BajaNomad - temporary resident paperchase

temporary resident paperchase

baja43 - 4-16-2015 at 03:34 PM

We have been spending 50 - 150 days each year, primarily in northern Baja, for 25 years. Other than when we went into Baja Sur, we have never bothered with FMMs, as nobody ever asked for one. Rather than continue to be hypocritical and disregard Mexican laws, we would like to attain our temporary resident status and be "legal".
If anyone has had experience with a suitable/trustworthy attorney ( perhaps in the Ensenada area) who can help us out with this process, we would would really appreciate it.
Please feel free to provide advice...soy jubilado, I have time to read.

bajaguy - 4-16-2015 at 06:05 PM

Carlos and Gabby Victorica, Ensenada

Carlos Victoria
646-112-5408
646-154-2962
carlosvictorica7@hotmail.com

Mulegena - 4-16-2015 at 06:11 PM

Your $25 tourist entry visa is good for 6 months and is quite sufficiently legal and is absolutely required to have in Mexico if you're spending more than a few days in the northern section.

However, if you really want to get on the residency visa bandwagon, just do it yourselves. It quite easy. Your immigration office will have all the information you need.

Bob and Susan - 4-17-2015 at 05:27 AM

I disagree...you need assistance

you are already an illegal alien

aguachico - 4-17-2015 at 05:52 AM

temporary visa is easy if you can read and speak the language fluently. INM can be picky. The cost for assistance is about $100.
The card is ~~$400 for 5 years.

durrelllrobert - 4-17-2015 at 07:59 AM

If I'm not mistaken you will have to submit a valid FMM with your application for Residente Temporal

willyAirstream - 4-17-2015 at 08:11 AM

You may be eligible for permanent resident status under the new amnesty program. Good until dec 2015.
http://www.chapalalaw.com/new-regularization-amnesty-program...

SlyOnce - 4-17-2015 at 08:44 AM

What is the process if I marry my MX novia?

The process....or the way it was

bajaguy - 4-17-2015 at 08:46 AM

You start the process by obtaining an FMM, then present the FMM and other documents (check with the Consulate because requirements differ by Consulate location) to your nearest Mexican Consulate.

If the Consulate approves, they place a Visa sticker in your passport and give you a form.

The form HAS to be stamped and signed by INM AT THE BORDER within a certain time frame. You then take the form and all of your documents to the INM office which has jurisdiction where you will be living. You HAVE a certain time frame to present the form to your local INM

YMMV

It's best to contact Carlos or Gabby BEFORE you start the process.....it's worth it to use their service

willyAirstream - 4-17-2015 at 08:52 AM

Sly, you will qualify for a TR
See
http://rollybrook.com/how_to_move_to_mexico.htm
Bottom of page

durrelllrobert - 4-17-2015 at 09:02 AM

Quote: Originally posted by bajaguy

You start the process by obtaining an FMM, then present the FMM and other documents (check with the Consulate because requirements differ by Consulate location) to your nearest Mexican Consulate.

If the Consulate approves, they place a Visa sticker in your passport and give you a form.

The form HAS to be stamped and signed by INM AT THE BORDER within a certain time frame. You then take the form and all of your documents to the INM office which has jurisdiction where you will be living. You HAVE a certain time frame to present the form to your local INM

YMMV

It's best to contact Carlos or Gabby BEFORE you start the process.....it's worth it to use their service

Is their tiny office still where it used to be next to the port captain?

bajatrailrider - 4-17-2015 at 09:12 AM

Yes it is,very good service from Carlos.

Alm - 4-17-2015 at 01:23 PM

Bajaguy is right, you get FMM first.

Obtaining temporary residence is not too complicated, but there are rules - mostly financial. You need to demonstrate your financial independence, by either showing $US 2,500 income per month per person or $US 100,000 in savings. The amount "may be" reduced if you own property in Mexico. Speaking fluent Spanish is neither required nor gives you any advantage - not technically, anyway.

Here is in more details: https://www.mexicoonmymind.com/mexico-immigration-laws/

And, as Mulegena said, you will be perfectly legal if you just get 180 days tourist card once a year, cost $25.

Udo - 4-17-2015 at 01:27 PM

Bob is right.

When applying for a temporary or permanent immigrant visa, you have to present an FMM that has the "CANJE" check marked. The visa will not cost you anything, and you MUST obtain it at the port of entry. You then take that, and then fill out your paperwork at the nearest INM office that you will be residing.

Quote: Originally posted by durrelllrobert

If I'm not mistaken you will have to submit a valid FMM with your application for Residente Temporal

BajaUtah - 4-17-2015 at 02:33 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Udo

Bob is right.

When applying for a temporary or permanent immigrant visa, you have to present an FMM that has the "CANJE" check marked. The visa will not cost you anything, and you MUST obtain it at the port of entry. You then take that, and then fill out your paperwork at the nearest INM office that you will be residing.

From my experience that's not quite right. I did not need an FMM to begin the process at my local US Mexican Consulate. I went in and got the list of docs they wanted. Returned a few days later with the docs and had a temporary Mexican Visa placed in my US passport.

When I flew into Cabo the first time after the temp visa, I filled out an FMM and went to the citizens line at Imigration, had my FMM stamped, my Temp visa stamped and my US passport stamped. I had Paperworks in Cabo do the expediting for me so they took copies of FMM, US passport and Temp visa along with lots of money. Several weeks later I had an interview with INM in Cabo. Several weeks after that I had my 1 year temporary res card.

The FMM came after the initial visit to the US Mexican consulate

[Edited on 4-17-2015 by BajaUtah]

Udo - 4-17-2015 at 02:38 PM

As always, different offices apply their own rules.

Alm - 4-17-2015 at 06:46 PM

I don't see much discrepancy in these posts. If somebody never ever had any status, or only had FMM at some time, they won't need FMM to begin the process in the consulate. Consulates don't issue FMM. They will eventually need FMM when coming to establish their temp status.

Again, they can just get FMM at the border and remain happily a tourist. Simple.

baja43 - 4-18-2015 at 10:30 AM

Thank all of you for your experienced and helpful comments and suggestions. Although we know we can continue to make the simple stop for FMMs each trip south, we still want to give it a try on the temporary resident process. We will use the assistance of Carlos & Gabby in Ensenada, submit the paperwork and work through the ever-changing requirements of the officials and procedures we encounter.

It's great to have the Nomad forum to tap into the vast experience of all of you who are willing to share your experience and knowledge. Someday, I hope there is a subject that I can chime in on with some helpful info.

4x4abc - 4-18-2015 at 10:32 AM

Quote: Originally posted by baja43

We have been spending 50 - 150 days each year, primarily in northern Baja, for 25 years. Other than when we went into Baja Sur, we have never bothered with FMMs, as nobody ever asked for one. Rather than continue to be hypocritical and disregard Mexican laws, we would like to attain our temporary resident status and be "legal".
If anyone has had experience with a suitable/trustworthy attorney ( perhaps in the Ensenada area) who can help us out with this process, we would would really appreciate it.
Please feel free to provide advice...soy jubilado, I have time to read.

I really applaud your decision!

4x4abc - 4-18-2015 at 10:36 AM

after a few years (they go by so fast) you will get a permanent status - and the somewhat costly annual renewal will be history.

Alm - 4-18-2015 at 11:57 AM

Quote: Originally posted by 4x4abc

after a few years (they go by so fast) you will get a permanent status

They won't necessarily get it after a few years. They will have to "apply" for permanent residency, or reverse back to being a tourist. Perm is a separate new application with higher fees and higher financial requirements. Makes sense skipping the temp residency and apply for permanent from the beginning.

[Edited on 4-18-2015 by Alm]

Riom - 4-18-2015 at 02:54 PM

As you don't currently have any status, you MUST start the process for temporary residence outside Mexico (at a consulate or embassy). You can't do it from within Mexico, now. There are various ways to qualify, regular income of a certain amount, money in the bank, etc. Each consulate will apply the rules slightly differently.

Those that say you need to have an FMM and then start the process in Ensenada are referring to the old FM3 process (before 2012). Doesn't work like that anymore.

The consulate or embassy will give you a visa, when you are approved. You then need to enter Mexico within 180 days of the issue of that, and have it stamped at the border. Within 30 days of entry you need to go to the INM office in your part of Mexico, where they are then supposed to issue your Temporary Residence card based on the approval you've already received.

In practice there may be more paperwork at the local office, and it may take a while. They'll issue you a one year or up to four year temporary residence card (go for the longest you can get, it costs more but is cheaper in the long run).

Once you have four years on a temporary residence card (either one card, or extensions), you qualify for permanent residence on that basis alone. You do NOT need to qualify for the higher financial limits of permanent residence - the four years on temporary residence is an alternative to that, no further financial proof needed (officially, but some offices add their own rules).

Another option, if you qualify with higher money amounts, is to apply for the permanent residence visa straight away (outside Mexico, at a consulate). The consulate may be less happy to grant it, but they should (or you may need to shop around consulates). Like the TR visa, you then need to change the PR visa for a PR card at your local INM office in Mexico (within time limits).

Rob

Alm - 4-18-2015 at 03:32 PM

Good job, Rion. Veni, vidi, vici.
I still think they'll have to re-qualify for PR financially after they have done their 4 years in TR, but this probably varies from office to office.
No worries, in 4 years the regulations will change anyway

willyAirstream - 4-18-2015 at 04:40 PM

The link I posted above clarifies all the requirements. The regional offices do not make the decisions for PR visas, but may require proof of income to cover their butt. The final decisions for BCS are made in LaPaz.
If you own property or have been here for 4 years, or can show a substantial savings/income,you may qualify to apply for PR with out having a TR, as Rob said.
A PR doesn`t need to be renewed. Temp and Perm visas are a simple process, that you can do yourself.

Alm - 4-18-2015 at 06:00 PM

To qualify for TR, you need to have approximately $US 100,000 in savings, and for PR you need $US 125,000. If somebody plans to live longer than 4 years, I don't see much sense paying hundreds dollars for TR, and then again for PR if you can get PR up front. Note that numbers are approximate because the actual numbers in regulations are in pesos.

Alm - 4-18-2015 at 06:06 PM

Quote: Originally posted by willyAirstream

Temp and Perm visas are a simple process, that you can do yourself.

Yes. Other than letter in Spanish explaining your reasons for resident visa, that you can ask somebody to write. I would also imagine that for some (or many?) gringos filling the TR or PR application could present a challenge, when all they know is "hola" and "dos servezas"

willyAirstream - 4-19-2015 at 06:50 AM

To qualify for a TR ......
Copyed and paste from the Rolly Brook site
Quote
Income Requirements The Residente Temporal income requirement is a monthly income from outside México equal to 300 times the basic minimum wage in México City. . For 2015 the min wage is $70.10 pesos. So the min monthly income requirement for one person in 2015 is $21,030 pesos. See the note below for the family plan. . 300 x $70.10 = $21,030, about USD$1,500 at 14:1 exchange rate The financial requirement can also be met by submitting an original and copy of proof of investments or bank accounts with average monthly balance equivalent to five thousand days of general minimum wage during the last twelve months. 5,000 x $70.10 = $350,500 about USD$25,000 at 14:1 exchange rate

Alm - 4-19-2015 at 12:25 PM

Looks like something changed.
Here is a good summary on current requirements for TR and PR: Here. Some numbers are updated in 2015, and some are not.

Minimum income for a spouse of TR applicant varies from zero to $US 530 and more, depending on INM office and consulate.

Property value technically should not be considered unless you are a refugee, and even for refugees it only allows to reduce minimum income in half and only if home is worth more than $US 200K. In reality they may reduce income in half even if you're not a refugee and if property is worth less than 200K. Or they may not.

Good luck!

BajaLuna - 4-19-2015 at 06:44 PM

I'm a bit confused, hoping Udo or someone can clarify!

We went to Mex Consulate here in Seattle, to apply for Residencia Temporal and we were issued Visas that are pasted into our passports for one entry, and it's good for 6 months. And then we were told, we have to complete this process in Mexico of getting the actual RT, which we plan to do.

So it seems to me, we don't need to stop at the border before crossing into Baja to get a FMM, because we already have one and paid for this Visa in the States. And we already proved income requirement and all of that at Consulate in Seattle...hope we are good to go!!

But thinking we should stop at border anyways, because we need to get passport stamped as it is only good for one entry and they need to know when that entry is.

I think we understand this, but want to make sure we do.....LOL!

Alm - 4-19-2015 at 09:23 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaLuna

I'm a bit confused, hoping Udo or someone can clarify!

We went to Mex Consulate here in Seattle, to apply for Residencia Temporal and we were issued Visas that are pasted into our passports for one entry, and it's good for 6 months. And then we were told, we have to complete this process in Mexico of getting the actual RT, which we plan to do.

So it seems to me, we don't need to stop at the border before crossing into Baja to get a FMM, because we already have one and paid for this Visa in the States. And we already proved income requirement and all of that at Consulate in Seattle...hope we are good to go!!

But thinking we should stop at border anyways, because we need to get passport stamped as it is only good for one entry and they need to know when that entry is.

I think we understand this, but want to make sure we do.....LOL!

You've answered your own question. Whatever "visas" they issued, you need to stop at the border to stamp the entry. Show them what you have and make it clear that you are IMMIGRATING and therefore not a tourist.

soylent_green - 4-20-2015 at 03:15 PM

Quote: Originally posted by bajaguy

Carlos and Gabby Victorica, Ensenada

Carlos Victoria
646-112-5408
646-154-2962
carlosvictorica7@hotmail.com

go to Carlos and have him help you do it.
not expensive and what you pay its worth his knowledge and experience dealing with INM office in Ensenada.

not sure if the numbers listed above are still current
I have from US
011-52-646-175-7893 office
011-52-1-646-183-9901 cel

and email migratoryprocedures@hotmail.com

those are current and working contact numbers. Best try the cel

Mulegena - 4-21-2015 at 06:55 AM

You're probably perfectly "legal" with a 150-day tourist visa, BUT if you feel you must get on the residency visa bandwagon, go here: https://mexitel.sre.gob.mx/citas.webportal/pages/public/regi...

P.R.

J.P. - 4-21-2015 at 08:56 AM

There's ben a lot of changes, Some of the facilitators are not aware of. There is several web sites that break it down pretty good.
Over the years I have found they will give you what you ask for and make no attempt to explain your other options. as you can see by the post on this thread everyone has a somewhat different opinion.
We are in the process of going P.R. it's way simple .for retirees they have really streamlined the process.

Alm - 4-21-2015 at 03:27 PM

Quote: Originally posted by J.P.

There's ben a lot of changes, Some of the facilitators are not aware of. There is several web sites that break it down pretty good.
Over the years I have found they will give you what you ask for and make no attempt to explain your other options.

Since the consulate is now the first step (for somebody without previous status), it's hard to understand what the facilitators can help with, other than filling the application. I would "guess" that they could offer additional knowledge based on "behavior" of different consulates, but this would be useful only if they dealt with your particular consulate recently.

J.P. - 4-21-2015 at 03:46 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Alm

Quote: Originally posted by J.P.

Years ago we went through the Initial process ourselves you wouldn't believe the Obstacles. and could probably do it again but why bother Its over now and we wont have to do it again.
the fee the facilitator charges is well worth it .

Mulegena - 4-21-2015 at 04:16 PM

Quote: Originally posted by J.P.

I've always done my own visas directly with immigration. No worries - ever. I've found the immigration people willing and helpful.

A paid facilitator in Mexico seems unnecessary, particularly now that new residency visas must be initiated in the US at a Mexican consulate.

Alm - 4-21-2015 at 06:35 PM

Quote: Originally posted by J.P.

Years ago we went through the Initial process ourselves you wouldn't believe the Obstacles.

It's more civilized now then years ago. Also, a lot more online info from both consulates and expat web. When they change the system again, there will be a period of confusion again.