Job Discussion Forums

Phil_K · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 2041 Location: A World of my Own

I just want to advise those people who are travelling outside Mexico for the first time to make sure they get their FM2/3 stamped at the airport.

I did this for the first time last December, travelling to the USA and didn't get the stamp, as no one mentioned that you have to visit an immigration office that is not en route through the gate.

Today, presenting my FM2 for refrendo in INM, I was told I couldn't have the 24hr tramit�, due to the lack of this stamp. Returning to the other desk, I was told that there would be a fine.

A FINE FOR THE IMCOMPETENCE OF A PEN***O IMMIGRATION AGENT!!!

I will have an audience in INM next week to try and sort this out, as I will be travelling to Canada in early May, and I need my FM2. But my point is "How the f*** are you supposed to know if nobody tells you?"

And please, I don't want anyone righteously posting the rules, and telling me that I should know, as this is meant as a warning for anyone else as naive as I am.

dixie · Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Posts: 644 Location: D.F

Nearly happened to me as well. I was travelling with someone who knew though, so I was veered off track, and had it done.

MO39 · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 8:37 pm Post subject:

The last time I was at the D.F. airport, I think I saw the place where you have to get your FM2/3 stamped when leaving the country, and it was not in an obvious place. Thanks for pointing this out, Phil_K, so I won't make the same mistake the next time I leave Mexico.

TheLongWayHome · Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Posts: 1016 Location: San Luis Piojosi

Cheers for the heads up, Phil. Sorry you had to find out the hard way. BTW, what's the maximum amount of time you can be out of Mexico on an FM2?

veroax · Joined: 31 Jan 2007 Posts: 57 Location: Bogot�, Colombia

Happened to me the first time I left Mexico with my FM3. I didn't know anything about this until I got back and they asked me why I hadn't gotten the correct stamp when I left. They kindly let it slide though.

From what I've seen in the Mexico City airport, the desk is located just past the security check. But if you weren't looking for it, you'd easily walk right past it.

Phil_K · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 2041 Location: A World of my Own

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 3:08 pm Post subject:

Or you can even wind-up leaving the country without ever turning in a FM-T if traveling by bus. The same also happens overland with a FM-2/3. It would be a big problem if you left by bus or car and flew back in. The people of INM aren't always very helpful.

Remember the person that came to Mexico about a year or so ago? He came through the border by bus, and continued on south. Never got stopped or told to get an FM-T. Than he made it to Guadalajara or something and realized he didn't have his papers? His problem, his responsibility. Not INM's.

You always got to stay aware of what is needed and required as a foreigner here.

A friend of mine left the country and failed to turn in his FM-3 because he was finished working? What will happen now? Who knows, but probably nothing because he's going to a different INM office this time.

Phil_K · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 2041 Location: A World of my Own

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

MikeySaid · Joined: 10 Nov 2004 Posts: 509 Location: Torreon, Mexico

TheLongWayHome · Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Posts: 1016 Location: San Luis Piojosi

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 2:26 am Post subject:

GueroPaz · Joined: 07 Sep 2007 Posts: 216 Location: Thailand or Mexico

When I finally got my FM2 or FM3 in 2000 (thank you, Vicente y Martha Smile

), I was warned to get it stamped if I exited the republic. Leaving Cancun for Miami, I had to walk the wrong way through the queue of folks arriving from the exterior to find an officer who would stamp it, and she needed to be told by a senior officer. I cannot recall who warned me, maybe the district commissioner or assistant regional cmnr. Nobody else knew, but I was the only team member with such a status.

jillford64 · Joined: 15 Feb 2006 Posts: 397 Location: Sin City

I don't know for an FM2, but for an FM3 you have to get your FM3 stamped and fill out a Forma Rosa and get it stamped too. The immigration office never mentioned this. I only knew to ask what the procedure was for coming and going because I had read something about needing to get the Forma Rosa here on Dave's.

Speaking of not having to give up your FMT when you leave the country: Twice since they started giving out 180 days automatically, I have flown into and out of Mexico from the US in a small private airplane. Both times upon leaving the country (once from Cuidad Obregon, Sonora and the other from San Filipe, Baja California Norte), we were told that we didn't have to give back our FMTs because they were still good for the full 180 days. Presumably, I could just use the same FMT if I returned to Mexico before it expired?? I can't imagine that the regular airlines have stopped collecting FMTs.

I didn't turn in my FM3 when I left Mexico either. If a person were to return to Mexico and apply for another FM3 from the same office, would this be a problem? Could you just renew the expired one?

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

Jillford wrote: