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Luther

Apr 8, 2012, 2:24 PM

Post #1 of 28 (4363 views)

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Expired FMM

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Hello,
I am from the UK and have been living in Mexico for about 2 years. My current FMM expired about 16 months ago and I didn't renew it. I have now been offered a job here so I am going to travel down to Belize to try and re enter on a new FMM so I can then apply for my working visa. During the time I was in Mexico my passport expired so I applied for a new one by post. My new passport is completely clean with no stamps but it was issued in November 2010. I am worried that when I try to leave they will give me a huge fine for overstaying so I am thinking about loosing my FMM as my new passport is clean. If anybody can give me some advice about this and whether or not you think I will have any problems leaving without an FMM?

chicois8

Apr 8, 2012, 2:56 PM

Post #2 of 28 (4354 views)

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Re: [Luther] Expired FMM

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If you can not afford to pay that "huge fine" of $45.00 USD for a lost FMM, you had better get 2 jobs.........

chinagringo

Apr 8, 2012, 2:59 PM

Post #3 of 28 (4352 views)

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Re: [chicois8] Expired FMM

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On the other hand, if they discover by luck that you have an expired FMM, then the "official fine" is $5USD per day since expiration point!
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

Luther

Apr 8, 2012, 3:01 PM

Post #4 of 28 (4352 views)

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Re: [chicois8] Expired FMM

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lol! I would be very happy to pay $45!

chicois8

Apr 8, 2012, 3:08 PM

Post #5 of 28 (4345 views)

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Re: [Luther] Expired FMM

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In Reply To

lol! I would be very happy to pay $45!

Well that is what you would have to pay if you showed
up at an airport and you could not provide an FMM....

You could also take the jet boat to say San Pedro, Belize
and if you tell the migra you "lost your FMM" he might
just sell you a replacement for 284Pesos............

Luther

Apr 8, 2012, 3:25 PM

Post #6 of 28 (4339 views)

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Re: [chicois8] Expired FMM

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So is there any advantage in taking the jet boat or crossing the boarder by coach?
Regarding the fine, I really wanted to know if they kept records or if there is any way they would know I've overstayed? I was going to play dumb to the fact that I have no entrance stamp and say that I didn't even notice.

YucaLandia

Apr 8, 2012, 3:51 PM

Post #7 of 28 (4329 views)

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Luther

Apr 8, 2012, 3:56 PM

Post #8 of 28 (4326 views)

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YucaLandia

Apr 8, 2012, 4:03 PM

Post #9 of 28 (4319 views)

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Re: [Luther] Expired FMM

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Oooops, replied to the wrong post. Here's one routed properly:
With INM permits computerized into databases and sorted by passport numbers, it is likely that INM will note that you did not turn in your FMM on time. Official fines for failure to surrender an FMM can be steep, reported at roughly $1150 - $1,500 MXN (Pesos) for the first month. Subsequent months have been quoted at $600 MXN a month. Forrtunately, INM has allowed some people to slide by with no fines, while other agents have quoted $2,000 USD fines for returning into Mexico on an FMM that was a year late. All the people reporting $1,500 - $2,000 USD late fees also report "negotiating" the fines down to $100 - $250 USD.

At those rates, you could figure that it was still cheaper to pay a fine, rather than paying for FM3's or FM2's??
Hope you come back and tell us how it worked out,
steve
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Read-on MacDuff
E-visit at http://yucalandia.com

Luther

Apr 8, 2012, 4:10 PM

Post #10 of 28 (4312 views)

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Re: [YucaLandia] Expired FMM

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Thanks, so I have a new passport with a new passport number, my old FMM is linked to my old passport so hopefully I will be able to slip through the net, I will probably take a few thousand pesos with me just incase! So if I understood correctly, the fine won't be imposed when I leave but when I try to re enter?

YucaLandia

Apr 8, 2012, 4:55 PM

Post #11 of 28 (4290 views)

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Re: [Luther] Expired FMM

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When visitors drive out of the country, there is no check-out, so, INM only has an opportunity to note an expired FMM when they return into Mexico: INM may apply fines on visitors (who left by ground transport) when they return.

When you fly out of Mexico, a visitor must turn in his FMM before they board the plane, so, airline passengers with expired visas/permits (or lost FMMs) get fined as they leave Mexico.
-
Read-on MacDuff
E-visit at http://yucalandia.com

(This post was edited by YucaLandia on Apr 8, 2012, 6:14 PM)

chicois8

Apr 8, 2012, 6:50 PM

Post #12 of 28 (4256 views)

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Re: [Luther] Expired FMM

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I doubt your 2 year old FMM is in any system used now by Mexican Immigration, especially if you are using a different entry point...

I wanted to keep my FMM because my TIP (Temporary Import Permit) will be connected to it and I wanted to visit Belize this coming June, while down in Chetumal in Febuary I stopped by the Migra office and asked the officer what I could do and he told me he would let me keep my original FMM and obtain from him a special re-entry FMM for 294 Pesos....

Please post a report......

chinagringo

Apr 8, 2012, 8:05 PM

Post #13 of 28 (4238 views)

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Re: [Luther] Expired FMM

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I have to wonder how many responding with somewhat definitive statements about what the potential fines might be are basing their comments on personal firsthand experience?
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

playaboy

Apr 9, 2012, 6:00 AM

Post #14 of 28 (4212 views)

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Re: [Luther] Expired FMM

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Here is some first hand experience and two things to try. First, drive to Santa Elena, leave your car at the park, walk to IMN and just get in line and apply for a new visa with everyone else. That has worked for me a couple of times.

If that doesn't work cross into Belize, go and spend a couple of 3-4 days in Corozal and come back and apply.

Leave that old visa in your pocket and don't show it to anyone, especially the little IMN booth when you leave the country. Just play stupid, make like it is not there and keep on going into the free zone.

robt65

Apr 12, 2012, 12:57 PM

Post #15 of 28 (4038 views)

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Re: [chinagringo] Expired FMM

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My Vote is with “Playaboy” . . . . . I know, that he knows his stuff personally on these issues.

robt65

Luther

Apr 13, 2012, 7:31 PM

Post #16 of 28 (3959 views)

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Re: [YucaLandia] Expired FMM

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Ok guys I'm back so I'm going to tell you all what happened!

I flew from Mexico City to Chetumal on Thursday($3200 MP round trip). I got a taxi from the airport straight to the border ($180). There was no way I could just walk straight past the immigration booth at the border so I handed in my passport and told them I had lost my visa. The guy checked the pages in my passport to see when I had entered Mexico but all the pages were blank :) so he charged me the fee for a lost visa ($290). I then walked to the Belize entrance hall. I was getting hassled along the way by Belize taxi drivers, they wouldn't take no for an answer and followed behind me the whole way in the car. This was quite worrying tbh as he wasn't in an official taxi. I got to the border after about 20mins of walking and told them I planned to stay in Belize for a few days and was going to Belize City as a tourist. I got into Belize and walked straight back out the departure side, I had to pay ($250MP) to leave.

On entering Mexico I had to fill out my own FMM and they had run out of FMM's so they were giving out Chinese FMM's!

I then got a taxi back from the border to Chetumal Centro ($100). Booked a hotel in Chetumal ($500) and left the next morning to fly back to Mexico City.

At Chetumal airport there was an immigration lady who asked to see my passport and FMM, I showed her the FMM and she asked me why I had a Chinese one! I told her why but she wasn't satisfied and took my passport and FMM and said she needed to copy it all and contact the border officials. I thought I was going to get busted at this point lol. After about 10minutes she came back and said it was all fine so I got on the plane and flew back to DF today.

Thanks to all those that posted. Total cost of trip around $4500 MP.

(This post was edited by Luther on Apr 13, 2012, 7:40 PM)

chicois8

Apr 14, 2012, 9:26 AM

Post #17 of 28 (3914 views)

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Re: [Luther] Expired FMM

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Hard to believe someone would pay 4500 pesos for something that coast 450 pesos at any international airport, I guess there was no time in Chetumal to visit the Mayan Museum or the new and wonderful zoo.......que lastima

Luther

Apr 14, 2012, 9:40 AM

Post #18 of 28 (3911 views)

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Re: [chicois8] Expired FMM

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If only life was that easy Chicois.

If I just turned up at Mexico City airport without a plane ticket and contacted INM for a new FMM they would see that I had no entrance stamp into Mexico and that my passport was already over a year old. They would probaby then search for an FMM in my name and find the old one. I would then run the risk of potentially paying a huge fine on my expired FMM. For me, this seemed like the safest option to avoid those fines.

A crying shame that I didn't go and see aload of animals taken out of their natural habitat and locked up and put on show? Hmm, I don't support that Chico.

BTW does anyone know the current cost of obtaining a work FM3?

(This post was edited by Luther on Apr 14, 2012, 9:47 AM)

La Isla

Apr 14, 2012, 5:00 PM

Post #19 of 28 (3861 views)

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Re: [chicois8] Expired FMM

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In Reply To

Hard to believe someone would pay 4500 pesos for something that coast 450 pesos at any international airport,

This is what can happen to you if you overstay your FMM by 16 months and have a sudden need to legalize your residence in the country.

chinagringo

Apr 14, 2012, 6:02 PM

Post #20 of 28 (3848 views)

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Re: [La Isla] Expired FMM

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"This is what can happen to you if you overstay your FMM by 16 months and have a sudden need to legalize your residence in the country."

Let's do the math using the "official published fine" of $5USD/day. 16 x 30 days x $5USD = $2400USD x $13MXN = $31,200MXN.

Based upon the above formula, he came out smelling like a rose!

Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

playaboy

Apr 15, 2012, 6:33 AM

Post #21 of 28 (3794 views)

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Re: [Luther] Expired FMM

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You were smart to get you passport stamped by Belize. I bet the IMN agent pocketed the 290 peso fine you paid. Did you get a receipt?

I have never seen a Chinese FMM. I wonder if there is a German and French one too.

I am glad it worked out for you.

YucaLandia

Apr 15, 2012, 7:08 AM

Post #22 of 28 (3788 views)

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Re: [playaboy] Expired FMM

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$290 has been a common figure reported by many expats for years from different INM points across Mexico, so it is not likely an arbitrary number that the employee pockets - but an actual set fee. I have seen expats get an official numbered receipt when they pay this fee, which makes it appear legitimate. When the INM employees negotiate and dicker $10,000's of penalties down to a an arbitrary few thousand $$pesos, and no receipt is given, then things look fishy. Still, just like Illinois, New Mexico, et al , government employees around the world do sometimes personally pocket legitimate fees.

Me? When expats get a printed receipt for a pre-established set fee or fine, then I prefer to believe that the fine is not stolen by the govt. employee.

As Paul Simon noted: "... all lies and jests - A man sees what he wants to see, and disregards the rest. "

Glad things worked out to Luther's satisfaction,
steve
-
Read-on MacDuff
E-visit at http://yucalandia.com

Luther

Apr 15, 2012, 7:24 AM

Post #23 of 28 (3786 views)

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Re: [playaboy] Expired FMM

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I didn't smell that great after walking the borders I can tell you that for sure!
No, no receipt from the INM guy and more importantly he didn't stamp my passport on leaving which was great. No doubt he pocketed the money. I guess they must have all the different languages for the FMM's, however I have noticed my FMM was not date stamped when I entered Mexico, I hope this won't cause me any problems when apply for my FM3.

playaboy

Apr 16, 2012, 6:40 AM

Post #24 of 28 (3694 views)

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Re: [Luther] Expired FMM

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Luther, I believe that you need to go to a bank and pay the "exit tax" of approx. 250-300 pesos. It might be the same 290 you paid at the border when you walked across. Keep the receipt, you will have to show this when you leave the country again. This will complete the FMM process and give you a date on your visa.

chinagringo

Apr 16, 2012, 6:58 AM

Post #25 of 28 (3692 views)

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Re: [playaboy] Expired FMM

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FMM exit tax?????
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

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