BajaNomad - Proof of residency

Proof of residency

digcolnagos - 8-2-2024 at 04:10 PM

Will be moving down on Oct. 1. House lease secured. Utilities are included in rent, so how do I prove my address when I go for a resident card, and IMSS? Everything I've found online says "utility bill or equivalent," but I'm stumped for "equivalent." I'll be getting a lease contract, but not sure how much force that might have--it'll probably be a piece of paper signed by me and the landlord.

Just looking for a way to get proof of residency without a utility bill.

4x4abc - 8-3-2024 at 09:44 AM

it is best to use a facilitator in your area to get your resident card. It may have to be started at your home Mex consulate though. Once you have that card, it will have a CURP number on it. With that number you can sign up for IMSS etc. Without the CURP you will not get anything in Mexico.

pacificobob - 8-3-2024 at 10:55 AM

Good council from 4x4

JDCanuck - 8-3-2024 at 11:54 AM

In the case mentioned by the original post, the landlord would have to provide a recent bill. If you are using it to register a car, you will need him a to attest that you are able to use that address as your own.
We recently registered a vehicle and the daughter and residing family member of the owner who temporarily resided elsewhere was not initially accepted as the attesting owner of the residence we have always used as our permanent address.
After she argued vehemently with the Clerk, she was finally approved and we could use that address. I should note...the three prior stamping clerks had no issues with that address. Good luck.
Using a facilitator at INM and SAT, everything went very fast and no issues, tho I suspect given we were rushed to the front of the line, there was some money changing hands.

[Edited on 8-4-2024 by JDCanuck]

digcolnagos - 8-3-2024 at 01:23 PM

Quote: Originally posted by 4x4abc

it is best to use a facilitator in your area to get your resident card. It may have to be started at your home Mex consulate though. Once you have that card, it will have a CURP number on it. With that number you can sign up for IMSS etc. Without the CURP you will not get anything in Mexico.

Expat I talked with whose temporary is up for renewal told me he was quoted $1,200 USD to handle a renewal, which struck me as a lot of money, given he already has a residency card. If I have to pay it, I'll have to pay it. As I understand it, IMSS will still require proof of address, so the residency card alone wouldn't suffice. If there's a "going rate" for facilitators, would love to hear it. I'm confident I have the part in the U.S. under control.

And thanks for the help. I have a zillion questions and am trying to figure stuff out as much as possible without asking stupid questions. The plan is to stay a year and if I like it as much as I think I will, stay a lot longer. And learn Spanish ASAP.

surabi - 8-3-2024 at 02:33 PM

There's no reason to hire a facilitator to renew a temporary residency or complete the original residency process at INM Mexico offices, unless you have no interest in learning how to do things in Mexico and want others to do things for you- the processes are quite straightforward.

Yes, you might have to wait in line-ups, although most government offices operate on the 'take a number, sit down and wait your turn ' system, so bring a book and relax- most people applying for residency or renewals are retired and don't have some busy schedule Preventing them from doing this.

And $1200 US sounds like an outrageous rip-off.

As far as proving residency, as others have said, just bring a recent utility bill with the address, and some verification from the landlord that he is renting to you. A notarized letter would be good- bureaucrats love official-looking paperwork with stamps on them.

[Edited on 8-3-2024 by surabi]

surabi - 8-3-2024 at 03:32 PM

Quote: Originally posted by lencho

Quote: Originally posted by surabi

A notarized letter would be good-

That's outside of my experience; do Mexican notarios provide that service? :?:

Yes, they do. Never used it for immigration purposes, but 20 years ago the car I originally drove into Mexico died- it wasn't going anywhere under its own steam ever again. It was in Mexico under my temp resident TIP. I gave it to one of my workers to use for parts, (he towed it away) as he had a similar car.
I went to a notary with a copy of my worker's ID and a letter from him stating I had given him the non-functional car for free for parts, and had it notarized.

I also got a letter from my mechanic stating the car was dead and couldn't be fixed, and photos of it being towed away. I wanted to bring another vehicle in, so my idea was tohave proof that I hadn't sold it in Mexico.
As it turned out, the old car never came on the computer when I drove another vehicle in on a new TIP, so I never presented any of that paperwork.

ligui - 8-3-2024 at 03:36 PM

Yes Notarios do provide this service

i got my permanent residency About a year ago. Super simple.

Don't understand why one would apply for a temporary resident card that you have to renew and pay for the renewal

Permanent is for life and you don't pay to renew it

Just saying :bounce:

digcolnagos - 8-3-2024 at 04:34 PM

Quote: Originally posted by ligui

Yes Notarios do provide this service

i got my permanent residency About a year ago. Super simple.

Don't understand why one would apply for a temporary resident card that you have to renew and pay for the renewal

Permanent is for life and you don't pay to renew it

Just saying :bounce:

I'm doing temporary because I don't want to replace my car. As a temporary resident, I can use it for four years and be legal. By then, I'll, hopefully, know enough Spanish and have the lay of the land so I can buy a Mexican-plated car.

Maybe the best way to start out is spring for a translator as opposed to a facilitator to get the card and IMSS.

ligui - 8-3-2024 at 05:44 PM

I'm sure everyone's experience in working on this will be different then my own.

I made an appointment with the Mexican consultant in Denver and filled out all of the information that they required.

Went to my appointment and met the person in charge of interviews. Had a nice conversation about why I wanted to get temporary residency and be a part of Mexican community

She said that with a permanent residency card I would not have to renew.

Because i was purchasing some property I would be an asset to helping bring more work and Outside investment to the area .
She said she would approve a permanent residency card

Quick trip to immigration in Loreto

Finger prints / photo. Week later fresh card in hand.

Done for life.

Was pretty happy. Way to Mexico !!!

surabi - 8-3-2024 at 06:20 PM

Some people can't meet the financial requirements for permanente, is another reason some go for temporary.

JDCanuck - 8-3-2024 at 08:59 PM

"Maybe the best way to start out is spring for a translator as opposed to a facilitator to get the card and IMSS."

We paid the facilitator 700, they interpreted at each stage, arranged to have us bring all the necessary documents, did everything in La Paz INM the following day in 1/2 hour including pictures and fingerprints and we were done. Without the facilitator it would have required appointments at the Embassy in Canada with necessary required financial supporting info, an extra trip to Mexico to finalize and would have actually cost more. Temporary does have a few advantages over permanent including the use of your foreign registered vehicle.

The RFC was obtained on a second visit to La Paz and she charged us another 200 to translate and facilitate that after making an appointment for us at the SAT office on the Malecon. This was done 2 years ago, so costs are likely higher now.

I should also mention we were a special case as we did not have a valid FMM and the facilitator was recommended to us if we wanted to apply for Temporary residence by the clerk at the INM office. They obviously had worked with her in the past and gave us a card with her contact info.

[Edited on 8-4-2024 by JDCanuck]

surabi - 8-3-2024 at 09:45 PM

Quote: Originally posted by lencho

Quote: Originally posted by surabi

I went to a notary with a copy of my worker's ID and a letter from him stating I had given him the non-functional car for free for parts, and had it notarized.

Interesting. So what did that even mean, if he didn't actually see the worker sign it?

That's a little different from my concept of a notarized document in the U.S.

As I recall (it was many years ago) we had a witness to his signature, who also signed it. I was really only concerned at the time with having some official-looking piece of paper, in case I needed it.

You shoulda seen that car- in addition to being mechanically kaput, it had become a total rust bucket, the back bumper was falling off, and I had lived in a place where the were lots of land crabs- they are like rats or goats- they eat everything and anything. I had forgotten to close the car windows one night and the land crabs climbed in and ate all the upholstery.

[Edited on 8-4-2024 by surabi]

JDCanuck - 8-4-2024 at 08:30 AM

Here is a Youtube video interviewing a facilitator in La Paz and the conditions that existed at that time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdDL5er1l1I
Here are the additional costs paid to the Mexican Government for various types of Residency updated as of Jan this year.
https://mexicorelocationguide.com/immigration-fees-in-mexico...

[Edited on 8-4-2024 by JDCanuck]

proof of residency

BlueRegent - 8-5-2024 at 07:59 AM

I really like this post! Does anyone have an EXACT list of what documents are required to complete the CANJE 30 day process at the INM office in La Paz?
For: a Permanent residency card.

Here is what I have so far. Please let me know if anything is missing.

- Original and photocopies of US passport.
- visa application online and printed
- basic form printed and filled out in blue ink
- e-FMM account set up. print FMM after entrance to Mexico
- Payment form. - pay fees by credit card
- Cover letter petitioning the INM to facilitate a Canje procedure for a permanent residency card.
- Utility Bill
- google map screenshot indicating my local La Paz address.

Can anyone advise if anything else is needed? Or if I am missing anything?

for example: are any other letters required? Notarized or otherwise? Are bank statements needed or proof of income required? Photocopies required?

I do find this project very tedious however, I am a do-it-yourself person and I do enjoy learning about how to get things done on my own.

Any advice or suggestions that would help me get through a smoothe and quick meeting at the INM would be greatly appreciated!!!

Thank you so much!!

BLUE REGENT

Quote: Originally posted by surabi

There's no reason to hire a facilitator to renew a temporary residency or complete the original residency process at INM Mexico offices, unless you have no interest in learning how to do things in Mexico and want others to do things for you- the processes are quite straightforward.

Yes, you might have to wait in line-ups, although most government offices operate on the 'take a number, sit down and wait your turn ' system, so bring a book and relax- most people applying for residency or renewals are retired and don't have some busy schedule Preventing them from doing this.

And $1200 US sounds like an outrageous rip-off.

As far as proving residency, as others have said, just bring a recent utility bill with the address, and some verification from the landlord that he is renting to you. A notarized letter would be good- bureaucrats love official-looking paperwork with stamps on them.

[Edited on 8-3-2024 by surabi]

RE

[Edited on 8-5-2024 by BlueRegent]

[Edited on 8-5-2024 by BlueRegent]

SFandH - 8-5-2024 at 02:58 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BlueRegent

Any advice or suggestions that would help me get through a smoothe and quick meeting at the INM would be greatly appreciated!!!

Thank you so much!!

BLUE REGENT

Which Mexican Consulate are you going to use to start the process?

JDCanuck - 8-5-2024 at 03:34 PM

When we contacted the Mexican Consulate in Canada, they referred us to a local facilitator here in Canada to advise us on all the conditions and paperwork we would need before they would give us an appointment to visit them. Then after we had assured them of having done that, they would give us a date to travel with everything we needed to see them in person at a date when they were free to meet with us.

What has your local Mexican Consulate provided you with for info on what documentation to prove your financial requirements before your interview?

I do know about 3 years ago, the financial requirements of net worth and steady income were boosted quite significantly, and the average Canadian retiree would have to provide much more info regarding net worth than they would have needed previously as the steady income was far lower previously.

[Edited on 8-5-2024 by JDCanuck]

AKgringo - 8-5-2024 at 04:33 PM

Quote: Originally posted by JDCanuck

I do know about 3 years ago, the financial requirements of net worth and steady income were boosted quite significantly, and the average Canadian retiree would have to provide much more info regarding net worth than they would have needed previously as the steady income was far lower previously.

Approximately how much monthly income and net worth would a potential resident have to have?

surabi - 8-5-2024 at 06:25 PM

Just Google "Financial requirements for Mexican permanent residency 2024".

digcolnagos - 8-5-2024 at 07:35 PM

Quote: Originally posted by surabi

Some people can't meet the financial requirements for permanente, is another reason some go for temporary.

I think I may have been misinformed/confused. So long as I keep my car in Baja, I think I can keep it as long as I like, so going straight to permanent would seem the smart move. Hopefully, the consulate will allow me to change when I arrive to apply for the visa.

digcolnagos - 8-5-2024 at 07:38 PM

Quote: Originally posted by SFandH

Quote: Originally posted by BlueRegent

Any advice or suggestions that would help me get through a smoothe and quick meeting at the INM would be greatly appreciated!!!

Thank you so much!!

BLUE REGENT

Which Mexican Consulate are you going to use to start the process?

I wasn't given a choice when I called Detroit consulate, the closest one. I was told I had to go to the New York City consulate, based on my address. When I called to make the appointment, they seemed a bit puzzled about what I'd been told by the folks in Detroit. Mexico does have a list of consulates that includes what areas they serve.

JDCanuck - 8-6-2024 at 08:35 AM

https://mexicorelocationguide.com/mexico-resident-visa/

Mexican Temporary Resident (Residente Temporal)

The most common Mexican Resident Visa is a temporary residency.

To qualify for a temporary residency visa in 2024, you need to:

Demonstrate monthly income starting at USD $3,500 and up to $4,500 monthly for the past 6 months. You must provide at least the last six months of bank statements.
or
Demonstrate a minimum balance in investments or savings starting at USD $58,000 and up to $74,000 USD for the last 12 months. You must provide at least the last 12 months’ bank statements.
or
Proof of home ownership in Mexico valued at 40,000 x Daily Minimum Wage ($9,957,200 in 2024) approx. $553,000 USD.

The income requirements vary by consulate and are NET (after taxes).
Mexican Permanent Resident (Residente Permanente)

A permanent resident visa is less common because you must prove more savings or income to qualify. *In some cases, you also have to be of retirement age. I’ll go over that further down.

To qualify for a permanent residency visa, you must:

Demonstrate a minimum monthly income starting at USD $5,800 and up to USD $7,500 for the last 6 months
or

Demonstrate a minimum balance in investments or savings starting at USD $230,000 and up to USD $307,000 for the last 12 months, with bank statements showing this minimum balance each month.

The income requirements vary by consulate and are NET (after taxes).

Get the latest Mexican Residency income requirements by consulate.

As far as vehicles go...once you have permanent residency the requirements to drive a foreign registered vehicle change

[Edited on 8-6-2024 by JDCanuck]

Thank you JDC

AKgringo - 8-6-2024 at 08:48 AM

That is higher than I anticipated. I have reached retirement without debt, and have the assets required, but my monthly income falls a bit short.

Being a tourist works for me!

JDCanuck - 8-6-2024 at 08:52 AM

So if you already own a home in Mexico valued at over 553,000 USD you would qualify for temporary residency. Or you would need statements showing proof of up to 4500 US monthly income for past 6 months, or prove savings or investments of up to 74,000 US for the past 12 months.

Requirements for permanent residency in Income or Investments are somewhat higher

[Edited on 8-9-2024 by JDCanuck]

JDCanuck - 8-6-2024 at 08:55 AM

AKGringo: Like I said, this all increased substantially about 3 years ago and was based on multiples of the minimum wage in Mexico, which has risen rather rapidly in the past 6 years. Previously, people commonly moved cash around in accounts to simulate a steady monthly income and faked the minimum income required. As the USD/MXN exchange rate has moved up quite a bit recently, those amounts in USD are likely somewhat lower than when the new President was elected.

[Edited on 8-6-2024 by JDCanuck]

proof of residency

BlueRegent - 8-7-2024 at 03:42 PM

I have already received a visa from the Consulate. I am on phase two now. i.e. visiting the Immigration office in La Paz.

Quote: Originally posted by SFandH

Quote: Originally posted by BlueRegent

Any advice or suggestions that would help me get through a smoothe and quick meeting at the INM would be greatly appreciated!!!

Thank you so much!!

BLUE REGENT

Which Mexican Consulate are you going to use to start the process?

proof of residency

BlueRegent - 8-7-2024 at 03:45 PM

BLUE REGENT HERE---

I ALREADY have a permanent visa in my passport. I am asking about phase two. called "canje" when I get a permanent resident card, issued in Mexico (not the USA.)

WHAT DOCUMENTS ARE NEEDED FOR CANJE ? (not for a visa FROM the consulate in the USA.)

Quote: Originally posted by JDCanuck

https://mexicorelocationguide.com/mexico-resident-visa/

Mexican Temporary Resident (Residente Temporal)

The most common Mexican Resident Visa is a temporary residency.

To qualify for a temporary residency visa in 2024, you need to:

Demonstrate monthly income starting at USD $3,500 and up to $4,500 monthly for the past 6 months. You must provide at least the last six months of bank statements.
or
Demonstrate a minimum balance in investments or savings starting at USD $58,000 and up to $74,000 USD for the last 12 months. You must provide at least the last 12 months’ bank statements.
or
Proof of home ownership in Mexico valued at 40,000 x Daily Minimum Wage ($9,957,200 in 2024) approx. $553,000 USD.

The income requirements vary by consulate and are NET (after taxes).
Mexican Permanent Resident (Residente Permanente)

A permanent resident visa is less common because you must prove more savings or income to qualify. *In some cases, you also have to be of retirement age. I’ll go over that further down.

To qualify for a permanent residency visa, you must:

Demonstrate a minimum monthly income starting at USD $5,800 and up to USD $7,500 for the last 6 months
or

Demonstrate a minimum balance in investments or savings starting at USD $230,000 and up to USD $307,000 for the last 12 months, with bank statements showing this minimum balance each month.

The income requirements vary by consulate and are NET (after taxes).

Get the latest Mexican Residency income requirements by consulate.

As far as vehicles go...once you have permanent residency the requirements to drive a foreign registered vehicle change

[Edited on 8-6-2024 by JDCanuck]

proof of residency

BlueRegent - 8-7-2024 at 03:54 PM

Just to clarify, if you are retired and have the minimum assets
required for at least 12 months, then you are definitely in compliance with their qualifications. I>E> you don't need the monthly income as well. It is either/or... either (around) $300K in assets or... $$$ income p/month. but not both. So it sounds like you probably are eligible for a permanent resident visa.

------

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo

That is higher than I anticipated. I have reached retirement without debt, and have the assets required, but my monthly income falls a bit short.

Being a tourist works for me!

JDCanuck - 8-8-2024 at 07:54 PM

This is for BlueRegent:

https://mexicorelocationguide.com/what-is-canje-in-mexico/

Important section:

"If you are traveling by air, when you arrive at an international airport in Mexico it is CRUCIAL that you fill out your FMM the right way. At the bottom of the FMM there is a slot with the words “Estancia Maxima 30 Dias” and the word “CANJE”.Before approaching an immigration agent, make sure you fill in this box and make sure you give the agent your passport with the residency stamp page open. That way they see you are a resident of Mexico and not a tourist.If an immigration agent stamps your FMM as a tourist, you will have canceled your Residency Status in Mexico. DON’T MAKE THIS MISTAKE!

And if you are driving across the border, it is YOUR responsibility to go to the INM offices across the border and ask for your FMM to be stamped for CANJE. INM offices are clearly marked with the letters INM. However, if you have trouble finding it, you can always ask an immigration agent to point you in the right direction.

As to what you need:
https://immigrationtomexico.mx/mexican-visa-canje/

[Edited on 8-9-2024 by JDCanuck]