gorgekiter
Newbie
Posts: 11
Registered: 11-28-2011
Member Is Offline
|
|
FM card in Mexicali
Looking for advice on the easiest place to get our FM cards when we cross at Mexicali.
We've headed all the way south over to the mainland via the ferry. If not Mexacili, is there an easy place to get one at Guerro Negro?
Thanks!
|
|
|
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65410
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
FMM (obtain at the border IMN office). Waiting until GUERRERO NEGRO subjects you to a $100 (dollar) fine.. As experienced by edm-1 last July.
|
|
|
gorgekiter
Newbie
Posts: 11
Registered: 11-28-2011
Member Is Offline
|
|
thanks- 15 years ago we were able to get them in Guerrero Negro- but I didn't thing that was the case anymore. At the IMN office can you pay for it
there or do you have to go to a bank first?
|
|
|
volcano
Nomad
Posts: 348
Registered: 3-5-2007
Location: Cave Junction, Oregon and Boca Del Salado area, Ea
Member Is Offline
Mood: always pining to be there
|
|
tourist card before you hit the border
some of us join the discover baja travel club...see their website...and order our tourist card through them...then just have to present it at the
border,,,no running around to offices at the border. they also offer car insurance deals for members. If you don't have the time for that you may be
able to pass their office on the way.
|
|
|
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65410
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by gorgekiter
thanks- 15 years ago we were able to get them in Guerrero Negro- but I didn't thing that was the case anymore. At the IMN office can you pay for it
there or do you have to go to a bank first? |
The process is:
Go to INM with current passport. Fill out your portion on info on FMM card (paper). If your trip is 7 days or less, it is free.
If you want a FMM good for up to 180 days it has a fee of about $23 dollars, write that in and the city that will be the furthest south in any trip
you may take in the 180 days (Cabo San Lucas for example). Now you have to GO to a bank to pay... this is the dumb part if there is no bank teller at
the border open.
Return to INM with the paid receipt & FMM for the AUTHORIZATION stamp. Now you can go...
ANOTHER option mentioned above, is to join the Discover Baja Travel Club and get a PRE-PAID FMM, which takes the going to a bank part out of the
equation. You still MUST stop at the border INM office and get it stamped to VALIDATE the thing.
Before the 180 days is up you are supposed to return the FMM. There is an address to mail them back to. Discover Baja has it, and it has been posted
here on Nomad.
Ken Cooke took many photos showing how to find the INM office at Mexicali in his recent trip report...
Use the Nomad search button to help find info.
Have fun!
|
|
|
durrelllrobert
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7393
Registered: 11-22-2007
Location: Punta Banda BC
Member Is Offline
Mood: thriving in Baja
|
|
All of the above may seem more complicated than it has to be but think of how it is nearly impossible for a Mexican national to get the equivalent
card to go into the USA.
Bob Durrell
|
|
|
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65410
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by durrelllrobert
All of the above may seem more complicated than it has to be but think of how it is nearly impossible for a Mexican national to get the equivalent
card to go into the USA. |
Really? All the businesses in San Ysidro and Chula Vista sure count on Mexican citizens coming north to shop. BajaCactus and family regularly have
come north to shop for them and the motel, and go to the zoo, etc.
The percentage (or income level) of Americans that cross the border to shop or vacation in Mexico is prpbably not too much different than Mexicans who
(legally) come north to shop or vacation... I am guessing?
Maybe your point that it is easier or cheaper for us to go south? That is probably because Mexico needs our dollars much more than America needs pesos
(as a part of the economy)?
|
|
|
durrelllrobert
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7393
Registered: 11-22-2007
Location: Punta Banda BC
Member Is Offline
Mood: thriving in Baja
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
Maybe your point that it is easier or cheaper for us to go south? That is probably because Mexico needs our dollars much more than America needs pesos
(as a part of the economy)? |
Exactly. The US Border Crossing Card is the equivalent of the FMM for Mexico. To get the BCC a Mexican national must first obtain a Mexican passport
which is expensive and time consuming so only a very small percentage of Mexican get them (compared to 21.7% of population that get them in US).
Next, they must apply for the BCC at the US Consulate ($140 NONREFUNDABLE). Then wait months to get an Interview/ fingerprint appointment and about
15% are rejected.
Bob Durrell
|
|
|
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65410
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by durrelllrobert
| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
Maybe your point that it is easier or cheaper for us to go south? That is probably because Mexico needs our dollars much more than America needs pesos
(as a part of the economy)? |
Exactly. The US Border Crossing Card is the equivalent of the FMM for Mexico. To get the BCC a Mexican national must first obtain a Mexican passport
which is expensive and time consuming so only a very small percentage of Mexican get them (compared to 21.7% of population that get them in US).
Next, they must apply for the BCC at the US Consulate ($140 NONREFUNDABLE). Then wait months to get an Interview/ fingerprint appointment and about
15% are rejected. |
Now, you cannot get an FMM anymore without a passport... over $100 for us, so not cheap either... Oh well... it helps thin the masses from crossing
over.
|
|
|
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
