Mexican Consulate Makes it Clear: Anglers Need FMM to Fish in Mexico

Byline: Taylor Hill

Mexican Consulate Makes it Clear: Anglers Need FMM to Fish in Mexico

SAN DIEGO — As news spread earlier this year on a new documentation law requiring anglers to purchase a visa to fish in Mexican waters, confusion spread about exactly what kind of paperwork was needed, what the cost would be and exactly where anglers would need to go to obtain one.

Mexico’s immigration department, INAMI, began enforcing the law in January and sent out a press release stating that all foreigners entering Mexican territory — which includes Mexican territorial waters and contiguous waters 24 miles from shore — must have a visa.

A new agency was developed called MX Tour Assist — based at San Diego’s Shelter Island — to act as the liaison between U.S. anglers and INAMI, to help facilitate the process of purchasing the necessary documents at San Diego sportfishing landings, at a cost of about $30.

As the new program and paperwork was still being ironed out, the consulate general of Mexico in San Diego released another statement, titled “Requirements to Enter Mexico for Recreational Sportfishing Activities.”

The release was sent out to clarify the new requirements to fish Mexican waters, but the first statement only led to more confusion: “There is no visa or new immigration requirement for sportfishing purposes. U.S. citizens, permanent residents of the United States and foreigners who carry any type of valid U.S. visa do not require a Mexican visa to enter the country.”

The statement seems to contradict INAMI’s new regulations. However, Mexican consulate spokesman Alberto Diaz explained that the regulations are still the same, but the term “visa” had been misunderstood in translation.

“There were reports in December that there was a visa requirement for fishing, which is not the case,” Diaz said. “But the new requirement is a form, called an FMM, which is for people who want to sportfish in Mexican waters.”

Diaz said the Multiple Migratory Form (FMM) will help provide Mexican authorities with information on what boats — both private and commercial — and what individuals are entering the country’s waters.

The press release laid out the procedure for anglers to acquire the FMM. First, anglers must present themselves before migration authorities in a port open for international transit of persons. Ensenada is presently the nearest Mexican seaport to San Diego that offers this service.

Second, anglers must fill out the Multiple Migratory Form (FMM), present a valid passport or any other valid form of government-issued identification and make the tourist immigration rights payment of 294 Mexican pesos (around $23).

In addition, the release clarifies that third-party or consignee agencies such as MX Tour Assist that handle the administrative procedures continue to provide their services at San Diego landings. Anglers looking to go the route of MX Tour Assist should expect to pay around $30, with the agency’s added convenience charges.

The FMM is good for one entry only and lasts 180 days from the date of issuance.

Mexican fishing permits are still required under the new set of rules, and they are automatically provided in the cost of most charter sportfishing trips out of San Diego. For private boaters, the permits range from 110 Mexican pesos (around $9) for a one-day permit to 553 Mexican pesos (around $43) for a one-year permit.

Diaz added that the Mexican navy can inspect any boat in Mexican waters to ensure compliance with the regulations — and anglers should also bring their passports on sportfishing boat trips.

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