Job Discussion Forums

[Samantha]

Prior to moving to Mexico, I enjoyed a long career as a travel agency manager..... This is how I can accurately speak to the fact that it is lumped into the taxes and extras on the airline tickets. The tourist card (Immigration) fee has been in effect as long as I can remember, steadily increasing over the years. It is collectable from anyone of fare paying age, including 2 year olds. Many people don't know this because travel agents and airline ticket agents simply don't feel the need to break down the extras...referring to them as "taxes". As the last poster states, if the Immigration officer chooses to grant you only 90 days or whatever on arrival, you pay again in Mexico for the extension to 180 days. If you report your tourist card lost, be prepared to pay again (and be seriously scowled at). Simple as that.

[Flo]

The reason I know what I know about the tourist visa fees is because I looked into before I came into Mexico last year in my car. Someone told me I had to have my tourist card and my stamped paper from the bank showing I had paid the $220 pesos before I could apply for my car permit or something like that. I thought "What $220 pesos?" In any event, the fee is $20 USD, and when you fly it is included in the price of the plane ticket. I have never heard of anyone with an FM2 or FM3 getting a refund, but perhaps you could ask. The worst they can do is tell you NO.

I read someplace on Thorntree about the increase in fees. I can't remember the exact date it will go into effect.

Another interesting note is that my elder parents cross into Baja every winter to buy medications and eye glasses. They have never paid for a tourist visa, nor do they have passports. I think I read someplace that Baja has different regulations for tourists. Anyone know?

The purpose of the form is to give advice, opinions, and accurate information to posters. I have never claimed to know everything, but when I do have something relevant to say, I post it. I don't need to have lived in a country for a dozen or more years to post a response, nor do I feel the need to post erroneous information just so I can hear myself think.

[Gringo Greg]

Others may not be calling you a liar, but I will take the plunge since you called me wrong. When I crossed the border in TJ last September, I paid 400 pesos, 200 for me and 200 for my son. It is a fee that has been in effect since at least 1999. Since you are saying everyone here is wrong, I guess it is time someone call you a liar...

You only pay the fee if you get a tourist card, FMT. If you are staying in a border area for less than 48 hours, you don't need it.

[matttheboy]

[guty]

The thing is, you are not talking about Germany, where rules matter and are applied.
I have entered Mexico several times in the last few years, and the only conclusion is that so much depends on luck. The length of the visa, in contrast to what is available on Mexican governmental websites, has varied from 90 to 180 days. The prerequisites for extending it depend on who you ask.
Although I know, this is not the exact topic, but it is the same country. So, all the experiences posted here could well have happened, it is drawing conclusions from them which is difficult.
My input, believe all the accounts here, just dont expect your experiences will necessarily match any of them.

[Gringo Greg]

The difference between being a liar and being mistaken, is that if you are mistaken, you admit and correct it. A liar holds on to the lie and says everyone else is wrong despite the proof. Still waiting to see if Moonraven will admit that she is mistaken. Luckily I am not holding my breath.


Don't understand Guty, though. The point is that if you come in by plane, your FMT fee is paid for in the cost of the ticket. If you enter by land, you have to go to a bank(or at least the little bank office at the border), pay the fee and get it stamped. This isn't about stories, it is about reality that happens every time, ok maybe not everytime, I suppose an overzealous border agent might try to exact more money??? But you get the point, right?

[moonraven]

Moonraven typically buys her tickets in Mexico, so no visa charge is involved.

[darkhorse]

Of course there is a charge for the tourist visa. It looks like everyone knows that except you.

It is included in the airline ticket. If you enter Mexico by land you get the visa, and as someone else said, have to pay for it at a different location. Not exactly convenient or logical, but there you are.

[moonraven]

I see you did not bother to read my post?

[Gringo Greg]