpsters and such on the US side and such. Then dumped into the sea of people in line heading to the USA.

The reason I ask is you walked another 300 or so yards before to get the taxis for the airport. Obviously there will be taxis, and probably in a more formal exit is my impression? can anyone comment on that? IE does the exit dump area add on more time to get the airport, do I need to budget in more time? Which I will be budgeting more time now, just because kinks may be working themselves out.

Can not wait till they get that OM walkway done....

The new entrance is to the left of the old entrance, you can't miss it. The luggage will have to go through x-ray scanner. The sidewalk will take you right to the taxis....same location where they were before.

David K - 8-24-2015 at 11:29 AM

Oh I didn't mean to imply that was a concern at all, it is just a result.
Until now, anyone could walk into Mexico, even dragging kids along and disappear. Cars used to get in pretty easy before the red light/ green light gates...

JoeJustJoe - 8-24-2015 at 01:01 PM

Yes, as a few have indicated, one of the main reasons why Mexico has tighten the US/Mexico border, is because of the criminals on the lam from the US.

Criminals on the lam in the US, have a long history of making a run for the Mexican border, and Hollywood, doesn't help with all those old westerns of cowboy bad guys, often bank robbers, after a big score, try to make a run to the Mexican border, and live happily ever after in some Mexican cantina. Even the women criminals in the movies on the lam, like " Thelma & Louise," were trying to making a run to the border before they went flying off the cliff.

The recent upstate NY escape of a couple of convicted murderers, had plans to make a run to the Mexico border, before their plan blew up in their face, and one escapee was killed, and the other captured.

Hopefully, this new Mexico border check, will stop many fleeing US felons with plans of making a run to the border, and possibly reduce homicides and criminal activity in Mexico.
______________________________________________

Why it's Mexico's turn to tighten the US border

A checkpoint at the nation's busiest border crossing will now require Americans to show their passports before entering Mexico.

In recent decades, a more pressing problem has also emerged, with the fact that Mexico is often seen as a cheap and convenient destination for criminals on the lam. Most recently, it was revealed that New York prison escapees Richard Matt and David Sweat had been planning to make their way to the country before they were captured, reported The Christian Science Monitor.

This year alone, more than 120 Americans who were expelled from the Mexican state of Baja California had arrest warrants in the US, reported the AP. Some of the deportees last year were named as the FBI’s most wanted.

Now, border security will be able to cross-check visitors' information with international criminal databases.

“This is about putting our house in order,” Rodulfo Figueroa, Mexico's top immigration official in Baja California, told the AP.

read the rest here:

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/USA-Update/2015/0820/Why-it-s-M...

[Edited on 8-24-2015 by JoeJustJoe]

SFandH - 8-24-2015 at 01:29 PM

Yes, as a few have indicated, one of the main reasons why Mexico has tighten the US/Mexico border, is because of the criminals on the lam from the US.

Now the bad guys have to drive or pay someone to give them a ride. Perhaps take a bus. They never check ID driving southbound, not even in secondary.

[Edited on 8-24-2015 by SFandH]

DENNIS - 8-24-2015 at 01:44 PM

Running a country is running a business, and it takes money. Oil...Mexico's most profitable product, has dropped in price and tourism has taken a hit, so they have to raise the price of admission.
Makes sense to me.

JoeJustJoe - 8-24-2015 at 02:51 PM

Quote: Originally posted by DENNIS

Running a country is running a business, and it takes money. Oil...Mexico's most profitable product, has dropped in price and tourism has taken a hit, so they have to raise the price of admission.
Makes sense to me.

I don't know what you're reading Dennis, but Mexico had a record level of foreign tourism in 2014, and that includes US residents.

Mexican oil is down, which is the main cause of the peso being down, but low oil prices won't last forever, although I which they remained low.

I suppose Mexico, wants to make a few pesos from Americans staying longer than seven days, and perhaps trying to crackdown of illegal American aliens in Baja.
_______________________________________________

U.S. residents flocked to Mexico in record numbers last year

Dspite warnings by the State Department, Americans traveled to Mexico in record numbers last year.

Mexico was the top U.S. international destination last year, with a record 25.9 million visitors from the U.S., up 24% from the previous year, according to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Commerce.

read the rest here:

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-travel-abroad-by-u-s-r...

rayfornario - 8-24-2015 at 09:36 PM

Quote: Originally posted by DENNIS

I would be surprised if tourism does not take a big hit from this. A lot of that tourism is the border regions I bet. Already the bars are grumbling about a lack of tourists on weekend nights

mtgoat666 - 8-24-2015 at 10:12 PM

Quote: Originally posted by DENNIS

I would be surprised if tourism does not take a big hit from this. A lot of that tourism is the border regions I bet. Already the bars are grumbling about a lack of tourists on weekend nights

Tourists usually got time, so can't imagine time spent doing form work is a big whoop.
Tourists just got to get a passport, not a big deal for most people. People without passports usually aren't big spenders or travelers, so tj might not miss them, eh?

SFandH - 8-25-2015 at 07:39 AM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666

People without passports usually aren't big spenders or travelers, so tj might not miss them, eh?

I looked for some data about tourism revenue for Tijuana but couldn't easily find any. TJ has a population of 1.3 million people, about the same as San Diego. The amount of revenue brought in by tourists who walk into Mexico but who will stop doing that because of the passport issue must be tiny compared to the city's overall revenue.

No big deal business wise, except if you own/work at businesses that cater to walking tourists. Those relatively few will see a drop in revenue until getting a passport becomes a more common thing to do.

The passport card makes it much easier to carry the necessary ID. Leave the book at home, stick the card in your wallet, walk across for whatever your reason.

Plus, having an RFID passport card makes it quicker to walk back. Use the Ready Lane. The biggest reasons for the SY crossing rebuild are to process people entering the US quicker while increasing security.

People will get them once it becomes known they are needed.

[Edited on 8-25-2015 by SFandH]

BajaBlanca - 8-25-2015 at 08:43 AM

we just crossed into TJ using the volaris shuttle bus yesterday. we had to unload our suitcases, get them xrayd. Press a button for opening everything for customs or not (we both got green).

the first question was DO you have your passport?

to which Les replied: soy mexicano! and pulled out our IFE cards.

sa weeeet

dasubergeek - 8-25-2015 at 10:44 AM

Ah, just give it a while for the new shiny to rub off.

Meanwhile, twice in a row, the gates were open and the 'traffic lights' were off driving through El Chaparral.

I am a little weirded out that they don't take SENTRI cards, though. I know it isn't the same as a passport but... also, it'd be nice if they expedited their "Viajero Confiable" program for SENTRI members to the border crossings (and had an interview station in Tijuana rather than only in Cabo and MEX airports).

[Edited on 8-25-2015 by dasubergeek]

sancho - 8-25-2015 at 10:59 AM

I'm sure the nut of Mex Tourism are the fly down vacation resorts, not the walk over guy going to
Revo Ave and having to stand in
the 2 hr+ line coming back. It is said
some 40% of Americans have passports, a passport card is $40
dlls, I believe. The Tourist visiting San Diego from out of Ca.,
may not be able to visit TJ, but he probably wouldn't anyway
due to past negative press, which has subsided, but is still on
some minds

[Edited on 8-25-2015 by sancho]

[Edited on 8-25-2015 by sancho]

rayfornario - 8-28-2015 at 09:39 AM

After one week of operation, this new border procedure has definitely impacted the bottom line for many merchants out on Revolution. I also observed a large group of Young people returning from the entrance into Mexico having been denied entry because of no passport.
Merchants said there is a huge difference in the number of tourists between pre-inspection and now post inspection. I was there yesterday and it was dead out on the streets. Also, the line going back to the U.S reflects the lack of incoming tourists as it has been virtually wait free in my last 3 over the course of a week...sad

JoeJustJoe - 8-28-2015 at 12:12 PM

After one week of operation, this new border procedure has definitely impacted the bottom line for many merchants out on Revolution. I also observed a large group of Young people returning from the entrance into Mexico having been denied entry because of no passport.
Merchants said there is a huge difference in the number of tourists between pre-inspection and now post inspection. I was there yesterday and it was dead out on the streets. Also, the line going back to the U.S reflects the lack of incoming tourists as it has been virtually wait free in my last 3 over the course of a week...sad

Thank you for your anecdotal report on the tourist visits to Tijuana after the new inspection policy, but your experiences don't match my experiences, nor are they supported by any news reports on either side of the border.

I have never seen Tijuana dead, unless it's 3 am in the morning. Tijuana is always bustling with activity, and I could never tell who is a tourist or not, although I can see there are less white Americans, than before.

The lines back to the USA after a big improvement, are back to two hours long at times, according to the San Diego Tribune, which has also concluded tourism to Mexico and the border region has increased the last couple of years. The walking lines back into the US are always long, unless it's after 11pm, and there is little to no wait.

So not only has foreign and American tourism increased to Mexico, about 25 to 29 million tourists, but so has border traffic, as I remember off the top of my head, about 130,000 tourists cross the US/Border daily into the Baja region. We have seen reports in the local papers, that local tourism has been real good during the holidays, that high-end restaurants in TJ are now on the map, and that's increasing that overall restaurant bushiness . I read that Mexico medical tourism, pharmacy business has been increasing, and the list go on and on.........

I'm sure the new policy may affect the bottom line on merchants in Tijuana, but we haven't heard anything yet official, and if it was that bad, we would have heard screaming already in the local papers like the "AFN-Tijuana" I read daily. But the new policy in Mexico, is not a tourism policy, it's a safely issue, and knowing who is coming into Mexico, like the USA wants to know who is coming into the USA.

I recently made a visit to Tijuana during mid-week, and I was worried about the new policy, since I like to park and walk over the border, but the line was not long, and it took me about 10 minutes to fill out a form and get through the line. So it wasn't a big deal, and besides Mexican officials said they would shut the lines down, if the lines if the lines got to long.

I have a relative needing near emergency expensive dental work but has no dental insurance, and without a passport, drove to Tijuana, received dental work, and drove back over the border with only a drivers license, and birth certificate, with no problems at all.

I would not advise to do this under the new guidelines, but it worked for them, and it probably works for others as well.

rayfornario - 8-28-2015 at 12:55 PM

JoeJustJoe - 8-28-2015 at 01:40 PM

I was in TJ on Thursday afternoon and regardless of what the papers say and the government; it has been impacted in a big way. The merchants do plan to file a complaint but not sure where that will go. The lines going back at 6:30 pm are generally more than an hour. There appeared to be now at all my past 3 visits since they started the new inspection. Speaking with customs, they have the same thing.
I think if one was going to a restaurant in Rio zone, they would probably drive...just saying :coolup:

[/rquote]

Maybe your experiences are different Ray, but according to US Customs and Border Protection, site, today on Friday at 1pm the wait time for passenger vehicles is about 25 minutes, and the line for pedestrians using the standard line is about 60 minutes.

So right now it's better to drive over the border using the passenger vehicles line, however after about 8pm, it's actually better to walk over the border using the pedestrian line because that's when the lines are very short.

There are a couple of sites that give this information, here is the one I used:

https://bwt.cbp.gov/

And here is another site that gives you current information and the past week:

http://traffic.calit2.net/border/border-wait-times.php?type=...

[Edited on 8-28-2015 by JoeJustJoe]

rayfornario - 8-28-2015 at 04:02 PM

[/rquote]

?

[Edited on 8-28-2015 by JoeJustJoe]

woody with a view - 8-28-2015 at 04:24 PM

I have a relative needing near emergency expensive dental work but has no dental insurance, and without a passport, drove to Tijuana, received dental work, and drove back over the border with only a drivers license, and birth certificate, with no problems at all.

I would not advise to do this under the new guidelines, but it worked for them, and it probably works for others as well.

FWIW, i just crossed on Tues at Otay around 6pm and the driver had an expired passport with holes punched in the cover. Long/short the border guy waived us thru without even looking in the bed of the truck. Total time elapsed? 4.75 minutes until the roads were first world standard....

soylent_green - 9-1-2015 at 02:31 PM

you can now fill out and print your fmm before entering Mexico via land.

http://thenews.mx/2015/09/inm-launches-e-registration/

http://www.inm.gob.mx/index.php/page/Boletin_4615
https://www.inm.gob.mx/fmme/publico/solicitud.html

you do still need to go in the office and have it stamped

[Edited on 9-1-2015 by soylent_green]

sancho - 9-1-2015 at 03:29 PM

S Green, Good pick up, my tablet doesn't want to hold on to
the English translation. I suppose this new online process
may be of use, but as
with the pre paid fmm, one must stop at the border Mex Imm
to have it validated and or pay? or is the pay available on the
online site? Not sure what time one would save having to stop
at Immigration anyways

bajaguy - 9-1-2015 at 04:02 PM

Says you can pay on line and print out the form as proof of payment.......still must stop at INM and get it stamped. Article states that it isn't activated yet:

http://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/travelers-can-obtain-tourist...

Quote: Originally posted by sancho

S Green, Good pick up, my tablet doesn't want to hold on to
the English translation. I suppose this new online process
may be of use, but as
with the pre paid fmm, one must stop at the border Mex Imm
to have it validated and or pay? or is the pay available on the
online site? Not sure what time one would save having to stop
at Immigration anyways

SFandH - 9-1-2015 at 04:09 PM

A honest bar owner speaks up:

But Tijuana bar owner Hector Bibit said his American customers want neither regulations nor long lines. “Tijuana needs to be a lark, careless and crazy,” said the owner of Club Chug. “I need the border to be as loose as their wallets after five chugaritas. Standing in line only gives them time to reconsider their life choices.”

chugaritas? I can imagine.

Let's see, do I want to enter my credit card info into a Mexican gov website when the US gov and corporations can't stop hackers?

I dunno - you first.

[Edited on 9-1-2015 by SFandH]

SFandH - 9-1-2015 at 04:40 PM

I'm sure there are. As there are in the US. But I did imply that, IMHO, American systems are probably safer than Mexican systems. Should have kept that thought to myself.

sancho - 9-2-2015 at 08:58 AM

IMHO, American systems are probably safer than Mexican systems

Logic would tell me that also, there is online fmm required of all sportfishing boats, private and sportfishing landings, like San Diego, that fish within 12 mi of any Mex land. So all US boats
fishing the Coronado Isles area, every person needs this Marine
fmm, good for 1 entry. Obviously no validation. Many use
the site with credit card, but I would hesitate to use even an ATM in Mex

elgatoloco - 9-2-2015 at 12:05 PM

Quote: Originally posted by lencho

Quote: Originally posted by sancho

...but I would hesitate to use even an ATM in Mexico

So how do you get money if you're down there for extended periods?

FWIW, I have withdrawn at least a million pesos from Mexican ATMs over the last 20 years with zero problems, as have many of my friends. Occasionally a machine has been out of cash or offline, but I do not consider that a "problem".

There are some basic precautions which increase one's odds: always use the ATMs which are actually at the bank, not third party locations; if possible do it during bank business hours; and if things seem weird (machinery or nearby people), skip the withdrawal.

Ditto here.

As a visitor we always call our bank ahead of time and they always tell us its not necessary but we do it anyways. :saint:

SFandH - 9-2-2015 at 12:28 PM

Sorry, I didn't mean to hijack this thread with my "mexican system" remark. But since the posts are continuing, I think it's important to distinguish between bank ATM systems and web based systems that you type your credit card info into. The latter may be very secure or very unsecure, depending upon the engineers that put it together.

I use Mexican ATMs whenever I'm in Mexico and have been for years. No problem. Banks have been perfecting the ATM systems for decades.

However, I'm more suspect of ALL web based systems that require you to enter credit and personal data that is going to be stored in a database on some computer, somewhere. Especially newly created systems, like the Mex gov system to buy FMMs.

[Edited on 9-2-2015 by SFandH]

JoeJustJoe - 9-2-2015 at 01:33 PM