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business2300 · Joined: 14 Nov 2006 Posts: 60

In order to avoid any backlash for asking this, I must state that i've gone back and searched a bit for the answer, which I did not find.

If you are in Mexico on a fmt visa (tourist card), and I need to renew it... what exactly will I need?

1.Passport
2.the about-to-expire fmt visa (tourist card)

Do I need a financial statement or something to the effect of my economic solvency?

What is the fee for a fmt renew?

Is there anything else i will need?

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

You can simply go down to the airport (in DF, at least) or to any migra office and request more time. If you have a return air ticket and you show them that, they will probably give you just enough days to that return date, unless it is past the 180 day total limit (counting the first FMT). Then again, you could get a real nitwit behind the counter who will give you not quite enough time, forcing you to go back again.

I believe the renewal is still at 21 us dollars (about 220 pesos). You need only your passport and the about-to-expire FMT. Make sure to renew close to, but not after the expiry date.

I've read that in other countries you need to show financial ability to stay in the country, but I never seen that to be true in Mexico.

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

business2300 · Joined: 14 Nov 2006 Posts: 60

If you have a fmt, with the full 180 days, you stay the entire granted time, and it is ready to expire...
Do you need to leave the country at that point? Or go to the border?

I thought I read that if you stay the full 180 days, you need to go to the border, leave the country, and come back in to get a new fmt.... and that you can't renew within Mexico if you've stayed the maximum amount of time granted.

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

hlamb · Joined: 09 Dec 2003 Posts: 431 Location: Canada

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

Here, I've been told that the local immigration office will extend an FMT up to 180 days, but will not renew beyond that. For that the easiest solution is to hop on the bus to Guatemala and then return across the Mexican border.

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

Border run!!! Not so easy from Mexico City, with borders far away in every direction.

Hlamb, what you went through is for the FM3, but on the FMT (as the OP asked), I'm sure there's no need to show the credit card or a bank statement...unless someone has experienced otherwise?

MELEE · Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 10:58 pm Post subject:

Oh yes Guy.
I didn't post earlier, because I've never done it myself. But everytime I set foot in the Oaxaca City immigration office (which has been way more times than I care to remember) someone is renewing their FMT and they need to show sufficient funds. It used to be you could flash a credit card. But I guess one to many broke foreigners flashed a maxed out card and now they ask for a bank statement, traveller's checks or cash money. They accept print outs from your web banking page. But it seems, again this is just me overhearing what's going on while I sign in and out and otherwise wait my turn, but it seems that the number of days they will extend an FMT is directly related to the amount of money you have. Not surpising the US does the same thing for its one time tourist visas as well, you need to show that you have US $150 for every day that you want to visit the states. I'm not sure what the Mexican figures are though.

Again, this is all hearsay, isn't the internet fun Question

corporatehuman · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 198 Location: Mexico City

Exactly, have to go to border. This is my exact predicament. My FMT will expire on December 5th. I can't go to the border until December 20th or so. So I'm guessing I'll have to pay some sort of fine. Not sure. Anyway I'm 3 hours from Guatemala so it isn't too bad from here. I have no idea what to expect, in that, I've never done this sort of thing before. But most people tell me it won't be a problem. Mostly because I'm white. This is what they tell me at least. We'll see, I'll let everyone know if I'm detained.

- Chris

MELEE · Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 4:22 pm Post subject:

Chris,
Why not got tomorrow, don't you get a three day weekend?
There's nothing that says you can't leave before you FMT expires. It's a per diem fine so the sooner the better.
You should also have Monday Dec. 1st off work as well.

hlamb · Joined: 09 Dec 2003 Posts: 431 Location: Canada

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

Houston or LA maybe. Aviacsa, or Click, or Continental, perhaps.

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

corporatehuman · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 198 Location: Mexico City

I would go today, except I don't want to. I also teach on Saturdays until 2pm. What I plan on doing is using the 'border run' to actually stay in Guatemala for a few days, that's why I want to wait until vacation. There is a chance that I'll just do a weekend run, meaning leave at 2pm on Saturday, go to Guatemala, come back and stay at Comitan or San Cristobal. Something like that. But I feel like I should actually see the country.

Though strangely enough, EVERYONE in Chiapas that I've met has NEVER been to Guatemala and doesn't want to go. I imagine this has something to do with the constant migration of illegal Guatemalan immigrants. Anyway, we'll see. Maybe I'll just do a weekend thing before it expires.

I don't know what the per diem fine is, but I can't imagine two weeks being too bad.

Chris