Question about FMM

[KevMc]

Ok so in November of 2010 I went to Mexico, got 180 days and they stamped my passport. I paid the bank fee about 1 month before leaving and left back to the U.S March 2011. I was traveling by greyhound going in and returning to the U.S. just to be clear on things. Ok so heading back to the U.S a Mexican official came on board to check everyone passport.

The thing is that returning I thought that we would stop somewhere so that they would stamp my passport saying that I was re entering the U.S. They never did, but I still have the FMM and bank statements showing that I paid. Will there be any problem when I return to Mexico and they see that my passport wasn't stamped upon returning to the U.S.?

Thank you.

I am not sure of the answer to your question. However, we just moved to Mexico from Denver (Actually Loveland) so I wanted to let you know that there is a Mexican consolate in Denver, which will be able to easily answer this question. They were extremely helpful in our getting our FM3 prior to our leaving for Mexico. I'm not exactly sure of the exact street location but if you do a web search for Mexican consolate in Denver you will find maps and directs etc. Good luck!

[KevMc]

Anyone else know? Thanks.

[sparks]

Mexico doesn't stamp passports on exit

From this article
Americans in Cuba - Wikitravel

[conklinwh]

A few things:
-We crossed the border multiple times a year for 8 years using FMT/FMM both when paid at bank and then at the border. In our case, they always looked for entry stamp in passport and stamped on exit.
-The 1st time that we used Columbia for exit, we had car sticker removed but I got into exit line versus return to immigration and left without turning in the, at the time, FMT or getting passport stamped. When we returned, I just did the normal entry paperwork although had the previous with me. There was no issue but systems are getting better so checking with consulate a good idea. Since you paid, I doubt an issue.
-FM3/no inmigrado. As of May 2010, consulates can only issue temporary visa and you still need do process in Mexico at immigration, although if you keep your receipt, you shouldn't need pay twice. Not sure if poster that received visa at Denver consulate was before or after May 2010.

[HolyMole]

Originally Posted by sparks

Mexico doesn't stamp passports on exit

From this article
Americans in Cuba - Wikitravel

They certainly do stamp passports on exiting if you ask for it. Every time we return to the USA from Mexico, I go into the Mexican Immigration office and get my passport stamped.

On another post, the issue of handing-in an FMT/Tourist Visa for bus passengers was raised - and it was suggested that it is up to passengers to tell the Mexican bus driver to stop at the Mexican Immigration office to allow a passenger to properly surrender their FMT (or whatever the tourist visa is called this week).
That sounds totally impractical and ridiculous. To date I've never had to leave Mexico by bus, but surely there's got to be a better way.

[KevMc]

Originally Posted by HolyMole

They certainly do stamp passports on exiting if you ask for it. Every time we return to the USA from Mexico, I go into the Mexican Immigration office and get my passport stamped.

On another post, the issue of handing-in an FMT/Tourist Visa for bus passengers was raised - and it was suggested that it is up to passengers to tell the Mexican bus driver to stop at the Mexican Immigration office to allow a passenger to properly surrender their FMT (or whatever the tourist visa is called this week).
That sounds totally impractical and ridiculous. To date I've never had to leave Mexico by bus, but surely there's got to be a better way.

Thank you for believing the same as I do. I think that it should be routine for the bus driver to ask if anyone onboard has a FMM or anything to turn in to the Immigration office. Many people such as myself do not know this and it would really help with the flow of things. From your opinion HolyMole what should I do this fall when going to Mexico by bus again? Should I not mention the FMM I did not turn in and just show the bank note showing that I paid, and the bus stub showing that I left? I am really confused and worried. Thank you.

[circle110]

Originally Posted by KevMc

and just show the bank note showing that I paid, and the bus stub showing that I left? I am really confused and worried. Thank you.

Don't show any of it! If you do, you better have $1500 pesos to pay the fine - if they know you left without turning in your FMM they WILL NOT let you walk away without paying because the "crime" was leaving the country without turning in your FMM. You already committed that "delito" and there is now no way for you to go back and correct the error. No amount of documents or talking on your part will change that.

The worst that could happen is that they fine you $1500 pesos and you can negotiate it down. Or, best case, they'll have no clue that you didn't turn it in and you'll get a new FMM without questions. If you do say or show them anything you will be paying fines -- guaranteed.

They are not going to throw you in jail. I know because I got busted doing exactly what you did. They just want your money. They would have NEVER known about me not turning in my previous FMM if we didn't accidentally hand it to them, so chances are good that you will be OK. Remember, the worst that can happen is that you'll pay a small fine. As I said in my previous post, I got them down to $700 pesos and she said that was the least she could accept and still give me a new FMM. That's probably BS, but this is Mexico!

I'd be fairly surprised if their computer system knows you didn't turn in your FMM. Some day they'll have systems that can detect such things but for now, I really doubt it. Take the chance and play dumb and don't say a word.

[RVGRINGO]

Some of you won't like this, but it is very true:

What you think Mexico should do, or what a Mexican bus driver should do, has no bearing on the matter at all. In fact, as a foreigner, you are prohibited by law from entering into political matters, so you certainly won't change things to the way you would like to see them happen. It remains your responsibility to study and know the applicable laws to your situation. If you can't do that, you share a linguistic handicap with the majority of us. Nevertheless, that doesn't absolve you of the responsibility. Even in the nanny state (USA), ignorance of the law is no excuse, even if you can't read it or understand it. That's just the way it is in almost all countries, for that matter.
So, once more; if traveling by bus, you must ask the driver to stop at INM so you can comply with the law. His failure to stop is not a valid excuse, under any circumstances. If he says he can't wait, get your baggage and walk across the border, after your INM visit. The bus is a commercial transport, not a tour bus with homogeneous passengers, who all need the same services. You are on your own.
Some have expressed displeasure with these facts, the rules and the procedures. That is quite understandable, but expressing it to the official in front of you will certainly result in more complications; sort of like telling a deep-south cop that his redneck radar should be calibrated when his mother has time. You probably won't enjoy the rest of your day, or week, or month, etc. I know most of you will understand the nuances involved, but I also know that there are some here who just won't 'get it'. In those cases, I might suggest that Mexico is not the place for them. However, I don't have the right to do that, so I'll simply offer the advice and let each one do with it, what they will.
OK, end of lecture. Please don't shoot the messenger.

[pappabee]

Originally Posted by RVGRINGO

Some of you won't like this, but it is very true:

What you think Mexico should do, or what a Mexican bus driver should do, has no bearing on the matter at all. In fact, as a foreigner, you are prohibited by law from entering into political matters, so you certainly won't change things to the way you would like to see them happen. It remains your responsibility to study and know the applicable laws to your situation. If you can't do that, you share a linguistic handicap with the majority of us. Nevertheless, that doesn't absolve you of the responsibility. Even in the nanny state (USA), ignorance of the law is no excuse, even if you can't read it or understand it. That's just the way it is in almost all countries, for that matter.
So, once more; if traveling by bus, you must ask the driver to stop at INM so you can comply with the law. His failure to stop is not a valid excuse, under any circumstances. If he says he can't wait, get your baggage and walk across the border, after your INM visit. The bus is a commercial transport, not a tour bus with homogeneous passengers, who all need the same services. You are on your own.
Some have expressed displeasure with these facts, the rules and the procedures. That is quite understandable, but expressing it to the official in front of you will certainly result in more complications; sort of like telling a deep-south cop that his redneck radar should be calibrated when his mother has time. You probably won't enjoy the rest of your day, or week, or month, etc. I know most of you will understand the nuances involved, but I also know that there are some here who just won't 'get it'. In those cases, I might suggest that Mexico is not the place for them. However, I don't have the right to do that, so I'll simply offer the advice and let each one do with it, what they will.
OK, end of lecture. Please don't shoot the messenger.

Unfortunately the messenger is completely correct. We all must remember that the home we live in is not our own and we must also remember that we are expected to follow their house rules. If we fail to do so either by ignorance or just because, we face the chance of having to deal with the consequences. It is our job to try our best to know and follow their house rules but no knowing is no excuse for not following.

Those of us who have raised children must know that it is unacceptable for a child to tell you that he/she “didn’t know the gun was loaded”. (OK a very old song but the point is still valid). Tell a Chicago traffic cop that you didn’t see the red light that you just ran and see how far it gets you. Tell the Cleveland Ohio judge that you’re from out of town and didn’t know that it was illegal to throw stuff into the Cuyahoga River and see how far it gets you.

Some people enjoy braying at the moon but just remember that others of us may not really enjoy hearing it. We choose to live in this house and therefore we must also choose to obey its rules. Nuff-said.