oladulce - 3-6-2008 at 07:31 PM
It looks like we may have to get our FM3s ASAP. (sigh) We're in CA and can't take any extra time off of work so we need to be as prepared as
possible.
Shari mentioned a while back that she always does FM3 renewals directly with the La Paz office rather than their local, nearest immigration office.
Has anyone else bypassed their local office and gone directly to La paz to obtain their Original FM3? Any problems?
The office closest to our property is in San Carlos (Mag Bay) but we don't have the time off work (nor the extra $$) to fly in and drive out there,
then return in a few weeks to pick them up. It would be much easier to obtain them directly in La Paz. Shari's friend Alonso says he can do the
initial filing and we would only have to make one trip to pick them up in person.
I certainly don't doubt Shari's info, but it would be reassuring to hear if anyone else has bypassed their local office for La Paz when obtaining
their first FM3. It's going to be an expensive process as it is because of the circumstances, and it would be very frustrating to fly to La Paz and
leave empty handed if they refused to process them for some reason.
longlegsinlapaz - 3-6-2008 at 09:18 PM
But the effective date of the FM3 needs to be within X-# of days (think it's no more than 5-10) before you plan to cross the border. As will be all
future renewal dates, so you want to try to shoot for a date that you'll most likely be here to facilitate renewals. oladulce, there are a LOT of old
threads you might search for to see some of the hassles about getting an FM3 issued in the states. It is doable....I did it, but you'll just need to
be prepared to duplicate your efforts with current data when you check in at your local office, as that office needs to have the information on file
locally. I know several people who reside in remote areas who have applied in La Paz....Loreto is the longest distance I know someone who went thru
La Paz. I think all the local offices just send it to La Paz for processing anyway! Renewals take about a week, not sure how long an original FM3
process would take.
oladulce - 3-6-2008 at 10:38 PM
Thanks you guys.
LLinLP, I'm glad you know someone from Loreto who used the La Paz office directly- that's what I was looking for, another confirmation that this could
be done. Having to go to the San Carlos office would have been nearly impossible to do really quick-like we need to, and would be a hassle come
renewal time even though it's closer to our casa.
The agent in La Paz says he can file the application using a power of attorney and we would only have to make one trip to the office ourselves to pick
up the fm3's. The only scary part is DHL-ing our passports to him to start the process. yikes.
It would be beneficial to at least get the process started in our situation I think.