BajaNomad - New "FMM" Visa available soon

New "FMM" Visa available soon

AncientDigitalDude - 1-10-2010 at 10:29 AM

According to a front-page article in the January 4, 2010 Gringo Gazette, Mexico is about to do away with the FMT tourist visa (the standard visa you get when arriving by plane for short stays) in favor of a new FMM visa that will be automatically issued for 180 days. The new visa will be issued to a broad range of visitor types, including tourists, business people, film crews and students, to name just a few. The new visa apparently has far fewer restrictions attached to it and is designed increase the flow of tourists and foreign investors into Mexico. It should become available very soon - GG goes out on a limb and says, "in a few days."

[Edited on 1-10-2010 by AncientDigitalDude]

tjBill - 1-10-2010 at 07:11 PM

It will be interesting to see what happens. The FMT already has so few restrictions on it. Many of the restrictions are not even enforced. I have a neighbor who lived in year round in Guadalajara on an FMT. She would just take a bus to the border every six months and get a new one.

DENNIS - 1-10-2010 at 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AncientDigitalDude
The new visa will be issued to a broad range of visitor types, including tourists, business people, film crews and students, to name just a few.

A working visa as well? Interesting.

airmech - 1-10-2010 at 07:23 PM

It would be nice if they work for flights into Mexico. We have to buy a new one each flight no matter how recent. (Depending on the agent of course).

Kimpatsu_Hekigan - 1-10-2010 at 11:46 PM

Did the Gringo Gazette cite a source for their story?

Thanks,

-- K.H.

k-rico - 1-11-2010 at 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tjBill
I have a neighbor who lived in year round in Guadalajara on an FMT. She would just take a bus to the border every six months and get a new one.

"Also the FMM tourist card is said to close a loophole that allowed tourists to exit Mexico, turn right around and re-enter with a new card. The FMM card will limit to 180 the number of days that a tourist can stay in Mexico in a 365 day period."

http://www.rversonline.org/10Update.html

second paragraph.

woody with a view - 1-11-2010 at 08:30 AM

anyone wanna bet this will not happen this decade?

k-rico - 1-11-2010 at 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by woody in ob
anyone wanna bet this will not happen this decade?

Why do you say that?

Bajahowodd - 1-11-2010 at 12:04 PM

Not unlike the original post, the link provided by k-rico still manages to cloak this whole thing in rumor and speculation.

I know not the source being cited, but I do find it interesting that as far as the GG quote goes, it mentions encouraging foreign investors. Maybe go out on a limb that perhaps it may be legal to purchase property with this new visa? In any event, it seems to me that with so many snowbirds that spend half a year South of the Border, this would be a good thing.

As for potential delay in implementation, face it. Unless they expect immense delays in processing departures, this thing will have to be a readable card of some sort that can easily be swiped.. Imagine having the guy at the counter in San Ysidro making cards while you wait??

Dave - 1-11-2010 at 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Maybe go out on a limb that perhaps it may be legal to purchase property with this new visa?

You don't need a visa to purchase property in Mexico. I know folks who have purchased property that never set foot in the country...Never will. Living here is a different matter.

Bajahowodd - 1-11-2010 at 12:12 PM

You saying one can get a fideicomiso on a tourist visa?

k-rico - 1-11-2010 at 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
this thing will have to be a readable card of some sort that can easily be swiped

Why?

Bajahowodd - 1-11-2010 at 12:32 PM

My understanding is that the new visa will allow 180 days worth of stay within a 365 day period, regardless of the number of exits and entries. So, upon exit, there needs to be a debit made for the time used. Can you imagine the hassle if everyone had to go into an office and have an agent access their file to enter the debit? Not to mention that any debiting process would almost necessarily have to occur on the Mexican side of the border. Card readers could easily be installed between the lanes at the crossings.

Dave - 1-11-2010 at 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
You saying one can get a fideicomiso on a tourist visa?

Know of folks who have. Also personally know of several foreign corporations who have fideicomisos. No FMT, FM3's...Nada.

gnukid - 1-11-2010 at 12:44 PM

Migratory cards are being planned and distributed worldwide, as this has been worked on for more than a decade with a global standard. Migration will increase and these cards will allow more workers to pass borders and work. There is a standard data model for these cards as well. The cards being issued in India and throughout the world will have rfid chips as well so that all your movements will be catalogued in a standard database and available internationally. Its apparently quite a huge, horrific and insidious global plan being implemented worldwide.

Here are two articles by Nathan Alonby about Migratory ID cards and migration both historical and what you are seeing being implemented in 2010.

Here's recent interview with researcher Nathan Alonby.

The International format for this process and standard is called the ICA 09303 part 3 standard. Its an UN international coordinated program to implement a international data sharing standard expected to be issued to billions of people.

Perhaps its worth considering why this might or might not be a good thing.

[Edited on 1-11-2010 by gnukid]

k-rico - 1-11-2010 at 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
My understanding is that the new visa will allow 180 days worth of stay within a 365 day period, regardless of the number of exits and entries......

According to that link I provided, you're right. Hmmm, I understand the need for swiping.

Dave - 1-11-2010 at 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
My understanding is that the new visa will allow 180 days worth of stay within a 365 day period, regardless of the number of exits and entries......

It will be interesting to see what exemptions are made for day travelers. I'm sure Tijuana would be concerned.

Bajahowodd - 1-11-2010 at 01:09 PM

Don't know that it would apply to the Border Zone. As FM-T is no required now. Biggest obstacle for Tijuana and Tourism right now is violent crime and the US passport requirement.

DENNIS - 1-11-2010 at 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dave

It will be interesting to see what exemptions are made for day travelers. I'm sure Tijuana would be concerned.

Wouldn't it still be the Free Zone? Or, are they doing away with that?

DENNIS - 1-11-2010 at 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Biggest obstacle for Tijuana and Tourism right now is violent crime and the US passport requirement.

Not to mention the economy.

longlegsinlapaz - 1-11-2010 at 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by morgaine7

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
You saying one can get a fideicomiso on a tourist visa?

I did, though I applied for an FM3 before I moved here. My FMT number is actually included in the fideicomiso document.

Kate

Ditto....bought first property in 1999 while here on an FMT, moved down in 2000 on FM3 issued at Mexican Consulate in Portland. Sold that casa in 2005 & no longer have fideicomiso for it, so can't say whether FMT # was documented in the fideicomiso....or not. IF FM3 is firm legal requirement for land purchase, it's obviously viewed in the same light as STOP signs....merely a "suggestion"! :lol:

Bajahowodd - 1-11-2010 at 02:21 PM

OK, Kate and Legs. You both did become legal residents or citizens thereafter. I just wonder the consequences long term, if one buys property or a home, and continues to enter on the tourist visa? Looking at the proposed new visa program, anyone living full time would be illegal after 6 months. So, let's say someone crosses the border after the new visa is expired, and then comes back illegally since they cannot renew it in the same year, they could probably avoid detection, as requests to produce the document are very spotty. But let's say you're living illegally in La Paz, and there is an emergency that requires you to fly back to the states. wouldn't the airline refuse to board you? Also, I thought I read on this forum that one cannot open a bank account in Mexico on a FM-T. If that is correct, it makes little sense to me that the same bank that will initiate a trust for real estate would refuse to open a savings or checking account. Or am I all wet?

Don Alley - 1-11-2010 at 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
... Also, I thought I read on this forum that one cannot open a bank account in Mexico on a FM-T. If that is correct, it makes little sense to me that the same bank that will initiate a trust for real estate would refuse to open a savings or checking account. Or am I all wet?

When we opened a bank account six or seven years ago, we were told that, yes, we needed an FM3 to open an account. We were opening the account because Immigration said we needed the account to get an FM3. :lol:

The bank manager said that faced with this Catch22, the bank chose to be "flexible," and allowed us to open a peso account.

I'm not sure, but I think I got my Fidi a few weeks before my FM3. Hard to say because the date on my original FM3 was based not on when I applied, but on the date of the previous FMT.

Bajahowodd - 1-11-2010 at 03:06 PM

Geez. It's like showing up at Baja Cactus at dusk without a reservation. Maybe. Maybe not.

longlegsinlapaz - 1-11-2010 at 03:24 PM

I had my fideicojmiso by the time I opened a local bank account back in the stone ages. Actually don't remember what was required back then, but I can tell you that now for proof of who I am to cash check in bank, they ALWAYS opt to write my passport # on the back of my check when presented with both FM3 & passport to choose between. :bounce:

Bajahowodd - 1-11-2010 at 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by longlegsinlapaz
I had my fideicojmiso by the time I opened a local bank account back in the stone ages. Actually don't remember what was required back then, but I can tell you that now for proof of who I am to cash check in bank, they ALWAYS opt to write my passport # on the back of my check when presented with both FM3 & passport to choose between. :bounce:

Could that be a commentary on the faith they have in their own system?? :?:

longlegsinlapaz - 1-11-2010 at 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
OK, Kate and Legs. You both did become legal residents or citizens thereafter. I just wonder the consequences long term, if one buys property or a home, and continues to enter on the tourist visa? Looking at the proposed new visa program, anyone living full time would be illegal after 6 months. So, let's say someone crosses the border after the new visa is expired, and then comes back illegally since they cannot renew it in the same year, they could probably avoid detection, as requests to produce the document are very spotty. But let's say you're living illegally in La Paz, and there is an emergency that requires you to fly back to the states. wouldn't the airline refuse to board you? Also, I thought I read on this forum that one cannot open a bank account in Mexico on a FM-T. If that is correct, it makes little sense to me that the same bank that will initiate a trust for real estate would refuse to open a savings or checking account. Or am I all wet?

Did you by chance used to write for Rod Serling?? :?:

From MY vantage point, you're....Uhhhhh....Ummmm....ALL WET! HOdd, you gotta be talking to one of the straight arrowest people you've never met! How/Why you could believe that I would have personal experience or knowledge of any individual illegality in that long list of illegal scenarios you spewed out is totally beyond me! My head is spinning from just reading all that....NO WAY would I ever LIVE MY LIFE in that manner!!! I've heard rumors that if you wikipedia "straight arrow", there's a pic of me there....but I never bothered to verify that! :rolleyes:

I personally am living in La Paz LEGALLY (I can vouch for the fact that Morgaine7 is as well) & unless the IRS sends me an engraved invitation to join them for a friendly little chat about how I completed the friggin 55+ pages of 3520 & 3520-A forms for my fideicomisos I sent them for the required time span, then I can't imagine anything my immediate presence would be required for in the USA.

I'll let Morgaine7 speak for herself, but IMO, she could very well come back with "Ditto"....or "What she said!" & I'd back her up on it!

Life is much easier to get through if you follow the rules rather than give yourself a headache by coming up with all the other possibilities! There probably ARE people out there with actual experience in one or more of those possibilities you dreamed up, but neither Morgaine7 nor myself resemble them!

And yes....I take stop signs at their face value! So please don't tailgate me! :lol:

arrowhead - 1-11-2010 at 08:54 PM

It seems to me there would be advantages to this new FMM, if it comes to pass. Since it would be good for 180 days in a 365-day period, one would only have to buy one FMM per year. Then you could come and go as you wanted and stay in country for up to 180 days. Under the current FMT system with a maximum 180 duration, one would have to buy at least two FMT's per year to be able to go any time during the year.

gnukid - 1-11-2010 at 09:07 PM

Its quite obvious this new visa is a key implementation of control with historical parallels to fascist policies of Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin and Napoleon designed to both allow migration and to control it at the same time, both legal and illegal. Before anyone jumps to the conclusion this is a great new thing, consider what it means to you to have a migration document that tracks everything about you and makes that universal data model available to share data inter departmental such as social service to dmv to irs et... to foreign governments. Your data could and likely will be hacked and you will lose a tremendous amount of privacy in addition to losing ownership of your personal data.

Read up on it, look into it and refuse it, there is much to know about this rapid deployment, along with technology like body scans which will be attached to your brand new visa and this data you will no longer own, it will be used against you in ways so evil you can only imagine.

It doens't take a big effort to look back at what took place as the wonderland of Germany moved rapidly toward fascist control funded by the same groups that are funding this plan. They are one and the same. Know your history. Understand that you have the right to refuse to give up your personal privacy.

Be very wary of those here who promote the plan.

arrowhead - 1-11-2010 at 09:11 PM

Oy gevault!

toneart - 1-11-2010 at 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by longlegsinlapaz

Quote:

Did you by chance used to write for Rod Serling?? :?:

Legs,

I truly believe you are very straight arrow and principled. It shines through in your writing.The way I read Howard's comments is that they were not an indictment of you. They are hypotheticals.

Howard's questions are questions that one could easily ask about the topic because there have been so much posted here on the BajaNomad. The varied opinions of others, coupled with the imperfect interpretation, implementation and enforcement of the country's laws makes it confusing. What is required for one individual in one place is often different from the experience of another person in another place. Mexico is always an adventure and she does indeed teach patience.

BajaNomad - 1-12-2010 at 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by k-rico
"Also the FMM tourist card is said to close a loophole that allowed tourists to exit Mexico, turn right around and re-enter with a new card. The FMM card will limit to 180 the number of days that a tourist can stay in Mexico in a 365 day period."

http://www.rversonline.org/10Update.html

By David Eidell

longlegsinlapaz - 1-12-2010 at 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by toneart
Legs,

I truly believe you are very straight arrow and principled. It shines through in your writing.The way I read Howard's comments is that they were not an indictment of you. They are hypotheticals.

Howard's questions are questions that one could easily ask about the topic because there have been so much posted here on the BajaNomad. The varied opinions of others, coupled with the imperfect interpretation, implementation and enforcement of the country's laws makes it confusing. What is required for one individual in one place is often different from the experience of another person in another place. Mexico is always an adventure and she does indeed teach patience.

Thank you Toneart! :saint:

I knew HowOdd's scenarios were hypothetical....but it struck me as....well, odd

....that he was posing those questions to two people who do adhere to Mexican rules & laws; even in the face of imperfect interpretation, implementation & enforcement....depending on who you are, where you are & who's telling you the rules at what time of day!

Which kind of reinforces my point. If EVERYONE; on both sides of the counter; were to adhere to the rules, life could be so much easier & straightforward. Everyone's expectations would be more easily met....what a novel idea! :light:

There are more than enough variants in how things are interpreted, implemented, applied & enforced in reality without trying to dream up a additional myriad of potential wrongdoings. :spingrin:

I'm glad I'm on an FM2, so I don't have to be bothered with coping with the actual implementation of the latest flavor of temporary visa.

Bajahowodd - 1-12-2010 at 11:51 AM

Wow! Had I been slightly more artful in my post and said "one is living in La Paz" as opposed to "you're living in La Paz", perhaps we might have avoided this kerfuffle. I was posing hypotheticals to the forum; not just to legs and Kate.

I just spotted the post about El Teo being apprehended in La Paz. I hope no one is going to think they're being accused of harboring him! :lol:

oldlady - 1-12-2010 at 12:05 PM

Quote:

somewhere more than dripping and less than soaked.

kerfuffle!

toneart - 1-12-2010 at 12:58 PM

"Kerfuffle"-contributed by Howodd

...Sounds like something Soupy Sales would have tossed into the fricus. (my word-hybrid of fracus and circus, or I don't friggin know where it came from, but I'll keep it in my frictionary.) :biggrin:

longlegsinlapaz - 1-12-2010 at 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
I just spotted the post about El Teo being apprehended in La Paz. I hope no one is going to think they're being accused of harboring him! :lol:

Kate isn't that the guy you introduced me to as your new BF a few days ago??

Bajahowodd - 1-12-2010 at 01:38 PM

According to the Associated Press story, they captured El Teo at a home he owned in La Paz. I guess these guys don't like to live near their work. As I recall, not too long ago, another heavy hitter was apprehended while sport-fishing off Cabo. Additionally, I have heard that a major reason that BCS has virtually escaped the crime wave of the cartels is that the government of BCS is in their back pocket. Whatever the reason, it is nice to know that life is good in BCS.

[Edited on 1-12-2010 by Bajahowodd]

shari - 1-13-2010 at 08:31 AM

just a note to add to the kerfuffle....you ...oooops...I mean....one is now able to open a bank account on a FMT...at least at Bancomer in Vizcaino. :biggrin:

Bajahowodd - 1-13-2010 at 04:22 PM

Hmmm. Shari- What is your source on that? Seriously, I'm interested.

oxxo - 1-13-2010 at 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Hmmm. Shari- What is your source on that? Seriously, I'm interested.

I opened both dollar and peso accounts at Bancomer in San Jose (Palmilla office) with an FM-T. Talk to Suzette, she will set you up. If I keep a $300 balance in my account, they pay all my utility bills (elec, H2O, Sky, tele) for me with no charge for processing. Cost for the account is US$20 annually.

I also got my Fideicomiso with an FM-T.