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KFIG
Newbie
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Registered: 2-23-2022
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FMM CARD
Should I purchase The FMM card on line or get it when I drive across at Mexicali. Also, Where is it better to cross Mexicali east or west?
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bkbend
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Get it when you cross, you need to stop and get it stamped anyway. That eliminates any problems with the online transaction.
West has easier parking for FMM, veer to the left BEFORE going through the gates and park in the declare area under the canopy. Go into the building
adjacent to the parking area for an FMM.
East is an easier (IMO) drive through Mexicali, but sometimes a pain in the a** to park. Ask at customs where they want you to park, it varies what
answer you will get. Immigration is the glass fronted building immediately to the right of the customs stop.
Pick your poison, easier parking or easier driving.
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sancho
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I come from San Diego, typically use the west. There has
in the last few weeks, NOT saying it is common, a scam with a Mex plated car bumping into tourists cars, then wanting $$.
Generally a red sedan, Nissan maybe, around the Costco area. That is why I would use the east. Concur, fmm at the border
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Don Pisto
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Quote: Originally posted by KFIG  | | Should I purchase The FMM card on line or get it when I drive across at Mexicali. Also, Where is it better to cross Mexicali east or west?
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more and more travelers are claiming the online FMM is the best way to ensure you get the full 180 day maximum, why not get it?
there's only two things in life but I forget what they are........
John Hiatt
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David K
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The online one is invalid until you have it stamped at the border, by the same people who give you one to fill out.
Not much of an advantage beyond filling the form and paying the money.
The disadvantages include the online pay not working; not being able to cross the border when you say: and where you said you would.
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Don Pisto
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| Quote: Originally posted by David K | The online one is invalid until you have it stamped at the border, by the same people who give you one to fill out.
Not much of an advantage beyond filling the form and paying the money.
The disadvantages include the online pay not working; not being able to cross the border when you say: and where you said you would.
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well David then by all means skip this process, my advice is directed at KFIG to ensure getting a full 180 days
there's only two things in life but I forget what they are........
John Hiatt
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mtgoat666
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| Quote: Originally posted by Don Pisto | | Quote: Originally posted by David K | The online one is invalid until you have it stamped at the border, by the same people who give you one to fill out.
Not much of an advantage beyond filling the form and paying the money.
The disadvantages include the online pay not working; not being able to cross the border when you say: and where you said you would.
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well David then by all means skip this process, my advice is directed at KFIG to ensure getting a full 180 days |
What makes you think online application gets more days than in-person application?
I crossed mexicali west 3 weeks ago, completed form in person, and told them i was on 10-day trip, and they gave me 180 days. 180 same as i
always…
They always give 180 days, hand them out like candy
[Edited on 2-23-2022 by mtgoat666]
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
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Same here, in person, 180-days.
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ElCap
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You still have to get it stamped when you cross the border, but getting it online prior means you don't have to run back and forth to bank, etc.
Saves time and stress, which are usually important factors when trying to make miles south. To each his own. I get mine through Discover Baja travel
club.
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Bajazly
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| Quote: Originally posted by ElCap | | You still have to get it stamped when you cross the border, but getting it online prior means you don't have to run back and forth to bank, etc.
Saves time and stress, which are usually important factors when trying to make miles south. To each his own. I get mine through Discover Baja travel
club. |
When I used to get them I always paid the guy who filled it out for me at Mexicali West, no back and forth to the bank.
Believing is religion - Knowing is science
Harald Pietschmann
"Get off the beaten path and memories, friends and new techniques are developed"
Bajazly, August 2019
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AKgringo
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At the end of November, I got my FMM at Mexicali West. No bank involved, the agent I filled out the form with took my pesos and sent me on my way.
It wasn't until much later that I realized that he never stamped the form! If I ever really needed to show it to some official, I doubt that it would
have been any good.
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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sancho
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The online 180 day # that automatically appears on the
form you printout, means nothing. The Mex INM officer
at the border can and will change it to whatever suits
him
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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
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"When I used to get them I always paid the guy who filled it out for me at Mexicali West, no back and forth to the bank."
When you pay Banjercitos the cost, you get a receipt and you're told to keep it with the FMM, and the receipt specifies that it is a federal charge or
something. If the staff person at the counter pocketed your money and sent you on your way, you did not pay the FMM cost nor have proof of payment
either.
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BajaNomad
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Thread Moved
2-24-2022 at 11:54 AM |
del mar
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actually a number of travel sites do claim that getting the online FMM ensures (or at least helps) that you'll get 180 days.....but of course no one
knows like a nomad! https://travelfocus.org/fmm-mexico-tourist-permit-for-mexico...
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Whiskey Witch
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The last time we drove across, at Mexicali west, the immigration agent processed our payment by credit card, with no walk to bank counter.
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pacificobob
Super Nomad
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| Quote: Originally posted by Don Pisto | | Quote: Originally posted by David K | The online one is invalid until you have it stamped at the border, by the same people who give you one to fill out.
Not much of an advantage beyond filling the form and paying the money.
The disadvantages include the online pay not working; not being able to cross the border when you say: and where you said you would.
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well David then by all means skip this process, my advice is directed at KFIG to ensure getting a full 180 days |
Want 180 days? Just ask! When I needed FMMs I never had an immigration official even blink at the request.
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RFClark
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We get them every 180 days, for 180 days and never have to ask! At least in Mexicali West they don’t even use the online form. They do a paper one
from scratch. The guy at the counter takes the money. Your stamped visa and passport is all the proof you need.
[Edited on 2-26-2022 by RFClark]
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Alm
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They ignore your pre-filled online form that only requires to detach one part, and fill the paper form by hand? Doing more work when they could do
less? Very un-Mexican behaviour.
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Bajaboy
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Immigration had a checkpoint south of Ensenada on Friday and again today, Sunday. Make sure you're legal.
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Alm
Ultra Nomad
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I wonder, were there any INM checkpoints around Mexicali on Hwy 5 in the last several years? Not militaries that only check the trunk.
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