BajaNomad

Tecate Immigration hours on Sunday?

Lee - 10-9-2015 at 12:14 PM

A friend needs to pickup a tourist visa and I'm not sure how easy it is at Tecate on a Sunday 7 a.m.?

Is it all done at one office or is payment done at a bank?

And, where is the office located?

Finally, is it easier to pick one up in advance at the San Isidro office?

Thanks to those who know.

hombre66 - 10-9-2015 at 07:52 PM

Immigration is just inside the crossing immediately on the right and you backtrack to a bank window about 100 feet from Imm. office. Hard part: Parking. I searched for a few blocks in the area and the closest I got was 3 blocks. This was mid day , weekday. Watch your driving too getting thru town.

Howard - 10-10-2015 at 08:22 AM

Bump as I have friends who are crossing at Tecate on a Sunday and need tourist visas.

David K - 10-10-2015 at 09:37 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Howard  
Bump as I have friends who are crossing at Tecate on a Sunday and need tourist visas.


Since rules change from officer to officer, expect the unexpected when going to Mexico...

I have walked to the officers at Tecate, and asked about FMM and payment... what they told me then (in 2013 I think) was the FMM is obtainable anytime the border is open, which would always be the case since you need it to be in Mexico now (or at least any travel south of the border zone or stays over 3 days). They may not want to be bothered at late hours and tell you that you don't need it, but I would say you want it anyway.

There is a bank teller at the border for collecting payment, BUT if that teller is not there, the bank window is closed, etc., the INM officer CAN take the money and stamp the FMM. I found this the case since 2012 when the INM officers were finally bonded or whatever so they could collect the fee (tax) for the tourist card.

Less than 3 months ago, when I last got an FMM (at Mexicali) the one officer did everything, including collecting my fee money. He has a cash box at the same desk you fill out the FMM paper at. In 2012, at Tijuana, I also was able to pay the INM officer and not walk to the bank teller window. She wasn't busy, and that may be why sometimes they send you to the banker's window to pay instead of collecting the money themselves?

mojo_norte - 10-10-2015 at 12:33 PM

the immigration guy took my money last December crossing - no bank interaction needed . He said he gets there at 5 AM - that was a weekday however

Border info chart from Discover Baja site

windgrrl - 10-10-2015 at 05:33 PM

http://www.discoverbaja.com/go/border-chart/

mufflerbearings - 10-13-2015 at 09:52 PM

Lately, I've found that the Tecate INM office is a one-stop shop. The officer will take your money and issue the FMM on the spot. And David K is right about policy differing from officer to officer. The last time I got the FMM, the officer on duty told me, "Eh, don't worry about it; you really don't need it unless you go south of Guerrero Negro." However, I insisted on getting it, since it's my understanding that your vehicle insurance could possibly be null and void if you don't have the FMM.

David K - 10-13-2015 at 09:59 PM

Quote: Originally posted by mufflerbearings  
Lately, I've found that the Tecate INM office is a one-stop shop. The officer will take your money and issue the FMM on the spot. And David K is right about policy differing from officer to officer. The last time I got the FMM, the officer on duty told me, "Eh, don't worry about it; you really don't need it unless you go south of Guerrero Negro." However, I insisted on getting it, since it's my understanding that your vehicle insurance could possibly be null and void if you don't have the FMM.


You provide great trip reporting details and I appreciate it!

I did ask my Mexican auto insurance agency about the FMM required for coverage rumor you mention... the agent contacted the company in Mexico... he was told they do not withhold coverage based on any immigration paperwork or lack thereof.

No excuse for not having an FMM but an FMM is still not an enforced requirement by automobile tourists in the 'border zone' for up to 72 hours... the traffic jam going into Mexico from such a requirement would be insanity at the bigger borders, southbound! You must have Mexican insurance for liability, however... well, you should have it to stay out of jail!!!

:light::light:

topnut - 10-17-2015 at 12:24 PM

We crossed on a Sunday in March. Easy-peazy, we were the only ones there, the office was open - took 10 minutes in and out the door.;)