Job Discussion Forums

ericksgm · Joined: 08 May 2006 Posts: 21 Location: Tapachula

I have read in previous posts that when you leave the country they take your FM3. What happens if I am just going home for Christmas and coming back? I don�t really feel like going through the whole process again and I definately don�t have the money to pay for a second FM3. Can someone please tell me how this works? Thank you very much! -Gina.

MELEE · Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2006 3:32 pm Post subject:

You must have miss read something.
If you have a work FM3 (not a student FM3) you have right to unlimited entrances and exits of the country. There are several pages at the back for these to be stamped. When you leave, they look at your FM3 and stamp and exit. When you come back in they look at it again and stamp an entrance. They often don't want to even bother stamping you. But I've been hasselled in the past for having more entrances than exits, while nothing ever came of the hasselling, its not worth it, just ask for the stamp if they try to waive you past.
Students on the other hand have to get some sort of permission to leave and come back. I've never done this so I don't know the details.

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

Unless your FM3 has expired or you tell them you aren't coming back, they aren't going to take your FM3 when you leave the country.

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

At the exiting airport (or I suppose if you drive out) you need to ask for a temporary exit stamp. In the DF airport, this is usually a desk on the 2nd floor that is somewhat difficult to find. If you ask for help finding it, you'll be pointed in about six different directions. Confused

If you forget to get the stamp, you can be fined when you reenter Mexico. This has happened to a couple of teachers here and the fines were about 400 pesos.

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

mapache · Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Posts: 202 Location: Villahermosa

The form is from the INM and is called "F.M.E para extranjeros" (it's white with red letters and a carbon).
Present this filled out with your FM3 at immigration (behind security at Gate H in the Mexico City Airport). They will stamp this form and your FM3 with your departure date. Give the original to the airline and keep the copy. Upon your return, give immigration in Mexico the copy. They will take the copy and stamp you FM3 again with the date of your arrival. Failure to do this could result in a fine.