after posting here last year the report of my miraculous original FM3 application which took under 3 hrs start to little olive book in hand, thought
I'd follow up with this years renewal experience...
just picked it up this time, took 13 weeks to renew. no changes. at week 10.5, when I needed to fly back to the states, I asked what to do and was
told I could get a letter allowing me to do so...cost, 21 bucks. I successfully argued my way out of that charge, but I have heard of other people
who have paid it, 42 bucks a couple is a hefty 'fine.'
apparently this is legitimate, designed for people who renew then leave shortly thereafter. but, as I pointed out, a two and a half month is NOT my
fault. just a suggestion if others run into that.
and how does one plan for such contingencies? I'm thinking next year, when my plans my involve not coming down til shortly before the renewal is up.
can one apply say a day before the thing expires?
incidentally above was in the Loreto office...losfrailes - 3-13-2007 at 03:25 PM
When you renew your FM3/FM2 in the Santa Rosalia office, they give you a letter that allows you to continue to reside here while waiting for the new
document.
This is, in effect, a FM3/FM2 and is all you need when departing/returning the country.
I thought this was standard practice in every immigration office. Perhaps Loreto has different rules.backninedan - 3-13-2007 at 04:39 PM
Losfrailes,
Not so. I have the letter stating my fm-3 is in process and was still required to have the 21 dollar document plus another free document issued by
immigration at the airport.
San Felipe FM-3
MrBillM - 3-13-2007 at 05:33 PM
Each year, I pick up my "Temporary" Renewal letter from my Broker the day after she files the papers with immigration. In past years, it has been up
to 14 weeks before the Renewed FM-3 was ready to pick up. No Problems. No Charge.losfrailes - 3-13-2007 at 05:44 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by backninedan
Losfrailes,
Not so. I have the letter stating my fm-3 is in process and was still required to have the 21 dollar document plus another free document issued by
immigration at the airport.
I was not disputing what you say, only that you might be in the wrong hands down there. As you will find from others, (in areas other than Loreto)
the letter is given you and it allows you to do what you have to do.
Good luck with the problem!backninedan - 3-13-2007 at 07:12 PM
I sort of wondered if it was a 21 dollar rip-off.
Loreto is a rip off !!!
beercan - 3-13-2007 at 07:20 PM
We renew ours in Algodones and it normally takes up to a week !
The longest has been 3 weeks. because no one was "available" .bajajudy - 3-14-2007 at 07:52 AM
I think that the confusion here lies in the "leaving the country" part. If you leave without your FM3/2, you have to have an official letter. Here
in Los Cabos, anyway. I have never left during that period so I dont know if a fee is involved.longlegsinlapaz - 3-14-2007 at 07:57 AM
I've gotten a letter to leave during FM3 renewal process, with no fee from the La Paz office. No fee was ever mentioned for me to try to talk them
out of! rhintransit - 3-14-2007 at 09:30 AM
thanks, all. yes, I got the letter I was in the process of renewing my FM3. no go for airplane here in Loreto. have to have 'the other' 21 buck
letter. a local rip off, probably. I ran the second letter through my instant translator and still have no idea what it says, other than the price
included in the body of the letter. as I said, protest.
I could have flown in and gotten just a tourist card...which we all pay for in the airfare...but no way to get ON the plane withoug either the letter
OR paying for a 'lost' tourist card.
also, the local migracion office is collecting fees at the office, no more trip to bank. (you can go to the bank if you want, but that means a long
long wait at the local one and only plus finding and copying the form, no wonder people trustingly hand over the money at the office) talk about
another potential money maker.shari - 3-14-2007 at 10:50 AM
As I mentioned in other posts, I now always renew my FM3 with the big jefes in La Paz...and get an agent to do it...but make sure you file your
renewal well in advance...a month is good just in case of screw ups...never the day before it expires.bajajudy - 3-14-2007 at 03:09 PM
Two things
Never use an FMT if you already have an FM3...it is illegal to try to hold two different visas. The fines are pretty stiff.
Second you cannot go for your renewal before 30 days before your renewal date. The day before is ok if you will be around to wait for it.
