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Immigration Facts |
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If you want to live in Mexico for more than six months at a time you need to apply for your immigration papers, or FM3. The FM3 is easy to obtain; you can do most of the paperwork yourself although professional assistance is very valuable. The FM3 grants nonimmigrant status and is applied for through the local immigration office. After holding your FM3 for 5 years you can then apply for your FM2. The FM2 grants immigrant status and is applied for through the Mexico City immigration office.
These are the 4 basic statuses in which you remain be here in Mexico:
- FMT - Better known as a Tourist Visa. This is the migratory document received when entering Mexico either by driving or flying.
- FM3 - This is a temporary migratory document applied for in Mexico or at a Mexican Consulate in the US or Canada. Good for 5 years, renewable ever year.
- FM2 - This is a permanent migratory document applied for only here in Mexico (not at Consulates). Good for 5 years, renewable ever year.
- Inmigrado - This is the status obtained after having an FM2 and abiding by its rules for 5 years.
These papers can take awhile to be processed and you will probably need professional assistance. You should consult an attorney who can assist you in obtaining these papers. The privileges of both a FM2 and FM3 are the same; however, there are a few differences that you do need to be aware of. With an FM2 you are only allowed to keep a foreign plated car for 5 years, after the 5 years the car will need to be sold out of the country. With an FM3 you can keep your foreign plated car for as long as you hold your nonimmigrant status. When you have an FM2, you can not leave Mexico for more than 18 months total in a 5-year period. There is no such rule with your FM3 papers, you can come and go as you please. You may apply for your FM3 visa at your nearest Mexican consulate office in the U.S. or you can wait to apply when you get to Mexico. It is just as easy to wait until you come to Mexico.
You should apply for your immigration papers early. It can take up to eight weeks to receive your completed documents. Do not let your tourist visa papers expire prior to receiving your FM3.
There are English speaking people in the immigration offices here in Mexico and there are local attorneys who will be more than happy to help you for a small fee. You will need original or certified copies of your birth certificate and marriage license (if applicable). You will also need to document the minimum income requirements. You will need to show $1,000.00 U.S. dollars monthly income for each month you stay in Mexico. You can provide paycheck stubs, or 3 months bank statements showing reserves or a letter from social security showing your retirement benefits. The reasoning behind this is to verify that you can support yourself without working for the length of your stay. You will also need to provide an address for where you will be living and proof of the address, such as phone, electric bill, or the deed to your property. You will need to obtain passport photos and have your documents translated from English to Spanish. In some cases a visa holder is allowed to obtain work in Mexico. You will need to find an employer who will sponsor you and ask for your permission to work in Mexico.
The biggest deciding factor when immigration is granting permission for employment is whether or not you are taking a job away from a Mexican National. Your FM2 or FM3 can also help you to avoid capital gains taxes when selling your property. Once you have purchased your home, your immigration papers will need to have the address of your property. If someone proves they were living on their property for six months in Mexico, they can avoid paying any type of capital gains. (This is usually done with electric or phone bills)
| Most Common Myths for the 4 Migratory Statuses |
- FMT - Do I need a passport to obtain an FMT?
False. All that is required for an FMT is your birth certificate (passport required and the new fee of $205 pesos.
- FM3 - Must a person be a least 55 to apply?
False. Some Consulates in the U.S. state this but this is not true if applying in Mexico. Any age can apply as long as you meet the requirements such as the monthly income requirement.
- FM3 - As long as my FM3 is up to date, is my foreign plated vehicle is also legal?
True. It has been rumored that one must drive back to the US/Mexico border and re-register their vehicle, which is false, even if the windshield decal is expired. As long as the registered owners migratory status is legal, so is their vehicle.
- FM3 - If I've obtained my FM3 outside of Mexico, must I register it when I come to Mexico?
True. You have 3 months to come into Mexico and register your FM3 at a local immigration office. If you come after the 3-month period, Immigration will confiscate it when entering the country.
- FM2 - I cannot leave the country for more than 3 months a year, or a total of 18 months over 5 years?
True. These are the rules outlined by the Mexican government.
- FM2 - Must I have an FM3 for a number of years before I can apply for an FM2?
False. You can apply for an FM2 right from a Tourist Visa.
- Inmigrado - Am I no longer allowed to drive a foreign plated car in Mexico?
True. However, there are special considerations for those people whom have had a foreign plated vehicle in Mexico for over 5 years who have switched to Immigrado. It involves petitioning the Government.
| Immigration Fees as of March 2007 |
The prices of these migratory documents go up every year, and this past year was no exception. Use these rates as approximate guidelines of the taxes that must be paid when applying for your documents.
|
FMT |
Renewal $205 pesos |
| FM3 |
Application Fees = $444.00 pesos
Authorization/Renewal for "Rentistas" (retired) or "Economic Dependents" = $ 1,172.00
Authorization/Renewal under working status = $ 1,904.00 |
| FM2 - Immigrant |
Application Fees = $ 606.00 pesos
Authorization= $ 2,536.00
Renewal = $ 2,537.00 pesos |
FM2 - "Inmegrado"
(Permanent Resident) |
Application Fees = $ 808.00 pesos
Authorization = $ 3,093.00 pesos |
NOTE 1: For all foreigners who have FM3's as "Rentista" (retired) or "Economic Dependents" as you are renewing there will be a legend both in your booklet as well as in the official authorization letter stating that you are not allowed to change you activity. This means that if you are authorized as retired or economic dependent but wish to start working and/or open a corporation, you are now required to surrender your FM3, leave the country and when you come back as a tourist. It is no longer as it used to be that you were allowed to change your "Rentista" (retired) or "Economic Dependent" status to working status.
NOTE 2: When an FM3 is in the renewal process and the applicant needs to leave the Country, you normally apply for a Traveling Authorization Letter. Now you can still do this complying with all the usual requirements, but in addition you will also have to provide a couple of small pictures of yourself as these pictures will be attached to the Traveling Authorization Letter.
NOTE 3: These fees listed are just the taxes required by the State as Application & Processing Fees.
These amounts do not include fees you may elect to pay a professional to assist you with the process.
Some other facts to remember: when applying for these documents (except for the FMT): You must photocopy every page of your passport, including the cover, even if the pages are blank. Immigration also requires a proof of address, such as a lease, deed, phone bill etc. Another major change is that Immigration will no longer accept bank statements printed off the Internet. The reason is that it is just too simple to change the amounts of income on these statements by cutting and pasting your statements into a document. Bank statements from Canada, the US, or your offshore investment house are all accepted by Immigration. If you want to work in Mexico, you can have a work permit added to your FM3 or FM2. If you are Inmigrado, you can work with only having to inform Immigration, no permit is required.
This information is provided courtesy of: Adriana Perez Flores, Attorney at Law, Ajijic Legal and Immigration Services ~ Ajijic, Jalisco C.P. 45920 Mexico www.ajijiclaw.com
| Immigration & Automobiles |
You are allowed to bring your car across the border. However, there are a few rules you need to follow. Once you reach the border you will be stopped at a check point about 20 minutes inside of Mexico. There you will need a certified copy of the car title or a certified letter from the lien holder that you have permission to cross the border into Mexico. You will also need a credit card; there is a small fee that must be paid on a credit card. You will then receive your blue and white tourist visa and a sticker to place in the window of your car.
Remember to be patient and understanding when dealing with the locals and any type of border or check point official, the fastest way to slow a Mexican down is to raise your voice.
The sticker is to let the Mexican officials know at a glance that your car is legal. You will also need to put on your border papers a list of everyone who will be authorized to drive your car while in Mexico. Tourist visas are good for 6 months. So make sure when asked "how long will you be in Mexico?" you receive all 6 months on your visa. This way you will have enough time to reach your destination and apply for your immigration papers.
Then you will go through a border check where they have the red light green light system just like the airport. If you receive the red light you will be stopped and your car and belongings will be inspected. Be prepared to pay a duty tax on any electronic equipment you bring across the border. Computers are a big question. laptops are acceptable to bring in; used stand-alone computers are not allowed to cross the border. New computers in the original box are "said" to be acceptable to bring across the border, but you will have to pay tax. You can buy computers down here for a reasonable price with all of the latest software.
This information is provided courtesy of: El Grupo Bienes Raices / The Real Estate Group Bucerias, Nayarit, Mexico
011-52-329-298-1212 http://www.move2mexico.com |
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