paranewbi
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Calexico East Visa Office
Gonna try the Calexico East Crossing into Baja this October and hoped to find a immigration office there. Sorry if this has been noted before but I
ran the search and couldn't find any information as to the location, hours, bank availability for payment, etc...
Also, is it worth not going to the main Calexico crossing south and bothering to go to the newer east entrance?
We usually hit Otay but want to try the 8 east run instead of the switchback down the Mex side to San Felipe and Gonzaga.
Thanks!
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bkbend
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Immigration office and bank are both located in the cluster of buildings on the right as you enter. I took the declare lane, asked the customs
officer where to find IMN and where to park, he pointed out both and it was a quick in and out. They didn't even look into my fully loaded pickup.
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David K
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Maybe search under 'Mexicali East'... as that is the Mexican side name? There is no actual town of Calexico that far east, at the newer border
crossing. Mexicali is many times bigger than Calexico. The immigration office is signed INM, bring your passport books, and a pen (if they are busy),
and hope they or a teller nearby can collect the tax so it all can be done on the spot.
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MICK
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This is where we always go. You can go thru the non declare line and after you pass thru about 100 yds down you turn right around the secondary area.
there is a big parking lot there with lots of small import offices there. the bank is in the far corner. You will need to walk back to the inm office
which is ajacent to the drive thru lines. you can't miss it. Then you have to walk back to the bank and pay then back to have your visas stamped. they
are only about 75 yards apart. It is very quick and easy here without having to cross traffic. Good luck and have fun
Mick
Getting there is ALL the fun!
Ok being here is fun to
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paranewbi
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Hi DK...did the search internet thing for most combinations of words and didn't come up with any good directions (most seemed to be about US
immigration, etc.) Thanks though!
Bkbend and Mick...thanks for the insight. Gonna give it a run for the adventure! Sounds a lot like Otay's procedure with the bank and office distance
and return trip nature.
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sancho
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| Quote: | Originally posted by paranewbi
Also, is it worth not going to the main Calexico crossing south and bothering to go to the newer east entrance?
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I go east on 8, take that right off 8, then about 10 mi.
to Calexico, then right 6 blks. into Mexicali, old downtown
crossing. A few don't like driving the 4 mi. or so thru
Mexicali, I don't mind. Drove out the east entrance once,
I believe it is about 7 mi. further east of Calexico.
Some prefer the east crossing, some use the west,
don't know it would shake out time wise in comparisom
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dasubergeek
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| Quote: | Originally posted by sancho
| Quote: | Originally posted by paranewbi
Also, is it worth not going to the main Calexico crossing south and bothering to go to the newer east entrance?
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I go east on 8, take that right off 8, then about 10 mi.
to Calexico, then right 6 blks. into Mexicali, old downtown
crossing. A few don't like driving the 4 mi. or so thru
Mexicali, I don't mind. Drove out the east entrance once,
I believe it is about 7 mi. further east of Calexico.
Some prefer the east crossing, some use the west,
don't know it would shake out time wise in comparisom |
Depends where you're headed. If you're off to San Felipe, you don't save any time because you either have to head west into Mexicali (right along the
border) or you have to head south on 9th and then wend your way over to Hwy. 5 southbound, also through Mexicali, though through the maquilas rather
than right through downtown. If you're headed east toward SLRC, the east crossing makes sense.
[Edited on 9-12-2013 by dasubergeek]
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David K
Honored Nomad
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| Quote: | Originally posted by paranewbi
Hi DK...did the search internet thing for most combinations of words and didn't come up with any good directions (most seemed to be about US
immigration, etc.) Thanks though!
Bkbend and Mick...thanks for the insight. Gonna give it a run for the adventure! Sounds a lot like Otay's procedure with the bank and office distance
and return trip nature. |
Use the Nomad Search key... see it at the top left of the Nomad page? It is right below the Baja in Baja Nomad. 
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nbacc
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The East crossing is easy. Mick is correct. nancy
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paranewbi
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Thanks Nancy!
DK...My search (before and once again since your admonition) on the BN turned up mostly old info (2 years plus) on anything to do with southbound
immigration. Mostly had to do with importing / transporting stuff into Baja. One post from 2011 showed a nice sat map of the west crossing of which
you also contributed much, but not sure if anything 2 years past in Mex is still accurate to late 2013...thus the (re)new posting.
May not be worth driving the extra few miles to avoid the city traffic route of the west side other than the adventure of the untried east crossing.
Although I could then offer a current report on that crossing. But I sure would not want to go to some place I haven't done my due diligence on and
find I'm sitting stationary while waiting for something to open as I plan on being there at 6am.
If you find a posting through the search on BN that addresses with satisfactory information on this material, please educate me as I seem to be
entering a limited key word category that doesn't breach the vast resources you might know exist. Thanks in advance for your help (and also that which
you have offered) 
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65101
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by paranewbi
DK...My search (before and once again since your admonition) on the BN turned up mostly old info (2 years plus) on anything to do with southbound
immigration. Mostly had to do with importing / transporting stuff into Baja. One post from 2011 showed a nice sat map of the west crossing of which
you also contributed much, but not sure if anything 2 years past in Mex is still accurate to late 2013...thus the (re)new posting.
May not be worth driving the extra few miles to avoid the city traffic route of the west side other than the adventure of the untried east crossing.
Although I could then offer a current report on that crossing. But I sure would not want to go to some place I haven't done my due diligence on and
find I'm sitting stationary while waiting for something to open as I plan on being there at 6am.
If you find a posting through the search on BN that addresses with satisfactory information on this material, please educate me as I seem to be
entering a limited key word category that doesn't breach the vast resources you might know exist. Thanks in advance for your help (and also that which
you have offered) |
Okay, let's see what I can come up with>
First, enter Mexicali East (not Calexico East) and search:
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PaulW on 8-22-13 describes it in this thread: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=68751
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Nice map from the east border to the San Felipe Highway highlighted by McFez on 4-24-13: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=66848
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daveB replied on 4-11-13, in this thread: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=52526
with this:
"January this year we used East gate, got FMM's, walked to the bank a short walk down, payed for it, returned. The official then gave us our passports
back, stamping them first. We were planning on more than Baja and Sonora Hassel-Free zone.
Otherwise, who actually does get cards? I've seen the lines of cars heading through Sonoyta to Rocky Point without stopping (the intention of the
hassel-free zone, I'm sure) and enjoy the Mexican coastline (and leave some cash)."
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This thread is on Mexicali West, but TW replied on 3-1-13 with a aerial photo showing Mexicali East complex: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=65893
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There are a lot more... hope something here helps!
Just like the spelling places correctly, if you don't use the right name for a place, you won't get details on the place you want...
[Edited on 9-13-2013 by David K]
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