FMM Card at Tecate on a Sunday?

[ChickenDance]

We are planning to cross into Baja, at Tecate, on a Sunday. In the past, I've read that the FMM, or tourist card fee needed to be paid at a bank, but banks are not open on Sunday. I also think I've read recently, but I don't know where, because I'm on Baja forum and info overload, that this has changed, and the fee can be paid at the office where you get the card. If anyone has any info on this, please respond. Thanks so much!

[Airhead Wrangler]

Originally Posted by ChickenDance

We are planning to cross into Baja, at Tecate, on a Sunday. In the past, I've read that the FMM, or tourist card fee needed to be paid at a bank, but banks are not open on Sunday. I also think I've read recently, but I don't know where, because I'm on Baja forum and info overload, that this has changed, and the fee can be paid at the office where you get the card. If anyone has any info on this, please respond. Thanks so much!

Not sure on your situation, but be aware that this weekend is a holiday weekend and whatever is "normally" the case, may very well not be the case this weekend. Tomorrow is dia de los muertos.

[ChickenDance]

Not going this Sunday, but a Sunday in the near future.

[Cal]

I believe the tourist card needs to be payed for, before you leave the country. I've always payed right at the time of entry but when I entered from Guatemala on a Sunday the bank was not open so they said to pay it later, which I did 4 days later in a small town in Chiapas. The first bank I went to did not know how to process it but the second knew how and accepted payment.

[ADV Fool]

Unless things have changed since September you cannot pay the fee at the tourist office. I would suggest using discover Baja and do it online it's really easy. Then your fees are paid, you get the FMM stamped at Tecate and your on your way!! Simple.

They can be reached at

www.discoverbaja.com

Or (800) 727-2262

They are great people to work with,

Good luck,

ADV Fool

[skeelo221]

Originally Posted by ChickenDance

We are planning to cross into Baja, at Tecate, on a Sunday. In the past, I've read that the FMM, or tourist card fee needed to be paid at a bank, but banks are not open on Sunday. I also think I've read recently, but I don't know where, because I'm on Baja forum and info overload, that this has changed, and the fee can be paid at the office where you get the card. If anyone has any info on this, please respond. Thanks so much!

Any update? I'm crossing into Tecate early AM as well, on a Sunday. From what I can gather, I can just pick up the FMM from the border agent and then pay for it later if the bank is closed? I imagine there is a bank in San Felipe that would accept payment you think?

[HellsAlien]

Last time I did this at Tecate, I had to fill out the form, then go to the bank pay station, then back to immigration for his stamp. Weekdays only.

So what I can't answer is how you will get an immigration stamp after you've paid somewhere south of Tecate. Maybe immigration in Ensenada, haven't tried that.

I'll probably go in at the new Tijuana crossing next month, hope they have it sorted out there.

[ADV Fool]

I just learned today that you can now get your FMM (Tourist Card) and pay for it right next door at the Banjercito(sp) as well as a TVIP if you need one. Info came directly from Discover Baja (see my post #5).

This is good news. . . . .

[skeelo221]

Originally Posted by ADV Fool

I just learned today that you can now get your FMM (Tourist Card) and pay for it right next door at the Banjercito(sp) as well as a TVIP if you need one. Info came directly from Discover Baja (see my post #5).

This is good news. . . . .

Thanks for the update! On a Sunday morning?

[ADV Fool]

The Border crossing & Imigration office is open 5:00am to 11:00pm daily and the Banjercito is open 8:00am to 4:00pm daily, seven days a week. Again, I trust this info since it comes directly from Discover Baja Offices. If I hear of any other changes to this schedule I'll post it up.

Just to be clear, I have no direct connection with the Discover Baja Offices, I'm just a satisfied customer.

ADV Fool

[skeelo221]

Thank you!

[damasovi]

Originally Posted by HellsAlien

So what I can't answer is how you will get an immigration stamp after you've paid somewhere south of Tecate. Maybe immigration in Ensenada, haven't tried that..

if still matters, the answer is NO. You could go and ask but if they go by the book they will say "unless you just came off a boat, Ensenada was not your first port of entry to Mexico" I know because I receive students from other nations and the first and second time we had that problem, so we now stop at Tijuana coming from San Diego.

Just my 2 cents

Damasovi

[Charleetho]

Fwiw I crossed @ Tecate 8am a week ago. Saturday and the bank was open. Read many places that less than a week and no fee. I just followed instructions and ended up with a 180 day card for $25. There was no wait crossing into Mexico. On the way back. Yesterday at 3pm the line was 1-2 hours long. Being on a bike I rode to the front on the line.