BajaNomad

FM-3 Question

conquestkm - 4-5-2009 at 08:21 AM

I need a quick lesson on FM-3's. Every year at this time these questions come up to me
1- Is there a discount for seniors?
2- How many years do you need to register ?
3- For as long as you live in Mexico?
4- What is the difference between FM-3 and FM-2 ?
Can you register to of Mexico and with the local Mexican consult in a US city? .

I was told by the San Francisco,Ca over the phone I could not go there renew , but must renew where your home in Mexico is only.

bajalou - 4-5-2009 at 08:40 AM

1- No discounts.
2 - As long as you come to Mexico. Every 5 years you get a new book.
3 - yes
4 - FM3 is tourist standing, FM2 is a Immigration document - leading to becoming a Mex. citizen or permanent resident. - Not a tourist.

The S.F CA. consul is correct.

CaboRon - 4-5-2009 at 08:55 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajalou
1- No discounts.
2 - As long as you come to Mexico. Every 5 years you get a new book.
3 - yes
4 - FM3 is tourist standing, FM2 is a Immigration document - leading to becoming a Mex. citizen or permanent resident. - Not a tourist.

The S.F CA. consul is correct.


FM3 can come in over a dozen forms .....

Rentista, Invester, Work etc.

The tourist visa is the FMT ......

And you are correct , the FM2 is generally the first step to citizenship.

CaboRon

bajalou - 4-5-2009 at 09:05 AM

With all the endorsements of the FM3 - as you point out, you are still considered a tourist - a temporary resident - not a immigrant.

bajaguy - 4-5-2009 at 09:18 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by conquestkm
I need a quick lesson on FM-3's. Every year at this time these questions come up to me

1- Is there a discount for seniors?
......No

2- How many years do you need to register ?
..........you need to register your FM-3 where you live. generally only need to register once, unless you move....you need to RENEW every year

3- For as long as you live in Mexico?
............as long as you are in Mexico, unless you go for an FM-2 (5 years), then citizenship.

4- What is the difference between FM-3 and FM-2 ?
..............depends on what you want to do......if you just want to hang out, get the FM-3; if you want to work toward citizenship, go for the FM-2.

Can you register to of Mexico and with the local Mexican consult in a US city? .
.................you cannot renew at the cosulate. You have to renew in the jurisdiction where you live

I was told by the San Francisco,Ca over the phone I could not go there renew , but must renew where your home in Mexico is only.
.............yup, they are correct

bajalou - 4-5-2009 at 09:59 AM

With FM2, there are restrictions on the amount of time you can spend OUT of Mexico. You pretty much have to be a full timer in Mexico to qualify.

DianaT - 4-5-2009 at 10:19 AM

While the FM3s cannot be renewed at the US consulates, at the one in San Diego, we were told that some people get a new FM3 every year at the consulate.

Why they would do that rather than renew, I do not know.

Also, for women---when we got our FM3s in San Diego, I was a little surprised to see that mine is written up as a dependant of John. We were not asked anything about this. I have since found out that I could have obtained my FM3 as a separate person.

Diane

Lee - 4-5-2009 at 10:34 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajalou
With FM2, there are restrictions on the amount of time you can spend OUT of Mexico. You pretty much have to be a full timer in Mexico to qualify.


An ''address'' down here and a ''water bill'' would qualify for residence.

The La Paz office (at least one agent there) will tell you that applying for an FM2 means that you live in Baja FULL TIME. An FM2 stamped flying in and out more than for short periods) would be scrutinized, in my opinion. Don't know that there's a specific number of days -- anything that looks like you don't live down here is suspect.

Unless you planned to work down here, or become a National, FM3 probably works better.

bajalou - 4-5-2009 at 10:35 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by jdtrotter

Also, for women---when we got our FM3s in San Diego, I was a little surprised to see that mine is written up as a dependant of John. We were not asked anything about this. I have since found out that I could have obtained my FM3 as a separate person.

Diane


You would probably have had higher income requirements - 2 single people rather than couple.

LB - 4-5-2009 at 10:43 AM

All the above answers are correct. My only advise from experience this year;
a four time trip! There are many changes occurring with immigration. So
check before you go. Mine was involving renewal of my FM3 with a
volunteer stamp. New paper work done by the organization is needed
before they will release your FM3.


Each time I went a new form was presented to me. Another trip. The
last was the "Expediente Basico" which consists of 10 papers needed
from the organization.

Never will do the renewal on my own again. Just trying to be a legal
volunteer has become very difficult.

Check for what is needed before you go....unless you do not mine doing a 3 hour drive four times! Or better yet, put out the money for a pro.

Marie-Rose - 4-5-2009 at 11:03 AM

Just in case anyone is interested in length of time to process... we got ours on Friday(in LaPaz). Less than 2 weeks to process and no problems with any of the forms.
Hubby dropped them off... picked them up and signed for me.
Thanks for the assistance on my previous post:bounce::bounce:

[Edited on 2009-4-5 by Marie-Rose]

CaboRon - 4-5-2009 at 11:44 AM

My FM3 renewal last October took one week from drop off to pick-up ....

The La Paz office is courteous and professional.

CaboRon

The Gull - 4-5-2009 at 12:38 PM

Too bad you won't be needing it much longer.:lol::lol:

DianaT - 4-5-2009 at 01:13 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajalou
Quote:
Originally posted by jdtrotter

Also, for women---when we got our FM3s in San Diego, I was a little surprised to see that mine is written up as a dependant of John. We were not asked anything about this. I have since found out that I could have obtained my FM3 as a separate person.

Diane


You would probably have had higher income requirements - 2 single people rather than couple.


From what I have learned, you are correct. We could have done that but were not given the option. I think assumptions are just made if one does not ask.

Diane

conquestkm - 4-5-2009 at 03:51 PM

What is interesting is that some people were able to renew their FM-3 in San Diego . Again I was told you could only renew your FM-3 in the part of Mexico where you may have had a home or live . requireling to show a electric bill or some other document to prove you live in that area .

A couple responds gave me the impression that the Gov of MX may be thinking about changing this law .Or was I just reading to much into it?

DianaT - 4-5-2009 at 05:56 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by conquestkm
What is interesting is that some people were able to renew their FM-3 in San Diego .


Are you sure it was a renewal or did they just get a new one. If they were given new booklets, it is not a renewal.

Some people chose to get new ones every year.

vandenberg - 4-5-2009 at 06:36 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by jdtrotter
Some people chose to get new ones every year.


Pretty sure that's illegal.
Know of some folks here in Loreto who got called on that.

DianaT - 4-5-2009 at 06:47 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by vandenberg
Quote:
Originally posted by jdtrotter
Some people chose to get new ones every year.


Pretty sure that's illegal.
Know of some folks here in Loreto who got called on that.


Interesting, I wonder. When we talked with the lady with the San Diego Consulate, she said there was not problem if that is what someone wanted to do----think we will just keep renewing.

Of course the infomation about FM3s is consistent no matter which consulate or immigration office one contacts. :lol::lol::lol:

Invalid FM-3???

bajaguy - 4-5-2009 at 06:57 PM

When you get an FM-3 issued at the Consulate, you have to get it stamped by Mexican Immigration at the border within a certain number of days...........then you also have another time limit to get the FM-3 "registered" with Mexican Immigration in the area where you live.........so if you either or both don't get it stamped at the border, or don't register it.........seems to me it would be invalid?????

[Edited on 4-6-2009 by bajaguy]

CaboRon - 4-6-2009 at 12:45 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by conquestkm
What is interesting is that some people were able to renew their FM-3 in San Diego . Again I was told you could only renew your FM-3 in the part of Mexico where you may have had a home or live . requireling to show a electric bill or some other document to prove you live in that area .

A couple responds gave me the impression that the Gov of MX may be thinking about changing this law .Or was I just reading to much into it?


You may renew at the consulate in San Diego how ever it will not apply toward citiaenship if that is your goal.

You have ninety days after picking up your FM3 in San Diego to register it at the border.

I simply parked at San Yesidro, walked across the border had it stamped and reintered the US and that's that.

bajalinda - 4-9-2009 at 10:35 AM

The FM-2 is more expensive. Also, according to the La Paz office, you are allowed 3 months outside of Mexico per year on an FM-2.

CaboRon - 4-9-2009 at 11:23 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by The Gull
Too bad you won't be needing it much longer.:lol::lol:


Which brings up another question ....

Since in the future I will only need an FMT for short fly in visits,

What do I do with my FM3 ????????

Some have said you have to surrender the FM3 even if it is expireing .....

Where would you do this ?????????

At the consulate in San Diego ?????????

I am interested especially if anyone had done this before ....

CaboRon

longlegsinlapaz - 4-9-2009 at 11:32 AM

You do have to surrender it to Immigration & they'll issue you a letter for a limited amount of time. I did it on my Mothers FM3 when she opted to go back north. The timing wasn't an issue because she was leaving very soon after surrendering her FM3. Check with Immigration for specifics.

schwlind - 4-9-2009 at 01:08 PM

I'm renewing my FM3 for the 4th year... and wish to apply for FM2 status and eventually dual citizenship. One problem for my husband and I is he is still working and will be for several more years... So how does the government monitor how much you are out of the country? We never fly into Baja... always drive... is it even feasible to contemplate applying for FM2, knowing that I can't be in country for the amount of time required?

bajalou - 4-9-2009 at 01:58 PM

You could probably get by with not reporting out from Baja, but you couldn't go to mainland Mex. with it. The lax immigration enforcement in Baja lets us get by with a lot that the rest of Mexico can't.