Streetwalker Reports

[Hargow20]

Don't necessarily have a problem with paying the $30. But the immigration official should have been more upfront. Or at least show me regulations is offensive.

Guys arguing that they shouldn't pay for an FMM because the just did, but left it at home. AYFKM? Do you suppose the agent hadn't heard that one before? Maybe the dog ate the guy's homework, too? Exactly was was the agent supposed to do?

Technically, the FMM is supposed to be surrendered when you leave Mexico. In practice, if you cross on land you don't surrender it. My speculation is that if they confiscated them from people leaving, and forced everybody to get a new one, it would just consume far too much manpower. So, you don't have to surrender it when exiting from Tijuana. I have no idea what their policy is at other land crossings. If guys can't afford $30, every six months, I think it's time to find a cheaper hobby.

[Phordphan]

That's correct the 7 day pass, mexico wouldn't let me use it a 2 and time 2 days later, that was 7 months ago. And to clarify anyone going to mexico now likely will not be given the option for the free pass that goes from 1 hour up till 7 days. I've seen it 1st hand while sitting in their office. Guys arguing they just bought a 6 month pass 3 days ago but left it home. Mexico would not let him in without paying the 30 dollars again. I suppose if you go with no bags and say you are going to the dentist and can verify it, maybe you have a chance. But they know gringos are coming daily, just counting white, black, Asian, and Arab, probably 100 to 300 still crossing by foot per day at the border for zona norte. They know this, and want your $$ money. They have told me many times in past that I'm going to Hong Kong when I was actually going to Tijuana for other reasons.

Guys arguing that they shouldn't pay for an FMM because the just did, but left it at home. AYFKM? Do you suppose the agent hadn't heard that one before? Maybe the dog ate the guy's homework, too? Exactly was was the agent supposed to do?

Technically, the FMM is supposed to be surrendered when you leave Mexico. In practice, if you cross on land you don't surrender it. My speculation is that if they confiscated them from people leaving, and forced everybody to get a new one, it would just consume far too much manpower. So, you don't have to surrender it when exiting from Tijuana. I have no idea what their policy is at other land crossings. If guys can't afford $30, every six months, I think it's time to find a cheaper hobby.

[ClamSlammer]

At one time I believed clammy knew what he was talking about. But to tell you the truth I think your only options are to get the free 7 day FMM or purchase the 180 day. If you were to ask they tell you the 7 day is for one time use. And the 180 day you can use for multiple reentries during the 180 day time frame. While technically not true that's the way it works as far as walking into Mexico. I have never heard of a 30 day FMM.

That was a error on my part, obviously I meant 180 days, not 30. Everybody knows there are only two options for the FMM.

[ScatManDoo]

At one time I believed clammy knew what he was talking about.

Before he joined this board?

I have never heard of a 30 day FMM.

Look in the clam.

[Dogers69]

At one time I believed clammy knew what he was talking about. But to tell you the truth I think your only options are to get the free 7 day FMM or purchase the 180 day. If you were to ask they tell you the 7 day is for one time use. And the 180 day you can use for multiple reentries during the 180 day time frame. While technically not true that's the way it works as far as walking into Mexico. I have never heard of a 30 day FMM.

That's correct the 7 day pass, mexico wouldn't let me use it a 2 and time 2 days later, that was 7 months ago. And to clarify anyone going to mexico now likely will not be given the option for the free pass that goes from 1 hour up till 7 days. I've seen it 1st hand while sitting in their office. Guys arguing they just bought a 6 month pass 3 days ago but left it home. Mexico would not let him in without paying the 30 dollars again. I suppose if you go with no bags and say you are going to the dentist and can verify it, maybe you have a chance. But they know gringos are coming daily, just counting white, black, Asian, and Arab, probably 100 to 300 still crossing by foot per day at the border for zona norte. They know this, and want your $$ money. They have told me many times in past that I'm going to Hong Kong when I was actually going to Tijuana for other reasons.

[Baxter Slade]

BTW the 7 day FMM and the 30 day FMM are the exact same pieces of paper. The only difference is the where they manually checkmark 7 days or 30 days.

At one time I believed clammy knew what he was talking about. But to tell you the truth I think your only options are to get the free 7 day FMM or purchase the 180 day. If you were to ask they tell you the 7 day is for one time use. And the 180 day you can use for multiple reentries during the 180 day time frame. While technically not true that's the way it works as far as walking into Mexico. I have never heard of a 30 day FMM.

[ScatManDoo]

I'll try to type slowly and use simple words. Try to keep up.

I pointed out that there is no mechanism for the Mexican officials to check every vehicle for an FMM. I did NOT advocate trying to cross in a car without proper documentation, nor would I ever advocate such. I cross by car several times per month and, yes, I have a FMM.

I SPECULATED that the Mexicans were insisting everybody buy 180-day FMMs due to border restrictions. I did NOT say it was policy, nor did I say it was OK. I have no idea if this actually happened, nor do you. The "evidence" is scant, and much of it comes from some very unreliable posters. One has been chasing drug addicts for years, yet has never seen an FMM. The other posts wild fantasies, all with disastrous endings. Since you apparently don't own a car, why don't you do some land crossings and report back your findings. I do have faith in your posts of this nature, and would appreciate a reality check concerning this.

To me it sounds like Mexican officials are scamming travelers.

How did you incorrectly conclude I own no car?

My last trip down to Tijuana was in mid March 2020.

My passport expired in January 2020. I got my first passport back around ten years ago, when Mexico first started requiring tourist to have one to visit Tijuana.

But my passport has been missing for the past three years. That has not prevented me from going into Tijuana about five to ten times each year.

I simply drive in and always seem to get the green lights and therefore no inspection upon entering. When returning the CBP has had no problem with me presenting just my drivers licence, since their records always showed I possessed a current passport, despite my having "left it" at home on each trip. So they couldn't scold or lecture me for 20 minutes about needing to get a passport.

[ClamSlammer]

I don't even see why there is an escalating discussion regarding FMM's. The facts are the facts. I've crossed into Mexico by vehicle maybe 250 times in the past 5 years. The rate that I've been stopped and questioned / searched is maybe 15%. I have American plates on my car, but it is a small economy vehicle so I don't get stopped much. I've never been asked for an FMM. I've been asked for my registration just about every time I get stopped. And passport two times. But never an FMM. There was a period of time, maybe 3 months, where my car was out of commission so I was crossing on foot. This is before covid. I would never buy a 30 day FMM. They would just wave me through maybe 25% of the time. They would let me through if I showed them my previous, unexpired 7 day FMM about 25% of the time. About 10% of the time I didn't have an unexpired 7 day FMM so they made me fill out the paperwork and issued me a new one. About 40% of the time they would make me apply for a new 7 day FMM even though I had an unexpired 7 day FMM on me. Busy crossing times such as Fri / Sat evenings I was certain to be made to wait in line for a new FMM no matter what. BTW the 7 day FMM and the 30 day FMM are the exact same pieces of paper. The only difference is the where they manually checkmark 7 days or 30 days.

Post covid, I haven't crossed on foot once. I've crossed by vehicle maybe 12 times. I've been stopped maybe 3-4 times. I was asked to show my registration and my vehicle was lightly searched but otherwise I was free to go after a very short delay. If you cross by vehicle and don't wish to get stopped, this is what I do: As I approach the border crossing, I find the biggest vehicle there is. Whether it be van, large SUV, pickup truck or any large vehicle that's sure to attract attention. It can even be a normal vehicle that's stuffed with articles or weighed down. I get as close to it as possible while approaching the inspection station. Either behind it or in front. Then as we're crossing, the other vehicle will garner a secondary inspection and me, I coast through. This method is just about 100% successful. But when you cross at odd hours when there is very light vehicle traffic, obviously there may not be a large vehicle around to distract the border guards. It's these times that I get stopped and questioned.

[Phordphan]

The so called Visa he gave me looks like the normal FMM form. I am convinced that this was a scam to extorrt money from me and get some money for himself. When I asked him where the form said Visa he refused.

You've been crossing for years, and have never seen an FMM?

On your FMM, by the date it will also say when it expires. What does yours say?

[Phordphan]

So, as you have explained here.

If someone wants to go from the United States into Mexico, but lack the proper documentation (like a passport), they just need to drive or ride into Mexico in an automobile (no FFM issue). That will enpower readers.

I don't understand why you think it is perfectly AOK for the Mexican Agent to collect money for a one day FFM for selected tourists into Mexico when they are normally free of charge for stays of less than a week? I don't believe the appropriate action is to rob the gringo. (If his travel is determined to be nonessential, it should be denied, not held hostage for bribes) What if tomorrow the Mexican Border Agent decides to charge triple?

I'll try to type slowly and use simple words. Try to keep up.

I pointed out that there is no mechanism for the Mexican officials to check every vehicle for an FMM. I did NOT advocate trying to cross in a car without proper documentation, nor would I ever advocate such. I cross by car several times per month and, yes, I have a FMM.

I SPECULATED that the Mexicans were insisting everybody buy 180-day FMMs due to border restrictions. I did NOT say it was policy, nor did I say it was OK. I have no idea if this actually happened, nor do you. The "evidence" is scant, and much of it comes from some very unreliable posters. One has been chasing drug addicts for years, yet has never seen an FMM. The other posts wild fantasies, all with disastrous endings. Since you apparently don't own a car, why don't you do some land crossings and report back your findings. I do have faith in your posts of this nature, and would appreciate a reality check concerning this.

[Hargow20]

The so called Visa he gave me looks like the normal FMM form. I am convinced that this was a scam to extorrt money from me and get some money for himself. When I asked him where the form said Visa he refused.

It's "common knowledge" that a FMM is required to visit Mexico. Period. Length of stay is immaterial. Normally, for visits of fewer than 7 days the FMM is free. Anything longer and you have to buy the 180-day FMM. The loophole is if you drive across because there is no good way to check each car. As entry into Mexico is "supposed" to be for essential travel, they may, indeed, force people to pay for the 180 day FMM. On the upside, if you have it you can cross in the "Locals" line the next time you cross.

The FMM is not a Visa, BTW. US citizens are not required to have a visa to enter Mexico.

And the official is right. I travel a lot, and am always amazed at Americans who think that rules don't apply to them. On this board alone there are always people asking / telling about the best ways to smuggle drugs, where to score, how to sneak into Mexico without proper documentation, etc. , etc.

[Dogers69]

I wrote about the Mexican $$ grab 2 weeks ago at the border with that $30 pass being mandatory. That $30 price goes up about 7 dollars a year too. My guess only men pay it. Or single guys. They assume single gringos going in for sex. If you are only going once, you could simply say you forgot your passport and pay 20 dollars. When I paid 20, I got no receipt no info was asked, just give me 20 bucks like bouncer. An interesting thing, is the USA border guys, probably in response to the medical pass $7 fee being imposed if you don't want to wait an hour half to 2 half hours to return, they now let people with passports, not sure if it's only USA passports, they now let them cut the line with the Sentri people. At least Sunday. Half the people didn't cut including me since I don't have passport. But keep that in mind, once you see a line, go up front and ask.

[ScatManDoo]

It's "common knowledge" that a FMM is required to visit Mexico. Period. Length of stay is immaterial. Normally, for visits of fewer than 7 days the FMM is free. Anything longer and you have to buy the 180-day FMM. The loophole is if you drive across because there is no good way to check each car. As entry into Mexico is "supposed" to be for essential travel, they may, indeed, force people to pay for the 180 day FMM. On the upside, if you have it you can cross in the "Locals" line the next time you cross.

The FMM is not a Visa, BTW. US citizens are not required to have a visa to enter Mexico.

And the official is right. I travel a lot, and am always amazed at Americans who think that rules don't apply to them. On this board alone there are always people asking / telling about the best ways to smuggle drugs, where to score, how to sneak into Mexico without proper documentation, etc. , etc.

So, as you have explained here.

If someone wants to go from the United States into Mexico, but lack the proper documentation (like a passport), they just need to drive or ride into Mexico in an automobile (no FFM issue). That will enpower readers.

I don't understand why you think it is perfectly AOK for the Mexican Agent to collect money for a one day FFM for selected tourists into Mexico when they are normally free of charge for stays of less than a week? I don't believe the appropriate action is to rob the gringo. (If his travel is determined to be nonessential, it should be denied, not held hostage for bribes) What if tomorrow the Mexican Border Agent decides to charge triple?

[Phordphan]

I too was charged for a visa despite the common knowledge that it is not required for a one day visit but I didn't have time or energy to argue with Mexican customs. The guy gave me attitude when I questioned it saying something about Americans think that the rules don't apply them. I'm going next Friday and a friend was telling me that there is a strict 9 pm curfew and he heard that if stopped they can impound vehicle. Before anyway gets excited and starts talking trash about rumors yada yada yada, I'm just asking if anyone has first hand knowledge?

It's "common knowledge" that a FMM is required to visit Mexico. Period. Length of stay is immaterial. Normally, for visits of fewer than 7 days the FMM is free. Anything longer and you have to buy the 180-day FMM. The loophole is if you drive across because there is no good way to check each car. As entry into Mexico is "supposed" to be for essential travel, they may, indeed, force people to pay for the 180 day FMM. On the upside, if you have it you can cross in the "Locals" line the next time you cross.

The FMM is not a Visa, BTW. US citizens are not required to have a visa to enter Mexico.

And the official is right. I travel a lot, and am always amazed at Americans who think that rules don't apply to them. On this board alone there are always people asking / telling about the best ways to smuggle drugs, where to score, how to sneak into Mexico without proper documentation, etc. , etc.

[MikeyMae]

I saw a high priced walkers in the Zona. One was asking $100 min.

I'm sorry I must have missed something. Did Lindsey Lohan move to Tijuana or. ?