BajaNomad

Short term visit requirements?

Santiago - 1-11-2020 at 09:15 AM

I haven't needed to get an FMM in many years and am unfamiliar with the current rules. Some friends are driving south on a Friday at about noon and driving back north on Sunday, also about noon.
They are going no further than Ensenada.
Do they even need to get a FMM for trip this short (time and distance)?
Thanks

David K - 1-11-2020 at 09:34 AM

So, in a nutshell:

EVERYONE from North America, who doesn't have a residential visa (and who isn't Mexican), must have an FMM in Mexico. It doesn't matter for how long or for how far into Mexico they are going.

The reality is since not every car is stopped and inspected for FMMs, probably most don't bother getting it?

To get it, pull into the parking area north side of the building at the border (the far right lane at Tijuana, signed as 'Something to Declare'). If that is missed and you go through the automatic gates, park as soon as possible.

Walk into the building to the INM desks or podiums WITH your passport (book or card). You can get a FREE 7 DAY FMM or pay for one valid UP TO 180s.

The latest word is neither needs to be returned before you leave Mexico. The 180 day one is good for the full 180 days if there will be multiple land travel trips.

[edited for even more detail and clarity, thank you lencho]





[Edited on 1-12-2020 by David K]

Don Pisto - 1-11-2020 at 12:43 PM

Quote: Originally posted by lencho  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
EVERYONE (who isn't Mexican) must have an FMM in Mexico.

Incorrect, but don't let the truth stop you. :lol:


anyone over 2 years old and from the U.S.?

surabi - 1-12-2020 at 10:01 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
So, in a nutshell:

EVERYONE from North America, who doesn't have a residential visa (and who isn't Mexican), must have an FMM in Mexico.


Your terminology is incorrect. "FMM" is not a synonymous term for tourist card. An FMM is a Mexican migratory document which, if you are flying into Mexico, everyone who is not a Mexican citizen, including those with temporary or permanent residency status must fill out.
If you have residency status, you hand the larger half it to the immigration agent at the airport. When you fly out, you fill in the smaller half, get immigration to stamp it, and turn it in to the airline at the ticketing counter.
If you enter as a tourist, the bottom half is handed back to you when you enter and serves as your tourist card and you hand it in again when you leave.
FMM doesn't mean "tourist card".

Alm - 1-12-2020 at 11:43 PM

Residents must fill an FMM when flying in, regardless of where they are from - North America or Monaco. I believe this rule applies to residents driving/walking in as well.



[Edited on 1-13-2020 by Alm]

BajaBlanca - 1-13-2020 at 06:13 AM

And I will add that the reason for permanent residents to fill out the FMM is for if/ when one decides to become a citizen, there is a constraint over how long you have been out of the country (Mexico).

David K - 1-13-2020 at 08:30 AM

So, FMM is no longer = "tourist card" and for sure is NOT a "visa".... Ok, so what are we allowed to call it? LOL

Instead of all the things FMM covers, let's just see what Santiago is asking about : Friends who are driving.
When my first response was not detailed enough for lencho, I added a bit more detail because I hadn't excluded foreign resident visa holders, and I was not sure about Germans or Australian tourists. I did know FMM was for Americans and Canadians (hence 'North American").
Ok? It's about people driving into Baja who haven't before. I don't think that sounds like a property owner in Mexico or a non-North American.

David K - 1-13-2020 at 08:34 AM

Quote: Originally posted by surabi  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
So, in a nutshell:

EVERYONE from North America, who doesn't have a residential visa (and who isn't Mexican), must have an FMM in Mexico.


Your terminology is incorrect. "FMM" is not a synonymous term for tourist card. An FMM is a Mexican migratory document which, if you are flying into Mexico, everyone who is not a Mexican citizen, including those with temporary or permanent residency status must fill out.
If you have residency status, you hand the larger half it to the immigration agent at the airport. When you fly out, you fill in the smaller half, get immigration to stamp it, and turn it in to the airline at the ticketing counter.
If you enter as a tourist, the bottom half is handed back to you when you enter and serves as your tourist card and you hand it in again when you leave.
FMM doesn't mean "tourist card".


Where did I call it a tourist card? Just FYI, the Mexican government has called it that... it replaced the FM-T.

KasloKid - 1-13-2020 at 12:08 PM

FMM. It's what's named on the top of my FMM I recently acquired at the INM office in San Luis Colorado
"ESTADOS UNIDOS MEXICANOS
FORMA MIGRATION MULITIPLE (FMM)"

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

Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMM)

By Land:
General conditions
The FMM applicant shall hold a valid and current passport or card passport (Tarjeta Pasaporte) in accordance with the international law regulations; in case the country of citizenship requires it, the passport must have a valid unexpired visa.

The applicant is aware that the card passport (Tarjeta Pasaporte) can only be used in the border crossings by land and for visiting the border zone; it might not be used to travel to the territory of the Mexican Republic or used for international air trips.

The applicant shall complete the information needed in the request of the FMM, as appears in his/her passport.

The applicant accepts under oath, that the information and documents provided are true; therefore, the applicant acknowledges herein that if any false information is provided, he/she could be subject to penalties in accordance with the applicable legal regulation.


By Air:
General requirements

The applicant of an electronically-obtained Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMME) for entry by air must have in his or her possession a valid and unexpired passport in accordance with the international law regulations; in case the country of citizenship requires it, the passport must have a valid unexpired visa.

The applicant is aware that the only document that can be used to travel by air into the Mexican Republic is a valid and unexpired (booklet-type) passport.

The applicant must enter the information required by the electronically-obtained Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMME) for entry by air as it appears in his or her passport.

The applicant states under oath to state the truth that the information and documents provided are true, and is thus aware that should false information be given he or she may be sanctioned in accordance with applicable law.

However, if you apply for one online, it is called a Tourist Visa.
https://www.ivisa.com/apply-online/mexico?nationality=US&...

thebajarunner - 1-13-2020 at 04:54 PM

And to further confuse things (who really cares what it is called? just the nitpickers I guess)
US naturalized citizens who were originally Mexican citizens are required (or maybe not) to get one....
Last two times through they refused to issue one to Teresa even tho she has been a US citizen for nearly 40 years.

But yeah, you really do need to get one of these whatever you want to call them....
Someone runs into your car, you end up talking to the authorities and the subject might quickly change from who is at fault to "Donde estan sus papeles???"

It is free for 7 days, takes all of 5 minutes to get it, and they have nice clean banos….. who could ask for more??