FMM/Visas

[Talleyho69]

Did a quick run to Tijuana today for FMMs, lunch, an ATM and tequila. After we got our FMMs, I asked the official about the importance of returning them when we left the country. He assured us that it was not necessary, they would expire on March 29, 2015. On our way out of the new, beautiful facility, we asked another official, who was not nearby when we asked the first time. Received the same answer. We haven't turned them back in in years, because we never know if we'll return while they were still good. Now we won't worry about it!
BTY, the discussions were in Spanish, and they clearly understood our question.

[Tequila]

You can mail them to

Instituto Nacional De Migracion

Puente Puerta S/N

Colonia Federal

Tijuna, B.C., Mexico

CP 22310

[MEXICOWANDERER]

One day I came in, they pasted a water based rectangular decal to my windshield. The very next year, it was credit card, hologram, and a Banjercito payment. Forget to check out leaving Mexico and the next trip was. "Oh so sorry, you are banned. Next!"

Computerization is underway. A federal database. A federal database that can be read at a roadside RETEN or Puesto de Control via a wireless internet connection. You know about the SSP retenes don't you? They pull you over and run your VIN and go through SHCP documents and Migracion documents with a fine tooth comb. They verify the VIN number on your motor vehicle. Then you leave. Preferably not on foot or on the floor of a van.

Missing entry or exit documents and stamps is going to cause a problem. Sure as hell Mexico is going to institute the vehicle bonding program for Baja California. Historically, Maneadero has been an official checkpoint. What you assume today may go all to hell tomorrow. In July, Hacienda imposed a FIFTY PERCENT TAX on all motor vehicles entering Baja California for eligibility to get FRONTERA plates. The next step is to declare a staged program for all FRONTERA cars to undergo nacionalizacion. Every last motor vehicle licensed in Mexico. Say adios to cars with Frontera license plates.

When Mexico changes regulations it is abrupt and brutal. Look at the seized foreign yachts all over Mexico THIS YEAR and the uproar it caused. I am a ciudadano a Mexican citizen. We had brutal changes made to tax protocols. They were announced out of the blue and instantly enforced.

It may be wise for some of you to slip the tourist blinders back on, close your ears and eyes to the reality of things, and follow the law. Migracion has been going house-to-house in Sn Miguel de Allende, Chapala, Cd. Carmen and Pta Banda knocking on doors and demanding documents. Yes they have the police with them.

[briansue]

I posted one of our experiences in another thread some time ago. We got our FMM at one crossing and when we left at another crossing there was some confusion lost in translation with the guy where the car decal was scraped off. We asked and he indicated that was all we had to do. The next time we crossed they knew right away when they swiped our passport that we did not turn it in the last time. The guy said the fine was $5 a day. We told him our story and that the other guy told us we did not need to turn it in. He did not fine us. I am not sure if maybe it was his sense of humor or if there could actually/supposedly be any kind of find. Now we always turn it in. Point being - our experience has been that they do know if you turn it in or not. Maybe not at all crossings. But we have crossed at quite a few different places in either direction and they do seem to know - the computers are all linked.

[Talleyho69]

As the official said, "They will expire."

[iguana07]

In the past we also never turned them in. The first time I did I saw them go in the round file. Last five years I have obliged and turned them in. Not really sure what the consequences are.

[navegator]

You might have a problem on your hands, they are now entering all new data in a central computer, and the next time that you apply for a visa it will be registered.

When you do not turn the visa in and you request a new one do not be surprised if you are turned down, they are geting stricter.

Mexico also has an ilegal inmigration problem on the Southern border with all the Salvadorans and Honduran migrants that do not make it to the US border and stay in Mexico, so threy are going to get tougher on all borders.

Do not be complacent, you have been lucky so far, next time you might get a rude surprice.

navegator

[Talleyho69]

We made it very clear that we were traveling in a vehicle, and to Palenque, Chiapas. We haven't turned in a visa in probably 20 years. Occasionally our passports are stamped as enter, sometimes not. No one has ever seemed to care.
We are into easy. When we leave the country, we may very well return while our FMMs are still good, and don't want to spend another $50.
Everyone works within their own comfort zone.

[robatthelake]

That information may very well apply to TJ and for that matter the entire Baja Peninsula,

From what I understand it is very important to return the permits as well as have Your Passport Stamped at every Mainland Border point!

I for one am not willing to run the risk of not being allowed back into Mexico just because I didn't turn in a simple document to the appropriate office.

I really don't care what they actually do with the document,just as long as I can honestly state ,if asked , that I had turned it in and where!