BajaNomad

FMM at TJ airport

paranewbi - 9-21-2015 at 04:03 PM

Just got back from Merida (Uxmal, Palenque, Rio Largosa, Progresso) flying from TJ airport and back same. The FMM station is no longer in the middle of the lobby and the wall the once divided the lobby from the check in counters is now gone.

The new FMM station is where the old military station was and has 3 counter areas instead of two! At the counter the first thing that happens is they take your passport into a little attached office and the guy there emerges with a payment voucher for your FMM. You give him the money and he tells you to keep it for proof of payment. Then the counter guy produces the filled out papers and you just sign it, he gives you your FMM and your on your way...not filling out anything.

They tell you to keep it, DO NOT TURN IT IN, and it is good for multiple entries for 6 months (which will cover us on our trip to Chetumal in February).

So easy and so relaxing!

If I get it together I'll do a trip report on Merida we-cation.

David K - 9-21-2015 at 04:10 PM

They tell you to keep it, DO NOT TURN IT IN, and it is good for multiple entries for 6 months (which will cover us on our trip to Chetumal in February).

Very exciting that all FMMs bought in Mexico, even for flying, are multiple use. It was the fair thing to do and not punish people who want to back to Mexico more times in the 6 month period.

paranewbi - 9-22-2015 at 02:57 PM

Yep DK, we are so excited about this. I failed to mention that after disembarking from the plane on our return, there is a counter after you enter the luggage pick up area where a gentleman recognizing potential non-nationals, asks for passport ID. He looked at our FMM's and told us to hold onto them and that they were good for multiple entries for those 6 months. Just reaffirmed any questions we had as to wholesale understanding of all the immigration officials.

David K - 9-22-2015 at 05:20 PM

Quote: Originally posted by paranewbi  
Yep DK, we are so excited about this. I failed to mention that after disembarking from the plane on our return, there is a counter after you enter the luggage pick up area where a gentleman recognizing potential non-nationals, asks for passport ID. He looked at our FMM's and told us to hold onto them and that they were good for multiple entries for those 6 months. Just reaffirmed any questions we had as to wholesale understanding of all the immigration officials.


Awesome, as it should be! Thank you for posting!

Whale-ista - 9-22-2015 at 08:54 PM

yay! Much better system.

Let's hope this will be consistently enforced by all employees- I look forward to avoiding being scolded by the FMM office staff at the San Ysidro crossing next spring.

This year they were unhappy because I received 3 separate, free, 1 week FMM's for 3 separate whale trips in 3 separate months. I'll happily pay for an FMM that's good for multiple, no-hassle visits.

danaeb - 9-23-2015 at 05:05 PM

Thank you for this great news. My last flight out of TJ was in June, with the old system. When you walk into the lobby, where is the INM area located (I don't remember the military station)? Even better news about multiple entries on 180-day visa. Do you know if they accept dollars for the FMM?

I suspect a lot of these changes are a result of the new pedestrian bridge that will be opening at the end of the year.