Don't Miss This Step at the Mexico Border!

It's very easy to cross into Mexico without getting the proper immigration paperwork at the border. I've done it a dozen times. But in the process of getting temporary or permanent residency, it was critical that we did it right. In this video, I share my story of crossing the border the first time after buying a house in Mexico.

The FMM (Forma Migratoria Múltiple) is required for anyone that isn't a citizen or resident of Mexico. If you're on a 180 day Tourist Visa or you're in the process of getting your residency permit finalized, then you need an FMM. And once you get an FMM, you need to carry it with you always, or you could get into a bit of trouble with the police.

[mikethayer]

Thanks for the video! We're flying into San Diego on Thanksgiving and crossing the border to fly from Tijuana to La Paz the next day. This is a great reminder for us to get the FMM. I am also a fan of 2 expats Mexico. Paul also has great Spanish lessons on a separate channel.

[alichebry]

Really enjoying your channel. I follow Paul also. You are almost convincing me to change my plans from Bucerias relocation to Centanario area - it seems more affordable for a single retired person. I look forward to more videos like cost of living in the area, new developments, expats, etc... I am coming from Alberta Canada.

[esfuda]

Basically the equivalent to an i-94 for tourist coming from Mexico to the US. Nothing unfair since the US has been requiring the i-94 permit for decades now.

[edcastillo]

Tee-hwa-na, NOT tee-uh-wanna. There is no letter “a” after the letter “i” in Tijuana.

[ednafronkelbarger]

I really like this post, because you're doing it the right way. You were completely honest, and you went through the process of being granted permanent residency status. Kudos to you. Beyond that, you presented good information in a clear and concise way. I recently started watching your videos because I'm interested in living in the Baja Peninsula, and I'm a subscriber now.



This will make me very unpopular with a lot of people, but I dislike Paul's series of videos because his attitude is the opposite of yours. He encourages people to act dishonestly and illegally by abusing the system. For a long time, people have abused the FMM form by using it to get permanent residency, when the cannot meet the country's requirements for permanent residency. Mexico is a sovereign nation which has every right to establish requirements for residency, and it is offensive to a lot of Mexican people that so many Americans think that Mexico should be their playground, and that they can disregard the requirements. People have been getting the 180 day FMM and renewing it over and over. Paul has incorrectly tried to claim that there's nothing illegal about this, but he's wrong. It's a serious crime in pretty much every country on earth to lie to immigration when you enter the country. If your explicit purpose is permanent residency and you instead claim it's a 180 day visit, you are lying to immigration. Your trail of continual FMMs establishes a pattern of behavior which legally proves intent to establish permanent residency. (*) In 2022, the immigration agent can see your complete history on a computer, and they're now cracking down and saying "No, you get 10 days." They would be completely within their rights to refuse to admit you, and/or to ban you from ever returning.



(*) I like to use the analogy of how the US government proves money laundering. A lot of people have thought to themselves, "Hey, the limit for reporting transactions is $10, 000. If I move $9, 900, there's nothing wrong with that." But in fact, if you make hundreds of $9, 900 transactions, that is a pattern of behavior that proves intent to launder money. A lot of people have gone to federal prison for money laundering for exactly this established pattern of behavior.

[christopher]

So I drove
Into Mexicali this morning and driving to Loreto tomorrow. I had my FMM all printed out but there was no one in the office and federales said they don’t know where the immigration people are. Waited an hour and no lights even on no one around. A gringo who lives down here part time told me he has been here 7 years and never asked for documentation. So far a couple checkpoints and they didn’t ask. If I have to turn around I’m gonna be pissed. Lol thanks

[mikeschroepfer]

Indeed. I found a Mexican car insurance company attached to my regular insurance. pay a little extra but its well worth it. I drove a day and a half down Baja to Muleje. Had a wonderful time. It was years ago.

[BuceriasRodHardy]

The people who check your vehicle are Customs Agents, not an Immigration Agent. The people you get the FMM and return it to are Immigration, so two different departments and most of the Custom people will never even mention you need to see Immigration, they leave that up to you.

[TravelWithGarcia]

Strange I’m a us citizen (Latino) I’ve been in Mexico for 8 months without a visa and been stop many times by police, immigration and military they just said pasale mijo 😆

[MrDoublebarrelLee]

Thank for this video. My wife and I just recently married, but she can’t cross the border yet. We already applied for her visa and, until then, I visit her for as long as I can, not with the intention of living there since I still work and study at Hawaii. Will I have any issues with getting FMM for several months at a time? For example staying with her in Mexico several months, leaving for a day or several weeks back into the US, and coming back for a few months into Mexico — repeat until she can cross. I want to be sure that I’ll be able to keep these month-long visits since it’s the only way we can see each other. Reading so many mixed things has set my anxiety in, so any help to clarify what the actual situation or rules are would be greatly appreciated.

[Mariapink]

7:17 tell me you’re former Disney cast member without telling me you’re a former Disney cast member 😂

[postalsolutions]

Thanks for the video. I will be making that same border crossing in July. Heading to El Tezal permanently...finally. Quick question, did you stay in Calexico the night before, we were thinking to, we are coming from NC.

[Kerry]

Slightly off topic...in regards to the TIP for our vechicle. Can we enter and exit at two different borders and still be refunded our deposit when leaving Mexico? We may enter at Mexicali and exit from the mainland or vice versa.

[jovanyroman]

I renewed my passport but it hasn’t came yet and I got to be in Mexico this Sunday do yk if I can cross without my passport maybe with a ID and a driver license

[pedrogordian]

Hi, my family and I are moving to Monterrey. How dangerous is the road after crossing the border. We keep hearing rumors that they stop you and take money from you. We planning to cross over through Puente Colombia. Also we taking a open trailer, that's why we kinda worried.

[virginiajacobson]

Help! We got the FMM online but just drove through the border entering and leaving. We are back home now but want to go again soon. Will this be an issue?

[jc]

Are you sure you're a permanent resident or temporary resident? If it's your first residence card it normally is issued for 2 years. I may be wrong.

[bobothepittie]

My wife and have decided to move to Lapaz as temporary residents after watching your videos and we will be crossing at Mexicali. Is it true that we will not need a TIPS for our car in Baja?

[miminyc]

Don’t you supposed legalized your car in Mexico? If so where?

[paulfarrar]

You have anything about getting a vehicle permit online