fm3 exit stamp at border..

fm3 exit stamp at border..

Can't Post | Private Reply

when you drive out of mexico, where do you get the exit stamp????

esperanza

Sep 6, 2009, 4:31 PM

Post #2 of 28 (4745 views)

Re: [mexliving] fm3 exit stamp at border..

Can't Post | Private Reply

In order for us to help you, you'll want to tell us where you'll be crossing the border. Every crossing is different.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

mexliving

Sep 11, 2009, 12:23 AM

Post #3 of 28 (4633 views)

Re: [esperanza] fm3 exit stamp at border..

Can't Post | Private Reply

to everyone, i just got the stamp driving out..... at nogales.

you get your car permit removed and then drive to the other side where you would stop and received the FMT, they will stamp your exit page on your fm3. so its the IMN department.

Sep 11, 2009, 6:19 AM

Post #4 of 28 (4614 views)

Re: [mexliving] fm3 exit stamp at border..

Can't Post |

Why go to the bother of getting an FM-3 stamped when leaving Mexico by car? It is time-consuming and unnecessary since the assumption is that you will be returning. If all the FM-3 holders who live in Baja California were to stop at immigration when crossing to San Diego , it would create massive gridlock.

(This post was edited by Brian on Sep 11, 2009, 6:21 AM)

bournemouth

Sep 11, 2009, 7:02 AM

Post #5 of 28 (4602 views)

Re: [Brian] fm3 exit stamp at border..

Can't Post | Private Reply

Because it is required of us?

Sep 11, 2009, 9:09 AM

Post #6 of 28 (4576 views)

Re: [bournemouth] fm3 exit stamp at border..

Can't Post |

Hi bournemouth

I know you have lived in Mexico long enough to know that there are things the government expects in theory but for which compliance is virtually impossible. Folks who live in the interior typically don't think about the realities of the border because it impacts them so infrequently. I commuted daily for four years from Tijuana to San Diego. As a homeowner, it was important that I maintain FM-3 status. I normally used the Sentri Lane to help reduce the traffic deadlock for which it was designed by both governments. It is on the opposite side from the many northbound and southbound lanes at San Ysidro. I do know that coming from the south, one needs to first drive downtown near the taxi stands and then drive up (against traffic!) to the Immigration and Aduana modulo. So, in order to comply with the law as you have suggested, I would then have to go back into town, take the Via Rapida and get back into the Sentri Lane all this during rush hour. I was only one person. My point is that if all the commuters who have FM3s did what is expected, chaos would ensue. Maybe esperanza or BajaGringo have a different take on this but, in my opinion, no vale la pena.

Brian

bournemouth

Sep 11, 2009, 9:36 AM

Post #7 of 28 (4562 views)

Re: [Brian] fm3 exit stamp at border..

Can't Post | Private Reply

Brian - I certainly understand your rationale regarding the Baja/California crossings, and if I crossed on a daily basis, I certainly would not do the stamp in and out routine - but - things are beginning to change and tighten up and we are being required now in various areas, as you will have read here and other forums, to have our passports stamped as we leave and hand in our FMT's - who would ever thought of either handing it in or getting a stamp in years gone by. FMT's are now being entered into the computer system - who would ever have thought that day would arrive either.

If you are stopped by customs on the way back in and have no exit stamp in your FM3, problems can ensue. It is simpler for me to stop at the immigration office and get an exit and re-entry stamp than to deal with hassles that may come my way.

I think you no longer live in Mexico, right? Perhaps the tightening up of regulations and application of the regulations has passed you by.

Sep 11, 2009, 10:57 AM

Post #8 of 28 (4536 views)

Re: [bournemouth] fm3 exit stamp at border..

Can't Post |

Hi again

I did move back to the states a few years ago but, as a frequent visitor to Baja now, I am aware of the tightening of security procedures by US authorities especially regarding passports. I was answering regarding Mexican laws which are still observed largely in their breach when it is inconvenient. I admit to being a scofflaw e.g. staying in Baja for a longer than three day period without getting an FMT. Lots of folks actually live down there fulltime without one. I am unaware of any change in Mexico which allows a customs (Aduana) official to take action on an immigration matter such as an unstamped FM3 but, as you say, I've been gone long enough to have missed that. Getting back to the Baja issue, I am keenly aware of the crackdown by Aduana looking for weapons and drug money. They show no interest in immigration status. Were someone to be stopped at a secondary checkpoint south of the border, there is no way to tell that the visa holder had crossed over and not gotten the card stamped. Lots of folks, for instance, drive up from Ensenada to TJ and don't actually cross before heading back down home. No, I think your suggestion is well-intended but just not realistic for anyone other than the infrequent crosser. If I were crossing north at Los Indios, sure I would get it stamped, but at TJ it would be risking my life to do so. This is really a non-issue unless one wants to make it so. No pasa nada.

Brian

Marlene

Sep 11, 2009, 11:29 AM

Post #9 of 28 (4521 views)

Re: [bournemouth] fm3 exit stamp at border..

Can't Post | Private Reply

bournemouth is correct in stating that things are tightening up in these areas. Changes are afoot, so best for folks to start paying attention to what the regulations actually are, and not what others say they have gotten away with in days gone by.

Sep 11, 2009, 11:48 AM

Post #10 of 28 (4516 views)

Re: [Marlene] fm3 exit stamp at border..

Can't Post |

Please remember that we are only talking here about crossing the border northbound in an automobile. At the present time, the Mexican government has not made infrastructure improvements to facilitate this alleged crackdown on northbound visa holders. I also know that they are begging for tourists and that it would be financial suicide to require drivers to stop into an office when leaving the country and backup traffic even more. That is the current situation and I don't see it changing for the foreseeable future. They would need to build at least two more garitas to accommodate those who wanted to comply daily with the FM3 stamping/FMT surrendering requirement.

Brian

(This post was edited by Brian on Sep 11, 2009, 11:52 AM)

Oscar2

Sep 11, 2009, 5:50 PM

Post #11 of 28 (4457 views)

Re: [mexliving] fm3 exit stamp at border..

Can't Post | Private Reply

Out of curiosity, currently, should one cross the border without stamping his/her FM3 and come back into Mexico on a return flight void of having an exit stamp and having it stamped upon re-entering Mexico, what has been or can be the consequences. I heard it’s no big thing because they are so accustomed to so many FM3 holders not having it stamped when they leave Mexico and then just return.

If possible, minimizing conjecture, what would one expect to happen as a consequence, knowing well that the Aduana themselves know they’ve been lacks in enforcing such a rule/law in the past. Opinions and guesses are okay but personal current experiences would be allot better.

esperanza

Sep 11, 2009, 6:19 PM

Post #12 of 28 (4446 views)

Re: [Oscar2] fm3 exit stamp at border..

Can't Post | Private Reply

In Reply To

Oscar, what in the world do you want to know?

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

Sep 11, 2009, 6:23 PM

Post #13 of 28 (4441 views)

Re: [Oscar2] fm3 exit stamp at border..

Can't Post |

I had one experience in 2006 in which I was confronted for not having my FM3 stamped when I left the country. I crossed at Nuevo Laredo after surrendering my car permit. I did that because I traded in the car in San Antonio at CarMax (great place btw), bought a new one and then headed back south. I made the mistake of allowing the dealership to send the registration materials in the mail. When I applied for a new auto permit, armed with the bill of sale, I was denied because they wanted state registration. They took notice of the FM3 and said I should have gotten an exit stamp but nothing else. I had to drive back up to Bexar County and got the registration and headed back to Laredo. Then the Catch22 started. First they told me at Banjercito that I needed to have my FM3 stamped in and to go to immigration for that. The immigration guy told me that if he did it,lacking an exit stamp, there would be a discrepancy and it would cause me a problem when I did the yearly renewal in SMA. I told him I couldn't get the car permit without his entry stamp and he reluctantly did so letting me know that I would be in deep trouble. I got the new permit, drove home and then when the time came to renew the FM3, I considered hiring an attorney to go with me in case the "deep trouble" might involve el cereso. Being a cheapskate, I decided to go it alone and throw myself at the mercy of the SMA officials. The guy went through the pages, checked them out and said I should have gotten it stamped on the way out. That was it, no lecture no multa, no nada. I had completely forgotten about this experience during my earlier posting until you asked your question. In retrospect, I now would recommend folks get the FM3 stamped especially if they have other paperwork to accomplish.

One other thing, your post indicates that Aduana handles immigration matters. Even though bournemouth's post also implies this, I don't think the functions have changed since I moved. Aduana and Immigration are distinct agencies and the officers do not wear two hats.

(This post was edited by Brian on Sep 11, 2009, 6:41 PM)

Rolly

Sep 11, 2009, 6:41 PM

Post #14 of 28 (4428 views)

Re: [Brian] fm3 exit stamp at border..

Can't Post | Private Reply

"One other thing, your post indicates that Aduana handles immigration matters. Even though bournemouth's post also implies this, I don't think it is correct. Aduana and Immigration are distinct agencies and the officers do not wear two hats."

That is correct. That separation of responsibilities is part of the reason Mexican consulates sometimes (often?) give out wrong information about aduana matters.

Rolly Pirate

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
On Facebook as Rolly Brook

Sep 11, 2009, 11:34 PM

Post #15 of 28 (4392 views)

Re: [Rolly] fm3 exit stamp at border..

Can't Post | Private Reply

Btw, I don't think they put fmt into the computer system or at least things are not connected up. I know guys who have an fm2 and enter and exit with an fmt.

Oscar2

Sep 12, 2009, 12:11 AM

Post #16 of 28 (4389 views)

Re: [Brian] fm3 exit stamp at border..

Can't Post | Private Reply

Brian,

Your last post was good stuff. Real experience and clarity is the kind of heads up containing good indicators. If things are as edgy, as it appears some are pointing toward, I guess if you’ve exited Mexico without an FM3 stamp and if you’re near TJ, one could walk across the border as if to visit TJ for the day and on the way back you can get your FM3 exit stamp.

The name Aduana henceforth will take a back seat and in its place “immigration” will be noted. Gracias.

SP wrote:

Quote

Oscar, what in the world do you want to know?

SP,……. sheeeesh ………. …WHATEVER….....

rockydog85251

Sep 12, 2009, 6:01 AM

Post #17 of 28 (4370 views)

Re: [Oscar2] fm3 exit stamp at border..

Can't Post | Private Reply

Should you ever want to change your status, i.e. FM3 to FM2 or apply for citizenship.....you had better have all the appropriate stamps - in & out! Mine were not in sequence...they stamped me out on the in page & when I pointed this out to the immigration officer, he said he couldn't re-do it so I had to write a letter explaining the discrepancy. Just be aware & it is best to take the extra step.
Willie
Willie

Sep 12, 2009, 8:09 AM

Post #18 of 28 (4354 views)

Re: [rockydog85251] fm3 exit stamp at border..

Can't Post | Private Reply

If worst came to worse, you could always "lose" your FM3 and passport and get them replaced.

Oscar2

Sep 12, 2009, 9:13 AM

Post #19 of 28 (4343 views)

Re: [rockydog85251] fm3 exit stamp at border..

Can't Post | Private Reply

Willie,

Your actual experience is also a good heads up. Incidentally, what border and approx. date did this all occur? Based on the “current” buzz, more attention to procedure for those looking toward FM3, FM2 renewal or more, for the sake of minimizing grief, time consumed and squaring yourself away through a small web of complications, getting a stamp currently sounds like the way to go. Not sure based on the amount of times one crosses the border and huge delays in doing so, especially for those who do it on a regular bases.

I’m not sure about this one but I got a private email stating that when one walks across the border and if your FM3 has not been exit stamped for quite some time but your American passport shows you’ve flown in and out of Mexico, this too “may” cause a problem. That is of course, if they request your American passport when walking across the border and trying to exit Mexico with just your FM3. Not sure on that one, does one usually have to show there American passport upon a Mexico exit when totting an FM3?

esperanza

Sep 12, 2009, 11:45 AM

Post #20 of 28 (4310 views)

Re: [Oscar2] fm3 exit stamp at border..

Can't Post | Private Reply

No.

You have to show your passport when you enter the United States, not when you exit Mexico.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

rockydog85251

Sep 12, 2009, 1:56 PM

Post #21 of 28 (4292 views)

Re: [esperanza] fm3 exit stamp at border..

Can't Post | Private Reply

My situation occured when I applied for citizenship back in 2007......I had to explain everything that was not just perfect.

Willie
Willie

Sep 12, 2009, 3:46 PM

Post #22 of 28 (4276 views)

Re: [rockydog85251] fm3 exit stamp at border..

Can't Post | Private Reply

Rockydog, were they sticky about the stamps on the passport or only the stamps on the FM2 ?

I have an FM2 and havent left the country, but lost my passport so I dont have a stamp for my original entry. When I apply for citizenship and give them my new passport it wont have an entry stamp on it.

morgaine7

Sep 12, 2009, 4:24 PM

Post #23 of 28 (4265 views)

Re: [rockydog85251] fm3 exit stamp at border..

Can't Post | Private Reply

INM looked carefully at my FM3 stamps when I applied for my FM2. I only had two matching exits and entries, but the date was illegible on one exit stamp. I did a color scan of it and enhanced it so they could see it, and that was OK. The US hasn't stamped my passport since 2005 (before I even had the FM3), but there was no problem about that. I'm sure this varies from office to office, though, and I agree with you that it's best to play it safe.

Kate

rockydog85251

Sep 12, 2009, 4:36 PM

Post #24 of 28 (4260 views)

Re: [morgaine7] fm3 exit stamp at border..

Can't Post | Private Reply

When I applied for my citizenship, I did it directly from my FM3 & it took EXACTLY 18 mos to get....that window of opportunity closed in Oct 2007 but who knows when they may offer that again......sooo, the stamps were all on the FM3, although I did have to provide copies of every page of my US passport as well.
Willie

Sep 12, 2009, 9:50 PM

Post #25 of 28 (4223 views)