FMMd form needed to enter Mexico.

I went to Mexico in August 2023. I had read that they were supposed to give me a form that I would have to show the authorities when I left. Also I thought I had to fill out a form on a website. The website didn't work for me; they weren't checking for the forms when I left. I guess now they are going to do their originally intended procedure.

Filling out the FMMD information online is a nightmare.

Most of it is in Spanish, and there's no FAQ for how to apply for the thing.

You need to create an account here: https://www.inm.gob.mx/spublic/portal/inmex.html

Have Google's Spanish -> English translator handy.

Have your passport and a cellphone camera handy.

In Spanish, "United States of America" is Estados Unidos de América

When filling out the information during the passport authentication part, the "Relationship" you want (it'll be at upper left corner) is titular de la cuenta

I'm waiting to see what happens next, as after entering all my info, I have still don't appear to be able to get my FMMD.

Did I mention I'm leaving for Oaxaca on Friday?

-- Mike Beebe

Thanks to Mike and Mike for the added info.
I have no plans to go to Mexico. But yesterday was the first time FMMd was reported on TV here so I wanted to share.

Well I do have plans to go to Mexico, and fairly soon. But this would appear to contradict what has been my understanding. Hmmm...is this a new development? I ask because...well, I've been told by people who seem to be very well informed on the subject that the Mexican FMM is history (this was communicated to me about 4-6 weeks ago). Perhaps something has just changed?

• I recall the old days of Mexican FMM from decades ago (I first encountered it in the mid 1980s). This was before computers ruled the earth, and the paperwork and entry formalities were exactly as bureaucratic (and probably as un-needed) as any cynic could imagine. I did like how they did everything with a grand flourish though to make it all seem important. Of course I behave and play along respectfully.
• I go back to Mexico every few years and have no recollection at all during the modern era of seeing any FMM or other eye-roll-worthy entry paperwork in at least a decade, maybe two...it's always just been: arrive, wait your turn, show the passport, answer the typical passport control questions (what is the purpose of your visit? how long is your stay? maybe one or two of the peripheral questions, eg what is your destination? what is your employment? etc.). Out comes the loud, heavy stamp, STAMP, STAMP, STAMP, scribble, scribble, NEXT! Onward to baggage claim.
• I'm headed back to Mexico in about 5 or 6 weeks, leading a group including a family of 4 who don't know Jack about Mexico except I told them they would like it, so I'm pretty much entirely responsible for their experience, I've been there a dozen times, I speak Spanish, they're counting on me. To ensure a smooth arrival, I've asked a source I trust if there's an FMM or other ceremonial hoops to jump through these days. His answer? Nope, none - visitors on flights to Mexico no longer complete an FMM upon arrival (the FMM may still be a thing if you are driving to Mexico). You show up and (if you need no visa to enter), it's quick and simple. Depending on your nationality and other factors (is the system working today?) some nationals have the option of entering via automated "e-gates", wave the passport, then you get a printed receipt showing your entry date. No FMM form. Those not eligible for e-gates (or if you just skip them) you go through the staffed immigration desks and your passport is stamped. There is no FMM, no other paperwork. You don't need to show anything upon departure (years ago, you were supposed to keep your FMM throughout your visit and turn it in as you departed, but that was often completely ignored and there's no longer any pretense of that).

So now I see the references above to the FMM and how much of a headache it is. Hmmm.

Can someone provide details or link to the source that's telling you the old FMM is now back and actually needs to be spun up before you arrive? This would surprise me, but we do live in surprising times. But I'd like some confirmation.

FWIW I'm hoping to visit the local Mexican consulate this coming week to ask some other questions, I'll ask about the FMM too.

Thanks.

Seems the equivalent of ESTA.

Someone upset the Mexicans?

My government advises me:

"If you have an ordinary passport with a chip, you can use the e-gates located at the airports of Mexico City, San Jose del Cabo, and Cancun. You'll receive your FMM (Multiple Immigration Form) printed, which authorises Australians to stay for 180 days exclusively for tourism purposes.

If you don't have an ordinary passport with a chip, and you're visiting for 180 days or less as a tourist, you'll receive a visa on arrival. Mexican authorities advise to avoid being detained or deported, you must complete an online Multiple Immigration Form (FMM) and obtain a QR code "

Basically, what I need to do to enter USA.

I ask because...well, I've been told by people who seem to be very well informed on the subject that the Mexican FMM is history (this was communicated to me about 4-6 weeks ago). Perhaps something has just changed?

From what I understand, the FMMD (the D being for Digital) replaced the old FMM and is now being required for entry.

I'm waiting to hear back from my tour guides who live in Mexico whether this is the case or not.

I'll post here when I find out.

-- Mike Beebe

BONUS FUN FACT!

Among marijuana, firearms and agricultural products, the following will get you denied entry into Mexico:

"Stamps printed in colours or in black and white, presented for sale in envelopes or packets, even when they include chewing gum, candy, or any other type of articles, containing drawings, figures, or illustrations that portray childhood in a denigrating or ridiculous manner, in attitudes which incite violence, self-destruction, or any other type of anti-social behaviour, know as "Garbage Pail Kids", for example, printed by any company or commercial denominations."

Is the FMM thing the piece of paper you fill out in the airplane?
Then fight the confusion and logic in the arrivals hall trying to figure where to go next till a lady in a round table yells at you and takes the paper thingy and stamps it before sending you back iinto the chaos to find the exit.

The same paper thingy when departing, no one having told you what the paper thingy was you tossed it when you got to the hotel only to find out you needed it to leave the country? But discovered you could buy a new paper thing for $10 down near Gate 1?

Is that the thingy we are talking about?

Is the FMM thing the piece of paper you fill out in the airplane?

Kinda sorta. Back in the day, not only on flights but also crossing the land border, extra paperwork - was colloquially referred to as your "tourist card" and showed how many days you get to be in the country. I was actually asked for mine by a Mexican cop a few times when I was driving around Mexico for 3 months (I knew ahead of time that I would need to keep the card for my entire trip so kept it carefully preserved with my passport). And yes, you were supposed to keep part of the paperwork and turn that in as you exited the country. Of course, as one can easily imagine, many (probably most) tourists quickly lost track of that piece of paper, so there was always some panic at the airport as people were headed for their flight but were stopped and asked to return their half of the FMM - the response was almost universally, "WHAAAT?!" followed by confusion, arguments, some drama, then a fee was inevitably paid, leaving a bad taste in departing tourists' mouths and tales of Mexican corruption because they had to pay a "bribe" to get out of the country).

My understanding is that the FMM is no longer a thing. I could be wrong. I'll be asking in person at our local Mexican consulate in a few days (assuming they'll see me when I drop by) and will report back.

Is this just for American passport holders? Or maybe it's brand new. We left Mexico from Cancun Airport 3 weeks ago and had none of that. Just went thru the usual lines and had our passports stamped, both arriving and departing.

What does the IATA Travel Center have to say?

also crossing the land border

I went across the bridge 2 or 3 times a year most of my adult life and never once filled out anything. Last time was 3 years ago.

Imagine my surprise when they started requiring a passport to return and I didn't have mine. I crossed back with a Global Entry card and a look of please not again from the border inspector. My guest crossed back with a passport from a country on the list of supporting terrorism. (The Mexicans just collected the bridge toll).

The good old days.

Is this just for American passport holders? Or maybe it's brand new.

No, it's not just for US passport holders, it is (or was) for foreigner visitors.

No, it's not new - it's actually old. I experienced it from the 1980s through the early 2000's. It had been dropped years ago. It is being reported here that it has been re-introduced and required again. I'm questioning if that's really the case (I'm skeptical). I'm hoping to get clarification from an authoritative source in a few days.

Late last night, I tried calling the Mexican Consulate in Seattle - it was late (10 pm Pacific on a Saturday night). I figured I'd get a recording, maybe a phone tree, but I'd get a sense of how to proceed during regular business hours. To my astonishment, when the call went through, a woman answered in Spanish. I was surprised, even flummoxed, to get a live human, especially when I asked (in Spanish) if we could speak English. She said sorry, no. I said OK, sorry for my bad Spanish, and proceeded. Turns out my call had been forwarded to (I think) someone who was in the Mexican embassy in Washington DC (I guess they answer their phones 24/7 nowadays, I suppose there's a need for all-hours service). She couldn't help me with questions for US citizens visiting Mexico (she was there to provide services to Mexican nationals, of course). She was kind and very patient with my broken Spanish, but all she could do for me was suggest I contact the Seattle consulate; she gave me an email there to try.

Folks here are passing along what they have seen reported in their local (Arizona) media. I'm guessing that either that media has just stumbled on ancient information and are blithely reporting it as currently valid (the internet is full of out-of-date nonsense and abandoned web pages), they got something wrong (gasp! I know...) or maybe something has been "lost in translation" somewhere. In any case, once I run down the current info from an authoritative source, I'll come back and share what I've found. Maybe that will help clarify things.

Dave in Seattle, thank you for following up on this. Please let us know the answer.
If it turns out to be old, inaccurate information I apologize.

Usually, if it is something required to enter a country, it will show up on the IATA Travel Center website. These are the guys that make the database most/many airlines access when you check in at the airport, so it should be accurate. It's not there. That doesn't mean it's not required, but I thought I would check it.

Hi all,

I just returned from quite the trip to Oaxaca (trip report coming soon). I did, in fact, need to fill out a tourist card. It wasn't the FMMd, but I definitely had to fill out a card and present it to a nice man in military fatigues.

Did I mention the card was in Spanish? Did I mention that I don't SPEAK Spanish?

Like I said, quite the trip.

-- Mike Beebe

Mike, can you share how/where you entered Mexico? Coming off a flight (at what airport) or at a land crossing (which one)? How long was your trip (how many days were you planning to be in the country)? I assume the purpose was basic tourism, no (if not, what was it)?

And about the form you filled out - was it a multi-part form or a just a basic page/card (and were you instructed to hold onto a part of it and return that upon exiting the country)?

Thanks.

Mike, can you share how/where you entered Mexico? Coming off a flight (at what airport) or at a land crossing (which one)? How long was your trip (how many days were you planning to be in the country)? I assume the purpose was basic tourism, no (if not, what was it)?

And about the form you filled out - was it a multi-part form or a just a basic page/card (and were you instructed to hold onto a part of it and return that upon exiting the country)?

Hi David,

We entered by air at Oaxaca (OAX) from LAX on a Volaris flight. Total length of stay was 9 days for basic tourism.

The form was a green sheet with questions front-and-back. It was the same basic page that we filled out in 2022. We weren't told to hang on to the tear-sheet, nor were we asked about it when leaving Mexico (also on a Volaris flight).

Also, Oaxaca is beautiful this time of year.

-- Mike Beebe