BajaNomad - the FMM paper shuffle

the FMM paper shuffle

white whale - 2-1-2016 at 12:54 PM

still planning maiden voyage and need to clarify.
So at the land crossing (still TBD) officer will ask destination and length of stay, if your plan is beyond the permit free zone near the border, no matter
if you plan on 4 days or 8 days you must go to an office to get this FMM.
< 7days no cost > 7 days you pay $25+/- for each visitor.
Can you get this form in advance and fill out? I can imagine a long line at some times. We are 2 so both have to go in person passport in hand?
So now you get proof of entry date stamp , outside of a police stop where would you show this? And on the return to the border do you turn it in somewhere - US border agent won't care about these ? - or for a one time trip just keep for a souvenir?

From other posts I gather the FMM is a better run cash generator from air passengers vs road travelers. Can't imagine MEX bureaucracy being better than US or CAN.

willardguy - 2-1-2016 at 01:08 PM

name, birthdate and passport number, thats it. often the agent will fill it out for you, often the agent will also take your money, get stamped and out the door. I've never seen more than a couple people in line but of couse ymmv

and no, you don't bother turning it in when leaving.

[Edited on 2-1-2016 by willardguy]

BajaUtah - 2-1-2016 at 01:17 PM

You can get one online from Bajabound.com along with other spots but you still have to stop at the border and get it stamped. For me it's just as easy to get the FMM at the border. Really not a big deal.

There are odd occasions where INM asks for FMMs at San Felipe, Maneadero and Guerrero Negro but there are as many times you don't get asked. Here's the big one - without an FMM your short term Mex car insurance is invalid and you really don't want to screw around with that.

It's the law - get the proper paperwork. We (female perro) about people from south of the border skirting the laws up north why should we feel so comfortable doing the same heading south.

bajaguy - 2-1-2016 at 01:33 PM

....if your plan is beyond the permit free zone near the border
........There is no so called "Free Zone"

if you plan on 4 days or 8 days you must go to an office to get this FMM.
............correct
< 7days no cost > 7 days you pay $25+/- for each visitor.
..........yes
Can you get this form in advance and fill out?
.........yes, but you will pay extra from 'travel clubs" but still must stop at INM at the border and get it stamped

I can imagine a long line at some times. We are 2 so both have to go in person passport in hand?
..........never waited more than 10 minutes, yes each person must show passport

So now you get proof of entry date stamp , outside of a police stop where would you show this?
........whenever you are asked by ANY government official, if you get in a car wreck, if you are the victim of a crime, if you need medical assistance......and maybe to validate your Mexican liability auto insurance

And on the return to the border do you turn it in somewhere
..........you are supposed to, but the majority of visitors don't

US border agent won't care about these ?
.........nope

or for a one time trip just keep for a souvenir?
...........yup

From other posts I gather the FMM is a better run cash generator from air passengers vs road travelers. Can't imagine MEX bureaucracy being better than US or CAN.
............doesn't make any difference, it's the law. get one, be safe and be happy

Norbert - 2-1-2016 at 08:30 PM

Easy:
Discover Baja, auto insurance, fishing licence, FMM, ect
Pick every thing up at their office,
only needs to be stamped at the Border, about 20 seconds, and keep driving. Or try to save a couple of bucks and spend forever in line-ups.

mtgoat666 - 2-1-2016 at 08:50 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Norbert

Easy:
Discover Baja, auto insurance, fishing licence, FMM, ect
Pick every thing up at their office,
only needs to be stamped at the Border, about 20 seconds, and keep driving. Or try to save a couple of bucks and spend forever in line-ups.

Just get the fmm and pay online by cc, at mx govt site. Then you only need print out and get it stamped at border.
If you have already paid, you go to front of line when you arrive at border and there is a line of tour bus pax waiting for visas,...

https://www.inm.gob.mx/fmme/publico/solicitud.html

sancho - 2-2-2016 at 09:43 AM

Bajabound Geoff reported as of last Sept one doesn't have to turn in fmm upon leaving, good. These entry ports into Mex
seem to have separate Mex Imm jurisdictions. On a fb San
Felipe site within the last few days, one No. Campo resident
reported Mex Imm visiting looking for papers. The question
was posed about returning fmm's, surprise. Mex Imm, at least
the Mexicali division, said yes you do have to turn an fmm, so
someone did not get the memo or more likely, the different
Imm offices act independently

BajaBlanca - 2-2-2016 at 02:25 PM

the cost is $28 per person

and it really is a very fast process - 10 minutes max.

you may never be asked to show the FMM but it is the law that you must have one

have a wonderful trip!

unbob - 2-4-2016 at 09:12 AM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaBlanca

the cost is $28 per person

I paid $322mxn in Oct '15. That equals $17.72usd as of this posting. At time of purchase it was $20.32usd.

FMM cost

akshadow - 2-4-2016 at 02:42 PM

Quote: Originally posted by unbob

Quote: Originally posted by BajaBlanca

the cost is $28 per person

I paid $322mxn in Oct '15. That equals $17.72usd as of this posting. At time of purchase it was $20.32usd.

Notice at Mexicali East bank said effective January 1, 2016 cost for FMM is $390mxn. January 30, 2016 that is what I paid.
Was asked if paying in peso, dollar or credit, since I used peso don't know what happens if you use other method.

Bugman - 2-4-2016 at 02:45 PM

I went down in November and got my FMM then. I never turned it in (as usual) when I came back. Turned out I had to go back for a one day conference in TJ last week. When I showed my FMM and passport from my November trip upon reentry to Mexico at the TJ pedestrian entry they just waived me through. :cool:

PaulW - 2-4-2016 at 06:16 PM

Just got a briefing on FMMs from the IMM person in charge in San Felipe and sure enough she said keep your FMM with your passport and do not turn it in when you leave. The FMM is good until it expires.

FMM urn in and multiple entries

akshadow - 2-5-2016 at 02:42 PM

Quote: Originally posted by PaulW

Just got a briefing on FMMs from the IMM person in charge in San Felipe and sure enough she said keep your FMM with your passport and do not turn it in when you leave. The FMM is good until it expires.

This sounds really good, but in conflict with agent at Mexicali East crossing.

23S52N - 2-5-2016 at 03:17 PM

I spoke to the agent at Mexicali east when I crossed in early November relaying what I had read here on BN. He looked quite surprised and replied that not turning in the FMM on exiting from the country was news to him and as far as he knew, it was still required.

Although several posters have quoted certain immigration officials at luncheon speeches and whatnot, stating it is not necessary to turn in the FMM upon exit, I have not found anything on the INM site to confirm that. In my experience, following unofficial advice can find you in hot water. Can anyone show on the INM site where we are no longer required to surrender the FMM? When I see it with my own eyes, then I'll believe it.

Regards
Keith

sancho - 2-5-2016 at 04:14 PM

Quote: Originally posted by 23S52N

Can anyone show on the INM site where we are no longer required to surrender the FMM? When I see it with my own eyes, then I'll believe it.

No I can't, and you probably will not find an Official Mex Imm statement, this tourist card cluster has been going on since the
beginning, 60 yrs? Peds at TJ have one application, and they apply the regs different at every crossing to Algodones.
There is no one standard. http://www.bajabound.com/before/permits/
under tourist card changes, one R. Figueroa, federal
delagate of the Mex Imm dept., claimed as of last Sept., returning fmm not necessary, the attempt at carification has solved nothing. I'm with you, explaining to Mex Imm that they are wrong, that you
read it on BN doesn't make me feel comfortable

23S52N - 2-5-2016 at 04:22 PM

Lol, Sancho, I agree. If I could have a nickel for the number of times in 20 years of law enforcement people said 'but sir, I read it in......'. And that is why I ask. What a guy tells a bunch of travel agents at a luncheon, and what is written in a lawful statute usually just ain't the same. And the statute wins... Everytime.

Regards
Keith

David K - 2-5-2016 at 05:27 PM

Just do NOT keep an expired FMM... and show it to INM. Many have posted they get an earful, at least before the new rule of keeping it when you leave Mexico by land. Throw it away and get your new one on your next trip.

danaeb - 2-5-2016 at 05:49 PM

Quote: Originally posted by 23S52N

Can anyone show on the INM site where we are no longer required to surrender the FMM? When I see it with my own eyes, then I'll believe it.

Regards
Keith

From the back side of my FMM (issued Oct 23, 2015):

IMPORTANTE
Durante su estancia en Mexico, debe conservar esta forma migratoria y entregarla a su salida del pais.

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

[Edited on 2-6-2016 by danaeb]

Bajahowodd - 2-5-2016 at 06:14 PM

This issue keeps driving me crazy. I thought that I read recently that ANYONE crossing the border, even if was a day trip to see a dentist in TJ must have an FMM. And that those forms would be useful for multiple crossings fro 180 days.

Why is this so much of a kerfuffle?

23S52N - 2-5-2016 at 06:49 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bajahowodd

This issue keeps driving me crazy. I thought that I read recently that ANYONE crossing the border, even if was a day trip to see a dentist in TJ must have an FMM. And that those forms would be useful for multiple crossings fro 180 days.

Why is this so much of a kerfuffle?

because no one has given an answer, just opinions and hearsay. And like the above poster has noted, it states on that back on the card also in english, that they have to be returned upon exit.

regards,
Keith

Bajahowodd - 2-6-2016 at 04:58 PM

But, I really want some feedback as to whether it is true that anyone who is day crossing needs to buy the FMM.

sancho - 2-6-2016 at 05:55 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bajahowodd

But, I really want some feedback as to whether it is true that anyone who is day crossing needs to buy the FMM.

I walked across
into TJ at SY a couple months ago. This info is ONLY for that ped crossing. Other POE's may/will have a different procedure, or none at all. At TJ you walk into the
new Mex Imm build, there are 6 Imm desks, when I went, I
stood in line 10 min. before one of the 6 Imm guys was available. You hand them your passport, they fill out the
fmm for you, everyone was getting the free 7 day fmm,
so yes, to walk into TJ you need the fmm, but the 7 day is free.
These guys do nothing but fill out fmm's all day. There
appears to be a teller window to pay for the 180 day. You
will be escorted back to the US if not presenting a passport/
passcard. All reports are if possessing an existing previous/valid fmm you kept from another crossing,
you can avoid the line by showing your fmm, and proceed into
Mex. TJ may be the only crossing that does this, others
seem to operate as in the past, with no fmm when walking in.
Was some print info, that if the line was excessive, Mex Imm
would just let visitors in, es Mex

Alm - 2-6-2016 at 08:02 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bajahowodd

I thought that I read recently that ANYONE crossing the border, even if was a day trip to see a dentist in TJ must have an FMM.

There is no confusion on this particular issue. FMM is needed except for when you stay no more than 3 days in the Border Zone (which for practical purposes extends to the 1st federal checkpoint). Going further - get FMM. Staying longer, even within the Zone - get FMM. As others noted, it's free up to 7 days.

Quote: Originally posted by Bajahowodd

And that those forms would be useful for multiple crossings fro 180 days.

Yes, this seems to be, er... "popular interpretation" by the officers on the US/Mex border. However, it does say on the form that you have to return it upon exit, and at the Guatemala/Mex border they follow the letter. Tourist re-entering again from Guatemala have to buy FMM again.

Re: TJ ped crossing - this one has changed several months ago. Now they indeed require everybody to get FMM. Those claiming to be going for less than 7 days are issued free FMM. They don't want undocumented 3-day visitors now - even though the law allows it.

[Edited on 2-7-2016 by Alm]

David K - 2-6-2016 at 08:08 PM

Alm, that's if driving... as they can't create a 10-mile long traffic jam, southbound but all pedestrians who are profile Americans are routed into the line to get FMMs... yup walking into TJ for the day. It's free but requires a passport to get.

Wouldn't "traffic jam" disappear?

akshadow - 2-6-2016 at 08:18 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Alm, that's if driving... as they can't create a 10-mile long traffic jam, southbound but all pedestrians who are profile Americans are routed into the line to get FMMs... yup walking into TJ for the day. It's free but requires a passport to get.

There is not usually a 10 mile traffic jam on the return to the US and don't we require everyone to have paperwork of some type?
If all knew that they must have an FMM to enter and they allowed multiple entry on same form wouldn't it work itself out once people got the FMM/s?

sancho - 2-6-2016 at 09:20 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Alm

They don't want undocumented 3-day visitors now - even though the law allows it.

[Edited on 2-7-2016 by Alm]

Not sure of that, not sure the law allows it, at least not now.
That 3 day rule apparently was never Mex Imm reg/ law,
just for the last decades it was allowed. Currently ALL entering
Mex, at least at TJ, by ped or driving are technically required to
get an fmm. It is unenforceable for vehicles, but the reg is the
same, for peds or by vehicle. All I know is if
I was driving in Mex and involved in an accident with injuries,
anywhere, anytime, no matter how far from the border,
I certainly would want to be able to produce a document
stating I was in the country legally ( no I'm not suggesting
not having an fmm has anything to do with invalidating a Mex Ins policy, it doesn't), get one or don't get one, but the suggestion one doesn't need a tourist card when entering
Baja/Mex is not a responsible statement. Some here will continue to skip
the fmm fee, because they don't want to pay the $25 dlls

David K - 2-6-2016 at 10:31 PM

Quote: Originally posted by akshadow

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Driving north into the United States, every Mexican vehicle is not required to park, the passengers then walk into one building, fill out a form, then perhaps pay (at another window maybe), then go back to the first place for a stamp, then back to their car and continue on.

These are the steps required of Mexico for auto travelers crossing the border who actually get FMMs. These are the steps that would cause a "10-mile" back-up [yes, it's an exaggeration, I hope].

Maybe, Mexico will once again allow the tourist card to be obtained north of the border (AAA used to issue them, and they were free prior to mid-2000)? That way we all can get them before the trip and have them in possession for any checkpoints deeper in Mexico or other need to show it, even when driving in at the border, the way Mexicans show their visa to U.S. officers.