pangamadness
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Visas
Anyone know if you can get visas 24/7 at TJ boarder crossing. I think I heard they don't open till 6 am?
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fandango
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You can get a visa and pay for it any time, they are always there at el chaparral.
sbwontoo
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Ateo
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The bank is open 24/7.
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DENNIS
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Somebody will be along shortly to answer your question, but I want to tell a story that may come in handy for you....possibly others as well.
A few days back, a friend drove down for a visit on his way to LA Bay. He had to go to immigration for a visa and Ensenada INM can at times be nasty
about this, sending people back to the border for them.
My bud said, "Watch this." He went to the window, said he wanted an FMM and he was a passenger on the "Norma Jean" berthed in the harbor.
"Si Seņor...here you are....pay at the window behind you."
Instant visa without the BS.
Pretty cool...huh?
.
[Edited on 3-17-2013 by DENNIS]
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pangamadness
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You can get a visa and pay for it any time, they are always there at el chaparral.
What is El Chaperral?
I have purchased many Visas at TJ & in the past we would get them at 3 am. So from what you are saying nothing has changed & there will be
Simone at the TJ boarder @ 4 am to issue me a Visa & someone @ the bank window to take my money @ 4 am
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David K
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| Quote: | Originally posted by pangamadness
You can get a visa and pay for it any time, they are always there at el chaparral.
What is El Chaperral?
I have purchased many Visas at TJ & in the past we would get them at 3 am. So from what you are saying nothing has changed & there will be
Simone at the TJ boarder @ 4 am to issue me a Visa & someone @ the bank window to take my money @ 4 am |
Been discussed here for several months... El Chaperral is the name Mexico gave the new (San Ysidro to) Tijuana border crossing.
Edit: just used Nomad search, and I see it first described in 2010, over 3 years ago: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=43861
[Edited on 3-17-2013 by David K]
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pangamadness
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Thanks for the help Dave I don't want to cross @ 4 am but maybe @ 5 or 530. It has been a long time that I have crossed before 9am. Those were the
days when we were safe to leave at any hour. I have been walking across for my visa but last 2 times walking have been well over an hour wait to walk
across. Gota get my century pass! Is that how you Spell it?
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David K
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Well latest reports here said you can buy the FMMs 24/7 at El Chaparral. Sentri is a U.S. border entry deal. Have a wonderful trip!
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pangamadness
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Sentri
Yup I know just wrote that wrong. Getting home is tough I need to shorten that part of the trip. Or just quit work and stay in Baja.
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sancho
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
He went to the window, said he wanted an FMM and he was a passenger on the "Norma Jean" berthed in the harbor.
.
[Edited on 3-17-2013 by DENNIS] |
Back in the day, early 80's, Mex Imm didn't routinely give
the 180 tourist card, it usually was 90 days, with the exception of Mariners,
they figured the boat tourists would need more time.
I used to go the Mex Consulate in San Diego to get the
fmt, which they would stamp with the Consulate stamp, +
180 days, Mex Imm at TJ would sometimes balk at the 180 days, which I would point out it was granted by their
Consulate. I assume the Imm at the Ensenada Harbor is
primarly for entry by sea fmm's, getting an fmm at the
nes TJ crossing seems easy
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David K
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| Quote: | Originally posted by sancho
| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
He went to the window, said he wanted an FMM and he was a passenger on the "Norma Jean" berthed in the harbor.
.
[Edited on 3-17-2013 by DENNIS] |
Back in the day, early 80's, Mex Imm didn't routinely give
the 180 tourist card, it usually was 90 days, with the exception of Mariners,
they figured the boat tourists would need more time.
I used to go the Mex Consulate in San Diego to get the
fmt, which they would stamp with the Consulate stamp, +
180 days, Mex Imm at TJ would sometimes balk at the 180 days, which I would point out it was granted by their
Consulate. I assume the Imm at the Ensenada Harbor is
primarly for entry by sea fmm's, getting an fmm at the
nes TJ crossing seems easy |
It was FREE, so not as big a deal if it was 90 days. They began to collect the new tax (fee) in mid-2000. Two 90 day cards were the same price: 0.
If you are a frequent traveler, we are talking about $46 to $300ish for 2-8 possible trips in 180 days (trips of longer than the free 7 day FMM would
cover). See multiple trips drop if that is forced on tourists, somehow. Mexico (Baja) needs more tourists not less, don't punish us for 'good deeds
done' to feed a hungry federal treasury. Everyone loses when taxes are raised... except for the feds, until the money is gone, and they can't print
worthless paper any longer.
The money for FMMs does not go to the people of Baja. Tourists flowing into Baja does bring money to the people of Baja. One charge per 180 days is
more than enough, and is fair if you think taxes that don't return anything to you are fair.
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sancho
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
It was FREE, so not as big a deal if it was 90
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Yes it was a big deal,
I know you are not familiar with extended trips, but for me, I have
driven to Cabo taken the then Cabo/Vallarta ferry,
spent a few weeks on the Mainland, the 180 day
card was nice to have. I wish there was a lifetime
fmm, I would buy you one
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David K
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You have always been able to request 180 days... some agents just write in 90 without asking...
Since it is not free anymore, the last time an offocer pre-wrote in 90 days (after I paid for the thing) I asked him to change it to 180! (my logic is
the same money for what ever days, might as well get the most use of it. He agreed, but said his overwriting the 90 may invalidate it... I took my
chances.
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