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Author: Subject: the FMM paper shuffle
Bajahowodd
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[*] posted on 2-6-2016 at 04:58 PM


But, I really want some feedback as to whether it is true that anyone who is day crossing needs to buy the FMM.
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sancho
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[*] posted on 2-6-2016 at 05:55 PM


Quote: Originally posted by Bajahowodd  
But, I really want some feedback as to whether it is true that anyone who is day crossing needs to buy the FMM.






I walked across
into TJ at SY a couple months ago. This info is ONLY for that ped crossing. Other POE's may/will have a different procedure, or none at all. At TJ you walk into the
new Mex Imm build, there are 6 Imm desks, when I went, I
stood in line 10 min. before one of the 6 Imm guys was available. You hand them your passport, they fill out the
fmm for you, everyone was getting the free 7 day fmm,
so yes, to walk into TJ you need the fmm, but the 7 day is free.
These guys do nothing but fill out fmm's all day. There
appears to be a teller window to pay for the 180 day. You
will be escorted back to the US if not presenting a passport/
passcard. All reports are if possessing an existing previous/valid fmm you kept from another crossing,
you can avoid the line by showing your fmm, and proceed into
Mex. TJ may be the only crossing that does this, others
seem to operate as in the past, with no fmm when walking in.
Was some print info, that if the line was excessive, Mex Imm
would just let visitors in, es Mex






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Alm
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[*] posted on 2-6-2016 at 08:02 PM


Quote: Originally posted by Bajahowodd  
I thought that I read recently that ANYONE crossing the border, even if was a day trip to see a dentist in TJ must have an FMM.

There is no confusion on this particular issue. FMM is needed except for when you stay no more than 3 days in the Border Zone (which for practical purposes extends to the 1st federal checkpoint). Going further - get FMM. Staying longer, even within the Zone - get FMM. As others noted, it's free up to 7 days.
Quote: Originally posted by Bajahowodd  

And that those forms would be useful for multiple crossings fro 180 days.

Yes, this seems to be, er... "popular interpretation" by the officers on the US/Mex border. However, it does say on the form that you have to return it upon exit, and at the Guatemala/Mex border they follow the letter. Tourist re-entering again from Guatemala have to buy FMM again.

Re: TJ ped crossing - this one has changed several months ago. Now they indeed require everybody to get FMM. Those claiming to be going for less than 7 days are issued free FMM. They don't want undocumented 3-day visitors now - even though the law allows it.

[Edited on 2-7-2016 by Alm]
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David K
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[*] posted on 2-6-2016 at 08:08 PM


Alm, that's if driving... as they can't create a 10-mile long traffic jam, southbound but all pedestrians who are profile Americans are routed into the line to get FMMs... yup walking into TJ for the day. It's free but requires a passport to get.



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[*] posted on 2-6-2016 at 08:18 PM
Wouldn't "traffic jam" disappear?


Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Alm, that's if driving... as they can't create a 10-mile long traffic jam, southbound but all pedestrians who are profile Americans are routed into the line to get FMMs... yup walking into TJ for the day. It's free but requires a passport to get.

There is not usually a 10 mile traffic jam on the return to the US and don't we require everyone to have paperwork of some type?
If all knew that they must have an FMM to enter and they allowed multiple entry on same form wouldn't it work itself out once people got the FMM/s?
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sancho
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[*] posted on 2-6-2016 at 09:20 PM


Quote: Originally posted by Alm  
They don't want undocumented 3-day visitors now - even though the law allows it.

[Edited on 2-7-2016 by Alm]




Not sure of that, not sure the law allows it, at least not now.
That 3 day rule apparently was never Mex Imm reg/ law,
just for the last decades it was allowed. Currently ALL entering
Mex, at least at TJ, by ped or driving are technically required to
get an fmm. It is unenforceable for vehicles, but the reg is the
same, for peds or by vehicle. All I know is if
I was driving in Mex and involved in an accident with injuries,
anywhere, anytime, no matter how far from the border,
I certainly would want to be able to produce a document
stating I was in the country legally ( no I'm not suggesting
not having an fmm has anything to do with invalidating a Mex Ins policy, it doesn't), get one or don't get one, but the suggestion one doesn't need a tourist card when entering
Baja/Mex is not a responsible statement. Some here will continue to skip
the fmm fee, because they don't want to pay the $25 dlls

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[*] posted on 2-6-2016 at 10:31 PM


Quote: Originally posted by akshadow  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Alm, that's if driving... as they can't create a 10-mile long traffic jam, southbound but all pedestrians who are profile Americans are routed into the line to get FMMs... yup walking into TJ for the day. It's free but requires a passport to get.

There is not usually a 10 mile traffic jam on the return to the US and don't we require everyone to have paperwork of some type?
If all knew that they must have an FMM to enter and they allowed multiple entry on same form wouldn't it work itself out once people got the FMM/s?


Driving north into the United States, every Mexican vehicle is not required to park, the passengers then walk into one building, fill out a form, then perhaps pay (at another window maybe), then go back to the first place for a stamp, then back to their car and continue on.

These are the steps required of Mexico for auto travelers crossing the border who actually get FMMs. These are the steps that would cause a "10-mile" back-up [yes, it's an exaggeration, I hope].

Maybe, Mexico will once again allow the tourist card to be obtained north of the border (AAA used to issue them, and they were free prior to mid-2000)? That way we all can get them before the trip and have them in possession for any checkpoints deeper in Mexico or other need to show it, even when driving in at the border, the way Mexicans show their visa to U.S. officers.




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