Tourist Permits (FMM) and Vehicle Permits (TIP)
Everyone entering Mexico must have a Tourist Permit, officially called an FMM unless they hold temporary or permanent residency cards or are citizens of Mexico. This applies even to those walking across the border. You must provide a passport to get your FMM. For short stays in border areas, up to seven days, there is no charge for them, but for anywhere else, there is a charge of about US $25.
The FMM is good for up to 180 days, beginning when you enter Mexico. Fortunately, it can now be purchased on line, and you can print it out. All you have to do is stop at your border point of entry and get it stamped. Here is the link: https://www.inm.gob.mx/fmme/publico/en/solicitud.html#
You do NOT need a Temporary Vehicle Import Permit for driving in any part of the Baja Peninsula or the Sonoran Free Zone. In Sonora, you are only required to obtain a permit if driving further than kilometer 98 of Mexican Federal Highway No. 15.
Vehicle permits are good for up to 180 days UNLESS your vehicle is an RV. RV permits are good for up to 10 years. Both permits cost about US $50. There is a refundable deposit on all vehicles other than RV's, based on the age of your vehicle. TIP’s are paid for with a credit card and the deposit is refunded back to your card when you turn in the vehicle permit when you leave the country. Yes, they reliably do return the deposit. The TIP is available on line. Here is the link: https://www.banjercito.com.mx/registroVehiculos/#
Applying for both the FMM and TIP on line is the only way to go. Yes, they can be obtained at the border, but you’ll need copies of a number of items, have to wait in several lines, and possibly have language issues. The on-line TIP will arrive at your address in no more than 11 days, and there is no additional charge for their shipping it to you.
Crossing borders is stressful, even if you do it on a regular basis. Doesn't it make sense to get all of your paperwork in advance so that the only thing you have to stop for is to get your FMM stamped? It just makes life easier. Remember, you are on vacation, having an adventure, exploring possibly new territory. Anything that makes it easier just makes sense!
The FMM is good for up to 180 days, beginning when you enter Mexico. Fortunately, it can now be purchased on line, and you can print it out. All you have to do is stop at your border point of entry and get it stamped. Here is the link: https://www.inm.gob.mx/fmme/publico/en/solicitud.html#
You do NOT need a Temporary Vehicle Import Permit for driving in any part of the Baja Peninsula or the Sonoran Free Zone. In Sonora, you are only required to obtain a permit if driving further than kilometer 98 of Mexican Federal Highway No. 15.
Vehicle permits are good for up to 180 days UNLESS your vehicle is an RV. RV permits are good for up to 10 years. Both permits cost about US $50. There is a refundable deposit on all vehicles other than RV's, based on the age of your vehicle. TIP’s are paid for with a credit card and the deposit is refunded back to your card when you turn in the vehicle permit when you leave the country. Yes, they reliably do return the deposit. The TIP is available on line. Here is the link: https://www.banjercito.com.mx/registroVehiculos/#
Applying for both the FMM and TIP on line is the only way to go. Yes, they can be obtained at the border, but you’ll need copies of a number of items, have to wait in several lines, and possibly have language issues. The on-line TIP will arrive at your address in no more than 11 days, and there is no additional charge for their shipping it to you.
Crossing borders is stressful, even if you do it on a regular basis. Doesn't it make sense to get all of your paperwork in advance so that the only thing you have to stop for is to get your FMM stamped? It just makes life easier. Remember, you are on vacation, having an adventure, exploring possibly new territory. Anything that makes it easier just makes sense!
