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Enrique2012
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Tourist Visa (El Chaparral) Question?
Question: If I commit to the turnoff from the 5, onto the entrance of El Chaparral, stop and park to acquire a tourist visa, am I now obligated to
enter Mexico or can I return to the U.S. without having entered Mexico?
If the answer is I must enter Mexico, than can you tell me if (and how) to park in the U.S and obtain the visa on foot?
Thanks in advance!
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SlyOnce
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If you get your visa there you must enter MX by car.
MX consulate is in little Italy in San Diego, you could go there.
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David K
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Park in a U.S. side lot, walk in using the pedestrian entrance for Mexico. INM will be there.
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Enrique2012
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Thanks. David, and chance you could be a little more specific? Where is the INM after I cross by foot?
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dasubergeek
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The pedestrian crossing is now on the EAST side of the freeway; the path goes past the McDonalds, then around the back of the old customs house that's
south of the McDonalds. You'll see stairs, and you'll go into a very Spartan room where you'll push a button and get either a red or green light. The
INM office is right off this room—ask anyone and they'll point you, though the last time I walked across there was a big sign.
Unfortunately, then you have to cross back into the U.S. If you don't have a SENTRI card, a Global Entry card, a passport card or a U.S. green card,
this means a very, very long wait, especially at the weekend. (Today, Tuesday, 1400 hours, the SY wait is 1 hour for standard lanes and 40 minutes for
Ready Lane; the Otay Mesa wait is no delay.)
I suggest going to the Otay Mesa crossing instead if you just want to go and return. There's a David You can always then drive west along the 905 if
you want to enter at San Ysidro.
Bear in mind that FMMs are *single entry visas* and technically as soon as you leave Mexico you're supposed to turn them in. Supposed to. 
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Enrique2012
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Thank you so much. One final question, do they stamp the visa there or do I need to take it to a bank and return this "room"?
Thanks all, your quick replies are greatly appreciated.
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BAJA.DESERT.RAT
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Hola,
while we are on the subject, does this walkin differ from the old way of crossing on foot prior to the new El Chaparral crossing ?
can we still get off the 5 freeway, the stop before going into mexico, stop at the stop sign, turn right and immediately turn right into a parking lot
? walking out of the parking lot, turn left and go to the bridge and to the turnstile ?
i don't need an fmm as i only want to take a taxi to the costco to buy some meds. due to medicine that is fake, i prefer to buy it at costco, then
back to the line by taxi to cross on foot.
also, i did notice a handicap sign at the northbound crossing the last time, is there a handicap line, can i go to the head of the line ?
i thank you in advance,
BIEN SALUD, DA RAT
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dasubergeek
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Enrique2012
Thank you so much. One final question, do they stamp the visa there or do I need to take it to a bank and return this "room"?
Thanks all, your quick replies are greatly appreciated. |
They will stamp it right there. There is a window for the Banjercito (military) bank. The cost is 306 pesos, about $23-$25 depending on the exchange
rate.
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sancho
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| Quote: | Originally posted by BAJA.DESERT.RAT
does this walkin differ from the old way of crossing on foot prior to the new El Chaparral crossing ?
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Not totally clear on your question, but there is NO foot access
at the Old Crossing into TJ, as posted you have go to the
ped crossing on the East side of Hwy 5, after you pass
Mex Customs at the new ped crossing, there are SEVERAL steps leading down to the street level, if that affects
you, I believe this is temp., as Mex is building a new build
there that will house mex Customs,Immigration
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dasubergeek
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| Quote: | Originally posted by BAJA.DESERT.RAT
Hola,
while we are on the subject, does this walkin differ from the old way of crossing on foot prior to the new El Chaparral crossing ?
can we still get off the 5 freeway, the stop before going into mexico, stop at the stop sign, turn right and immediately turn right into a parking lot
? walking out of the parking lot, turn left and go to the bridge and to the turnstile ?
i don't need an fmm as i only want to take a taxi to the costco to buy some meds. due to medicine that is fake, i prefer to buy it at costco, then
back to the line by taxi to cross on foot.
also, i did notice a handicap sign at the northbound crossing the last time, is there a handicap line, can i go to the head of the line ?
i thank you in advance,
BIEN SALUD, DA RAT |
When you get off the freeway, you can still turn right and then right into the Border Station parking. When you exit the parking lot, turn left into
Camino de la Plaza and go OVER the freeway, then turn right on San Ysidro Blvd. You'll go past the McDonald's, then go around the back of the old
customs house, through the turnstiles (there's a gate for the disabled), and up the stairs—I believe there's an elevator but I can't swear there is.
Once you're inside, ask how to get downstairs on the other side.
On the way back, you can roll right up to the handicapped entrance on the left. It might be easier to use the Ready Lane line on the right (hugging
the wall) as there are fewer people, and have your "con permiso" ready on your lips. Then just roll across when you get to the front. I'm sure that if
this information is inaccurate, they won't be shy about telling you.
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David K
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Enrique2012
Thanks. David, and chance you could be a little more specific? Where is the INM after I cross by foot? |
I think since I was here this morning, you got some great answers...
The newer ped crossing into Mexico is different... it is on the east side of the car lanes. There's a Jack in the Box and Trolley station near this.
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David K
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| Quote: | Originally posted by dasubergeek
Bear in mind that FMMs are *single entry visas* and technically as soon as you leave Mexico you're supposed to turn them in. Supposed to. |
The is correct! 
When we last obtained them, a few days before our trip, I told the INM officer exactly this... and it was quite okay to walk out of Mexico with the
new FMM and come back later in the week with it.
Since there is no collection formality for land travelers or ability for drivers leaving Mexico to hand it back before exiting Mexican territory, the
INM has provided an address where it is to be mailed back, before it expires. The FMM is good for 180 days... and if you leave Mexico and return (say
to go to the doctor or re-supply) there is no logic to not using it for the full 180 days you paid for.
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apple
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| Quote: | Originally posted by dasubergeek
Unfortunately, then you have to cross back into the U.S. If you don't have a SENTRI card, a Global Entry card, a passport card or a U.S. green card,
this means a very, very long wait, especially at the weekend. (Today, Tuesday, 1400 hours, the SY wait is 1 hour for standard lanes and 40 minutes for
Ready Lane; the Otay Mesa wait is no delay.) |
How is passport card faster for entry on foot than a passport with RFID?
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DENNIS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by apple
How is passport card faster for entry on foot than a passport with RFID? |
Not sure. Is there a Ready Lane for pedestrians? They seem to require the card even though the book may also have the chip.
"YOU CAN'T LITTER ALUMINUM"
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DENNIS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
There's a Jack in the Box and Trolley station near this. |
I think it's a McDonalds.
"YOU CAN'T LITTER ALUMINUM"
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David K
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
There's a Jack in the Box and Trolley station near this. |
I think it's a McDonalds. |
The place I am talking about (just inside US by trolley tracks) is a Jack in the Box.
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DENNIS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
There's a Jack in the Box and Trolley station near this. |
I think it's a McDonalds. |
The place I am talking about (just inside US by trolley tracks) is a Jack in the Box. |
There must be a JIB somewhere in that area, but the fast food joint directly adjacent to the end of the line trolley stop, is a McDonalds....the most
busy one I've ever seen.
When's the last time you went through there on foot?
"YOU CAN'T LITTER ALUMINUM"
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tjsue
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
| Quote: | Originally posted by apple
How is passport card faster for entry on foot than a passport with RFID? |
Not sure. Is there a Ready Lane for pedestrians? They seem to require the card even though the book may also have the chip.
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Yes, there is a Ready Lane for pedestrians. It's faster than the GP line, but not as fast as the Sentri line. I take it all the time when I cross on
foot.
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DENNIS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by tjsue
Yes, there is a Ready Lane for pedestrians. It's faster than the GP line, but not as fast as the Sentri line. I take it all the time when I cross on
foot. |
OK...so which fast food joint is right outside the customs building, across the street from the trolley stop? Is it Mickey D's, or is it Jack'n the
box?
"YOU CAN'T LITTER ALUMINUM"
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tjsue
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When you get off the trolley there's a Mickey D's right in front of you. The JIB is up a little ways going away from the trolley.
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