BajaNomad

ready or not ,ready

Smoke - 4-15-2007 at 09:10 AM

OK ,we are getting every thing packed to leave for Los Barriles with 5Th wheel, boat and 2 tow vehicles.
Each pickup has 40 gallon extra fuel tank.
Have 2 spares and exta set of wheel bearings for both trailers.
Tool box and extra fuel filters.
Have insured all the vehicles through Vagabundos.
Have documents of registration and insurance.
Have permit for boat through Vag.
Have fishing licences.
We plan to apply for FM3 in La Paz as we bought property and are building a house in Los Barriles.
As per previous post will bring:
Proof of income, will retirement check stub suffice.If so,how many months.
Proof of moral solvancy ?????? Not sure what that is.
Are we ready??

Smoke (Newly Retired Firefighter)

Alan - 4-15-2007 at 09:26 AM

Just picked up my FM3 application from the Mexican consolate in San Bernardino. Here are the listed requirements.

Upon presentation of the following documents. You may apply for a Visa and a (FM3), at any consolate of Mexico

Valid US Passport (original and one copy)
Four face forward photographs
Two side photographs
Letter of US Bank, explaining that your permanent income is over $1000 US dollars (Must be in stationary paper), plus the last six bank statements.
Police clearance letter report issue by the local sheriff departmment
In case you have family dependents you must prove an additional income or $500 US Dollars, for each dependent
Form FM-1 typed (in spanish)

Payment of fees
All payments are in cash and only the exact amount is accepted.
Migratory document: US Dollars $98.00
Visa (if applicable): US Dollars $36.00

(The above is copied exactly as provided by the Consolate in San Bernardino including all typos) Hope this helps.

Alan (Soon to retire Firefighter)

bajaguy - 4-15-2007 at 09:39 AM

Smoke: Welcome aboard!!!

I am retired from the State of Nevada. For proof of income, I received a notarized letter from the Nevada State Public Retirement Board stating my monthly retirement benefits, then took the letter to the Nevada Secretary of State for an Apostille.

Look up California Secretary of State for locations near you (assuming you ae in California) and Apostille requirements.

You said "we".....if your wife is included, you will need a certified copy of your marriage license from the county where it was issued/recorded (with the County Clerk/Recorder) and this document will also need an Apostille.

I would get the FM-3's at a local Consulate in the US, then have it stamped when you cross the border, and have it recorded in LaPaz

Make several copies of EVERYTHING!!!!!

(retired State Police Lieutenant)

[Edited on 4-15-2007 by bajaguy]

bajajudy - 4-15-2007 at 09:52 AM

Felicidades!
I would wait until you get to La Paz to do the FM3. There have been many posts about having to start all over if you start in the states. Do a search on FM3 and you will see all the varieties of experiences.

Here in Los Cabos, I have never been asked for a police letter nor a marriage license. Proof of income is necessary no matter where. And you may be required to open a bank account here in Mexico.

Remember this....losing it is not acceptable. No matter how frustrating the process is, if you get angry and yell at people it will slow down everything. Be polite and remember that you are trying to be a guest in these people's country. Would you invite a raving idiot into your home?

Smoke

bajaguy - 4-15-2007 at 10:02 AM

bajajudy is corect....look at all the other FM-3 posts..........my suggestion is to be ready and have items that you do not think they will require with plenty of copies. This is Mexico, and nothing is the same from office to office, day to day and person to person.

Learn from other Nomads and just be prepared.

bajalou - 4-15-2007 at 10:21 AM

In San Felipe, the in come requirement is met by having the required monthly amount deposited in a local bank - and a letter from that bank. It can be withdrawn after getting the letter if you want.

While no help to you, it points out the differences from one office to another.

[Edited on 4-15-2007 by bajalou]

Smoke - 4-15-2007 at 10:47 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Alan
Just picked up my FM3 application from the Mexican consolate in San Bernardino. Here are the listed requirements.

Upon presentation of the following documents. You may apply for a Visa and a (FM3), at any consolate of Mexico

Valid US Passport (original and one copy)
Four face forward photographs
Two side photographs
Letter of US Bank, explaining that your permanent income is over $1000 US dollars (Must be in stationary paper), plus the last six bank statements.
Police clearance letter report issue by the local sheriff departmment
In case you have family dependents you must prove an additional income or $500 US Dollars, for each dependent
Form FM-1 typed (in spanish)

Payment of fees
All payments are in cash and only the exact amount is accepted.
Migratory document: US Dollars $98.00
Visa (if applicable): US Dollars $36.00

(The above is copied exactly as provided by the Consolate in San Bernardino including all typos) Hope this helps.

Alan (Soon to retire Firefighter)

Smoke - 4-15-2007 at 10:54 AM

Thanks Alan, I retired from CDf as B.C. in Dec 05, working harder now than when I was working :D.I will look at the other posts as suggested as to where to apply. We are going to be in Baja for at least a month so have plenty of time to do it there. But if we did it in Fresno (closest Consulate to my home) I would be able to get any thing extra I might need easier should they require it.
Jim

Osprey - 4-15-2007 at 02:55 PM

Alan, we switched our FM3 from Cabo San Lucas to the La Paz office because La Paz does not require us to open a Mexican bank account (as do many other immigration offices down here). We must show 3 months of our U.S. bank account statements to show the required income (when you have a home, a fideo, they can reduce the income requirement by 50%) as deposits and the ATM withdrawals ALL IN MEXICO. When they force you to open a Mexican bank account you must then show ACTIVITY in the account and that can be a pain because nobody down here wants your checks.

smoke

sylens - 4-15-2007 at 05:32 PM

just to underscore the importance of obtaining fm3 in mexico rather than in the states, i obtained my mexican passport in fresno's mexican consulate. when it came time to renew it here in ensenada where i now live, the local authorities refused to renew and insisted i start from scratch because they did not trust "foreign" consulates. when i tried to convince them the mexican consulate in any city is a MEXICAN government office, they just looked at me like i was crazy and explained they could not trust that the consulate "followed correct procedures in issuing the (document)."

so, as baja guy says, have all the required stuff, but don't bother to get the fm3 until you get to your mexican destination.

and keep smiling. you will get the fm3. eventually:lol:

Alan - 4-15-2007 at 06:12 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by sylens
just to underscore the importance of obtaining fm3 in mexico rather than in the states, i obtained my mexican passport in fresno's mexican consulate. when it came time to renew it here in ensenada where i now live, the local authorities refused to renew and insisted i start from scratch because they did not trust "foreign" consulates. when i tried to convince them the mexican consulate in any city is a MEXICAN government office, they just looked at me like i was crazy and explained they could not trust that the consulate "followed correct procedures in issuing the (document)."

so, as baja guy says, have all the required stuff, but don't bother to get the fm3 until you get to your mexican destination.

and keep smiling. you will get the fm3. eventually:lol:


Well since I am buying in La Paz and that seems to be the office most of you are recommending I guess I will wait until I get back there. Now does anyone have recommendations for someone in the La Paz area that handles the process for you. Unfortunately my espanol is still limited to buying beer and fishing.

Smoke - 4-15-2007 at 08:05 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by sylens
just to underscore the importance of obtaining fm3 in mexico rather than in the states, i obtained my mexican passport in fresno's mexican consulate. when it came time to renew it here in ensenada where i now live, the local authorities refused to renew and insisted i start from scratch because they did not trust "foreign" consulates. when i tried to convince them the mexican consulate in any city is a MEXICAN government office, they just looked at me like i was crazy and explained they could not trust that the consulate "followed correct procedures in issuing the (document)."

so, as baja guy says, have all the required stuff, but don't bother to get the fm3 until you get to your mexican destination.

and keep smiling. you will get the fm3. eventually:lol:

Smoke - 4-15-2007 at 08:09 PM

Does one need an apostille for documents if you apply in La Paz?

bajaguy - 4-15-2007 at 08:25 PM

Anything that is certified or notarized (marriage certificate or latter from bank or retirement board).

Each document costs $20 in Nevada for an Apostile. Cheap insurance even if you don't need it.

One of the functions of the Office of Secretary of State is to provide Authentication of Signatures, also know as Apostilles or Certifications. Any document to be presented to a governing body of a foreign country, or a document to be used for official business within the United States is eligible for this service. Examples include:

Marriage Certificates
Birth and Death Certificates
Letters of Eligibility of Marital Status
Powers of Attorney
Parental Permission Slips
Foreign Adoption Papers
Authorization to Conduct Business in Foreign Countries

Packoderm - 4-15-2007 at 09:35 PM

I apologize in advance for barging in on this thread that has posts by obviously knowledgeable people.

If it were me dealing with these quasi-government officials, I would be tempted to tell them that I do not have a form requested by them even though I actually do have it handy. They are going to need to put you through some kind of hassle; otherwise, their job would be considered too easy if it all works as on schedule every time. If, for instance, they ask for all sorts of forms including a Letter of Eligibility of Marital Status, I would tell them that I do not have it, and I would let them believe that I will have to travel back to the states or arrange for delivery at considerably expense. But I would let it be known that I will willingly go through these inconveniences in order to comply with their very important requirements. Then a week later, I would show up at their office with the form that I had in my possession the whole time. I have a feeling that they think that you have to lose a round or two in order for the process to seem important enough.

jimgrms - 4-16-2007 at 06:20 AM

Packoderm I agree with you they are petty beureacrats and just want to show that they are in charge, and if they are not sure of the rules will make up some Jim

LaRibereņa - 4-16-2007 at 06:27 AM

Smoke, we have a very nice woman in Los Barriles who helps us all through the process (new, renewal), using the La Paz Immigration office. You can email her at angelicalucero@prodigy.net.mx or call her at 624/141-0733 and she will tell you what you're going to need to get an FM-3 in La Paz.

Alan - 4-16-2007 at 07:08 AM

Smoke
Check your U2U

Smoke - 4-16-2007 at 07:25 AM

Thanks much I have emailed her. We use PayDennis for our bills there not sure if he does something similar.

osoflojo - 4-16-2007 at 12:21 PM

Understanding full well how things vary speaking only for the Cabo San Lucas office they have lightened up considerably over the years. Last year I got my renewal by myself in 4 days with no problems or teath nashing. Actually a reasonable prosess that harbors no fear this year.