BajaNomad

buying tourist visa at Tecate border crossing Sat. & Sun?

mollyb - 10-7-2016 at 04:08 PM

Can one buy a tourist visa on Saturday or Sunday in Tecate?

[Edited on 10-7-2016 by mollyb]

David K - 10-7-2016 at 04:52 PM

Any time the border is open, the INM office is open... if an odd hour, just check behind the desk as he may be asleep!

Tecate is NOT a 24 hour border, fyi. 11pm to 5am (I think is the hours they are closed, make sure if you are planning on crossing near those times).

mollyb - 10-8-2016 at 01:06 PM

Thank you for your help and information.

wiltonh - 10-9-2016 at 09:22 AM

A friend of mine called yesterday and told me that in years past, the immigration officer could take your money when the bank was closed.

That has changed this year and the bank does not open until 8am. Not sure when it closes.

[Edited on 10-9-2016 by wiltonh]

mollyb - 10-9-2016 at 01:37 PM

Are the banks open on Sat. or Sun..
We are planning on crossing the border around 10:am on a Sunday and need to purchase a Tourist Visa. Will there be someone there to pay and purchase a tourist Visa from? Is there any other way to do this?
Thanks

bajaguy - 10-9-2016 at 02:00 PM

If the bank is closed, you can pay Immigration (INM) and get your FMM stamped
Quote: Originally posted by mollyb  
Are the banks open on Sat. or Sun..
We are planning on crossing the border around 10:am on a Sunday and need to purchase a Tourist Visa. Will there be someone there to pay and purchase a tourist Visa from? Is there any other way to do this?
Thanks

rts551 - 10-9-2016 at 02:24 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
You're welcome! Let's hope I am correct... according to DK expert trolls rts, mtgoat, and norte, I just make stuff up!!


You bored and trolling for another battle?:no: Where is David Thorton, et al now?

SFandH - 10-9-2016 at 02:39 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
We have mentioned this so often... and has been the case since 2012...

INM collects the fee, they have their own cash box. They are there to sell FMMs. No bank is involved.


Could be different at different crossings. A couple of weeks ago, on a Sunday, I bought a FMM at San Ysidro and different offices issued the document and collected the money. Three step process, get the FMM filled out, pay the money at a different window, take the receipt and FMM back to the original office to get it stamped. I was the only person there at the time. No lines.


[Edited on 10-9-2016 by SFandH]

David K - 10-9-2016 at 02:57 PM

Thank you, yes indeed... going to Mexico makes it interesting as no two crossings are always the same.

I have bought 180-day FMMs at Tijuana and Mexicali, but not Tecate... I have stopped and asked about the process at Tecate, however. Last year, we also returned the free 7 day FMM at Tecate, so we got a good walking tour of the complex as it is now.

Just keep reporting what happens and we all can be prepared for any Baja trip! I just think saying someone can't enter Mexico on their vacation unless a bank is open is not helping. There is a teller window in the building for payments, but if they are closed, on break, or otherwise, the issuing INM official has his own cash box to get the money... they want the money!

IF they don't want the money, it isn't your fault, so are you going to turn around and go home? I bet if the border is open, then so is the cash box!

redhilltown - 10-9-2016 at 10:52 PM

Just to be sure Molly, you are staying longer than seven days? Because those visas are free.

dtbushpilot - 10-10-2016 at 07:41 AM

Quote: Originally posted by rts551  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
You're welcome! Let's hope I am correct... according to DK expert trolls rts, mtgoat, and norte, I just make stuff up!!


You bored and trolling for another battle?:no: Where is David Thorton, et al now?


He's all yours ralf, I don't defend self inflicted wounds...

David K - 10-10-2016 at 09:46 AM

People used to have a sense of humor here... we could joke with each other.