| Pages:
1
2 |
DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
Member Is Offline
|
|
Speed of Passport cards, kids and FMTs
Two questions, please.
1. How long does it take to get passport cards---not full passports, but the passport cards.
2. Do children who are traveling with their parents need FMTs and is the price the same for children?
thanks
|
|
|
bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
|
|
My passport card took about 2 weeks
|
|
|
alafrontera
Nomad
Posts: 143
Registered: 11-4-2009
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
|
|
I applied for my passport card in May, still don't have it. Passport (renewal) took 4 weeks with "expidited" service. SENTRI took 6 weeks to
schedule appointment but only 6 days to receive after interview.
low lattitude attitude
|
|
|
Bajagypsy
Super Nomad
Posts: 1416
Registered: 8-31-2006
Location: BahÃa Asuncion BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: Living the dream
|
|
I know that children need their FMT's and the price is the same as for parents. When we first took the kids down, they told us we could add them to
our FMT's, but when we got to GN, they gave us heck and we had to buy them for the kids. Ever since, we just get them these when we get ours.
|
|
|
bajafam
Senior Nomad
Posts: 654
Registered: 9-6-2009
Location: Northeast AZ, Bahia Asuncion, BCS :)
Member Is Offline
Mood: DLTBGYD
|
|
We have never been asked for our FMT's, but we always get them for the kids as well. They are the same price, but so worth it if you ever have to show
them - no hassles. I would assume that the passport card turn around is going to be different for everyone, but if you plan to travel by air in the
future, you might as well go the full passport route. I think that the card is still very new and foreign and might get you some funny looks, hassles
along the way. Just MHO. We got ours quickly (within a week) and did not pay for expedited, but really, it's the gov. and you never can tell.
|
|
|
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65408
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
Anytime government adds a tax or raises a tax it hurts all the people... When Mexico decided to add a tourist tax in 2000 (charging for FM-Ts) it
really affected big families the most. Camping trips to Baja that were super affordable all of a sudden required $100 US for a family of five, just to
cross the border.
Tourism dropped after that, 9-11 came later and made it worse... They finally came up with a FREE 7 DAY FM-T, and families could at least have a week
trip to Baja without costing $20 per person. Vacations to Baja shouldn't be just for the rich.
Before someone chimes in with the fact that Mexicans need to pay for US visas, I will remind you that the people of Mexico benefit and need the
American tourist business a lot more to survive, than the other way around.
|
|
|
DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
Anytime government adds a tax or raises a tax it hurts all the people... When Mexico decided to add a tourist tax in 2000 (charging for FM-Ts) it
really affected big families the most. Camping trips to Baja that were super affordable all of a sudden required $100 US for a family of five, just to
cross the border.
Tourism dropped after that, 9-11 came later and made it worse... They finally came up with a FREE 7 DAY FM-T, and families could at least have a week
trip to Baja without costing $20 per person. Vacations to Baja shouldn't be just for the rich.
Before someone chimes in with the fact that Mexicans need to pay for US visas, I will remind you that the people of Mexico benefit and need the
American tourist business a lot more to survive, than the other way around. |
There you go again---a couple of simple questions are asked, and you want to start a controversy----I will ignore your ignorant last statement and
your once again attempt to throw in politics where they do not belong----you just never quit.
Only curious if the 7 day free FMT is just for Baja or if it includes Baja Sur--- just 7 day free no matter where?
Thanks to others for their responses----I will check on the cost of all the options----
Also, it does sound like it is different in different areas as far as speed. How fast has anyone gotten the passports or passport cards in the San
Diego Area.
[Edited on 11-19-2009 by DianaT]
|
|
|
alafrontera
Nomad
Posts: 143
Registered: 11-4-2009
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
|
|
I am in San Diego, see response above. However there is a passport office in LA off Wilshire Blvd that supposedly issues passport cards on site. The
trick is you have to have verifiable travel plans (ie airline tickets) for travel within 14 days. You can call 1-877-487-2778 to schedule an
appointment. I only know this from online info, have no personal experience with it. YMMV 
Also there is a CBP office at Otay Mesa that deals with Trusted Traveler/ SENTRI applications. If you decide to try that message me for specific
info.
low lattitude attitude
|
|
|
DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by alafrontera
I am in San Diego, see response above. However there is a passport office in LA off Wilshire Blvd that supposedly issues passport cards on site. The
trick is you have to have verifiable travel plans (ie airline tickets) for travel within 14 days. You can call 1-877-487-2778 to schedule an
appointment. I only know this from online info, have no personal experience with it. YMMV
Also there is a CBP office at Otay Mesa that deals with Trusted Traveler/ SENTRI applications. If you decide to try that message me for specific
info. |
Did see it and thanks---I was hoping someone near here had faster and better luck.
|
|
|
sancho
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2524
Registered: 10-6-2004
Location: OC So Cal
Member Is Offline
|
|
I hope this is not too controversial,
probably doesn't answer your ? anyway,
but Tijuana Gringo residents, that
are frequent crossers, report that
Original Berth Certs, along with Drivers
Licenses, are still accepted by Border Agents for
reentry into the US
[Edited on 11-19-2009 by sancho]
|
|
|
DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by sancho
I hope this is not too controversial,
probably doesn't answer your ? anyway,
but Tijuana Gringo residents, that
are frequent crossers, report that
Original Berth Certs, along with Drivers
Licenses, are still accepted by Border Agents for
reentry into the US
[Edited on 11-19-2009 by sancho] |
I have heard the same thing, but have you heard if they are sent to secondary or not and delayed?
And, is the experience reported at San Ysidro and or other crossings like Tecate?
Thanks
|
|
|
Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
Member Is Offline
|
|
Free FM-T good anywhere in Mexico. As for the current situation at the border, I would imagine that the (unofficial)grace period will gradually become
more restrictive, and as time goes on, there will be increased hassle. That said, at the end of the day, a US citizen will not be denied re-entry to
the US. Just put through the wringer.
|
|
|
alafrontera
Nomad
Posts: 143
Registered: 11-4-2009
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
|
|
I have a friend I take to TJ occasionally, no passport. So far they have not delayed him or told him he needs one. DL and Birth Cert are all he
carries. Of course this fellow is as American as apple pie and that comes across.
I do agree that eventually this will become a problem.
Having said that, while awaiting my passport renewal (after surrendering my old one) I crossed several times with DL/ BC. I even took a photo copy of
my expired passport and a copy of the renewal application. Not only was there no problem but one agent actually said to me, after a brief
conversation, " Nice David but you don't need any of this stuff. My point is that the "better" agents care less about the documents than they
do about their own instincts.
low lattitude attitude
|
|
|
k-rico
Super Nomad
Posts: 2079
Registered: 7-10-2008
Location: Playas de Tijuana
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by DianaT
How fast has anyone gotten the passports or passport cards in the San Diego Area.
|
I renewed my passport via mail and got a new one and a card in a couple of weeks.
I didn't know my passport expired until I got to the Sentri gate and the border guard said my Sentri Card expired because my passport expired. Darn
computers.
After I received the new passport I had to go to the Sentri office and show them so they could manually update the database and "unexpire" my Sentri
card. So they know automatically when your supporting docs expire but not when they are renewed. Another software module is needed.
And then there was the small windshield crack that for years never bothered me nor the Sentri guys until it did bother them. Off to secondary where
they scraped off the RFID windshield sticker, then a new windshield and back to the Sentri office.
[Edited on 11-19-2009 by k-rico]
|
|
|
Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
Member Is Offline
|
|
I Agree
| Quote: | Originally posted by alafrontera
I have a friend I take to TJ occasionally, no passport. So far they have not delayed him or told him he needs one. DL and Birth Cert are all he
carries. Of course this fellow is as American as apple pie and that comes across.
I do agree that eventually this will become a problem.
Having said that, while awaiting my passport renewal (after surrendering my old one) I crossed several times with DL/ BC. I even took a photo copy of
my expired passport and a copy of the renewal application. Not only was there no problem but one agent actually said to me, after a brief
conversation, " Nice David but you don't need any of this stuff. My point is that the "better" agents care less about the documents than they
do about their own instincts. |
No question that the better agents will rely on their instincts and be right most of the time. My only concerns are, first, is this to become another
law that is weakly enforced? Not that I agree with the requirement at all. Folks have been crossing that border for forever, and now, somehow a
passport is going to make it safer? Second, and probably more important for our good friends in Mexico, especially in the hospitality industry,
inasmuch as the percentage of US citizens carrying passports is so low, the tourist traffic suffers dramatically. For a long time, it was considered
one of the things one did when vacationing or attending conventions in the SD area. Out of towners, in particular, whether they hold a passport or not
will likely not bring it for domestic travel. And tour operators will certainly not accept customers without passports. It's one thing for individuals
to skirt the law, and another for a a business to do so. The passport requirement probably does more harm to the border zone economy than any help
that it provides by other measurements.
|
|
|
alafrontera
Nomad
Posts: 143
Registered: 11-4-2009
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
|
|
Oh, c'mon now Bajahowodd, don't you know that the passport requirement will stop trained, professional and well funded terrorists and drug smugglers
dead in their tracks? 
( uh... this is a joke if it's unclear  )
low lattitude attitude
|
|
|
Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
Member Is Offline
|
|
I often thought that it would ultimately be Bin Laden's mode of entry to be sequestered in someone's trunk. At least all the security we've deployed
at the border appears to have as much of a chance of success at catching him than anything else we've done!
|
|
|
Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
Member Is Offline
Mood: Full Time Residents
|
|
if you ask and the agent is feeling ok
kids can be put on the parents fmt for no cost
if under age
they just need to travel with the parents
|
|
|
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65408
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
Being rude wasn't needed... But I will still answer your follow up question: The FM-T (7 day FREE or 180 day PAID) is for ALL of Mexico... FM-T is
FEDERAL document and Baja California peninsula isn't a seperate country with different immigration rules.
|
|
|
DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
Being rude wasn't needed... But I will still answer your follow up question: The FM-T (7 day FREE or 180 day PAID) is for ALL of Mexico... FM-T is
FEDERAL document and Baja California peninsula isn't a seperate country with different immigration rules. |
Not rude, DK, just honest about what you continually do. Besides, being ignorant is OK---we are all ignorant about many, many things, in fact we are
all ignorant about most subjects and your statement really was quite ignorant.
Thank for the answer----obviously I was ignorant about this subject--- but
Yes, since we have traveled all over Mexico, we knew the paid FMT was for all of Mexico, just did not know if the 7 day free one was a special deal
for Baja and the other border states---just like there are different federal regulations regarding car permits for both Baja states and other border
areas.
But thank you for informing me that immigration laws are FEDERAL laws and the Baja peninsula is not a separate country---such valuable information and
good to see your sarcasm is as alive and well.
BTW---I have the information I need, so I will not be back on this thread, so whine away.
|
|
|
| Pages:
1
2 |
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
