fishbuck - 4-6-2007 at 11:33 AM
Okay, I now it's been done over and over but...
My place is in SQ so am I required to get my FM3 in Ensenada? Or can I do it in Loreto or La Paz?
I'm out of work (broken shoulder blade) for a while and think I'll take a little trip. So while I'm there I'll try and get my FM3.
My plan is to make my way down to La Paz and spend a couple of weeks.
Any ideas?
some tips
davidre - 4-6-2007 at 12:28 PM
You are going to need a valid passport plus three months of bank statements proving that you have a sustained monthly income in excess of the minimum
as required by inmigracion.
You will need to submit passport size photos, then go to the bank a couple of different times and pay around 2,000 pesos.
The FM3 will be valid for one year. You must stop at inmigracion every time you leave Mexico and then again as you enter Mexico. Your FM3 will be
stamped like like a passport. Your automobile must have curret license and tags unless you elect to bond the vehicle which costs around thirty five
dollars. Once you have a car permit then you do not need current tags. As long as the car remains in Mexico and your driver license and FM3 remain
valid you do not need to display current tags.
Starting on your first anniversery you will need to renew your FM3. You must provide proof of income just like at the first meeting. The renewment is
referred to as a PRORROGA and after four prorrogas you can apply for an FM2 inmigrado. FM2 holders are not entitled to obtain a temporaty automobile
import permit --- the vehicle must display "placas nacionales". Placas de La Frontera need to be bonded just like all other extraneous vehicles.
Many senior inmigracion officers take themselves seriously. I recommend dressing up for the occasion. Most are sticklers for detail and are quite
fussy about documents having un buena presentacion (clean, clear and crisp). I use a briefcase and my immigration officer smiles everytime I put it on
his desk. Photocopy the ID page of your new FM3 plus any prorrogas that you may get down the road. Carry them in your vehicle for proof of residnecy.
I leave my FM-3 at home in the briefcase.
Good Luck!
Capt. George - 4-6-2007 at 12:57 PM
if you can locate a "facilitator" in that area, pay the extra pesos and (possibly) save a chitpile of headaches...they're connected, they get the job
done...been there, done that.
Marie-Rose - 4-6-2007 at 01:08 PM
We will hopefully pick up our FM3 next week and have been able to do it without the expense of a facilitator. The biggest hurdle is making sure you
know what you need to have for paperwork. As Davidre said. valid passport PLUS a copy of EVERY page of your passport. An original water or
electicity bill. 3 months worths of bank statements, passport pics, and you need to buy 3 copies of the paperwork the bank needs to complete when you
go and pay your fees. You can these at any "papeleria". You also need to bring a folder and make sure that they get you to fill out the form that
has you physical characterstics on it... fingerprints etc. They missed that one for us and it was one extra trip. It seems that it takes aprox 3
weeks for the whole process although may be quicker now that many gringo's have already been and returned home.
Fish$
bajaguy - 4-6-2007 at 01:51 PM
Check your u2u
Capt. George - 4-6-2007 at 01:52 PM
think of it as going to the Motor Vehicle Division.......
oops, you really need this! oops, you really need that!
oops, I fell out of bed on the wrong side, go home, come back another day!
oops, Best of Luck on your FM-3
Ooooops, I shoulda paid a couple extra pesos!
Capt. George - 4-6-2007 at 03:33 PM
there are a lot worse places to spend your time..
thimk of it as a "great excuse"..........
rob - 4-6-2007 at 04:23 PM
Yes - it has been done over and over again - but every time I learn something new . ... e.g.
"Your automobile must have curret license and tags unless you elect to bond the vehicle which costs around thirty five dollars. Once you have a car
permit then you do not need current tags. As long as the car remains in Mexico and your driver license and FM3 remain valid you do not need to display
current tags."
I have two Washington-registered vehicles, and even though they know darn well the vehicles are in Mexico (and have been for 6 years)< every two
years, in lieu of smogging them, I need a notarized ($50) page swearing they are in Mexico .. .
Gotta get me a car permit!