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tacito

Aug 3, 2010, 8:42 AM

Post #1 of 17 (7630 views)

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Can the new FM3 card be processed by Migracion at the Columbia crossing?

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Does anyone know if the new FM3 card can be processed by Migration at the Columbia crossing at Laredo? I would hate to be sent back to Bridge # 2 late in the afternoon if they can't do it there. Appreciate any info,
Tacito

DavidHF

Aug 3, 2010, 11:14 AM

Post #2 of 17 (7614 views)

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Re: [tacito] Can the new FM3 card be processed by Migracion at the Columbia crossing?

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Not sure what you mean by "processed." If you have an FM3 it's an FM3 regardless of whether it's new or old style.

(This post was edited by DavidHF on Aug 3, 2010, 11:16 AM)

tacito

Aug 3, 2010, 2:30 PM

Post #3 of 17 (7594 views)

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Re: [DavidHF] Can the new FM3 card be processed by Migracion at the Columbia crossing?

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DavidHF, Thanks for the reply.
What I mean is that the new drivers license sized card FM3 is entered on a computer (I believe as I have not been to the border yet with it) when you leave and return rather than having a booklet stamped as before. Just wondered if Migration in Columbia can do that.

Tacito

DavidHF

Aug 3, 2010, 5:27 PM

Post #4 of 17 (7558 views)

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Re: [tacito] Can the new FM3 card be processed by Migracion at the Columbia crossing?

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I believe that you needed to complete an exit form (can't remember the name/number) when you left the country. You turn that in and they'll scan it. It has a kind of "bar code" like in your passport.

chinagringo

Aug 3, 2010, 5:32 PM

Post #5 of 17 (7557 views)

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Re: [DavidHF] Can the new FM3 card be processed by Migracion at the Columbia crossing?

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If they are using the same procedure as exiting by plane, then you will fill out a FMM card and retain one portion to be turned in upon your return. I think that is what David is referring to?
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

susango

Aug 3, 2010, 6:52 PM

Post #6 of 17 (7544 views)

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Re: [chinagringo] Can the new FM3 card be processed by Migracion at the Columbia crossing?

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We got our temp FM3 at the Dallas Consulate. The new rules on May 1 require all FM3s to be issued in Mexico. They gave us the old FM3 and they put a sticker in our US passport. I'm wondering how the process will work when we cross the border too. I assume we will request our FM3 card when get to our final destination (Playa del Carmen). Has anyone done this yet? Do we need to get the FMM when we cross?

Also, when we cross the border into Mexico will they stamp our passports at the crossing or do we have to stop and go into immigration? Does it depend on the border crossing? We are considering Eagle Pass/Piedras Negras due to the recent violence in NL. We are waiting on the bridge on Highway 57 to Sabinas to be repaired. The steel structure was 80% complete on Friday and will need to be installed once it is finished.

Tacito, where are you crossing? Are you going into or leaving Mexico? Are you coming from Texas?

Thanks.

Rolly

Aug 3, 2010, 7:56 PM

Post #7 of 17 (7534 views)

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Re: [susango] Can the new FM3 card be processed by Migracion at the Columbia crossing?

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Do we need to get the FMM when we cross?

Yes, everyone gets an FMM when entering the country. The INM agent will check the block at the bottom of the form where it says "holder of Immigration Form." You should keep your part of the form to turn in the next time you leave the country.

Rolly

tacito

Aug 3, 2010, 8:53 PM

Post #8 of 17 (7521 views)

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Re: [susango] Can the new FM3 card be processed by Migracion at the Columbia crossing?

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Susango,
The sticker they put in your passport in Dallas was a visa, if it is like what I got 3 years ago when I got my FM3 in Houston at the consulate. So you want need the FMM, but you go to immigration (Migration) at your crossing in Mexico and show them your FM3. As I said, I have not done this yet. You used to get a stamp in the FM3 booklet. You have to search out the Migracion office. They are hard to find sometimes. When you get to Playa Del Carmen, you go to the local migracion office and they will give you the final FM3 card. I only takes about 3 days to get the new card and it looks like a drivers license.

I will be crossing from N Laredo into Texas in August.
Good luck,
Tacito

Rolly

Aug 3, 2010, 10:12 PM

Post #9 of 17 (7510 views)

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Re: [tacito] Can the new FM3 card be processed by Migracion at the Columbia crossing?

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No, no, no! EVERYONE entering the country must get an FMM no matter what other documents you may have (FM2, FM3, inmigrado).

Look at this INM webpage that has instructios for filling out an FMM. You will see these words:

IMPORTANT:
THIS FORM MUST BE FILLED OUT
INDIVIDUALLY BY ALL FOREIGN CITIZENS
ENTERING TO MEXICO, INCLUDING
DIPLOMATS.

Rolly Pirate

(This post was edited by Rolly on Aug 3, 2010, 11:12 PM)

Denver2

Aug 4, 2010, 8:48 AM

Post #10 of 17 (7472 views)

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Re: [susango] Can the new FM3 card be processed by Migracion at the Columbia crossing?

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Susango, I renewed my FM-3 (old booklet) at the Denver consulate just 3 weeks ago--they said they renewed because I got my original FM-3 there. They quit renewing them at the end of July. It has several strings attached-good for only one entry to Mx, upon entering Mx I have 30 days to register my FM-3 and turn it in. Then Mx will issue me the new card.

I will be crossing into Mx at Nuevo Laredo next week.

I thought I had a long drive to Ajijic, but Playa will be a marathon. Can you drive around and avoid Mx City?

susango

Aug 4, 2010, 9:32 AM

Post #11 of 17 (7461 views)

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Re: [Denver2] Can the new FM3 card be processed by Migracion at the Columbia crossing?

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Thanks Denver2. That is my understanding of the FM3 too. We got ours after May 1 in Dallas, but they didn't know if Mexico would want more paperwork since the card will be issued there.

We're planning to leave early next week too. I think we're going through Eagle Pass on Hwy 57 since it might be safer than NL and Monterrey right now. Hwy 57 will take us to Mexico City. We were going to leave a month ago, but delayed it because of the flooding and then the violence. We found another couple to drive with, but they decided to fly after they heard about the violence. I do get more anxious about the drive as I keep up with TX border news, Borderland Beat, and GroupReforma. Ignorance can be bliss.

Rolly, I read your blog about the drug wars and my heart goes out to people who deal with this on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.

Thanks for your help.

(This post was edited by susango on Aug 4, 2010, 9:44 AM)

Rolly

Aug 4, 2010, 9:41 AM

Post #12 of 17 (7453 views)

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Re: [susango] Can the new FM3 card be processed by Migracion at the Columbia crossing?

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Susan, when you go to the INM office to register, they will want you to fill out a Formato Básico and have some pictures to attach to that form. Remember, you have only 30 days to check in with them.

Normally you have only 90 days after you get your FM3 to enter México for the first time. I hope you slip in under the wire.

Rolly Pirate

susango

Aug 4, 2010, 10:39 AM

Post #13 of 17 (7433 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Can the new FM3 card be processed by Migracion at the Columbia crossing?

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I just pulled them out and they are dated June 18 so we have about 6 more weeks. Whew! The FM3/Documento Migratorio has a stamp that says valida para entradas y salidas multiples. It also says it is good for 365 days. Is it good for re-entry or just one time until we get the new FM3 card?

The page in the US passport says Mexico visa. Do you know why it is only good for 6 months and why they issue both?

tacito

Aug 4, 2010, 10:51 AM

Post #14 of 17 (7432 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Can the new FM3 card be processed by Migracion at the Columbia crossing?

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Rolly,
Thank you for the info about the new FMM form. This should answer my question about the Columbia Bridge. Surely they will have that form. Anyway, I will find out in a few weeks. If things are quieter, I will go by Bridge II since I stay overnight in Laredo.

Good luck to everyone on their trips. I go from San Miguel to Laredo about every 2 months using the cuotas, and have never have had a problem, but things change, don't they? I never go through Monterrey and don't stay in Saltillo anymore. Just keep driving.

Thanks to everyone for your info.

Tacito

Martygraw

Aug 9, 2010, 5:21 AM

Post #15 of 17 (7310 views)

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Re: [tacito] Can the new FM3 card be processed by Migracion at the Columbia crossing?

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We crossed at the Columbia crossing on FRi about 3 PM, we handed in our FMM, had our FM3 stamped, got our new permit for the van, had a inspection done by the Aduana, and drove on. The whole process took about 20 min. Everyone was very polite. Drove hwy 2 to the Larado Monteray hwy, no transitos wanting mordida. Drove to the El Rancho pemex stop for the night, very nice, clean motel and lot of food. Next day 11 hrs to Jocotepec.

tacito

Aug 10, 2010, 9:56 AM

Post #16 of 17 (7219 views)

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Re: [Martygraw] Can the new FM3 card be processed by Migracion at the Columbia crossing?

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Martygraw,
Thanks for the report on Columbia. Once I was sent from there back to Bridge II in N. Laredo when I was in a motorhome. Eversince then I ask questions first. Guess they do everything now....I will be in a car this time. Appreciate the input.
Tacito

susango

Aug 11, 2010, 7:47 PM

Post #17 of 17 (7124 views)

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Re: [tacito] Can the new FM3 card be processed by Migracion at the Columbia crossing?

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We crossed at Piedras Negras on Tuesday and drove to Allende and went to immigration. He told us we should've had our FM3 stamped at the bridge, but he took care of it for us. It took about 45 minutes and we already had our import sticker. We did not get an FMM. I asked someone else with a FM3 about it and she said her understanding was that you got the FMM when you left Mexico. We'll arrive in our final destination and we'll register with immigration there and I will ask about the FMM. I hope this doesn't cause problems later.

(This post was edited by susango on Aug 11, 2010, 7:49 PM)