reading on another site that some commercial airlines won't be offering FMM's...mexico wants you to print em online and there will be no cost,
regardless of length of stay. I believe before the cost was in your ticket?
Looks like some cost cutting for the airlines? Though many people who fly don't stay longer than the free two weeks.... (or is it 72 hours?, I get
forgetful).Bob and Susan - 7-31-2018 at 03:06 PM
Looks like some cost cutting for the airlines? Though many people who fly don't stay longer than the free two weeks.... (or is it 72 hours?, I get
forgetful).
I thought the website says its free for 180 days if you fly and print it in advance (30 days)willardguy - 7-31-2018 at 03:19 PM
thats a pretty decent savings for a family!
I don't fly so I don't know about things but bajabound makes it sound like the free 7 day tourist card is only for land crossers?
"The free tourist card (FMM): The tourist card is free if your stay in Mexico is 7 days or less and you are traveling by land into Baja. This isn't
frequently advertised. Ask your local INM official."
[Edited on 7-31-2018 by willardguy]AKgringo - 7-31-2018 at 04:18 PM
The only time I have flown to Mexico, the FMM was included in the ticket cost. It was also turned in when boarding the flight back to the US!Bob and Susan - 7-31-2018 at 04:20 PM
so maybe the airlines never paid the govt and it was FREE all the time
Very likely. The old "service fee" scam.
JohnHoward - 7-31-2018 at 05:16 PM
Actually it really isn't a scam. Flying from LAX to Loreto or anywhere in Baja for that matter (and probably mainland as well) I get reimbursed for
the "tourist tax" which is included in the airline ticket price. I believe that is what they call it and they take out automatically when you fly
and is another word for the FMM.
This is due to being a Residente Permenente. It comes out to approximately $23 depending on the value of the $ to the peso at the time.willardguy - 7-31-2018 at 05:33 PM
for a family of four thats an extra hundred bucks in the vacation fund....not bad!Howard - 7-31-2018 at 06:31 PM
Ain't bad for a family on one!BornFisher - 7-31-2018 at 08:23 PM
You must be talking about flying from the US. Flying out of TJ for a 7 day trip, no cost for your visa. karenintx - 8-1-2018 at 10:18 AM
I read this in a different way. Knowing that Mexico's larger airports are going to a Kiosk machines system in order to expedite the large volume of
tourist through their airports, this article is advising travelers to download the form (which is free) that way the traveler's information is already
in the Mexican INM system when that traveler approaches the INM agent. The fee is still charged to the traveler's airline ticket.
Actually, I have noticed when flying into SJD that the airlines are now giving you a customs form but telling the passengers the Mexican Government
did not provide the airline with the INM forms so travelers will be met once they depart the plane by agents with the INM form that will need to
filled out before they can go to the INM counter. Having R/Ps, we do the opposite by starting the process before leaving the country so we already
have our "top portion" of the form to turn-in. The SJD airport allows R/P & T/P to go through the Mexican citizen line which is "sweeeet"!!!!
Think about a tourist that is driving across the border and how they can go online to get their FMM form, then they go to the Mexican boarder agent
before crossing into Mexico. Yes, it is true one can keep their FMM when driving out of Mexico but it is the Mexican Government that requires all
commercial airlines to collect both a tourist (FMM) fee plus all Mexican airport departure fees. Both these fees are charged in every airline ticket
that originates from (flys out of) a non-Mexican city. It is also the Mexican Government that requires the airlines to collect the FMM form when
boarding the airplane. Trust me the airlines do not have a vote in this...they just do what they are told...if they want to continue flying into
Mexico or any country.
Have you every wonder why you are asked multiple times to show your passport before you get on the plane. Yes, you showed it at the ticket counter
when you arrived at the airport but you would be amazed how many people can misplace their passport from the time they check-in their luggage to the
time they get on a the plane. They left it at TSA, in the bathroom, in the food court, they allowed their child to hold it or it fell out of their
pocket. If a passenger getting on a commercial airline arrives in any foreign country in the world without their passport it is the airline that will
receive a "hefty" fine, so to keep this from happening, airlines have put in many layers of conformation that the traveler has their passport in their
possession when the gate agent allows them to walk down the jet way/jet bridge.
As Howard said, if you have an R/P or a T/P, then you can ask your airline to reimburse or waive the tourist (FMM) fee but not the Mexican airport
departure fees...remember it does cost money to run an airport so this is a way, along with landing fees to maintain airports. Most airlines will ask
for proof of the R/P or T/P so be prepared to jump through the hoops but it will save about $25 USD for each person's entry into Mexico via a
commercial airline.
Mexican citizens that have a Mexican passport are charged Mexican airport taxes when they fly within or out of Mexico, they just don't pay the tourist
(FMM) fees. Americans pay airport taxes when they fly within the USA...it is included in the price of the ticket.
It is worth mentioning, if you have a FMM in your possession when you drove out of Mexico...DO NOT give that "used" form to an IMN agent in any
Mexican airport. The Mexican Government requires you to have a brand new (unused) two-part form. Do yourself a favor and keep that form in your
vehicle for when you drive...not when you fly. I was told it is illegal to have FMMs in your possession...but I am not an expert on Mexican laws.
I don't make the rules...they do. I just follow them and it makes life so much easier.
BoneFisher...you are correct about no FMM fee out of TIJ for anyone as you are flying within the country, however you would have Mexican airport
taxes/fee included in your ticket. Like the saying goes...death and taxes are inevitable!!
