Visitor's FMM Visa Enforcement & Requirements  
   
   
 There is a lot of conflicting information circulating about the FMM visa requirement. I normally cross by car, but recently crossed by foot in the hope of getting solid information. I was successful.  
   
 Mexican law has for years has required Americans to have a visa to enter Mexico, but the law has only been enforced for those traveling beyond the border area. Starting August 18, 2015 a U.S. Citizen entering Mexico as a pedestrian at the San Ysidro crossing needs a visa, the most commonly used being:  
   
     A permanent resident’s visa (Visa Permanente)  
     A temporary resident’s visa (Visa Temporal)  
     A visitor’s visa (Forma Migratoria Múltiple, commonly called a FMM)  
   
 Again, It is not a matter of the law having changed; rather it is a matter of changes in the enforcement of the law. Until now visa requirements were not enforced in the border area and that is now changing.  
   
 We’ll have to wait and see if this is a flash in the pan or the start of something big. (These are questions the immigration people I spoke with today cannot answer—nor do I think anybody can answer them at this time). Something like this was tried at the Otay port of entry and was terminated due to opposition by local merchants. Tijuana merchants are strongly opposed to enforcing the FMM requirement and may sooner--or later under a subsequent presidential administration--stop the enforcement of the FMM requirement in the border area.  
   
 (I have the feeling that at this time immigration lacks the staff needed for 24/7 enforcement. Also, that if lines get too long that they will have some people bypass the FMM line so the time needed to enter Mexico doesn’t become excessive and harm tourism.)  
   
 It remains to be seen if the FMM enforcement will spread to other ports of entry. Also if it at some further date it will be enforced for people entering Mexico by car. (Currently the FMM requirment is only being enforced for pedestrians entering at San Ysidro.)  
   
   
 FMM Details  
   
     The FMM is only for foreigners visiting Mexico. A foreigner needs a residential visa (such as a visa permanente or visa temporal) to live in Mexico and/or stay in Mexico for more than 180 days.  
     A U.S. citizen needs a FMM to visit Mexico, unless he/she has another type of valid visa.  
         A U.S. citizen visiting Mexico for less than seven days qualifies (at this time) for a free FMM, which is good for up to 7 days  
         A U.S. citizen visiting Mexico for seven to 180 days must buy a FMM for 322 pesos, which is good for up to 180 days..  
         At this time for those who don't leave the border zone. the FMM requirement is only being enforced (on a hit of miss basis) at the San Ysidro pedestrian crossing .   (If you cross an internal border check point while traveling to the interior of Mexico--as has been the case for yeras--you need a valid visa, such as the FMM.)  
     A U.S. citizen needs a passport book or “other acceptable identification” to get a FMM. My passport card was accepted without hesitation as acceptable identification. (I suggest a person who does not have either a passport book or a passport card bring their birth certificate as well as a government issued picture ID such as a driver’s license. I suggest those who don’t want a stamp on their passport book use a passport card to get a FMM, although I cannot say for certain that a passport book will be stamped.)  
     A U.S. citizen who buys a FMM can use it to enter Mexico as many times as he/she wants during the time the FMM is valid. (Which is 180 days.)  
     If you have a current FMM show it to the “person directing traffic” upon entering the immigration building. You can use the line for Mexican citizens to avoid standing in line with those who are waiting to obtain a FMM.  
     If you forget to bring a current visa with you expect to have to obtain FMM. I saw no computers (or anything else) at the counters that I thought would enable Mexican immigration to know who has and who lacks a current Mexican visa.  
     The FMM says it is to be returned when leaving Mexico; however, when I said I would be returning my car and asked how to return the FMM I was told it was not necessary.  
   
 When waiting to speak with “the person in charge” I overheard him talking to a couple of Americans living in Mexico without the proper visa. He told both of them the FMM was for only visitors and they needed to go to the Mexican consulate in San Diego and get a resident’s visa. He said that for now there is a grace period during which they will be allowed to remain in Mexico while they are applying for a residential visa.  
   
   
 Sources  
   
 The people I spoke with spoke excellent English. So if you don’t speak Spanish you won’t have a problem “standing up for your rights.”  
   
 (When I asked to speak to “the person in charge” after getting my (under 7 day) FMM I was pleased to hear the woman who took me to the Supervisor discretely warn him that I spoke Spanish well. That’s one of a couple of reasons I think I got “the facts and nothing but the facts.”)  
   
 The “person in charge” only wanted to identify himself as Ricardo. This in part is probably because I can be rather intense at times as well as because I told him there was a lot of conflicting information on the Internet about the FMM and I wanted all the details as I was going to post them on-line.  
   
 The information I received (independently) from both the counter person who issued me a FMM and the “person in charge” matched 100%. The “person is charge” told me to call (011-52) 664-636-6023 extension 201 or (011-52) 664-636-6022 for more detailed information. I think he expected me to make the call as well as he knew I was going to post on the Internet what he said and consequently “wasn’t blowing smoke.”  
   
 I told him:  
   
     People were being told they had to get another FMM after buying one good for 180 days.  
     People were being told they MUST return the FMM when leaving Mexico (which is actually printed on the FMM).  
   
 He was skeptical that was happening—as he said it’s not the way things are supposed to work—but said if it did happen to ask to speak to a supervisor. (Since he’d given me the number for the local immigration office I think I got “the straight story.”)  
   
 Recommendations  
   
 If you have encounter something that conflicts with the above:  
   
     Ask to speak to a supervisor.  
     Please post about it.  
   
 My advise is:  
   
     Get and carry a passport card. (They're less expensive than a passport book, can't be stamped, fit in your wallet so you always have it with you, and makes a great ID in the US.)  
     If you visit Mexico more than once every six months get and carry a FMM visa unless you have something better. (That will make most of your crossings quicker if they continue enforcing the visa requirment).  
   
 Let’s hope this is short lived. Also let's hope that--as I've seen all too often in these type of things--that everybody working for Mexican immigrations doesn't have their own,personal set of rules regarding the FMM.