BajaNomad

FMT-T's for part time BCN residents?

fandango - 4-19-2008 at 04:25 PM

for those that spend time at their houses in baja, anywhere between punta banda and tijuana, do you get an fmt?

DENNIS - 4-19-2008 at 04:33 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by fandango
for those that spend time at their houses in baja, anywhere between punta banda and tijuana, do you get an fmt?


That's a tough one. You can be in the free zone for one week without papers. I know that will start an arguement but, That's what I was told at the immigration office.
Anyway, if immigration wants to lean on you they will say that a property owner isn't a tourist and that's hard to argue with.
If you keep a low profile, who will know what you have or how long you've been in Mexico so.......
On the other hand, if you have an investment here, you can't defend your property or yourself without being legal. That will require at least an FM3.
It's just so much easier and safer to do what's right.

The Gull - 4-19-2008 at 04:38 PM

Wouldn't really help matters much.

You probably had to get one to get your Fideocomiso, assuming you did get a bank trust.

After that, no one checks your status north of the first checkpoint in Baja unless you find yourself in court for civil or criminal matters.

I'm sure there are Nomads who would suggest that you stay in complete compliance with the law and apply for your FM-3. I am not advocating any position for another person, just posting the facts about what situations require documentation.

DENNIS - 4-19-2008 at 05:15 PM

I assumed he was in a beach camp or some other rental situation. If he had a bank trust, he would probably know all this stuff.

bajaguy - 4-19-2008 at 07:02 PM

We have our FM-3's

The Gull - 4-20-2008 at 07:47 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
I assumed he was in a beach camp or some other rental situation. If he had a bank trust, he would probably know all this stuff.


yeah, sure, of course

bajagrouper - 4-21-2008 at 12:19 PM

I have a Fideocomiso, I live in Mexico for 180 days at a time and do not leave a car in Mexico so I can't figure why I should get an FM-3...

DENNIS - 4-21-2008 at 12:49 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajagrouper
I have a Fideocomiso, I live in Mexico for 180 days at a time and do not leave a car in Mexico so I can't figure why I should get an FM-3...


If you ever get jambed up by the system for any reason whatsoever, sued, accused, or find yourself in a position where you have to prove what's yours is yours, you will wish you had one and will be required to get one before you can put up a defence. I've seen it happen.

rts551 - 4-21-2008 at 03:06 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajagrouper
I have a Fideocomiso, I live in Mexico for 180 days at a time and do not leave a car in Mexico so I can't figure why I should get an FM-3...


You said it yourself "you live in Mexico". That means your not just a tourist. You can't have it both ways, right?

bajagrouper - 4-21-2008 at 04:35 PM

I said "I live in Mexico for 180 days " which is allowed under an FMT...

rts551 - 4-21-2008 at 06:22 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajagrouper
I said "I live in Mexico for 180 days " which is allowed under an FMT...


Suit yourself. I always thought living somewhere was different from being a tourist. And the FM-T is a tourist visa. Your risk, not mine.

bajaguy - 4-21-2008 at 06:49 PM

From another site:

FM-3

An FM-3 is a one year permit to reside in Mexico. This document makes the holder a No Imigrante (Non-Immigrant) like the tourist card but unlike the tourist card, you are allowed to live in the country for an extended period of time.

The Gull - 4-21-2008 at 06:58 PM

Rock on Grouper. Two 180 day FM-T visas are cheaper than one FM-3. As has been stated twice on this string of posts, you won't need an FM-3 until you need one.

Hope your luck holds up and your economy move doesn't pay you unwanted dividends.

Immigrato is the place to be, but that takes years and adherence to the rules.

bajagrouper - 4-21-2008 at 07:21 PM

I do not use 2 FMT's in a row, I live/stay in Mexico for 180 days then I live/stay at my home on the San Francisco peninsula for 180 days, it's the same as a snowbird getting an FM-T and camping out on Tecolote Beach for 6 months, go ask a Canadian snowbird to pay for an FM3 to live at Conception Bay for 180 days... I don't care about the costs... Like I said earlier, except for leaving a car in Mexico what is the advantage of getting the FM3?

DENNIS - 4-21-2008 at 08:01 PM

I don't understand why leaving a car down here has anything to do with your status at Migracion.

bajamigo - 4-21-2008 at 08:38 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajagrouper
I do not use 2 FMT's in a row, I live/stay in Mexico for 180 days then I live/stay at my home on the San Francisco peninsula for 180 days, it's the same as a snowbird getting an FM-T and camping out on Tecolote Beach for 6 months, go ask a Canadian snowbird to pay for an FM3 to live at Conception Bay for 180 days... I don't care about the costs... Like I said earlier, except for leaving a car in Mexico what is the advantage of getting the FM3?


Once you leave the property for 90 days or more, it is considered "abandoned." You'd have no recourse if someone decided that your place was a nice one to squat in. Still, you'll avoid the inconvenience of having to obtain an FM-3.
Buena suerte.

bajagrouper - 4-21-2008 at 08:40 PM

If one has an FM3 they can leave a car anywhere they reside in Mexico, I know you do need auto permits for Baja but some people like tropical locals...

fandango - 4-23-2008 at 07:42 PM

thanks for the information.
in reading about the requirements for an fm-3, almost all websites say that i need an fmt and a passport. is that true? i have neither.
it looks like the initial fee is about $100.00 and the renewal is $150.00, is that correct?

bajalou - 4-23-2008 at 07:47 PM

You need both FMT and Passport. Also the higher fee for FM3 is for originating it and there is a lower renewal fee each year.

bajaguy - 4-23-2008 at 08:00 PM

Renewal was 1172 pesos this year