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Jonno_aus
Junior Nomad
Posts: 37
Registered: 11-8-2013
Location: La Paz
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Tourist visa and Vehicle requirements.
Driving down the Baja in a few weeks in a U.S plated car. Will be staying in La Paz for 6-9 months or so depending on funds.
If after 6 months I can stretch it another few months down there, I'll obviously have to leave at the 6 month mark because of the FMM requirements.
Question I had, do I have to drive my car back up to the States? Or can I fly out for a week or two before flying back down leaving the car in La Paz
until I finally leave 2 or 3 months later?
A little unclear in the requirements when it comes to vehicles on the Baja. Any help greatly appreciated.
Jonno.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65411
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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There is an INM office in La Paz and you should go there and apply for an extension a couple weeks before yours expires. The FMM you get for flying
into Mexico is NOT the same as the one for DRIVING or WALKING across the border. You cannot leave your personal property behind, as this is a red flag
that you are bringing cars to La Paz to sell.
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15940
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
Member Is Offline
Mood: Everchangin'
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if they won't give you an extension, tell them you'll leave the country. promptly walk out and continue your vacation and drive home when you're
ready....
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sancho
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2524
Registered: 10-6-2004
Location: OC So Cal
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I have never tried to get an extension on an fmm,
not to say it is not possible, I wouldn't count on it.
I suppose if you talk to an agreeable Mex Immigration
Officer in La Paz, you might get an extension.
There is no registration of vehicles in Baja so leaving
a vehicle in LP, flying back to the US, and flying back
to Mex with a new fmm from the airlines is an option.
If that was your sole reason for flying back to the US
was to get a new fmm, personally if it were me, I would
come back at the end of the fmm 180 days, or if
you are a bit of an outlaw, drive back with the fmm expired.
Back in my LP days, I knew a guy would routinely get
a new fmm when his ran out, he had a connection,
ask around in LP
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Jonno_aus
Junior Nomad
Posts: 37
Registered: 11-8-2013
Location: La Paz
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Ok thanks for the help. I'll consider the extension option. La Paz here we come! 
[Edited on 12-6-2013 by Jonno_aus]
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65411
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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If you are on a 9 month vacation, why not see Baja... La Paz is near the tip and there is so much more before that point. Vacation slowly back north
by the end of the 180 day period... Then cross back if you still want 3 more months in paradise!
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Jonno_aus
Junior Nomad
Posts: 37
Registered: 11-8-2013
Location: La Paz
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Sounds like a plan too! Thanks!
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65411
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Jonno_aus
Sounds like a plan too! Thanks! |
Please check the links (blue) in my signature, below each of my posts... they are there to help people have an idea of what's in Baja and what they
may want to see in person.
My web site http://vivabaja.com is also full of photos and links to other web sites, mesaage boards, details, maps... Don't worry, seeing the places in
anybody's photos will not take away from the experience of seeing them in person!
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Jonno_aus
Junior Nomad
Posts: 37
Registered: 11-8-2013
Location: La Paz
Member Is Offline
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Thank you very much, David. Those links will keep me busy for sometime!
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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
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The rules in Baja (Mexico) are convoluted and confusing, however just try and be legal while you are here.
Oh, and bring some Vegemite with you....they don't stock it in Baja
| Quote: | Originally posted by Jonno_aus
Sounds like a plan too! Thanks! |
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apple
Nomad
Posts: 284
Registered: 11-4-2013
Location: SD
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
There is an INM office in La Paz and you should go there and apply for an extension a couple weeks before yours expires. The FMM you get for flying
into Mexico is NOT the same as the one for DRIVING or WALKING across the border. You cannot leave your personal property behind, as this is a red flag
that you are bringing cars to La Paz to sell. |
You sure about that? I drove in, flew out and then flew back without a problem. The visas looks the same to me too...
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65411
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by apple
| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
There is an INM office in La Paz and you should go there and apply for an extension a couple weeks before yours expires. The FMM you get for flying
into Mexico is NOT the same as the one for DRIVING or WALKING across the border. You cannot leave your personal property behind, as this is a red flag
that you are bringing cars to La Paz to sell. |
You sure about that? I drove in, flew out and then flew back without a problem. The visas looks the same to me too... |
Sure about which?
There was an INM uniformed officer at the hot dog stand in La Paz last year, so yes... I think he just got there after work.
They need to be in port cities, not just the borders, for boats or planes that arrive into Mexico at those places.
The FMM may look the same, but you have to check AUTO, BOAT, or PLANE... I have not read or recall when you could use a single FMM for more than one
method of transportation. If you can, then great!!
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Jonno_aus
Junior Nomad
Posts: 37
Registered: 11-8-2013
Location: La Paz
Member Is Offline
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Yeah....in prison doesn't sound appealing! Unless the tacos they serve are ok...
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toneart
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4901
Registered: 7-23-2006
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Mood: Skeptical
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
| Quote: | Originally posted by Jonno_aus
Sounds like a plan too! Thanks! |
Please check the links (blue) in my signature, below each of my posts... they are there to help people have an idea of what's in Baja and what they
may want to see in person.
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Whew! In my first reading I thought you said
"in prison".  
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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I'm guessing that if you fly back to La Paz many months into your trip, you can probably get away with using the FMM you will be obliged to pay for
while in flight. Just remember to write on it the last date foe which you will need for driving back. That would serve to extend your original FMM, so
to speak.
I understand what DK says about the FMM being different between driving in and flying in. But in my experience, it is the exact same paper form. The
difference is that if you get the FMM for a flight into Mexico, the airline will confiscate it before you can board a flight out of Mexico.
So, I do believe that if you decide to fly out of La Paz mid-trip, to return later, they will not let you board without surrendering your original
FMM.
I invite comments.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65411
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajahowodd
I'm guessing that if you fly back to La Paz many months into your trip, you can probably get away with using the FMM you will be obliged to pay for
while in flight. Just remember to write on it the last date foe which you will need for driving back. That would serve to extend your original FMM, so
to speak.
I understand what DK says about the FMM being different between driving in and flying in. But in my experience, it is the exact same paper form. The
difference is that if you get the FMM for a flight into Mexico, the airline will confiscate it before you can board a flight out of Mexico.
So, I do believe that if you decide to fly out of La Paz mid-trip, to return later, they will not let you board without surrendering your original
FMM.
I invite comments. |
That is what has been reported here... Perhaps since he is losing his FMM when he flies out, and he is flying out to get one, that is okay...
Another point, is Jonno_aus, an Australian? We are advising him about North American rules for Mexico.
I saw vegemite being mentioned... Better learn to like peanut butter! G'day!
[Edited on 12-7-2013 by David K]
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bajagrouper
Senior Nomad
Posts: 964
Registered: 8-28-2003
Location: Rincon de Guayabitos, Nayarit, Mexico
Member Is Offline
Mood: happy and retired
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First of all you can not get an extension for an FMM tourist permit,180 days is it.
second of all the FMM is the same paper form which ever way you enter, the difference is where it is stamped if driving there is a silhouette of a
car, if flying a silhouette a plane and a boat silhouette if by boat......
I hear the whales song
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Jonno_aus
Junior Nomad
Posts: 37
Registered: 11-8-2013
Location: La Paz
Member Is Offline
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Ok, by the sounds of it I'll be driving back up to the States, then back down again for a few months (I'm committed to go back to oz in late Sept.
next year) before driving back up again.
So I'll gain some more experience driving the Baja and on the opposite side I'm used to. 
The Vegemite is coming, but it'll be taking a back seat to the tacos. 
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El Jefe
Super Nomad
Posts: 1027
Registered: 10-27-2003
Location: South East Cape
Member Is Offline
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Seems to me that you could just park your car in a long term parking area (there is one on the road to the airport) and then fly back and get it with
your new FMM. Sure your old one that you turn in will say you came in a car, but it doesn't say it was your car. If you were just a passenger could
you not legally fly out?? Just thinking.
I wouldn't hesitate to fly out and back with your new FMM and leave your car while gone.
No b-tchin\' in the Baja.
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MitchMan
Super Nomad
Posts: 1856
Registered: 3-9-2009
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Based on the above, it appears that the FMM form itself, as pre-printed, is identical whether flying in, driving in or boating into Baja. The
difference is that the FMM is "stamped" or completed or filled out indicating the mode of transportation used by the tourist to enter Baja, i.e.,
whether by auto, plane, or boat.
It's been my understanding that Mexico requires that you enter and leave within the 180 day period by the same method. Don't know why that is
required, but I guess it has something to do with the requirement not to leave personal property behind in Baja when you leave as a tourist.
I have personally entered and left Baja by different means many times as a tourist and as a USA citizen with an FM3 and a No-Inmigrante. Never ever
had a problem. Could be that I always either drive into Baja and then walk out across the border and vice versa and, either way, no one has ever
checked my Mexican visa status going into or out of Baja by either of those two means.
It's sort of like a ferociously infectious disease with absolutely no symptoms.
Do not consider this post as advice, just consider it as an "observation". I don't want you to get into any trouble.
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