grace59
Senior Nomad
Posts: 614
Registered: 9-14-2004
Location: San Felipe, Baja, Mexico
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Do you really need both a FM3 and a FMM?
I found this statement on a website talking about the different forms of FM for Mexico. Says it was updated Feb. 2011. Is this true? I've never heard
this before...why would I need both my FM3 (which I have) and an FMM?
"Everyone entering the country must fill out an FMM even if you have an FM3 or FM2 for whom it's for statical purposes. You should keep your part of
the form to turn in next time you leave the country."
Whenever I hear that rainy, chill wind blow. I think it may be time to head for Mexico. Tengo que obedecer mi corazon!
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lizard lips
Super Nomad
Posts: 1469
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: EARTH
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No
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mulegejim
Nomad
Posts: 470
Registered: 9-4-2006
Location: San Clemente, CA/Mulege, BCS
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No you do not need both - in fact, unless something has changed, you will get in trouble if you show both. Just because the airline builds the price
of an FMM into the fare does not mean you have to fill it out and hand it to the immigration officer when arriving at the Mexican airport. If you have
a FM-3/2 just hand the officer that. As stated above there is a procedure to get a refund for the money the airline charged for the FMM that you don't
need. Jim
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karenintx
Senior Nomad
Posts: 540
Registered: 3-16-2008
Location: CSL
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Mood: Living The Dream
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I agree with Kate when it comes to flying. I do it all the time and have not been "in trouble" yet. Not a word has been said to me, never. Actually
it is the airlines that give you the FMM form to fill out then you take your FM-2/3 back to the INM office/agent to have both your USA passort and FMM
form stamped with an exit stamp.
The airline takes the small right side portion of the form then when I fly into SJD (or any other Mexican city) I hand my USA passport, my FM-3 card
and the remaining half of my FMM form to the INM agent. They stamp my USA passport with an "entry stamp", they use my FM-3 number to enter my arrival
date into the computer then the INM agent keeps the remaining portion of the FMM form I gave him/her. The agent hands me back my USA passport and
FM-3 card...only thing they have ever said to me is " bienvenido a casa".
Matter of fact, the hubby is flying out on Thursday and he will fill out a FMM form...as he does everytime he flys out of Mexico with his FM-3.
.
[Edited on 4-25-2011 by karenintx]
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mulegejim
Nomad
Posts: 470
Registered: 9-4-2006
Location: San Clemente, CA/Mulege, BCS
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I stand corrected. Thanks for the information - it's been awhile since I have flown into Mexico. Jim
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longlegsinlapaz
Super Nomad
Posts: 1685
Registered: 11-18-2005
Location: La Paz
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Yes!   Since they went to the new FM3 & FM2 cards, they have no way to stamp us in
& out of the country until/when/if they get a scanning system implemented. So they're using the FMM paper system as the mechanism to track time
out of country. The only time you need an FMM is when you travel out of country.
Leaving La Paz in February on my FM2, the airline ticket counter checked me in & created my boarding pass, but held it until I hoofed it over to
INM at the airport & was issued an FMM documenting my departure. Then I went back over to pick up my boarding pass, I got back in line, but they
recognized me standing WAAAAAY at the back of the line & immediately called me up to the desk, verified I now had a FMM & handed my boarding
pass over. Upon my return to La Paz, I handed my passport, FM2 card & FMM to the check-in agent & he took the FMM & stamped me back in
& kept it. The FMM gives them an audit trail to input into the system. This process is mandatory when you fly in & out, but you'd be on the
honor system when you drive in & out. If you fly one way & drive the other, it'd be more complicated logistically, but you'd either have to
obtain an FMM to initiate a departure with your local INM office when you drive out & turn it back in at the INM airport when you clear
immigration upon your return when you fly back....or visa versa!
This dual process has been in place for about a year.
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akshadow
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Posts: 287
Registered: 2-1-2007
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there is no way the Mexican system could handle these for land travel over the border. Some people come and go more than once a day. Talk about
delays at the border>
The Mexican government may have intended to use it everywhere but was probably created by someone in Mexico City who only flys
Ron San Felipe Oct, Nov. Feb. Mar. April. remainder in Juneau Ak
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BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13242
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
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I sure hope they do not start enforcing this when driving in or out ....
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
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| Quote: | Originally posted by akshadow
there is no way the Mexican system could handle these for land travel over the border. Some people come and go more than once a day. Talk about
delays at the border>
The Mexican government may have intended to use it everywhere but was probably created by someone in Mexico City who only flys
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Remember if you are only in the border cities you do not need the FMM so these day travelers wouldn't have to have one.
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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lizard lips
Super Nomad
Posts: 1469
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: EARTH
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Ok, I was wrong but the immigration officer has never stamped my US passport only my FM2 book and this is when I leave flying to another country from
Mexico and when I return.
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CortezBlue
Super Nomad
Posts: 2213
Registered: 11-14-2006
Location: Fenix/San Phelipe
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| Quote: | Originally posted by mulegejim
No you do not need both - in fact, unless something has changed, you will get in trouble if you show both. Just because the airline builds the price
of an FMM into the fare does not mean you have to fill it out and hand it to the immigration officer when arriving at the Mexican airport. If you have
a FM-3/2 just hand the officer that. As stated above there is a procedure to get a refund for the money the airline charged for the FMM that you don't
need. Jim |
You are correct, it use to be that way, but they have changed it. We fly into Puerto Vallarta about 3 times per year and last year the last 2 times
they now have an FMM with a section that requires any US Citizen to fill out the Passport Number and your FM2/3
When you enter the lane you must present both FM2/3 and Passport.
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rhintransit
Super Nomad
Posts: 1588
Registered: 9-4-2006
Location: Loreto
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okay...my latest experience, instructive I hope...
I flew out of Loreto to LAX in May, got passport stamped entering USA.
I bused back to Mexico from Phoenix to Guaymas on Monday, then flew to Loreto yesterday.
the bus stopped at the border INM in Nogales. I got out to show my FM2, ask for an FMM, and get my passport stamped. bored agent said, no, you don't
need that that and told me I'd get the FMM when I flew to Loreto.
silly me, I got back on the bus (only gringo on it).
flew to Loreto on AereoCalafia. surprise surprise, no FMM from the airline. surprise surprise suprise, no INM at the gate in Loreto.
now having no way of documenting my time out of the country, I stop at immigration in Loreto on my way home. nope, they can't stamp the passport,
they only do that for flights arriving in Loreto. from the USA.
eventually I get to see the new jeffe who agreed I had a problem and decided the way to handle it was to write a letter for my INM file with copies of
all the tickets and that would be 'fine' for documenting time in country for my inmagrado process.
I hope.
so guys, if you fly out or in anyway have your passport stamped documenting you are out of the country AND you return by car, bus, etc, you must stop
at the border and insist on getting your passport stamped 'in.' next time, if I do it that way, the bus can wait until someone produces a stamp. of
course, as the (very gracious and new by the way) subdelgado in Loreto said, they may have been tired or busy or just NOT HAVE A STAMP THERE. great.
[Edited on 4-28-2011 by rhintransit]
[Edited on 4-28-2011 by rhintransit]
reality\'s never been of much use out here...
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