BajaNomad

FMM CARD

KFIG - 2-23-2022 at 10:06 AM

Should I purchase The FMM card on line or get it when I drive across at Mexicali. Also, Where is it better to cross Mexicali east or west?

bkbend - 2-23-2022 at 10:31 AM

Get it when you cross, you need to stop and get it stamped anyway. That eliminates any problems with the online transaction.

West has easier parking for FMM, veer to the left BEFORE going through the gates and park in the declare area under the canopy. Go into the building adjacent to the parking area for an FMM.

East is an easier (IMO) drive through Mexicali, but sometimes a pain in the a** to park. Ask at customs where they want you to park, it varies what answer you will get. Immigration is the glass fronted building immediately to the right of the customs stop.

Pick your poison, easier parking or easier driving.

sancho - 2-23-2022 at 10:54 AM

I come from San Diego, typically use the west. There has
in the last few weeks, NOT saying it is common, a scam with a Mex plated car bumping into tourists cars, then wanting $$.
Generally a red sedan, Nissan maybe, around the Costco area. That is why I would use the east. Concur, fmm at the border

Don Pisto - 2-23-2022 at 01:15 PM

Quote: Originally posted by KFIG  
Should I purchase The FMM card on line or get it when I drive across at Mexicali. Also, Where is it better to cross Mexicali east or west?


more and more travelers are claiming the online FMM is the best way to ensure you get the full 180 day maximum, why not get it?

David K - 2-23-2022 at 02:43 PM

The online one is invalid until you have it stamped at the border, by the same people who give you one to fill out.

Not much of an advantage beyond filling the form and paying the money.

The disadvantages include the online pay not working; not being able to cross the border when you say: and where you said you would.

Don Pisto - 2-23-2022 at 04:00 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
The online one is invalid until you have it stamped at the border, by the same people who give you one to fill out.

Not much of an advantage beyond filling the form and paying the money.

The disadvantages include the online pay not working; not being able to cross the border when you say: and where you said you would.


well David then by all means skip this process, my advice is directed at KFIG to ensure getting a full 180 days

mtgoat666 - 2-23-2022 at 04:09 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Don Pisto  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
The online one is invalid until you have it stamped at the border, by the same people who give you one to fill out.

Not much of an advantage beyond filling the form and paying the money.

The disadvantages include the online pay not working; not being able to cross the border when you say: and where you said you would.


well David then by all means skip this process, my advice is directed at KFIG to ensure getting a full 180 days


What makes you think online application gets more days than in-person application?
I crossed mexicali west 3 weeks ago, completed form in person, and told them i was on 10-day trip, and they gave me 180 days. 180 same as i always…

They always give 180 days, hand them out like candy

[Edited on 2-23-2022 by mtgoat666]

David K - 2-23-2022 at 06:36 PM

Same here, in person, 180-days.

ElCap - 2-23-2022 at 08:15 PM

You still have to get it stamped when you cross the border, but getting it online prior means you don't have to run back and forth to bank, etc. Saves time and stress, which are usually important factors when trying to make miles south. To each his own. I get mine through Discover Baja travel club.

Bajazly - 2-23-2022 at 09:40 PM

Quote: Originally posted by ElCap  
You still have to get it stamped when you cross the border, but getting it online prior means you don't have to run back and forth to bank, etc. Saves time and stress, which are usually important factors when trying to make miles south. To each his own. I get mine through Discover Baja travel club.


When I used to get them I always paid the guy who filled it out for me at Mexicali West, no back and forth to the bank.

AKgringo - 2-23-2022 at 09:46 PM

At the end of November, I got my FMM at Mexicali West. No bank involved, the agent I filled out the form with took my pesos and sent me on my way.

It wasn't until much later that I realized that he never stamped the form! If I ever really needed to show it to some official, I doubt that it would have been any good.

sancho - 2-24-2022 at 10:26 AM

The online 180 day # that automatically appears on the
form you printout, means nothing. The Mex INM officer
at the border can and will change it to whatever suits
him

wilderone - 2-24-2022 at 10:29 AM

"When I used to get them I always paid the guy who filled it out for me at Mexicali West, no back and forth to the bank."
When you pay Banjercitos the cost, you get a receipt and you're told to keep it with the FMM, and the receipt specifies that it is a federal charge or something. If the staff person at the counter pocketed your money and sent you on your way, you did not pay the FMM cost nor have proof of payment either.

del mar - 2-24-2022 at 12:09 PM

actually a number of travel sites do claim that getting the online FMM ensures (or at least helps) that you'll get 180 days.....but of course no one knows like a nomad!;)https://travelfocus.org/fmm-mexico-tourist-permit-for-mexico...

Whiskey Witch - 2-25-2022 at 01:48 PM

The last time we drove across, at Mexicali west, the immigration agent processed our payment by credit card, with no walk to bank counter.

pacificobob - 2-26-2022 at 08:10 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Don Pisto  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
The online one is invalid until you have it stamped at the border, by the same people who give you one to fill out.

Not much of an advantage beyond filling the form and paying the money.

The disadvantages include the online pay not working; not being able to cross the border when you say: and where you said you would.


well David then by all means skip this process, my advice is directed at KFIG to ensure getting a full 180 days


Want 180 days? Just ask! When I needed FMMs I never had an immigration official even blink at the request.

RFClark - 2-26-2022 at 08:29 AM

We get them every 180 days, for 180 days and never have to ask! At least in Mexicali West they don’t even use the online form. They do a paper one from scratch. The guy at the counter takes the money. Your stamped visa and passport is all the proof you need.

[Edited on 2-26-2022 by RFClark]

Alm - 2-26-2022 at 09:35 PM

Quote: Originally posted by RFClark  
in Mexicali West they don’t even use the online form. They do a paper one from scratch.

They ignore your pre-filled online form that only requires to detach one part, and fill the paper form by hand? Doing more work when they could do less? Very un-Mexican behaviour.

Bajaboy - 2-27-2022 at 07:01 PM

Immigration had a checkpoint south of Ensenada on Friday and again today, Sunday. Make sure you're legal.

Alm - 3-1-2022 at 03:40 PM

I wonder, were there any INM checkpoints around Mexicali on Hwy 5 in the last several years? Not militaries that only check the trunk.

David K - 3-1-2022 at 06:39 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Alm  
I wonder, were there any INM checkpoints around Mexicali on Hwy 5 in the last several years? Not militaries that only check the trunk.


INM was reported at the Hwy. 3 jcn. next to the Military checkpoint. If no FMM, you were turned back north, 90 miles to the border. :O

Whiskey Witch - 3-2-2022 at 10:24 PM

We drove into Mexico today at the San Ysidro/Chaparral border crossing. At the immigration counter we were asked how long we wanted to stay (no other questions). We said "until mid-July". Agent said "180 days" and we said "thank you." Our FMMs were 638 pesos each and we paid with a credit card. (BTW this was about our 26th FMM in about 11 years. We still maintain residency in USA and are not full-time in Mx, in case anyone wonders why we are not temporal or permanente residentes)

Alm - 3-3-2022 at 11:02 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Whiskey Witch  
(BTW this was about our 26th FMM in about 11 years. We still maintain residency in USA and are not full-time in Mx, in case anyone wonders why we are not temporal or permanente residentes)

Getting FMM that often would make a compelling case for getting PR card. It would pay for itself in about 5 years. Mexico don't care whether people with PR maintain a US residency or how long they stay there every year. Some other countries do.

[Edited on 3-4-2022 by Alm]