Job Discussion Forums

[Allie]

Does anyone have an idea of how much immigration will charge me when leaving the country by air for a "lost" tourist visa? I have already extended my tourist visa once and have now gone over the 180 days. I think "losing" it is my best option, no?? Also do they normally look at your passport because if they do then they are going to see the actual date I entered Mexico? If the worst comes to the worst and they guess what I've done how long is it before they let you back into the country again?

[ls650]

Most likely when you leave no one will notice or care. If they do notice, they will fine you. If you are not too far over your initial stay, the fine is pretty minimal.

[Guy Courchesne]

As far as I know, the airline won't issue you a boarding pass unless you turn in a tourist visa, meaning, you go up to immigratio to get one at the airport, where, you will have to answer to get the new one, showing your passport.

Maybe it depends on where you leave from. I did hear of one British woman who claims she was never issued a tourist visa and didn't have to turn one in as she left...all through Acapulco. Maybe they go easier in the touristy locales.

[ericksgm]

I just had a similar problem. I was not going home, but my FMT had expired and I wasn�t sure what to do. The official fine was 500pesos, however I went with someone who knew the people at the immigration office pretty well so it got knocked down to 250 which was nice. Other than that I had to leave the country (I�m on the border of guatemala, so I doubt they make everyone do that all over mexico, but in my case that was the easiest to do) and then come back in. Since you�re just leaving the country, I�m guess the most they�d charge you is the 500pesos, and that�s if they do catch you.

[tonydicer]

I actually overstayed my tourist visa a few times. When driving out, I had no problems whatsoever. At the airport once, they asked for my tourist card, I played confused, and she forgot about it quickly.

[Samantha]

Ahem... The thing those of us that live here know about Mexico is there is no routine answer to any given situation. I think this forum is pretty well informed actually. Another thing we know is that there is NO WAY you will get an accurate answer over the telephone (if you can even get through on the telephone to speak to a live person).

The airline takes the tourist card from the passenger at check-in. If you have lost it they will send you off to visit the nice Immigration officer in the airport, to receive another one. From personal experience, I was charged the regular price of a tourist card with no fines. I took the freshly issued tourist card back down to the airline check-in counter, received my boarding pass and I was all set. No big deal.

[Ben Round de Bloc]

[corporatehuman]

One person at my school came to Mexico and lived here for 2 1/2 yrs, without ever renewing her VISA, and when she left she had no problems.

I'm about to renew my VISA for an additional 90 days, but I'll still not have an FM3 after the 180 days. From the sound of this board it may not be necessary to go enter Guatemala just to renew my VISA.

Does having an expired tourist card in anyway hinder the FM3 application process? I'm planning on getting another job sometime after February 2nd.

- Chris

[Samantha]

Flying under the radar on an expired tourist card is one thing, but if you plan to apply for an FM3, you must submit a valid tourist card. That's your permission to be in the country.

[Guy Courchesne]

Most definitely...don't hand in an expired or even very-soon-to-expire tourist visa in applying for the FM3. Make the border run before you apply.

[saraswati]

Not having a valid FMT when applying for an FM3 may only lead to a lengthy process with an immigration lawyer, a fine and finally the FM3. That was the case a few years ago...

[ls650]

[MELEE]

[tonydicer]