### Future of Visitor Fee at San Ysidro Border to Be Determined in December
As of now, the collection of the Visitor’s Right (DNR) fee for foreigners staying over seven days is only being enforced at San Ysidro’s pedestrian border crossing. Kurt Honold Morales, head of Baja California’s Secretariat of Economy and Innovation, indicated there’s no current plan to implement this fee at other border crossings. However, this might change in December when Sergio Salomón Céspedes takes over as the new head of the National Institute of Migration (INM).
Honold Morales emphasized the importance of clear communication if the DNR fee is to be extended to other locations, citing previous issues that arose from inadequate information dissemination. These challenges particularly affected binational residents who faced difficulties when asked for passports despite having dual citizenship. The application of this fee has notably led to an increase in passport requests from Americans residing in Tijuana.
### Increased Passport Demands in Tijuana Following DNR Fee Implementation
U.S. consular authorities in Tijuana have observed a rise in passport applications following the enforcement of the DNR fee for foreign visitors at the San Ysidro entry point. This development has prompted discussions about improving the way tourists are informed about the payment process for entering Mexico.
As the situation evolves, local economic stakeholders are keen on engaging with the incoming INM director to elaborate on the border dynamics and ensure that any policy changes are smoothly implemented. The business community, particularly those involved in medical tourism, remain unaffected so far.
### Broader Border Policy Developments and Local Economic Adjustments
Beyond the DNR fee, Tijuana’s economic landscape is witnessing other notable developments. Authorities are examining modifications to local financial protocols, including a potential revision of Tijuana’s municipal regulations, some of which have been unchanged since the 1960s. Additionally, there’s an ongoing conversation about reducing tariffs on import goods to bolster the city’s commerce.
Meanwhile, illegal sales of medical passes and issues around used vehicle importation continue to pose challenges. Efforts to manage these issues coincide with infrastructural plans, such as the expansion of public transit routes to better serve the city’s eastern regions.
The broader economic recovery of the area is visible, with the commercial sector rebounding to approximately 75% of pre-pandemic levels, illustrating robust growth and adaptation to new regulatory environments.