BajaNomad

FM3 renewal Ensenada

fishbuck - 4-17-2009 at 10:40 PM

Okay, I think I am going to try and renew my FM3 myself this time.
Last year I had Aida do it. But she wasn't very helpful and it didn't go well. It ended up being late and costing more. She didn't seem as interested as she did when I first met her and she registered it for me. Who knows.
Anyway, has anyone ever renewed their own FM3 in Ensenada? How long does it take? Can you describe the process to me.
I figure I can try and if it seems like it's not going well I'll drop it at my attorneys office. He told me he started doing renewals.
Do they speak english at the migration office? Where is the office?

bajabound2005 - 4-18-2009 at 07:02 AM

No, they don't speak English and they will route you to guy who has a little office in front of the immigration office, who will charge you plenty and it will still be late if not lost forever. Get Blanca Medina to do it. Anyone we've referred to her loves her. She is efficient and reasonable. Her office is near Immigration. email is vlanka7@hotmail.com Phone is 646 178 2607 (office)

DENNIS - 4-18-2009 at 07:24 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by fishbuck

Do they speak english at the migration office? Where is the office?


Last time I was in there, the receptionist spoke better English than I do but, Kathleen could easily be under the impression that they don't as they only speak English when they want to and that's not always. If you want to see them clam up to a mute stage, just try to do your own renewal.
Blanca Medina, as BB said, is as efficient as you'll find....so everybody says.

The office is adjacent to the Port Captain's office, across the street from Arjona's marine supply at the north end of the harbor, five hundred yards from Hussongs. Better yet, Mike, only two hundred yards from Anthony's. You know where that is.

schwlind - 4-18-2009 at 07:48 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajabound2005
No, they don't speak English and they will route you to guy who has a little office in front of the immigration office, who will charge you plenty and it will still be late if not lost forever. Get Blanca Medina to do it. Anyone we've referred to her loves her. She is efficient and reasonable. Her office is near Immigration. email is vlanka7@hotmail.com Phone is 646 178 2607 (office)


I agree 1000%. Blanca has been handling our FM-3 renewals since the very beginning. She's very knowledgeable, her prices are reasonable, and she'll take care of everything...
She's located in Plaza Delfines.

Coming into Ensenada southbound from the toll road onto Blvd Costero make a hard left on the street that runs directly behind the first Pemex on the left corner -- I think the name of the street is Virgilio Uribe). Once you turn left continue until you see Plaza Delfines (on your right --two story building may be painted gold or yellow) and turn in. Parking is available so no worries about street parking...

Her office is located on the first floor, the last office on the left if you are facing the center with your back to the Pemex. If you're coming from the south, on Blvd Costero you'll see the McDonalds as you approach the toll road feeder from Blvd Costero (maybe a couple of blocks or so before). You should get in the right hand lane and look for the Pemex station on your right. Turn right on the street (soft right) that runs behind the Pemex station.

I don't think you will see a sign for Blanca (I never have) as she shares space with someone else -- or she may actually work for someone else, but has been doing this Immigration stuff for years. She also speaks good English. She's the best!

Linda

CaboRon - 4-18-2009 at 07:55 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by fishbuck

Do they speak english at the migration office? Where is the office?


Last time I was in there, the receptionist spoke better English than I do but, Kathleen could easily be under the impression that they don't as they only speak English when they want to and that's not always. If you want to see them clam up to a mute stage, just try to do your own renewal.
Blanca Medina, as BB said, is as efficient as you'll find....so everybody says.

The office is adjacent to the Port Captain's office, across the street from Arjona's marine supply at the north end of the harbor, five hundred yards from Hussongs. Better yet, Mike, only two hundred yards from Anthony's. You know where that is.


Dennis,

This and other threads on the Ensanada office makes it seem as if you have to hire someone to do the renewal ...

Luckly for us the La Paz office is extremly helpful and very courteous .....

They make it very easy to renew yourself.

In fact I have a friend who used their "lawyer" and they are still waiting on their renewal :lol::lol:

For me it only took one week :bounce:

It's like night and day isn't it ?

CaboRon

[Edited on 4-18-2009 by CaboRon]

DENNIS - 4-18-2009 at 08:03 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by CaboRon

This and other threads on the Ensanada office makes it seem as if you have to hire someone to do the renewal ...



Yeah, Ron. That's pretty much the way it is...unofficially of course. The independent agent, with his office in a remodeled broom closet, part of the immigration building, takes a load off the staff and I'm pretty sure money changes hands as part of the deal. I don't know what Blanca charges but, the man at immigration charges 2000 Ps for an FM3 renewel and there are other agents in town who charge almost as much. I think you folks down there pay a lot less.

schwlind - 4-18-2009 at 09:44 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by CaboRon

This and other threads on the Ensanada office makes it seem as if you have to hire someone to do the renewal ...



Yeah, Ron. That's pretty much the way it is...unofficially of course. The independent agent, with his office in a remodeled broom closet, part of the immigration building, takes a load off the staff and I'm pretty sure money changes hands as part of the deal. I don't know what Blanca charges but, the man at immigration charges 2000 Ps for an FM3 renewel and there are other agents in town who charge almost as much. I think you folks down there pay a lot less.


If I remember correctly, Blanca charges around $75 USD plus the 1294 pesos for Immigration to process the renewal.

fishbuck - 4-18-2009 at 02:35 PM

Thanks!

Blanca sounds perfect!:)

Bajahowodd - 4-18-2009 at 03:47 PM

Do you even actually own property down below?

bajabound2005 - 4-18-2009 at 10:19 PM

yes, he does.

fishbuck - 4-20-2009 at 11:34 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajabound2005
No, they don't speak English and they will route you to guy who has a little office in front of the immigration office, who will charge you plenty and it will still be late if not lost forever. Get Blanca Medina to do it. Anyone we've referred to her loves her. She is efficient and reasonable. Her office is near Immigration. email is vlanka7@hotmail.com Phone is 646 178 2607 (office)


I tried calling the number but get the " no existe " recording. I dialed 011 52 646 178 2607. Did I do it wrong.
My FM3 expires on May 1. Do I still have enough time to renew it?

[Edited on 4-20-2009 by fishbuck]

schwlind - 4-20-2009 at 12:49 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by fishbuck
Quote:
Originally posted by bajabound2005
No, they don't speak English and they will route you to guy who has a little office in front of the immigration office, who will charge you plenty and it will still be late if not lost forever. Get Blanca Medina to do it. Anyone we've referred to her loves her. She is efficient and reasonable. Her office is near Immigration. email is vlanka7@hotmail.com Phone is 646 178 2607 (office)


I tried calling the number but get the " no existe " recording. I dialed 011 52 646 178 2607. Did I do it wrong.
My FM3 expires on May 1. Do I still have enough time to renew it?

[Edited on 4-20-2009 by fishbuck]


I just spoke with Blanca. She said sometimes there is a problem with the number (as you reported), but the number is good. She suggested you send her an email or call her on her cell. U2U me for her cell number.
Linda

DENNIS - 4-20-2009 at 05:45 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by fishbuck
My FM3 expires on May 1. Do I still have enough time to renew it?



You're really cutting it close, Mike. Maybe too close. Blanca may have to call in some of her markers for this one.

schwlind - 4-20-2009 at 06:11 PM

While I'm not certain of this, maybe if he gets his paperwork in prior to the expiration he'll be okay.

Linda

BajaBella - 4-20-2009 at 06:47 PM

We are just returned from ENS, picking up our FM2 and FM3. Tim did the whole FM3 process on his own for a couple years before finding Hector Leon. Very professional. Appointments made and on time. Hand walked or we drove together to the various immigration office windows and processed without question or hassle. It is said to have your renewal application in one month prior to the renewal/due date. (It took about 6 weeks for ours this time around). Hector S. Leon Consulting.

DENNIS - 4-20-2009 at 07:48 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaBella
It is said to have your renewal application in one month prior to the renewal/due date. (It took about 6 weeks for ours this time around). Hector S. Leon Consulting.


That's what my agent requires. Not Hector but, I've used his services in the past as well. Good guy if you can find him.

bajabound2005 - 4-20-2009 at 08:23 PM

Yup, I second Dennis...if you can find Hector. He never returned our calls so we found Blanca. I think Hector does well by existing clients but perhaps has no time for new ones.

fishbuck - 4-21-2009 at 03:54 PM

Okay, I'm back! Blanca was great. I dropped my stuff yesterday and she filed it this morning.
I had to wait until this morning to get my passport back so ofcourse I had to visit a few clubs. Makes renewing my FM3 more fun this way for sure!
Ensenada was very quiet. The cruise ship came in this morning so there was a few more people in town. But very quiet.
Thanks everyone for the help!!!:cool: