22 replies to this topic

[Gramma Donna]

First, INM does not remove your sticker.  You were supposed to go to Banjercito for that; you goofed and have lost your deposit. You were also supoosed to have INM give you an FMM and you were to keep half of it for your return, with your visa.  If you did that, present them both when you re-enter.
Since you still have your sticker on the car, just drive on in and hope that they miss that detail at the interior checkpoint.
Renew your visa on schedule when you get back.

Actually we did stop at the small booth where they remove the sticker. The gentleman chose not to remove our sticker and said to go across to Banjercito. We did and they told us to go inside to immigration. There the gentleman said we should just say we live in Mexico and be on our way. We left. And I agree that we have lost our deposit; just not sure how to handle our re-entry this time. And I failed to mention that I did not have the half of the FMM because I had flown out twice during the ten months because my mother died.

[Amber]

My situation is a little different. On driving out; turned in the carsticker aqnd got my receipt.. On to INm abd discovered my visa (FM3) has disappeared. Searched everywhere for it but could not find. INM guy very patient and pleasant but could not give me an FMM. Remarked that I would have probably have trouble coming back in. Will be back in late October and have been debating how to do this' I have a copy of my visa but don't think that will work for car or INM I 6think my solution will be to come in as a tourist for both my car and myself and then do whatever I need to do to get my FM3 replaced without mentioning that I have been out of the country. and then do the normal renewal (whatever that will be if the new rules are in effect by then). Yes I know this is illegal but dont know what else to do. Will need to hang on to the tourist visa because of the car and will have to take it out before thr 180days they give me are up. and also start anew FMM without turning the tourist one in. Then I can come back in on my FM3 and hopefully everything will then match. My passport expires in 2013 so I will be coming back on a new passport # also.

Anyone out there had a similar situation and if so how did you handle it? Or anyone with thoughts of a better solution?

[RVGRINGO]

Amber:
You might take your visa copy to a Mexican Consulate and report the original one lost. They may be able to issue a 'pass'.

Gramma:
You have illustrated the need for expats to KNOW what is required and to NEVER accept other advice from a border agent; they'll get you into trouble and it is no skin off their backs, is it? Often they don't know, don't care and like the reduced workload. Beware!