BajaNomad

Tourist Cards

Smithpartyof5 - 10-8-2020 at 05:30 PM

If I am traveling for 10 days do I need to get a tourist card? If so, where do I get it and cost?

Don Pisto - 10-8-2020 at 05:34 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Smithpartyof5  
If I am traveling for 10 days do I need to get a tourist card? If so, where do I get it and cost?


575 pesos (about 27 bucks) where are you crossing?

Smithpartyof5 - 10-8-2020 at 07:52 PM

Per person????

Don Pisto - 10-8-2020 at 08:04 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Smithpartyof5  
Per person????


yeah.......you can pass on the whole thing but folks here will lose their mind:coolup:

David K - 10-8-2020 at 08:14 PM

Mexico asks that every non-Mexican land traveler be legal and obtain the FMM (Tourist Card). You must have a valid passport with you that won't expire for over 180 days, as the maximum period of an FMM is 180 days.

You obtain it by pulling over at the first building (often in the 'Something to Declare' area) inside Mexico. Go to the INM desk (migracion). Fill it out, pay the fee, and have it stamped. That's it, 10-20 minutes tops, depending if there's a line.

That FMM is good for up to 180 days for one or more trips by land during that period. If for less than 7 days, it is free (but you may be asked to return it to prove you are leaving within the 7 days).

mtgoat666 - 10-8-2020 at 08:15 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Don Pisto  
Quote: Originally posted by Smithpartyof5  
Per person????


yeah.......you can pass on the whole thing but folks here will lose their mind:coolup:


Request a 7-day card, which is free, then you are only illegal after day 7...

gallesram - 10-9-2020 at 02:02 PM

You can also fill out the form & pay online. Here's a link to the site:

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

If your trip is 7 days or less, there's no fee and you can print the tourist card immediately.

If your trip is more than 7 days, the site will take you to Banjercito where you can pay online; after you pay, you get transferred back to the site & then you can print the tourist card.

Be sure to print the Banjercito receipt which shows that you paid; sometimes the immigration officer will ask for it, sometimes they won't. Easier to have it with you and avoid a hassle than try to argue that you paid, why do you need the receipt, etc.

Remember that you still need to have the form processed and stamped when you enter the country. Just because you printed the form and paid for it doesn't end the process; you still need the final step in order to be "legal" (whether or not you had to pay for the permit).

Smithpartyof5 - 10-10-2020 at 05:36 AM

thank you for that information

eguillermo - 2-3-2021 at 03:03 PM

Definitely good information!

When you use that online form, is it absolutely required to provide a date of entry, and enter only on that date?

I saw a post here where someone described a light hassle at the border because the date on a prepaid FMM was not the exact date of entry; conversely, Discover Baja club told me that any date *after* the date on the form would be fine.

Minutia I know :). But anything that would hold one up in Mexicali one extra minute is to be strenuously avoided IMO.

geoffff - 2-3-2021 at 11:22 PM

Curious about this too. This is why I've never tried the online form. I never know exactly when I'll make it to the border.

AKgringo - 2-4-2021 at 05:06 AM

You still have to go inside and get the FMM stamped, so there is no saving of time. The last two I have gotten from Mexicali West, I paid the agent who filled them out for me and then stamped them, with no need to find the bank (which I believe is in the same building)

bike4mee - 2-4-2021 at 06:39 AM

I filled out the online form and then it directed me to the bank site. I paid and got a receipt. Now it won't let me back to the card site saying "processing" So I hope they will just start a new FMN and honor the paid receipt when I stop at the border. Few hassles as possible. I hope

David K - 2-4-2021 at 07:35 AM

Folks, just get the FMM at the border... it isn't any extra hassle because you have to stop there anyway to validate the online one.

MulegeAL - 2-4-2021 at 10:25 AM

Smithp,

You need valid FMM and passport for your mandatory Mex auto/vehicle insurance to be valid too! Have a great trip!

[Edited on 2-4-2021 by MulegeAL]

Lexusallterrain - 2-5-2021 at 08:02 AM

If I get my tourist card at Ensenada which is easier and more relaxing to stop by, how much more do I have to pay...

BajaMama - 2-5-2021 at 04:17 PM

Quote: Originally posted by MulegeAL  
Smithp,

You need valid FMM and passport for your mandatory Mex auto/vehicle insurance to be valid too! Have a great trip!

[Edited on 2-4-2021 by MulegeAL]


I have heard this debated for some time - is the final answer that you do need the passport/FMM?

Personally I'm not worried, I always get my FMM, I'm just curious!

Input re: Insurance

s/v Ola Chica - 2-5-2021 at 05:14 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaMama  
Quote: Originally posted by MulegeAL  
Smithp,

You need valid FMM and passport for your mandatory Mex auto/vehicle insurance to be valid too! Have a great trip!

[Edited on 2-4-2021 by MulegeAL]


I have heard this debated for some time - is the final answer that you do need the passport/FMM?

Personally I'm not worried, I always get my FMM, I'm just curious!

My yearly policy requires proper immigration documentation in order to be valid, period. I suppose it may come down to the specific provider, but that would be mere supposition.

If this applies to you, it would preclude obtaining the FMM in Ensenada, whether or not it is more convenient...if you like being insured, that is. Regardless, forego proper documentation at your own peril. Remember: the day you need it, will be the day you chose not to bother.

David K - 2-5-2021 at 05:30 PM

The owner of Baja Bound Insurance (the sponsor of Baja Nomad) asked the Mexican company insurance company point blank about this and the answer was NO, they do NOT consider immigration status when there is a claim. That said, every non-Mexican should honor the nation's law and obtain the correct papers for their time in Mexico.

sancho - 2-5-2021 at 06:46 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
The owner of Baja Bound Insurance (the sponsor of Baja Nomad) asked the Mexican company insurance company point blank about this and the answer was NO, they do NOT consider immigration status when there is a claim








Bajabound, if I recall, sells policies that are written by Chubb
and HDI. As you know there are several other Mex Co's that
sell auto tourist policies. So without contacting each of the other
Mex Co's about Mex Immigration status of their clients, that
leaves the question open as to the absolute need for proper
Immigration status of the policy holder. Bajabound can only
report what their 2 Mex Ins Co's tell them. Recently read of
someone contacting their Mex Ins Co, not purchased thru
bajabound, who said to the
contrary that their policy is invalid without proper Imm
papers. I get my policies thru bajabound

David K - 2-5-2021 at 06:53 PM

When I say "they" I was referring to the policy sold by Baja Bound (also Discover Baja sells for the same company)... In any case it is a moot point as none of us would travel into Mexico without the legal paperwork, r-i-g-h-t ??? LOL

Have a nice weekend!

mtgoat666 - 2-5-2021 at 08:44 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
The owner of Baja Bound Insurance (the sponsor of Baja Nomad) asked the Mexican company insurance company point blank about this and the answer was NO, they do NOT consider immigration status when there is a claim. That said, every non-Mexican should honor the nation's law and obtain the correct papers for their time in Mexico.


Verbal statement by salesman is not part of the insurance contract. The contract is the contract. Dk: show us the contract language that says immigration compliance status is irrelevant for claims!

[Edited on 2-6-2021 by mtgoat666]

mtgoat666 - 2-5-2021 at 08:47 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
When I say "they" I was referring to the policy sold by Baja Bound (also Discover Baja sells for the same company)... In any case it is a moot point as none of us would travel into Mexico without the legal paperwork, r-i-g-h-t ??? LOL

Have a nice weekend!


Dk: bajabound sells insurance from multiple insurers! Which insurers have contracts that explicitly state that illegal immigrant status will not be used to deny claims?

David K - 2-6-2021 at 09:07 AM

It was HDI but maybe the others, too? Why don't you call or email them?

EDIT: So are you admitting to violating Mexican law in not obtaining an FMM???
:wow::wow::wow:

[Edited on 2-6-2021 by David K]

David K - 2-6-2021 at 09:42 AM

Oh the horror!!! :lol: