Forum Discussion

tony_lee's avatar
tony_lee
Explorer
Dec 17, 2015

FMM Baja - available in LaPaz?

Asking on behalf of a couple of young American travellers.

Here in Guerro Negro and they mentioned they would get the TIP in LaPaz. I asked did they get their FMM at the border. Errrr No.

Few storoies on other forums that FMM is NOT available at LaPaz and another story that they got it at LaPaz airport by pleading and crying and chucking a minor hissy fit. Other stories that they are available at the maratime customs and immegration at Ensenada.

No doubt the truth is not only out there, but probably somewhere in between all the stories.

Anyone can confirm one or more of the possibilities please ASAP because these kids are on their way south tomorrow - or maybe back north depending on the answer you give

thanks
  • I am no expert or authority. I did some Googling and came up with the website below. On there it appears there are some INM offices in Baja but I am not totally clear (my Spanish is not that good). It appears a marina port or airport are possibilities. Working around the website I see there are ways to get the FMM if you are in Mexico but I did not go into it in depth. Maybe they can search this website to find out what they need to know. There are some places where it looks like there might be an answer but when I click on the English version it goes back to the Spanish and I get confused. I think some of it might be translated using Google Translate. But I also think there are answers there in English if you just keep searching the website.

    http://www.inm.gob.mx/index.php/page/pagina_principal/en.html

    I have no idea what the official procedures are supposed to be and not suggesting any law breaking - but what if someone sailed into a seaport and was dropped off by a boat that then sailed away?

    > Formalities and Services > Step by step your procedure > I am in Mexico > Issue of immigration document

    I AM IN MEXICO
    ISSUE OF IMMIGRATION DOCUMENT


    EXCHANGE
    Fill Application
    See Requirements


    CHANGE OF CONDITION
    Fill Application
    See Requirements


    RENEWAL
    Fill Application
    See Requirements


    REPLACEMENT
    Fill Application
    See Requirements


    EXIT AND ENTRY PERMIT
    Fill Application
    See Requirements
  • My best bet is that they return to Tijuana, the Otay crossing, since the Banjersito and the visa issuing offices are not at the border but off to the side, the Banjersito and Immigration will not know when they crossed, they will be processed in that day with more time in Mexico.

    Do not go to the San Ysidro crossing, the new facilities are at the new installation and that will raise a big flag.

    Or reenter San Diego at San Ysidro make a U turn after the Coronado, Imperal Beach overpass on Main Street to much Border Patrol agents further South then go back to San Ysidro and get all the papers.

    Good luck.

    navegator
  • I know precisely what the difference is and am just trying to help out a couple of travellers who are new at the game and MAY have messed up by not getting an FMM at the border. It is their problem, not mine, but I do like to help out if and when I can.

    TIP is apparently no problem as last week at least it was available in LaPaz and this is their understanding too.

    Problem is FMM for these two kids?? Yes, they are illegal at the moment. They know that now. No they can't get on the ferry without both a TIP for their vehicle and FMM for themselves. That they also know. They are in Guerroro Negro and wanting to take the ferry to the mainland.

    Do they have options for getting the FMM. If so what are they please.

    If a return to the border IS the ONLY option then so be it, but they will be rightly pissed off if they go all that way back only to find they could have got the FMM somewhere closer. AS well if they are told it IS available at LaPaz and it isn't, they will be even more annoyed (at themselves) if they then have to return to the border for the FMM.
  • Let us understand that there are two different sets of paperwork, the human visa and the temporary importation of a vehicle.

    Forma Migratoria Multiple FMM is the form for humans to enter Mexico.

    Permiso de Importacion Temporal TIP is for the vehicles.

    Both forms need to be surrendered at the border if travelling only with one car, the RV's get a 10 year importation permit, that means that the RV can stay in Mexico but the persons in it need to exit the Mexican Territory as well as the toad after 180 days not six months, check the paperwork it has the exit date do not go past it.

    navegator
  • If you have an accident with no immigration status your car will be seized! I think your insurance would not be valid.

    Moisheh
  • Almot's avatar
    Almot
    Explorer III
    Ask at BN forum. I wouldn't count on getting TIP in Baja, since it's not used there. I wouldn't count on getting any papers in Baja beyond Tijuana. You can get FMM at INM office at Ensenada, yes. But I doubt you can get TIP there. La Paz ferry "might" have some arrangements for TIP, since they ship people back and forth from mainland.

    Your heading says FMM - this is different from TIP, as you know. And again, they don't like issuing FMM anywhere other than land crossing points - or at international airports IF you arrived by air. Driving as far South as La Paz without an FMM?... Not to say that I didn't do this, but this is not something that I would recommend. Migra has been cracking down now on these "semi-legal" tourists, checking FMM somewhere on the highway suddenly.