Job Discussion Forums

Clear the Air · Joined: 09 Jun 2007 Posts: 21

Anyone have any experience flying out of Mexico without a visa? I have an FM-3, but Gobernaci�n has it while they make some modifications. Due to some complications, getting a �Permiso de salida y regreso� before heading into Mexico City for the flight is looking pretty difficult. I have a copy of my visa, but that�s it. I was told by someone in local Immgration that I could go to Immigration at the Airport hours before the flight and obtain a permiso, but I checked that out over the phone with someone at Airport Immigration and was told it had to be at least two days before the flight.

I�m thinking about just going to the Airport and seeing what happens. It�s possible that no one will ask for my papers. It�s possible that I can play dumb and just pay a $500 fine there. It�s risky, though. I don�t want to miss this flight.

Any suggestions?

guatetaliana · Posted: Fri May 23, 2008 8:59 pm Post subject:

It could be, but it seems kind of risky. Sometimes when I fly out, they ask for my FMT at the ticket counter. The last time (on Monday), I think the only reason they collected it was because I was holding it along with my boarding pass when I got to the security area.

reddevil79 · Posted: Fri May 23, 2008 11:20 pm Post subject:

Not to be alarmist, but two colleagues tried flying without their FM-3 recently; one missed their flight after being told they couldn't board the plane, and the other, after several hours of discussions, was allowed to board their flight, but had to pay a 1000 pesos fine on their return to Mexico.

I would say turn up a few hours before your flight as you will probably have to talk to an immigration official for a while. It will help that you have a copy of your FM-3, but they will probably say something.

As I said, I don't want to worry you, but thought I'd share the experiences of two friends who were recently in the same position as you.

Good luck Wink

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 2:26 pm Post subject:

I also have my FM-3 in tramite in immigration. I need to either fly out or bus out of the country for an emergency. Any ideas what is the best way? I am inclined to take a domestic Mexican flight to Tijuana and then cross the border on foot.

notamiss · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 2:41 pm Post subject:

I did the thing of getting the permiso at the airport before the flight. This was 3 years ago and it worked. However, I had been anticipating the situation so I had my papers and copies needed for the permiso all prepared, including already having made the payment at the bank.

thelmadatter · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 3:00 pm Post subject: land border

Crossing the land border is really lax for Americans. In fact, Ive taken the bus from Hermosillo to Tucson multiple times and no one ever thinks to stop at the border for the Mexican migra, only the US one. In fact, I crossed one time w/o getting my FM3 stamped because I COULDNT find the migra office to do it right.

Coming back, its pretty much the same. People coming across the border to Mexico by land are assumed to be Americans visiting the frontera zone which doesnt require a visa. The only checks at the end of the frontera zone I have ever seen have been for people driving vehicles/aduana - and they dont check migracion documents.

Before they built Terminal 2... my first time flying out of the Mexico City airport I missed the counter where I was supposed to get my FM3 stamped. On return, I was asked about it and I (honestly) told them I couldnt find it and I was really sorry... and the guy was nice to me. However, the last time I flew out in Terminal 2, I had to show my FM3 not only at the ticket counter, but at the security point to the gates, so there was no way to forget.

So if you cant get a permiso and you absolutely have to get back... fly up to one of the border cities and cross the land border there and back.