BajaNomad

FMM question

jamiec - 1-9-2022 at 11:50 AM

Seems to be a bunch of info being posted on youtube and FB regarding the changes to the amount of time folks are getting on an FMM. Lots of people that are doing the perpetual tourist deal are getting less than 180 days guaranteed. Not really looking to open up this can of worms on the perpetual tourist deal vs. temp residency.

My question: has anyone that has driven south in the last month or two received less than 180 days on their FMM?

Last summer when we crossed in San Ysidro, we told the immigration official we were going to be in Mexico for about a month and we both received 180 days on our FMM.

My reason for the question is that I am planning a two-month trip down this summer and will be camping/surfing/fishing. I bring this up as there have been a few reports of officials requiring hotel reservations as proof of itinerary.

I'm just curious about what folks around here are seeing when they drive across.

mojo_norte - 1-9-2022 at 12:53 PM

I requested 150 got 180 - The guy filled out the form for me. 31 bucks - 2 weeks ago at San Luis

sancho - 1-9-2022 at 12:58 PM

Lot's of chatter on this. For me, the online fmm does
not have any influence on days granted by Mex Imm,
possibility the reverse of what you want. Got your trip
planned, that's about all one can do


AKgringo - 1-9-2022 at 01:03 PM

I crossed southbound at Mexicali West on the 28th or 29th of November. I am not sure of the date, and I just now realized that the agent did not stamp a date or seal on it!

Anyway, he asked how long I would be in Mexico, and I told him a couple of weeks, and I might come back down in January or February. He wrote 180 days, but I guess I will need a new one next trip since the one I have never got stamped!

matchless - 1-9-2022 at 01:09 PM

Just crossed at Tecate 2 days ago...I told immigration official 180 days and that is what we got...very easy as usual...

Cancamo - 1-9-2022 at 06:47 PM

Buenos Dias,
Puede darme ciento ochenta dias por favor.
Gracias,
Que tenga buen dia.

Respectfully asking in Spanish is all that is required.

DIWR17 - 1-10-2022 at 10:08 AM

We're flying in and out of SJD about every 2 months now. Immigration always asks how long coming in, I say 2 or 3 months. It's always stamped 180.

The wife was reading about some people having trouble, or being questioned, but I think this may be coming out of Mexico City entrants, from other parts of the world.

Don Pisto - 1-10-2022 at 01:11 PM

just type "180 day FMM" into youtube.....the times they are a changin'

sancho - 1-10-2022 at 02:30 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Don Pisto  
just type "180 day FMM" into youtube.....the times they are a changin'






Yes indeed, many accounts of tourists flying in, being granted only
the days they can show pre reserved accommodations,
sometimes less, 10-14 days, Mex City/Yucatan. Who knows how far this will
spread. I can't see the motive out of Mex Imm? Personally, I would
certainly never write in the number of days on the fmm, I would always
acquiesce to the Imm Officer's authority. The number of days granted is up to Mex Imm, not the tourist.
The form says 'up to 180 days'.
Hope this doesn't turn into a cluster

mtgoat666 - 1-10-2022 at 02:57 PM

Quote: Originally posted by sancho  
Quote: Originally posted by Don Pisto  
just type "180 day FMM" into youtube.....the times they are a changin'






Yes indeed, many accounts of tourists flying in, being granted only
the days they can show pre reserved accommodations,
sometimes less, 10-14 days, Mex City/Yucatan. Who knows how far this will
spread. I can't see the motive out of Mex Imm?



Motive? IMM probably trying to gently crack down on the many foreigners illegally living or working in Mexico.

If a tourist is only booked for a 1 week stay, they dont need more than a week on their fmm :light:

sancho - 1-10-2022 at 03:27 PM

Tourists travelling the Country of Mex, driving, by bus,
snowbirds driving Motorhomes. Not all are time share
1 weekers. I can see a crackdown on 180 day border runners, getting
back to back fmm's. Who has ever had prepaid camp spots down
and back on the Peninsula? No one

David K - 1-10-2022 at 04:52 PM

It amazes me to read (on Facebook mostly) of those who have Baja homes they live in part or full-time talk about going north, just because their FMM is about to expire in order to get a new one.

PaulW - 1-12-2022 at 08:27 AM

Reported first hand account on Facebook
Cost is now 600 pesos per person
Persons who paid less online had to pay 600 at the border and did not get a refund for what they paid online.

mtgoat666 - 1-12-2022 at 08:53 AM

Quote: Originally posted by PaulW  
Reported first hand account on Facebook
Cost is now 600 pesos per person
Persons who paid less online had to pay 600 at the border and did not get a refund for what they paid online.


Do not buy fmm online. So easy to get it at border, takes just a few minutes to fill out form, pay at bank window.

If you have multiple people in your family, typing in the info online takes forever…. Big waste of time. Easier/faster to do at border.

100X - 1-12-2022 at 09:03 AM

If everyone stopped at the border to do it, would it still be quick and easy?

When we stopped (Mexicali, early November) there were limited parking spaces to begin with. Because I was pulling a trailer they stopped me in one of the lanes, requiring everyone else in that lane to detour around me.

I was the only person inside so it was quite pleasant and only took about 10 minutes. Again, the only person inside. If everyone starts doing it this way, could be quite a mess.

David K - 1-12-2022 at 09:17 AM

Quote: Originally posted by 100X  
If everyone stopped at the border to do it, would it still be quick and easy?

When we stopped (Mexicali, early November) there were limited parking spaces to begin with. Because I was pulling a trailer they stopped me in one of the lanes, requiring everyone else in that lane to detour around me.

I was the only person inside so it was quite pleasant and only took about 10 minutes. Again, the only person inside. If everyone starts doing it this way, could be quite a mess.


The thing is everyone HAS to stop at the border, including the online purchased ones (as it is only valid when stamped upon entering Mexico). Of course, hundreds of border crossers do not stop. Otherwise it would be a 50 mile long back up to get into Mexico! Reasons for not stopping may include Mexican people, people whose FMM is still active form a previous trip, people who don't want to be legal, and people who don't know that everyone who is not Mexican is supposed to have the FMM (or visa from other countries) stamped at the border.

100X - 1-12-2022 at 09:25 AM

Appears most do not bother then. I have not been asked for it while down here.

PaulW - 1-12-2022 at 10:26 AM

From what I know if you have need to interface with govt officials then they ask. Like cops, etc.
Migration has in the past shown up at military.
Crossing going south at Algodones most of the time the migration guy will ask for papers.
My last trip using west Mexicali border a migration guy ask for papers
And my last trip thru Mexicali east I was ask for papers.

David K - 1-12-2022 at 10:37 AM

Paul, are you saying that at the electric gates or soon after, there was a person asking through your car window?

PaulW - 1-12-2022 at 12:04 PM

Enter in non declare as soon as I pass the electric gate the officials just standing around, one of them motion me to stop and ask. I have PM and as soon as the see it they thank me and wave me on.
Same drill west, east and Algodones.
Not always ,but true for the last few crossings.

David K - 1-12-2022 at 12:59 PM

Quote: Originally posted by PaulW  
Enter in non declare as soon as I pass the electric gate the officials just standing around, one of them motion me to stop and ask. I have PM and as soon as the see it they thank me and wave me on.
Same drill west, east and Algodones.
Not always ,but true for the last few crossings.


This is a positive thing and would teach the non-FMMers that Mexico does have some immigration rules, after all! Crossing an international border is supposed to different than a state border, but hasn't been for decades.

Don Pisto - 1-12-2022 at 02:02 PM

not what the OP is looking for but those of you that have been on the fence about getting legal this is a great opportunity.....
https://mexicorelocationguide.com/special-residency-program-...