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alafrontera
Nomad
Posts: 143
Registered: 11-4-2009
Location: San Diego
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Tourist Cards?
Do these only apply to mainland Mexico? I never see any discussion of them on here. Certainly don't need it for TJ but what about the rest of Baja?
low lattitude attitude
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alafrontera
Nomad
Posts: 143
Registered: 11-4-2009
Location: San Diego
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Sorry, I meant to post this in the other thread, Border Paperwork. If someone can move it .... 
low lattitude attitude
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noproblemo2
Super Nomad
Posts: 1088
Registered: 4-14-2006
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FM-T, is the tourist card
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
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Location: Punta Banda
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Technically, if you're in Tijuana for over one week, you're required to have one.
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noproblemo2
Super Nomad
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
Technically, if you're in Tijuana for over one week, you're required to have one. |
On this I totally agree...
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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School me. Is it 72 hours or a week? There's a free 7 day card. So doesn't it make sense that 72 hours is the limit without one?
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
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Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajahowodd
School me. Is it 72 hours or a week? There's a free 7 day card. So doesn't it make sense that 72 hours is the limit without one?
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I don't know anything about a free card. One can be in the free zone for one week without papers so why would they want a free card?
72 hours changed to one week around five years back.
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grace59
Senior Nomad
Posts: 614
Registered: 9-14-2004
Location: San Felipe, Baja, Mexico
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As I understand it you still need the tourist card for a weeks stay in Mexico, but for that time period the FMT is free. For longer periods or if you
are going outside of the free zone (below San Felipe on the Sea of Cortez) you pay somewhere around 20-26 dollars depending on the peso.
Whenever I hear that rainy, chill wind blow. I think it may be time to head for Mexico. Tengo que obedecer mi corazon!
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Pacifico
Super Nomad
Posts: 1299
Registered: 5-26-2008
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We have discussed this several times on the board. The free tourist card for 7 days is questionable - it depends where you go and who you get. I have
tried to get it and the immigration people look at me like I'm crazy; they have no idea what I'm talking about. In my opinion, it is just easier to
get one for 180 days for about 20 bucks and then have it for 6 months. Much less hassle in the long run if you go to baja often.
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13052
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
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Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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I was told that as soon as you cross into Mexico, you need a tourist visa...fmt
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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No es correcto.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
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Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Pacifico
In my opinion, it is just easier to get one for 180 days for about 20 bucks and then have it for 6 months. Much less hassle in the long run if you go
to baja often. |
I don't know if that works. In the past, they had a Multiple Entry card which one could come and go with. I haven't even heard of that lately.
Anyway, I'm not sure the present version is for multiple entry. Something tells me it isn't.
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Pacifico
Super Nomad
Posts: 1299
Registered: 5-26-2008
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
| Quote: | Originally posted by Pacifico
In my opinion, it is just easier to get one for 180 days for about 20 bucks and then have it for 6 months. Much less hassle in the long run if you go
to baja often. |
I don't know if that works. In the past, they had a Multiple Entry card which one could come and go with. I haven't even heard of that lately.
Anyway, I'm not sure the present version is for multiple entry. Something tells me it isn't. |
You are probably right Dennis.....I don't think they are meant to be. Many people I know just use them for the 180 days though.
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David K
Honored Nomad
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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A Tourist Card (FM-T) is required for trips ANYWHERE in Mexico that last longer than 3 Days (72 hours)... OR the moment you drive south of the 'border
zone' (Maneadero/ San Felipe*).
There is a FREE FM-T for visits up to 7 days. Otherwise, a paid FM-T can be made for multiple trips during a period UP to 180 days.
State tourism people have talked about a 7 day border zone exemption, but I have yet to see it in print from the federal authorities.
*Some federal forms say Mexicali
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Mika
Junior Nomad
Posts: 60
Registered: 1-8-2009
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I thought the law changed recently. I was in Baja in this past September. I flew in, so I was fine, but a friend with me got almost in trouble.
We thought he doesn't need it if he is in Ensenada because (we thought) this has been the case in past several times we were in Baja. But the
official in Ensenada told us that we have to have a card at the border in TJ (no more at Ensenada or pay fine), and official made us go back to the
car and show us my friend's tourist card. He still had his old tourist card he got previously which was still valid so it turned out to be OK (just
didn't tell the official he left Mexico and came back again).
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Mika
(no more at Ensenada or pay fine |
Yeah...They like that "fine" part. The Ensenada office seems to make their own rules. Mexico should be sooo proud of these ambasadors.
Well, maybe they are. The office has been difficult to deal with forever and I'm sure lots of complaints have been filed against them...to no avail.
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MitchMan
Super Nomad
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Registered: 3-9-2009
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I like David K's post. It's definitive, mentioning State and Federal requirements. Based on that post versus the equivocation and conflicting other
posts causing me some confusion and ambiguity on the issue of the requirement for an FMT, I'd like weigh in on this.
If there is a conflict/difference between State rules versus Federal rules, then the most conservative (or most restrictive) rules should be followed,
not withstanding fact juristction for immigration rests with the Mexican federal government and not with Mexican state or local authorities.
David K's post states if you (non-Mexican tourist) are south of or out of the Border Zone ("BZ") you are required to have an FMT, regardless of the
duration of your stay. If you are in the BZ and if you are there for only up to 72 hours, you don't need any FMT. If you are in the BZ after 3 days
and up to 7 days you will need an FMT. If you are in the BZ for over 7 days you need an FMT.
The questions I still have are:
1)Am I correct about not needing any FMT document at all if in the BZ for a stay of only 3 days?
2)Can the FMT requirement for being South of or Outside of the BZ for up to 7 days be satisfied with the Free FMT?
3) Is the "Free FMT" tourist card the same as the Paid FMT with the exception of not being stamped Paid by a Mexican Bank (and therefore not actually
Paid for)?
4) If in the BZ, how would federal or state authorities know how long you have been there if you drove to that location (or rode in a car as a
passenger) and you didn't have your passport stamped upon entry to Mexico?
If #4 is a burden of proof issue, and Mexican law says the burden of proof is the responsibility of the tourist to prove the specific length of their
stay, then whether or not the Mexican authorities independently know how long you have been there is irrelevant, and you must have proof of your stay
since the Authorities are at liberty to presume whatever they want and hold you to it.
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Here is another wrench....is your Mexican car insurance valid with or without an FMT referring to #'s 1 and 2 of MitchMan's post???
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
| Quote: | Originally posted by Pacifico
In my opinion, it is just easier to get one for 180 days for about 20 bucks and then have it for 6 months. Much less hassle in the long run if you go
to baja often. |
I don't know if that works. In the past, they had a Multiple Entry card which one could come and go with. I haven't even heard of that lately.
Anyway, I'm not sure the present version is for multiple entry. Something tells me it isn't. |
No one checks for an FM-T as you enter Mexico. a 180 day card is good for 180 days. If multiple entries weren't allowed don't you think Mexican miga
would have a system whereby they collected them at the gates when headed North?
And as for the car insurance thing, you will be covered if you are in compliance. For example, if you go to Rosarito for a long weekend and get three
days worth of insurance. You don't need the card and you will have insurance coverage. On the other hand, if you spend seven days in Mexico and buy
seven days worth of insurance and don't have the FM-T, and have an accident after the third day, good luck.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65408
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by MitchMan
I like David K's post. It's definitive, mentioning State and Federal requirements. Based on that post versus the equivocation and conflicting other
posts causing me some confusion and ambiguity on the issue of the requirement for an FMT, I'd like weigh in on this.
If there is a conflict/difference between State rules versus Federal rules, then the most conservative (or most restrictive) rules should be followed,
not withstanding fact juristction for immigration rests with the Mexican federal government and not with Mexican state or local authorities.
David K's post states if you (non-Mexican tourist) are south of or out of the Border Zone ("BZ") you are required to have an FMT, regardless of the
duration of your stay. If you are in the BZ and if you are there for only up to 72 hours, you don't need any FMT. If you are in the BZ after 3 days
and up to 7 days you will need an FMT. If you are in the BZ for over 7 days you need an FMT.
The questions I still have are:
1)Am I correct about not needing any FMT document at all if in the BZ for a stay of only 3 days?
2)Can the FMT requirement for being South of or Outside of the BZ for up to 7 days be satisfied with the Free FMT?
3) Is the "Free FMT" tourist card the same as the Paid FMT with the exception of not being stamped Paid by a Mexican Bank (and therefore not actually
Paid for)?
4) If in the BZ, how would federal or state authorities know how long you have been there if you drove to that location (or rode in a car as a
passenger) and you didn't have your passport stamped upon entry to Mexico?
If #4 is a burden of proof issue, and Mexican law says the burden of proof is the responsibility of the tourist to prove the specific length of their
stay, then whether or not the Mexican authorities independently know how long you have been there is irrelevant, and you must have proof of your stay
since the Authorities are at liberty to presume whatever they want and hold you to it. |
1) YES,
2) YES,
3) MAYBE (haven't seen one),
4) They don't (their system is flawed since no passports or cards are checked or stamped. Checked at Guerrero Negro sometimes),
4a) YUP (If you want to prove when you entered Mexico, your toll gate receipt may work)
Again... they 72 hour BZ exemption period might be 7 days now (as Dennis says and as some officials have said)... but, I am waiting to see that in
print from the federal government.
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