Sentri Pass

I want to apply for a Sentri Pass. I do have a phone number, which I understand I should call to make an appointment at the border. The number is 619-661-3170. I have been calling that number for 2 days now, but it is always busy. Does anyone know what the story is, or is there another number I can call?

Nevermind--I found the number--it's 619-690-7600.

Hi, I am also in this process. You do need to make an appointment. YOu just have to dial and dial until you reach someone. If you reach a voice mail don't depend on the message being answered. Just keep on dialing. Eventually I got through. I recomend that you plan to spend a few hours dialing NOW because you have to wait months for an appointment and then 4 months for approval. So its important to do it a quickly as possible. I am in San Diego planning to move to Mexico. I am looking for any info. Pls email me caringpro@yahoo.com Thx Tippytoes

I actually did get through yesterday--to a real person! And I got an appointment for a month from now. She did say that there would be a 4 to 6 month waiting period AFTER the appointment to get the pass, but the appointment wasn't hard to get at all!.

One more question: We have just bought a house, and I do know that we should get an FM3. But that takes time too, I think--and I think we should probably get that in Mexico, maybe by going to service in Rosarito. I think there are a lot of services that will fill out the forms for you, costing about $60 pp. However, in order to close escrow, I think we probably will need at least an FMT--right? So can we just pick that up at the Otay Mesa border crossing when we go back to close the house deal? It's good for 6 months, I think, so that should give us enough time to get our FM3, I hope.

[bajagirl]

Sounds like you are buying in Baja Norte, so you can just go to the Mexican Consulate on India Street and get an FM3. It costs 95 dollars per person, and it is good for a year. Technically, if you are going to stay in Mexico longer than 14 days, you need an FM3. You will definitely need either a FM3 or a FMT to sign escrow papers with a Notario. They have to make sure you are in the country legally. I originally got an FM3 and used it to sign papers. Now, however, there is no real need to get it renewed because I do not stay down in Mexico longer than 3 days at a time. So technically, you can stay down 72 hours in Mexico without any of them. However, if you are buying a house or property, you must have either one of them to sign. Don't pay someone to do it. It is very easy! Just get on the website for Consulado De Mexico en San Diego, and there are instructions in english on what you will need for the Fm3. I remember needing bank statements for 3 months, showing an income of at least $1500/month. A copy of my passport. I don't remember all that you need, but you can find it on the website. Go in the morning by 10am, and they will have the FM3 ready for you the same day after 1:00pm. That was one of the easier things to do in Mexico!

Yes, we just bought a house in La Mision. My question about the FM3 is this: Do we both have to submit separate bank statements to prove an income of at least $1000 a month? Do we need separate FM3's, even though we are married?

This is what I found on the Consulate web page: "Proof of economic means with a minimum monthly income of US$1,000.00, or its equivalent in Mexican currency. Bank statements, Social Security or Pension Receipts are accepted, as well proof of dividends being accrued by an investment in Mexico. Such documents must be notarized and bear the apostille issued by the local Secretary of State."

My husband and I are both self employed. It does not say there how many months of bank statements they want to see. I have no problem with the $1000 per month minimum, but my husband does--some months he doesn't deposit that much! It doesn't matter, because I earn enough money to support both of us--but of course, we both need an FM3! So what does this mean? Some months he earns more than $1000, but sometimes it's less than that. Also, do all of the bank statements need an Apostille? This seems odd to me.