Forums > General > Traveling Mexico

robt65

Jun 18, 2010, 6:27 AM

Post #1 of 10 (4788 views)

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What Can I Expect?

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Ok,

I have never in three different crossings (turning in my vehicle permit each time) "checked out " of Mexico with my FM2. I never realized one had to do this and no one at the border said anything to me about it. I know they are two different offices but they are right next to oe another in Matamoros. So what can I expect when I go back to get my new vehicle permit to go back into Mexico in two weeks? the last two times I didn't even stop to get anything at the Immigration office. I just got my vehicle permit and that man walked my FM2 booklet to the office next door (immigration) and they gave me my car permit and of I went into Mexico. Leaving the same, . . . . . I returned the permit and went on my way to the USA. Am I in for a surprise when I return?

Peter

Jun 18, 2010, 9:37 AM

Post #2 of 10 (4751 views)

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Re: [robt65] What Can I Expect?

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I just know from this last renewal INM here had gotten more Newtonian. For every entry stamp the wanted and equal and opposite exit stamp. Having lacked one exit stamp to correspond with my last entry about three years ago I had to make a statement about the time of that exit and sign it swearing to its accuracy.

Since there are strict time requirements regarding the FM2 they may get rather sticky about that. It's possible your issuance and return of vehicle stickers could make that more sticky yet if it all becomes part of the same data base. Since I haven't crossed the border in several years I don't know what to expect but I do know times are a changin'.

robt65

Jun 18, 2010, 10:07 AM

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Re: [Peter] What Can I Expect?

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Hi Peter,

All I have even had to do was show it to the people, never a stamp in the book was entered. It is as clean as a whistle!

Peter

Jun 18, 2010, 2:41 PM

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Re: [robt65] What Can I Expect?

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Lucky you, so far. It was in 2007 that I brought my vehicle in and at the station near Nogales when I got my vehicle sticker that they also stamped my FM3 booklet. Renewal time in 2008 and 2009 it made no difference to anyone, but this year they wanted to know all about my not having a corresponding exit stamp. I was told to estimate when that exit occurred and make a statement under penalty of castration that all that was complete and honest.

I don't know if that is what you can expect, but if they stamp your book upon entry this time just be ready for it.

robt65

Jun 18, 2010, 3:00 PM

Post #5 of 10 (4684 views)

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Re: [Peter] What Can I Expect?

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You just made me check it again to make sure that what I told you was correct. No stamps at all . . . .except for the cover of the thing it looks brand new. That penalty is a steep penalty to pay!!!!!!!!!

For me that would be a loss! Did you really make it "complete and honest"?

Just out of curosity, do you remember what the amount of the penality was? I wonder if they are still accepting the gray colored books? I hope so.

Rolly

Jun 18, 2010, 3:59 PM

Post #6 of 10 (4674 views)

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Re: [robt65] What Can I Expect?

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The paper booklets are still valid ad will remain so until renewal time.

I suggest you do exactly what you have done in the past. If you get caught (unlikely) you can plead ignorance.

Rolly Pirate

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

(This post was edited by Rolly on Jun 18, 2010, 4:02 PM)

robt65

Jun 18, 2010, 4:01 PM

Post #7 of 10 (4667 views)

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Re: [Rolly] What Can I Expect?

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Thanks Rolly,

I appreciate your answer.

Peter

Jun 18, 2010, 4:18 PM

Post #8 of 10 (4657 views)

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Re: [robt65] What Can I Expect?

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They didn't charge me any fine. I told them there was no one to stamp my book and the US officials would have nothing to do with my Mexican visa. By the time I cleared through, walking through at Tijuana, I was already in the US. There was no turning back. If I had re-entered Mexico to get my stamp it would have been another entry and would still lack the needed exit stamp.

INM understood that and just asked that I estimate my exit date and make a statement to that effect. When I picked up my new card I saw my old booklet in my folder and they had placed heavy black stamps on all the blank pages to void out the booklet.

robt65

Jun 18, 2010, 4:23 PM

Post #9 of 10 (4654 views)

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Re: [Peter] What Can I Expect?

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Thanks Again Peter and Rolly,

mexbungalows

Jun 26, 2010, 8:18 PM

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Re: [Rolly] What Can I Expect?

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Rolly I pleaded ignorance at INM and it cost me a thousand peso payment at a bank. Not only that, but the "method" of entry and exit will be audited meticulously. If you fly in, drive out, fly in, and then get stopped at a reten in your extraneous car and the officer notices the descrepency. you had better have a good gift of gab. They are really tightening down on this lately and the idea that the strictness was for exerting pressure for a bribe never crossed my mind nor appeared in front of my eyes. I intend to dot my i's and cruz mi t's