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BajaMama
Super Nomad
Posts: 1108
Registered: 10-4-2015
Location: Pleasanton/Punta Chivato
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Mood: Got Baja fever!!
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I agree, for me it was more of the not having to stop at the border and get it stamped. I may enter at a crossing new to me (east Mexicali) and
thought this old lady may just screw it up and miss the INM office.
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AKgringo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6022
Registered: 9-20-2014
Location: Anchorage, AK (no mas!)
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Quote: Originally posted by BajaMama  | | . I may enter at a crossing new to me (east Mexicali) and thought this old lady may just screw it up and miss the INM office. |
That is exactly what happened to me at Mexicali east! I was probably at the right place to get an FMM, but was waved off. The next
possible entry was blocked off, there was no place to park and walk back.
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64829
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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INM (the desk where you get the FMM) is typically in the very first building across the border. Park at the very first opportunity to do so, it may
even be before the automatic gates (red/green light).
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BajaMama
Super Nomad
Posts: 1108
Registered: 10-4-2015
Location: Pleasanton/Punta Chivato
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Mood: Got Baja fever!!
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Thanks David!
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Alm
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2729
Registered: 5-10-2011
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If getting FMM in advance and save 5-10 minutes at the border is the goal, it doesn't make sense paying extra for FMM through travel club. You can
get same FMM in advance through INM website, without surcharge.
I used to get it at INM but next trip will probably get it at the border because more than once they openly ignored me and my money on bus/pedestrian
El Chaparral. If they don't need it, I'm not going to insist, either. El Chap is not like Mexicali, there is only one building, once you're in
you're in, no matter what.
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RFClark
Super Nomad
Posts: 2462
Registered: 8-27-2015
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Mood: Delighted with 2024 and looking forward to 2025
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We just purchased our multiple entry tourist visas at the new west Mexicali crossing.
It’s good for 6 months of multiple trips between the US and Mexico. The cost is around $35. Take the exact amount as they don’t have any change!
Amount and form available on line.
The new visa office is located at the far left side of the multiple entry lanes after you cross into Mexico but before you go through the customs
lanes. There’s parking and a door there but no sign!
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Alm
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2729
Registered: 5-10-2011
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| Quote: Originally posted by RFClark | We just purchased our multiple entry tourist visas at the new west Mexicali crossing.
It’s good for 6 months of multiple trips between the US and Mexico. |
"Forma Multiple" means that same form can be used for different types of trips - tourist, business etc. Unless things have changed recently, it
doesn't say "multiple entry". Try flying out to the US from any Baja airport after only one entry with this "multiple" FMM and see what happens.
However, land crossing officers are ignoring this rule, hard to tell why. One of Messico mysteries that nobody was able to explain yet.
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 18356
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Hot n spicy
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CBX has started rejecting attempts to re-use an FMM for multiple entries into mexico.
not really a big deal for under 7-day trips, as they are free and they got that nifty system that scans and prints your FMM info lickity-split
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 18356
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
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from INM website regarding the FMM used for entry by land: "The applicant acknowledges herein that the FMM has a maximum validity of 180 calendar
days and shall be valid for one entry only."
https://www.inm.gob.mx/fmme/publico/en/solicitud.html
the land border crossings for cars are still a bit lax, but things are changing...
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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sancho
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2524
Registered: 10-6-2004
Location: OC So Cal
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| Quote: Originally posted by Alm |
"Forma Multiple" means that same form can be used for different types of trips - tourist, business etc. Unless things have changed recently, it
doesn't say "multiple entry" |
Correct, that term can be confusing. As stated Multiple refers
to classification, not entries. However, I cross at Mexicali West,
always ask the IMM Officer about the fmm. For a few yrs. , they
have said the 180 day good for going over and back to the US.
They want the 7 day returned, go figure. Mexicali West office
is a bit rogue, operating with their own regs. The IMM regs are
what the Officer says they are.
Travel clubs are for insurance, not to needlessly pay more
for an fmm
[Edited on 2-15-2020 by sancho]
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 18356
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Hot n spicy
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| Quote: Originally posted by Don Pisto | | the FMM is the fuel that powers the baja message board, with hwy5 complete it'll have to bear the brunt I suppose. does anyone have a government
document that shows the FMM good for multiple crossings? Baja travel clubs that tell us they are good for multiple crossings must get their info from
somewhere! |
The travel clubs have large staff of paid researchers and immigration attorneys that publish lengthy research papers... based on anecdotes they
collect from these message boards
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64829
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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When you get your FMM and pay for one, get it for 180 days (you can usually write that in yourself when filling out the form).
Because it is not turned back in at the end of your trip, you still have an active FMM until the 180 days is expired. This is not only common sense
but it is also what the INM officials tell us (told me at Mexicali, Tecate, and Tijuana during my 2017-2019 trips).
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AKgringo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6022
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Location: Anchorage, AK (no mas!)
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At the new Mexicali west INM office on Jan 21st, the agent asked how long will I be in Mexico. I told him that this trip would be approx. six weeks,
but I need to return in May.
He wrote the FMM for 180 days, and when I asked if I could use it twice, he said yes!
I also asked about turning it back in, and he said yes, turn it in right there when I finish the second trip.
I then asked what to do about turning it in if I am not able to make the second trip, and he said "Throw it away!"
As always, your experience may vary!
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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Alan
Super Nomad
Posts: 1626
Registered: 4-6-2005
Location: Yucaipa, CA/La Paz
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It says right on the FMM that it is valid for one time use. However I have had it accepted for multiple entries when crossing with CBX yet another
time when crossing at Mexicali West the lady scolded me for still having it in my possession then had me buy another. If I have a valid one still in
my possession when driving I don't bother to stop. In the rare event that anyone asks to see it I'll have it and its still valid.
I just got one last week at Mexicali West. I simply pulled into the Declaration Area and explained I need to go to IMN. They showed me where I could
park and then pointed to a man who they said would lead me there. One other person pulled in right then and we all followed the officer to the IMN
desk. Told him I would only be in MX for 6 days but he still charged me and when questioned said they don't issue free ones anymore? The other person
that just pulled in when we did was really surprised because he was only coming in for a dental appointment!
Flying back down Wed for a one week visit. Still debating whether to show my 180 day visa issued last week to see if they accept it or just hide it
and see if they give me a free 7 day visa.
Once again I know its just going to depend on who I talk to that specific day.
In Memory of E-57
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64829
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Flying? From inside Mexico or from the U.S. to Mexico? You do know why I am asking, yes? 
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PaulW
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3070
Registered: 5-21-2013
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The FMM document will be changed when the existing supply is exhausted.
The official regulations will be changed when they get around to it.
Meanwhile you could always ask the supervisor at the border what the requirement is.
I was more fortunate in that I went to a public meeting and the head of all of Baja for this subject verbally said was was posted.
For land crossings FMMs are good for 1 year for multiple crossings and do not have to be returned.
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| Quote: Originally posted by Alan | It says right on the FMM that it is valid for one time use. However I have had it accepted for multiple entries when crossing with CBX yet another
time when crossing at Mexicali West the lady scolded me for still having it in my possession then had me buy another. If I have a valid one still in
my possession when driving I don't bother to stop. In the rare event that anyone asks to see it I'll have it and its still valid.
I just got one last week at Mexicali West. I simply pulled into the Declaration Area and explained I need to go to IMN. They showed me where I could
park and then pointed to a man who they said would lead me there. One other person pulled in right then and we all followed the officer to the IMN
desk. Told him I would only be in MX for 6 days but he still charged me and when questioned said they don't issue free ones anymore? The other person
that just pulled in when we did was really surprised because he was only coming in for a dental appointment!
Flying back down Wed for a one week visit. Still debating whether to show my 180 day visa issued last week to see if they accept it or just hide it
and see if they give me a free 7 day visa.
Once again I know its just going to depend on who I talk to that specific day. |
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Mr. Bills
Nomad
Posts: 189
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Location: Area Code 530
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| Quote: |
Where? I am looking at my stamped FMM with an entry date of 22 Dec 2019 and cannot find any text that reads that the FMM is valid for one one entry
or only one time use.
I may have missed it.
[Edited on 2-16-2020 by Mr. Bills] |
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Alan
Super Nomad
Posts: 1626
Registered: 4-6-2005
Location: Yucaipa, CA/La Paz
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Domestic flight via CBX. Not included in ticket. IMN desk just before Aduanja before you can go
to your boarding gates.
In Memory of E-57
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sancho
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2524
Registered: 10-6-2004
Location: OC So Cal
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| Quote: Originally posted by PaulW |
I was more fortunate in that I went to a public meeting and the head of all of Baja for this subject verbally said was was posted.
For land crossings FMMs are good for 1 year for multiple crossings and do not have to be returned.
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Paul,
Not to be repetitive, just that that info is new to me, but the info
you received from an Immigration Official suggests
a new amount of days granted on an fmm will be increased to
365 days for land crossings? I assume that is new, yet to be implemented.
That would be excellent
[Edited on 2-16-2020 by sancho]
[Edited on 2-16-2020 by sancho]
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64829
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Paul, 180 days is closer to 1/2 year.
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