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prt328
Junior Nomad
Posts: 51
Registered: 2-13-2007
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FM3 Problems
I made the SERIOUS mistake of obtaining my FM3 in Sacramento, CA from the Mexican Consulate. I was assure by them, and further assured by CSL Airport
immigration that all I needed to do is get the FM3 "stamped" at the Cabo Immigration office. WRONG!! When I went in I was told I needed to provide
them with new pictures (this time in B/W), copies of my passport, FM3 and a new FM1 application form. Everything but the bank statements, police
report and fees (which was surprising the didn't try to collect again)! Like a good gringo, I complied. Upon returning the following day with all of
the required stuff, I was told it would take a week or so to get the FM3 back! ALL THEY HAVE TO DO IS ADD MY CABO ADDRESS!!
I explained on both visits to the Immigration office that I was flying out of Cabo this Sunday and was told yesterday by the immigration guy that I
would be able to pick it up Friday. Today I was told that is not possible (the boss is in a bad mood). To help me out, I was informed I need an
"Exit Letter" which I can't apply for until Friday before leaving. NOW they can collect some fees from me ($287 mn)!! I plan on paying the fees and
getting the letter Friday (another 2 hours out of my day!)
Here's the REAL dilemma. Part 1: I fly out this Sunday and show my "exit Letter" to the airline. I ASSUME they give me the return document so I can
get back in? I suspect I should keep a copy of the exit letter - just in case??
Part 2: I am DRIVING back to Cabo in two weeks. Is it my understanding that I SHOULD NOT stop at Tijuana immigration as they will likely keep my
return authorization paperwork? I will then have NOTHING (FM3, letter, etc.) to get past the Guerroro Negro immigration checkpoint with. I am making
a bold assumption that I need to stop a GN immigration (I assume there is an immigration office there) to turn stuff in and drive down BCN on just my
passport?
Sorry for the lengthy post just to get to my question (but the story needed to be shared to help others?). I appreciate any feedback or advice from
someone who has had to do this and if my assumptions are correct?
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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WOW...You really got caught up in a good one. Just make sure they don't hold on to your passport.
Another thing is the time....around mid December, they'll close down till after the first of the year. That's what Ensenada does. Try your best to
have your stuff done before that time.
Ask immigration about a temporary receipt for your FM3 for your return driving trip.
Good luck and have a good trip.
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pacside
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It is frustrating but relax as the receipt they gave you will suffice. Drive on through tijuana border with your FM3 paperwork/receipt. Do not get an
FMT as you aren't supposed to get another visa if you already have a visa.
I too made the mistake of originally applying for FM3 in san jose, ca only to find out I'd have to do it all over agian in La Paz. Then I didn't renew
in time and got charged a late fee. Then following year realized it was due for renewal but wasn't planning on being in baja prior to its expiration.
So I DHL'ed all my renewal info and my original FM3 to nomad Shari's agent she uses in La Paz. I knew I wouldn't be receiving it back prior to my
drive down so once again nomads suggested I get a receipt for my renewal and that paperwork was sufficient for the drive down. Once down in La Paz
area I went to meet agent in La Paz, handed over my pesos and he gave me my renewed FM3. OK come this June I get to do this all over again. Thinking
of looking into FM2 but the out of country limits could prove to be an obstacle.
edit: not sure if 'exit letter' is same as FM3 application letter. The latter acts as a temporary visa both ways until you get your original back.
good luck,
pacside
[Edited on 11-18-2009 by pacside]
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prt328
Junior Nomad
Posts: 51
Registered: 2-13-2007
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"Technically" I have an FM-3 and am in the "book". I just will not have physical possession of it when I cross back into Mexico. That is why I need
the "Exit Letter" to legally get out and back in to keep the loop straight and be "legal".
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
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| Quote: | Originally posted by pacside
Thinking of looking into FM2 but the out of country limits could prove to be an obstacle.
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What they don't know, won't hurt you.
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bajajudy
Elite Nomad
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Location: San Jose del Cabo,BCS
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I believe that they will either let you keep the letter or give you something to allow your re entry.
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comitan
Ultra Nomad
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I have had to have the letter before its works the same as your FM3. It will get you and in legally.
Strive For The Ideal, But Deal With What\'s Real.
Every day is a new day, better than the day before.(from some song)
Lord, Keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth.
“The sincere pursuit of truth requires you to entertain the possibility that everything you believe to be true may in fact be false”
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gnukid
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Recently, people have returned with their letters after 30 days to discover another fine and the threat of even worse, which of course were only
required because the office was slow in doing their work and therefore justified the departure and return letter and fee. So this seems like a bad
trend which is setup to increase fines and frustration.
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MitchMan
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PRT328, I have had a very similar experience that you are facing with the FM3 that I renew in La Paz.
Caution: the letter that they give you in lieu of your actual FM3 is usually only good for 30 days. So, make sure you return to Mexico and get your
hard copy FM3 before that 30 duration is expired. If you can not return within the 30 day period, you must go to a US consolate to request and obtain
an extension of time.
Another caution: I don't know about your Immigration office, but the La Paz immigration office always plays "brick wall" with me. That is, I
experience one abstacle after another with them. For instance, everytime that you have to submit an application and the related required documents,
the La Paz office says "come back in a week, because that is how long it takes us to process the papers". If it turns out, when you return in one
week, that they need something else, or if there was some defect in the original submission, then, when you go away to get the needed document that
you are missing or whatever it is that you need to remedy the defect, THAT STARTS ANOTHER 1 WEEK WAITING PERIOD, even if it is something extremely
minor that would take them only moments to verify!
For example, the La Paz office said that if eveything was in order for my FM3 and that all there was left to do was to pay the FM3 fee and deliver the
bank receipt of payment to the immigration office, they said even that starts another 1 week waiting period! It didn't the year before, but it did in
September of this year.
pacside, the letter talked about here is NOT the same as FM3 application letter.
Side point, Comitan has mentioned that it is a breeze getting the FM3 at the La Paz office and that they accomodate you by helping you out in English
if you can't speak Spanish. Well, THAT has never been my experience there.
Anything and everything that I have ever had to do with any Mexican agency has always been a massive pain in the neck.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
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| Quote: | Originally posted by MitchMan
Anything and everything that I have ever had to do with any Mexican agency has always been a massive pain in the neck. |
It's the same in Ensenada. Without their saying so, it's their way of pushing you to an independent agent to do it all for you. People here have
said I'm an idiot for turning it over to an agent because of the extra expense. Maybe I am but, it's not just because I'm lazy. I just don't want
to play the BS game.
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comitan
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I learned to play the BS game years ago, I left the other attitude behind, I have to tell you I have had one of them come to my house for something I
forgot!! I have had them go into the back make copies I forgot. The end of rant.!!!
Strive For The Ideal, But Deal With What\'s Real.
Every day is a new day, better than the day before.(from some song)
Lord, Keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth.
“The sincere pursuit of truth requires you to entertain the possibility that everything you believe to be true may in fact be false”
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vandenberg
Elite Nomad
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| Quote: | Originally posted by comitan
I learned to play the BS game years ago, I left the other attitude behind, I have to tell you I have had one of them come to my house for something I
forgot!! I have had them go into the back make copies I forgot. The end of rant.!!! |
Wiley,
Same experience here in Loreto.
Of course Barb does all the talking and negotiating.
I stay out of it, to prevent getting kicked out of the country.
Sour attitude I'm afraid. 
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MitchMan
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Comitan, please, tell me how you do it.
I can't get the La Paz office to volunteer helpful info or even make one measely littel copy even if I offer to pay them 13 pesos per copy. Does
everything with them have to do with "mi amigo" rapport?
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comitan
Ultra Nomad
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You can't go in with an attitude!!!!!!!!!! What worked for me Humble pie!!!!! I have sat in that office and seen people go in there with an attitude
and probably they were not aware of, also have known people that have taken 13 trips to get their FM3 and many other stories I guess go with the flow.
Strive For The Ideal, But Deal With What\'s Real.
Every day is a new day, better than the day before.(from some song)
Lord, Keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth.
“The sincere pursuit of truth requires you to entertain the possibility that everything you believe to be true may in fact be false”
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vandenberg
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5118
Registered: 6-21-2005
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I do know Wiley, that truer words were never spoken.
Somehow I can't do my avatar justice when I deal with government people, either here or in the States.
So I try to be very quiet and leave the talking to my better half, who has a different outlook.
We too had INM come to our house to correct some things that were either forgotten or new and even fingerprinted us at home for our inmmigrado papers.
Nice guys, but still government.
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comitan
Ultra Nomad
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Registered: 3-27-2004
Location: La Paz
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 I
never really read your avatar before.
Strive For The Ideal, But Deal With What\'s Real.
Every day is a new day, better than the day before.(from some song)
Lord, Keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth.
“The sincere pursuit of truth requires you to entertain the possibility that everything you believe to be true may in fact be false”
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prt328
Junior Nomad
Posts: 51
Registered: 2-13-2007
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Wow, didn't want this to turn into an immigration-bashing thread (however deserved)! I usually just chalk these up to TMO and attempt to win them
over; works more times than not!
Back to my original post, in retrospect I wonder if $500 pesos tucked into my folder would have put the boss in a better mood and got it done faster?
Never been inside a Federal prison!
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UnoMas
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Have to agree that I have had no problems at renewing my fm-3 in La Paz since my first go around. I now have a letter of request saved on my computer
where all I do each year is change the date and renewal status, print it out. Give them the "application for migratory procedurer" and the info they
request, 3 months of bank statements, copies of fm-3 (all pages) and fm-3 book, copy of passport (info page only), copy of a utility bill all in a
LEGAL size manila folder. Seems to work well so far.
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pacside
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
| Quote: | Originally posted by pacside
Thinking of looking into FM2 but the out of country limits could prove to be an obstacle.
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What they don't know, won't hurt you. |
hmmm food for thought. That song "....where do we go from here..." comes to mind. I'll ask my agent guy in La Paz to work on FM2 come next renewal. If
it means eventually not having to go through this renewal process after a few years then it will be worth it. But if flying in and out it would seem
they would have pretty good documentation of how long I was outside country. But then again, it could be worth a try. Eventually who knows maybe I
will reside in baja. State of California will probably go belly up anyway. Just have to convince the esposo.
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osoflojo
Nomad
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I had a similar situation years ago, the "exit letter" worked fine for re entry as long as it was within the limit desiganted in the letter.
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