Flying to USA for First Time with Residency Card

[cstone]

Good Morning,

I tried to do a search and everything I found was about flying with pets. Not so helpful.

I have a Residente Temporal. What are the procedures for me as I fly from GDL to the US ? This is my first time, and I don't want to mess up.

Anyone able to tell me how to do it ? Is there a special booth or counter I must go to before I leave the ticketing area ?

Thanks,

C. Stone

[jrod]

If you have the form already filled out, you go to the Immigration window (to the left of the arrivals gates, across from Starbucks) with your card and your passport and the agent will stamp your passport and your form, then give everything back to you. Take it to your airline ticket counter for check-in and they will take the departure (smaller part) of the form and return the larger (reentry) part to you, which you turn in upon reentry to Mexico.

If you don't have the form (I always keep a few to fill out in advance) you have to get in line, get the form, complete it, get back in line, then follow steps above.

Depending on your departure time, the agent should be there. If not, go to the window, do a 180 around the glass at the corner, and see if he/she is on the couch. If not, usually someone will spot you and get an agent for you.

Depending on the line and whether or not you have your form filled out in advance (and whether those in front of you do also) I've had the process take anywhere from 2-40 minutes, so allow sufficient time.

There is nothing complicated about it, except if the agent is on a break or got called to help process incoming passengers. Then I've had to do some searching around that corner to find someone to help.

Safe travels!

[kbleitch]

I believe you do need to have your boarding pass with you, so that's another good reason to print them from your reservation online before you go to the airport.

Last time, the agent wasn't in the booth, but a nearby security guard called for him and he showed up in less than two minutes....and he filled out our forms or us!!!

[conejorapido]

I believe you do need to have your boarding pass with you, so that's another good reason to print them from your reservation online before you go to the airport.

Last time, the agent wasn't in the booth, but a nearby security guard called for him and he showed up in less than two minutes....and he filled out our forms or us!!!

Actually we have just done this and no boarding card was required. We always go straight to migration and then to check in.

[bournemouth]

Since the change in immigration laws, have they changed the FMM form? We have a stash of the original ones and hate to throw them out if they are still good.

[Joyfull]

Yes, they have changed the form. Left GDL this morning. You do NOT need a boarding pass. If you go to the airline first they will send you to immigration before they give you a boarding pass. At least this is the way American Airlines does it. We always keep ambunch of forms at home and go to immigration first then our airline.

[jrod]

In 7 years, we've never had to show a boarding pass, today included, since the airline collects the FMM stub and staples it to the boarding pass at the ticket counter. The FMM form is the same one they've been using since the end of December 2012. Took me 2 minutes today; thankfully the INM agent made the 3 people ahead of me who did not have their forms completed step out of line to fill them out and I breezed in and out. Gotta love it when the system works: now, if only they'd leave a pile of forms off to the side of the window so people wouldn't have to join the line to get them. Maybe, someday....

[virgogirl]

Do you need to fill out the FMM is you are RES TEMP, leaving the country, and not coming back?

[jrod]

Everyone who enters and leaves Mexico must complete the form and submit the appropriate part upon departure and return. It is for "statistical purposes" per INM. Our immigration status is irrelevant for completion of this document.

[RVGRINGO]

If you are Residente Temporal, or any other status, you must cancel your visa at the border if you have no intention of returning. If you fail to do so and then change your mind, there would be fines and fees involved upon your return. I think they call it a Salida Definitiva.

If you drive out, be sure to get your sticker removed and receipted. Otherwise, if your car were stolen and ended up in Mexico again, you would remain responsible for its misbehavior.

[phxfunguy]

Quote:

If you have the form already filled out, you go to the Immigration window (to the left of the arrival gates, across from Starbucks) with your card and your passport and the agent will stamp your passport and your form, then give everything back to you. Take it to your airline ticket counter for check-in and they will take the departure (smaller part) of the form and return the larger (reentry) part to you, which you turn in upon reentry to Mexico.

Remember to put your flying out info (origin city, airline, and flight #) only on the stub when you leave, then fill out the larger part with your flying back info for the day you return. So it's just the reverse of what you used to do as a tourist.

[virgogirl]

I ain't cancelling nothing. How does that grammar grab ya!!!!

After what I did to get my last visa, it's staying in my hand until it expires even if I move to the moon.

Thanks for the info on the FMM paperwork at the airport.

If I come back before the visa expires, I'll just deal with it then. I know plenty of teachers that come and go like snowbirds on their so called "greencards" and I've never heard of a problem. When they come back, they work again, find a representative for renewal of the visa. .