Job Discussion Forums

etoile · Joined: 01 Sep 2007 Posts: 34 Location: Mexico City

Hi All,

I flew into Mexico City yesterday and on my immigration card I wrote that I intend to stay for 180 days as this is the maximum on a tourist visa and it gives me plenty of time to get sorted and find a job.

When I handed my form in at immigration the lady looked at it and asked if i was a tourist, I said yes and then she confirmed that I was looking to stay for 180 days. Then she went off to check with her colleague, came back, stamped my passport without saying anything and sent me on my way. Later on when I checked my passport I saw it has a date 'Oct 28 2012' stamped on it. So I guess that means I only have 3 months?? Is there anyway I can change this?

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

etoile · Joined: 01 Sep 2007 Posts: 34 Location: Mexico City

Hi Guy,

All I got was a stamp on my passport with the date I arrived and also the date in October which I just presume is my leaving date?

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

I've never seen them stamp a departure date. I should think that as long as you hold that tourist visa that says 180 days then you're fine.

etoile · Joined: 01 Sep 2007 Posts: 34 Location: Mexico City

I didn't get anything else so I don't have a visa as such. It's a bit confusing to me, I should be entitled to stay in the country for 180 days as a tourist without a visa but I don't know why she stamped the Oct date on my passport.

Isla Guapa · Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2012 2:43 am Post subject:

Didn't you get and fill out an FMM when you entered Mexico? That's the tourist card that automatically lets you stay 180 days in the country.

etoile · Joined: 01 Sep 2007 Posts: 34 Location: Mexico City

You're both right Smile

I didn't realise but I do have a slip of paper (the FMM) that says 180 days. I'll keep it safe now! So you think it's ok to disregard the Oct date stamped on my passport? Thanks for your help.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Make sure not to lose the paper. You'll turn it into migra when you apply for a work visa. They'll also ask for copies of the pages of your passport...I really don't think the Oct '12 date would be an issue as it must be a mistake and they should realize that if it comes up.

Tretyakovskii · Joined: 14 Aug 2009 Posts: 462 Location: Cancun, Mexico

You may have said on other threads, but what's your nationality? This may make a difference in some cases, as to length of permitted stay without a visa having been obtained before entry.