| Pages:
1
2
3 |
elgatoloco
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4332
Registered: 11-19-2002
Location: Yes
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by Paulina
...............I wonder where would one have their passport stamped upon leaving?
P<*)))>< |
That is an excellent question. Last year we stopped at San Ysidro crossing southbound to get new tourist visas. We handed in our old ones that were
actually set to expire in a few days and the guys in the office all looked at each other and then back at us with a look that said 'why are you giving
these to us and what should we do with them?'. It was comical as one guy handed them to the next guy and he handed them to another and finally the
third guy walked over to a desk and opened the drawer and put them in and smiled and said muchas gracias.
MAGA
Making Attorneys Get Attorneys
|
|
|
Paulina
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3810
Registered: 8-31-2002
Location: BCN
Member Is Offline
|
|
One time I pulled out the old tourist visas when applying for a new one. The official behind the desk got angry with me saying that I didn't follow
correct procedure and return them when I left the country. He said that he couldn't issue me another because of my mistake. But then after I stood
there for quite some time with a silly look on my face he gave in and took the old one and gave me a new one. He was not very happy about it.
This past Aug. when I handed over my passport I saw at the last minute the old visa tucked in the back, and quickly snached it out before handing it
over. I didn't want to go through that again, and that silly look might not have worked twice.
P.
\"Well behaved women rarely make history.\" Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
|
|
|
gnukid
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4411
Registered: 7-2-2006
Member Is Offline
|
|
Brings to mind the question, if you fly in with FM-3 you shouldn't have to pay the FM-T tax included on the flight costs? How do you deny paying or
get a refund?
Once a friend took the FM-T although he had a FM-3 later he got pulled over and arrested and when they checked he had two visas issued to his name
which apprently is a major crime, he was sent home.
Finally I realized that you shouldn't carry your FM-T or FM-3 since you might lose it or get it stolen and be in trouble, and no one has ever asked me
for any documents in BCS while cruising around but where do you keep it? when do you carry it?
I carry the phone number of the inmigraccion office where I register, in case I am arrested in a car accident and there is a question-they can check
my book number.
The only problem I have ever had is, when I arrived by plane in cabo and the FM-3 documents were apparently not correct, (fault of the issuing
location) and the officer got all huffy and said I had to go inmigraccion in La Paz to resolve it. I said I can't leave the Cabo station with invalid
papers since I would be illegal and he agreed and corrected the errors with whiteout and apologized.
As a driver I never have anything stamped, ever. You are required to check in after 30 days of arrival with FM-3. Once a year they renew my FM-3. So
my passport has no proof of my visits and departures and my FM-3 has no proof of my travel. No one looks at the US passport. By the way my US passport
is issued in TJ and looks very funny.
I never carry my documents except copies of them in a manilla envelope in each car I drive and of course my drivers license. Weird.
|
|
|
DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
|
|
Cant you get an fm-t with a birth certificate? Where do they stamp that?
I made a copy of my fm-3 on my copier, page for empty pagewith a beautiful army green cover. I keep that in my car but dont carry around the
original. I suppose if I was ever asked for it and produced the copy, I would be in trouble for counterfeiting.
This country has no defineable rules, only defineable penalties.
|
|
|
Bajamatic
Senior Nomad
Posts: 571
Registered: 8-31-2006
Member Is Offline
|
|
I guess i'm confused as to why there isn't a passport requirement to begin with?
yuletide
|
|
|
DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
|
|
By the way ---
Those of you who think an fm-t will protect you if you have property here----dont rely on it. A while back, I was jammed up with immigration and
they used this detail to deport me. They reasoned, " Although you dont stay in the country for the specified one week period [ used to be 72 hours ]
you are situated here and please dont try to tell us that you are a tourist".
Almost makes sense, doesn't it.
Anyway, somebody wanted me out of here and almost succeded in getting it done.
I was down here for a long time without papers, even had a real estate business without complying. But, now I do. It's so much easier.
Later .... Dennis
|
|
|
DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
|
|
Why isnt there a passport requirement for U.S citizens to come home without a passport which wasn't required to leave?
Good Question.
|
|
|
Bajamatic
Senior Nomad
Posts: 571
Registered: 8-31-2006
Member Is Offline
|
|
So let me get this straight - you are a U.S. citizen living in a foriegn country and you have no passport? Good Call.
yuletide
|
|
|
DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
|
|
Bajamatic ---
Who are you refering to? Me?
Read back. I mentioned I have an fm-3. Try getting that without a passport.
Dennis
|
|
|
Bajamatic
Senior Nomad
Posts: 571
Registered: 8-31-2006
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
Why isnt there a passport requirement for U.S citizens to come home without a passport which wasn't required to leave?
Good Question. |
So what was the point of this comment then?
yuletide
|
|
|
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64854
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
Wow... talk about living on the edge!
FM-T (Tourist Card) is for a tourist visit to Mexico south of the 'border zone' (any trip south of Punta Banda/Maneadero or south of San Felipe) for
any period of time OR a stay ANYWHERE in Mexico over 72 hours (or perhaps one week).
IF you maintain property in Mexico (rent or own a home, keep a dune buggy in a garage there, etc.) or work in Mexico (even volunteer work) then you
are NOT a tourist... but a foreign part time resident and the visa required is a FM-3...
TO get a tourist card you need any proof of citizenship (ie. passport or birth certificate with a photo ID).
THE U.S. has never required Americans to have a passport to return to the U.S.... However 9-11 changed everything! The new rule requiring Americans
traveling to Mexico to have a passport may get delayed again, but in case it doen't, why not get a passport when you can budget it...? You still have
time.
|
|
|
Bajamatic
Senior Nomad
Posts: 571
Registered: 8-31-2006
Member Is Offline
|
|
I was always told that you didnt need a tourist card unless you were travalling into baja sur - did that change? And FYI, I was once not allowed to
pass north into baja norte until I located the tourist card for those of you who think the mexican federales in G.N. might not really care about the
cards. It took a while and the guy was not going to let me pass until I found it. 
yuletide
|
|
|
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64854
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
The federal law said any stay in Mexico over 72 hours OR any travel south of the border zone requires the FM-T. Baja Calif. (norte) state tourism
department made up new rules that got published, including saying all of the state of Baja Calif. (norte) was in 'the border zone', and you have a
week allowed without a tourist card.
Because the ONLY place a tourist card is checked is at the border with Baja Calif. Sur on Mex. 1, that almost makes that statement sound correct.
However, immigration is controlled by the FEDERAL government, not the state...
The only official change from the feds is that you have a ONE WEEK FREE FM-T now available... But you still need the FM-T for stays over 72 hours or
south of the 'border zone'... a free one or a paid one (good for up to 180 days... and for repeat visits, so the need to surrender it is no longer the
case.).
|
|
|
gnukid
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4411
Registered: 7-2-2006
Member Is Offline
|
|
To apply for FM-T in southern regions, you'll need to prove your timing of the border crossing so you must carry a receipt that shows you were in the
US such as a US fast food receipt or the toll roads within the set period of time, e.g. 72 hours more or less for FM-T or within 30 days to check in
for FM-3. At least that's what the inmigraccion boys tell me in La Paz. So feasably you could arrive in La Paz or Cabo without a FM-T and request one
saying you arrived by boat or you drove straight down and all offices were closed in TJ and GN. Without proof they can say you owe a penalty which is
accrued daily from the date you should of registered. Y por supesto necessitas las tres copias de Formata SAT 5 para FM-3 y otra cosas cuando llegas.
|
|
|
DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
|
|
Bajamatic ----
What was the point of your question?
What kind of an arguement are you looking for?
|
|
|
Bajamatic
Senior Nomad
Posts: 571
Registered: 8-31-2006
Member Is Offline
|
|
The point of my questions was that it seems kind of normal to require a passport when re-entering the states from another country. Thats all. I
think not having to travel with a passport between two countries is a luxury, if anything. Times have changed - such luxuries removed when moving
between intl boarders - kind of par for the course. Oh, and by the way, new regulations state that you also have to have one when leaving the
country, so your smug response is also incorrect.
yuletide
|
|
|
DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
|
|
Regulations require posession of a passport to leave the country, such as US to Mexico? What kind of crap are you reading? What you say, "seems
kind of normal", is your fantasy world.
What was my smug response?
Tell me what it was.
Im never smug. Im up front with what I say and mean.
This whole thing started with you not paying attention to what was said.
You'll have a lot more fun if you join a conversation instead of fighting it.
|
|
|
ElGato
Junior Nomad
Posts: 36
Registered: 12-23-2005
Location: Santa Cruz, Ca.
Member Is Offline
Mood: Virile
|
|
 A passport is not required to visit Mexico or Canada until Jan. 2008 if you
walk or drive across the border. And there is a discussion ongoing to delay that. Part of the problem is the large number of people who walk or drive
across from San Diego-Tijuana and vice-versa. This "luxury" has been going on since there was a border.
Baja Joe  |
|
|
Bajamatic
Senior Nomad
Posts: 571
Registered: 8-31-2006
Member Is Offline
|
|
DENNIS:
"Why isnt there a passport requirement for U.S citizens to come home without a passport which wasn't required to leave?
Good Question."
I actually can't be sure I totally understand this question you wrote so I am not going to comment anymore on it, except that new regulations, if
imposed, will require you to carry a passport if you leave the country into mexico, as well as requiring one to re-enter (seems logical to me). As
far as I can tell, comment suggests otherwise? i'm not sure.
And of course this luxury has been going on since there was a boarder. AND? I am just wondering why having to get a passport is such a big deal? If
you want to travel to Guatemala, you need a passport. So we share a boarder (with a host of issues surrounding that) and IMHO, why not require a
passport to re-enter? One previous post suggests it is now too expensive to go to baja? These concepts do not make sense to me, probably because i
have a passport, but I just had no idea that there exists a population of americans who feel a passport is a huge hassle, one that might even steer
them to hawaii instead of Baja? Ok. Each to their own i guess.
[Edited on 9-12-2006 by Bajamatic]
yuletide
|
|
|
ElGato
Junior Nomad
Posts: 36
Registered: 12-23-2005
Location: Santa Cruz, Ca.
Member Is Offline
Mood: Virile
|
|
I have no problem with a passport. My issue is that I haven't needed one for
travel to Mexico and Canada for my 60+ years and in 2008 I will. The main problem with a passport is cost and portability. People in the E.U. have a
credit card size document they carry in their wallet for travel and can come and go between any country in the E.U.without a passport. I hope that
the U.S. will do something like that. Many people cross the border for a day and return. When the passport policy is implemented it is expected that
the amount of people crossing for a day trip will be cut by 25%. This will greatly affect business on both sides. PS. I have a passport.
Baja Joe |
|
|
| Pages:
1
2
3 |
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
