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BAJA.DESERT.RAT
Senior Nomad
Posts: 980
Registered: 11-5-2009
Location: BAJA SUR
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FMM'S AND NO FREE ZONE
Hola,
saw this on bloody decks. is this another case of the mexicans shooting themselves in the foot.
BIEN SALUD, DA RAT
P.S. I'M ONLY THE MESSENGER...AND..IF THIS REALLY HAPPENS
I saw this bit of news on the "Discover Baja Travel Club" web site. If this is now the case, I would guess that there may be more people at the
immigration office at the boarder. But most people either won't care to stop or won't know about the change.
Mexican tourist permits, or FMMs (Forma Migratoria Multiple), are required for all non-Mexican citizens entering Baja. As of September 2015, the “free
zone” for FMMs (trips within the 20 kilometer border zone for less than 72 hours) is no longer valid and everyone entering Mexico will need to obtain
an FMM. A passport or passport card is required to obtain an FMM.
DB insider tips:
As of September 2015, there is no longer a “free zone” for FMMs. Every non-Mexican citizen entering Baja will need to obtain an FMM regardless of
length or location of visit. Also as of September 2015, visitors are no longer required to return their FMM to the Mexican government when exiting the
country.
FMM tourist permits are issued for 180 days. Please be aware that FMMs are not valid for multiple entry. When you stop at the border to get your
FMM stamped at immigration, we recommend telling them that you would like the permit for the full six months. This way, you are covered if you decide
to extend your trip.
Get your FMM ahead of time at Discover Baja and skip the hassle of having to make multiple stops and waiting in long lines.
Keep your FMM in a safe place. Mexican immigration agents and federal police have the authority to ask for proof of legal status in Mexico at any
time.
For Mexican insurance to be valid you must be in compliance with Mexican laws. Since having an FMM is a Mexican law, not having an FMM can
invalidate your insurance and land you in jail.
Make two copies of your FMM tourist permit before traveling and leave one copy at home and carry one copy with you in a separate place from your
actual FMM.
If you lose your FMM, you will need to go to the nearest immigration office to get a new one.
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BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13195
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
Member Is Offline
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great idea to keep a copy elsewhere (or copies as the case may be)
I think it is not a good idea that it cant be used for multiple entries but can you hear the ka-ching ka ching ka ching that they are hoping will
come in?
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64749
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Quote: Originally posted by BajaBlanca  | great idea to keep a copy elsewhere (or copies as the case may be)
I think it is not a good idea that it cant be used for multiple entries but can you hear the ka-ching ka ching ka ching that they are hoping will
come in? |
Yet, (reported here) an INM official told a Playas resident (or call him a daily tourist visitor who sleeps in Mexico, since he is using an FMM) to
pay for the 180 day one ONE time and just show it as he walks in with the Mexican citizen side after the first day, for the remaining days it is
valid...
If $25 is for 180 days, then 18 days should be $2.50 if they want it turned in and be honest about it's cost vs. time valid.. right? 7 days is free
after all.
For the new kids going to Mexico... From 1965 to 2000, the tourist card was FREE for 180 days, and Mexico had a LOT of American tourists and family
vacations happening those years... Businesses in Baja were growing and prospering...
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weebray
Super Nomad
Posts: 1094
Registered: 7-19-2010
Location: La Paz
Member Is Offline
Mood: lleno
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They'll be building a wall soon.
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Tioloco
Super Nomad
Posts: 2319
Registered: 7-30-2014
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So Mexicali for dinner will require paperwork to be filled out?
Algodones for teeth cleaning and lunch will require documentation?
I have serious doubts about that.
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sancho
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2524
Registered: 10-6-2004
Location: OC So Cal
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With you on that. Quoting Discover Baja or any other source
doesn't mean jack. The only thing that matters is what the
Mex Imm officer says at the time you are dealing with him.
I would bet one can
walk across at TJ for lunch without getting an fmm. Seems
business as usual driving, keep your fmm for as many entries
as long as it is valid. Doesn't seem practical that they could
hold up vehicle traffic into Mex, making every tourist get a
tourist card, there would be a line on Sat. back to the 5 at San Ysidro
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23S52N
Nomad
Posts: 135
Registered: 7-30-2015
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I have to agree not to take anything that is unofficial as gospel. Example; when i was in law enforcement in the Yukon, and Milepost magazine
published that it was not necessary to stop at the international border between Alaska and the Yukon......wrong....and several poor folks paid
(literally) the consequences in heavy fines. Safest bet is like suggested, check with the guy wearing the uniform. Just my two cents.
regards,
Keith
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SFandH
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7084
Registered: 8-5-2011
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The above is good advice. It seems to me that the FMM requirements are evolving as the Mexicans improve their land based ports of entry. The San
Ysidro situation is rather strange because they have two sets of rules, one for walkers and another for drivers. The SY southbound pedestrian crossing
provides the infrastructure to enforce stricter requirements but there is no way they could implement the same requirements for drivers because of the
volume of traffic.
Plus there are Mexican immigration officials wanting to tighten things up but the local government, TJ for instance, fights back because of the
negative impact on the economy.
There are conflicting requirements, better border security vs. keeping the flow across the border moving as fast as possible. The result is an ill
defined, illogical compromise situation.
[Edited on 9-18-2015 by SFandH]
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akshadow
Nomad
Posts: 287
Registered: 2-1-2007
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south bound vehicles
Why couldn't they require the same info from vehicles. the US appears to do it and all of the traffic eventually gets back into the US. should
Mexico give up some of its national autonomy because it will cause traffic problems?
I will admit more people are and will be willing to wait to get into the US longer than they would wait to get into Mexico.
| Quote: Originally posted by SFandH | The above is good advice. there is no way they could implement the same requirements for drivers because of the volume of traffic.
Plus there are Mexican immigration officials wanting to tighten things up but the local government, TJ for instance, fights back because of the
negative impact on the economy.
There are conflicting requirements, better border security vs. keeping the flow across the border moving as fast as possible. The result is an ill
defined, illogical compromise situation.
[Edited on 9-18-2015 by SFandH] |
Ron San Felipe Oct, Nov. Feb. Mar. April. remainder in Juneau Ak
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64749
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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The U.S. doesn't have Mexicans fill out forms, pay money, stamp the forms... while in their car in line.
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msteve1014
Senior Nomad
Posts: 947
Registered: 12-2-2006
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| Quote: Originally posted by David K | | The U.S. doesn't have Mexicans fill out forms, pay money, stamp the forms... while in their car in line. |
No, They have to do all that before they get in line, and it's a lot more trouble than filling out a FMM form.
Maybe some day they will have us filling out the forms before we get to the border. Online maybe.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64749
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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That would be great... actually, something like that may be ready... but still they want you to stop and get it stamped at the border to validate
it... and that alone takes away the advantage of getting it in advance online or at the travel club office.
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msteve1014
Senior Nomad
Posts: 947
Registered: 12-2-2006
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And it is still WAY better than the Mexicans coming north have it.
What if they tell you to go to the consulate 6 months before a trip to APPLY for a permit? No guarantee you will get one.
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23S52N
Nomad
Posts: 135
Registered: 7-30-2015
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^^^ yup, we really lose sight of how easy we have it....the US and Canadian passport are pretty much a free pass to the world, and we tend to take
that for granted when it comes to folks from other nations. Mexicans need a visitor's visa to come to Canada, and I just had a close friend from
Malaysia denied a 10 day visitor's visa to come to Canada, because SEAsia ain't on the golden boy list right now.....we really need to be thankful and
keep reminding ourselves how really well we have it....
regards,
Keith
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64749
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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No, it's not fair... but these are independent nations of the world and each has a right and a duty to make rules to protect their citizens.
It is easier (or was) for Americans and Canadians to cross into Mexico because we were a great source of revenue for Mexicans and they wanted us to
cross easily with as much money in our pockets as possible.
It was good for them and good for us.
The logic escapes me as to why Mexico wants to make it harder for us to go south given all the other issues that have kept North Americans (as they
call us) out? That alone has already reduced the revenue from tourism. The more difficult they make crossing the border, the worse it will be for
Mexico's tourist economy... and especially automobile tourists who are the main type in Baja California (Norte) and Sonora.
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rts551
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6699
Registered: 9-5-2003
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| Quote: Originally posted by David K | No, it's not fair... but these are independent nations of the world and each has a right and a duty to make rules to protect their citizens.
It is easier (or was) for Americans and Canadians to cross into Mexico because we were a great source of revenue for Mexicans and they wanted us to
cross easily with as much money in our pockets as possible.
It was good for them and good for us.
The logic escapes me as to why Mexico wants to make it harder for us to go south given all the other issues that have kept North Americans (as they
call us) out? That alone has already reduced the revenue from tourism. The more difficult they make crossing the border, the worse it will be for
Mexico's tourist economy... and especially automobile tourists who are the main type in Baja California (Norte) and Sonora. |
Like you said, each country makes their own rules. Who are we to tell them how to run their borders. We can not even run our own. Maybe your
concept of dependency on the US dollar is a little overblown. Does your fistfull make them dependent?
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15939
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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Mood: Everchangin'
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just wait until Trump has the Mexicans build that wall! talk about lines....
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64749
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: Originally posted by rts551 | | Quote: Originally posted by David K | No, it's not fair... but these are independent nations of the world and each has a right and a duty to make rules to protect their citizens.
It is easier (or was) for Americans and Canadians to cross into Mexico because we were a great source of revenue for Mexicans and they wanted us to
cross easily with as much money in our pockets as possible.
It was good for them and good for us.
The logic escapes me as to why Mexico wants to make it harder for us to go south given all the other issues that have kept North Americans (as they
call us) out? That alone has already reduced the revenue from tourism. The more difficult they make crossing the border, the worse it will be for
Mexico's tourist economy... and especially automobile tourists who are the main type in Baja California (Norte) and Sonora. |
Like you said, each country makes their own rules. Who are we to tell them how to run their borders. We can not even run our own. Maybe your
concept of dependency on the US dollar is a little overblown. Does your fistfull make them dependent? |
You may have missed my past tense form of the verb:
"... were a great source of revenue..."
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rts551
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6699
Registered: 9-5-2003
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| Quote: Originally posted by David K | | Quote: Originally posted by rts551 | | Quote: Originally posted by David K | No, it's not fair... but these are independent nations of the world and each has a right and a duty to make rules to protect their citizens.
It is easier (or was) for Americans and Canadians to cross into Mexico because we were a great source of revenue for Mexicans and they wanted us to
cross easily with as much money in our pockets as possible.
It was good for them and good for us.
The logic escapes me as to why Mexico wants to make it harder for us to go south given all the other issues that have kept North Americans (as they
call us) out? That alone has already reduced the revenue from tourism. The more difficult they make crossing the border, the worse it will be for
Mexico's tourist economy... and especially automobile tourists who are the main type in Baja California (Norte) and Sonora. |
Like you said, each country makes their own rules. Who are we to tell them how to run their borders. We can not even run our own. Maybe your
concept of dependency on the US dollar is a little overblown. Does your fistfull make them dependent? |
You may have missed my past tense form of the verb:
"... were a great source of revenue..." |
Same logic could be applied to Mexicans coming North.
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rayfornario
Nomad
Posts: 169
Registered: 2-23-2007
Location: Imperial Beach, Ca
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: Originally posted by BAJA.DESERT.RAT | Hola,
saw this on bloody decks. is this another case of the mexicans shooting themselves in the foot.
BIEN SALUD, DA RAT
P.S. I'M ONLY THE MESSENGER...AND..IF THIS REALLY HAPPENS
I saw this bit of news on the "Discover Baja Travel Club" web site. If this is now the case, I would guess that there may be more people at the
immigration office at the boarder. But most people either won't care to stop or won't know about the change.
Mexican tourist permits, or FMMs (Forma Migratoria Multiple), are required for all non-Mexican citizens entering Baja. As of September 2015, the “free
zone” for FMMs (trips within the 20 kilometer border zone for less than 72 hours) is no longer valid and everyone entering Mexico will need to obtain
an FMM. A passport or passport card is required to obtain an FMM.
DB insider tips:
As of September 2015, there is no longer a “free zone” for FMMs. Every non-Mexican citizen entering Baja will need to obtain an FMM regardless of
length or location of visit. Also as of September 2015, visitors are no longer required to return their FMM to the Mexican government when exiting the
country.
FMM tourist permits are issued for 180 days. Please be aware that FMMs are not valid for multiple entry. When you stop at the border to get your
FMM stamped at immigration, we recommend telling them that you would like the permit for the full six months. This way, you are covered if you decide
to extend your trip.
Get your FMM ahead of time at Discover Baja and skip the hassle of having to make multiple stops and waiting in long lines.
Keep your FMM in a safe place. Mexican immigration agents and federal police have the authority to ask for proof of legal status in Mexico at any
time.
For Mexican insurance to be valid you must be in compliance with Mexican laws. Since having an FMM is a Mexican law, not having an FMM can
invalidate your insurance and land you in jail.
Make two copies of your FMM tourist permit before traveling and leave one copy at home and carry one copy with you in a separate place from your
actual FMM.
If you lose your FMM, you will need to go to the nearest immigration office to get a new one.
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Actually if you cross into TJ with a 180 day FMM card, they don't stamp it and it is good every day you cross. Myself and my wife did this to avoid
having to stand in line everytime we cross into TJ.
Even a bad day in Baja is better then a good day somewhere else!
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