Lee
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3503
Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
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Tecate Immigration hours on Sunday?
A friend needs to pickup a tourist visa and I'm not sure how easy it is at Tecate on a Sunday 7 a.m.?
Is it all done at one office or is payment done at a bank?
And, where is the office located?
Finally, is it easier to pick one up in advance at the San Isidro office?
Thanks to those who know.
US Marines: providing enemies of America an opportunity to die for their country since 1775.
What I say before any important decision.
F*ck it.
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hombre66
Nomad
Posts: 281
Registered: 10-29-2014
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Immigration is just inside the crossing immediately on the right and you backtrack to a bank window about 100 feet from Imm. office. Hard part:
Parking. I searched for a few blocks in the area and the closest I got was 3 blocks. This was mid day , weekday. Watch your driving too getting thru
town.
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Howard
Super Nomad
Posts: 2353
Registered: 11-13-2007
Location: Loreto/Manhattan Beach/Kona
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Mood: I'd rather regret the things I've done than regret the things I haven't done.
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Bump as I have friends who are crossing at Tecate on a Sunday and need tourist visas.
We don't stop playing because we grow old;
we grow old because we stop playing
George Bernard Shaw
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64835
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Since rules change from officer to officer, expect the unexpected when going to Mexico...
I have walked to the officers at Tecate, and asked about FMM and payment... what they told me then (in 2013 I think) was the FMM is obtainable anytime
the border is open, which would always be the case since you need it to be in Mexico now (or at least any travel south of the border zone or stays
over 3 days). They may not want to be bothered at late hours and tell you that you don't need it, but I would say you want it anyway.
There is a bank teller at the border for collecting payment, BUT if that teller is not there, the bank window is closed, etc., the INM officer CAN
take the money and stamp the FMM. I found this the case since 2012 when the INM officers were finally bonded or whatever so they could collect the fee
(tax) for the tourist card.
Less than 3 months ago, when I last got an FMM (at Mexicali) the one officer did everything, including collecting my fee money. He has a cash box at
the same desk you fill out the FMM paper at. In 2012, at Tijuana, I also was able to pay the INM officer and not walk to the bank teller window. She
wasn't busy, and that may be why sometimes they send you to the banker's window to pay instead of collecting the money themselves?
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mojo_norte
Senior Nomad
Posts: 725
Registered: 2-14-2006
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the immigration guy took my money last December crossing - no bank interaction needed . He said he gets there at 5 AM - that was a weekday however
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windgrrl
Super Nomad
Posts: 1335
Registered: 9-2-2006
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Border info chart from Discover Baja site
http://www.discoverbaja.com/go/border-chart/
When the way comes to an end, then change. Having changed, you pass through.
~ I-Ching
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mufflerbearings
Newbie
Posts: 20
Registered: 5-15-2014
Location: Cathedral City
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Lately, I've found that the Tecate INM office is a one-stop shop. The officer will take your money and issue the FMM on the spot. And David K is
right about policy differing from officer to officer. The last time I got the FMM, the officer on duty told me, "Eh, don't worry about it; you
really don't need it unless you go south of Guerrero Negro." However, I insisted on getting it, since it's my understanding that your vehicle
insurance could possibly be null and void if you don't have the FMM.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64835
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Quote: Originally posted by mufflerbearings  | | Lately, I've found that the Tecate INM office is a one-stop shop. The officer will take your money and issue the FMM on the spot. And David K is
right about policy differing from officer to officer. The last time I got the FMM, the officer on duty told me, "Eh, don't worry about it; you
really don't need it unless you go south of Guerrero Negro." However, I insisted on getting it, since it's my understanding that your vehicle
insurance could possibly be null and void if you don't have the FMM. |
You provide great trip reporting details and I appreciate it!
I did ask my Mexican auto insurance agency about the FMM required for coverage rumor you mention... the agent contacted the company in Mexico... he
was told they do not withhold coverage based on any immigration paperwork or lack thereof.
No excuse for not having an FMM but an FMM is still not an enforced requirement by automobile tourists in the 'border zone' for up to 72 hours... the
traffic jam going into Mexico from such a requirement would be insanity at the bigger borders, southbound! You must have Mexican insurance for
liability, however... well, you should have it to stay out of jail!!!
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topnut
Newbie
Posts: 1
Registered: 10-17-2015
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We crossed on a Sunday in March. Easy-peazy, we were the only ones there, the office was open - took 10 minutes in and out the door.
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