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FM2 Visas

k-rico - 1-11-2010 at 05:23 PM

I just started my 5th year of my FM3 visa and am considering switching to a FM2 visa instead of getting another FM3. I understand the immigrant vs. non-immigrant difference.

Do FM2s need to be renewed each year like FM3s?

k-rico - 1-11-2010 at 06:10 PM

thanks

greybaby - 1-11-2010 at 10:28 PM

But. . . the good thing about FM2s is that after you complete the book of 5 you don't have to keep going like you do with an FM3. You're done. More expensive but worth it overall.

Bob and Susan - 1-12-2010 at 06:45 AM

you no longer have to have an fm3 for five years to get a fm2

you can go straight to the fm2

after 5 years with the fm2 you're done with the renewal part every year

k-rico - 1-12-2010 at 07:20 AM

Thanks all for the added info. It makes a big difference. The annual renewal is the hassle I want to avoid.

FM2 and 5 more years it is!

DENNIS - 1-12-2010 at 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by k-rico
Thanks all for the added info. It makes a big difference. The annual renewal is the hassle I want to avoid.

You won't. You pay each year....more, untill you get through inmigrado status.
[did somebody already say this?]

CortezBlue - 1-12-2010 at 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob and Susan
you no longer have to have an fm3 for five years to get a fm2

you can go straight to the fm2

after 5 years with the fm2 you're done with the renewal part every year

I wish that your statment was true. I just went through all of this at 3 different folks in San Felipe and the answer was, NO. One lady told me that they MAY being offering that in the future, but not currently. Also, it is more expensive annually to do the FM2, but it would be worth it for 5 years so as not to have to deal with it annually.

k-rico - 1-12-2010 at 09:00 AM

Man, it's tough to get a straight answer around here. Let me ask in a different way.

If I get a FM2, will I need to deal the bureaucracy every year, assuming a heart beat and I'm living in Mex?

So far:

No, after 5 years you're done.

Yes, you have to pay every year.

DENNIS - 1-12-2010 at 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by k-rico

Yes, you have to pay every year.

Yes, you pay every year. When the five years is over, you get to pay one more time for Inmigrado status. With each successive step, FM3...FM2...Inmigrado, the payment is more.

k-rico - 1-12-2010 at 09:13 AM

OK, thanks. Taking this one step further, from a practical point of view, why pay the additional amount to switch to an immigrant status (FM2) visa?

What do I gain? Can I eventually get rid of the fideicomiso and get the deed in my grubby little hands if I become a naturalized citizen?

I know, get a lawyer. I already have the retainer agreement on my desk.

But I'm interested in what youse guys think.

bajalou - 1-12-2010 at 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by k-rico
O
What do I gain? Can I eventually get rid of the fideicomiso and get the deed in my grubby little hands if I become a naturalized citizen?

No

With the FM2 you also have more restrictions on the amount of time you can spend out of Mexico. Imigrado status also imposes time limitations for being "out of country".

DENNIS - 1-12-2010 at 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by k-rico
OK, thanks. Taking this one step further, from a practical point of view, why pay the additional amount to switch to an immigrant status (FM2) visa?

What do I gain?

You don't have to. You can redo the FM3 process and keep paying yearly but, it's just another step toward the end. You can't get around making yearly payments without going through Inmigrado status.

rts551 - 1-12-2010 at 09:26 AM

I believe as a naturalized citizen he can.

Quote:

Originally posted by bajalou

Quote:

Originally posted by k-rico
O
What do I gain? Can I eventually get rid of the fideicomiso and get the deed in my grubby little hands if I become a naturalized citizen?

No

With the FM2 you also have more restrictions on the amount of time you can spend out of Mexico. Imigrado status also imposes time limitations for being "out of country".

k-rico - 1-12-2010 at 09:27 AM

I'm not worried about being out of country. I live in Mexico and don't have a US residence.

Perhaps from a legal point of view, I should go the immigant visa route.

DENNIS - 1-12-2010 at 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajalou
Imigrado status also imposes time limitations for being "out of country".

I've never heard that. I always thought the rewards for going through the process were less restrictions.

With Inmigrado status, you're done checking in. How would anybody know where you are at any time? Or care?

k-rico - 1-12-2010 at 09:34 AM

From a translation of the Mexican constitution I read, article 27 states that "foreigners" cannot own land in the restricted zone. It also states that naturalized citizens are not "foreigners". Given that, naturalized citizens can own land in the restricted zone.

I'll get that answer from my lawyer.

DENNIS - 1-12-2010 at 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by k-rico
From a translation of the Mexican constitution I read, article 27 states that "foreigners" cannot own land in the restricted zone. It also states that naturalized citizens are not "foreigners". Given that, naturalized citizens can own land in the restricted zone.

Are you going to go through the Naturalization process? That isn't the same as the processes we've been discussing. Being Inmigrado is different from being Naturalized and when Inmigrado, you can't own restricted land.

k-rico - 1-12-2010 at 09:47 AM

"Are you going to go through the Naturalization process?"

That's what I'm considering, and perhaps mistakenly, I'm thinking going from a FM3 to a FM2 is a necessary step.

But this is getting out of the realm of where free message board advice is to be followed.

[Edited on 1-12-2010 by k-rico]

k-rico - 1-12-2010 at 10:03 AM

Thanks all.

Dave - 1-12-2010 at 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by bajalou
Imigrado status also imposes time limitations for being "out of country".

I've never heard that. I always thought the rewards for going through the process were less restrictions.

Impossible to enforce 'up north'. Technically, with an FM2 you are required to check in/out but since they don't check at land borders no one does. I once presented my FM2 at customs when declaring. Got a lecture. I'll never do that again.

IMO, unless the end goal is citizenship an FM2 is a waste of time and money.

bajalou - 1-12-2010 at 12:35 PM

"IMO, unless the end goal is citizenship an FM2 is a waste of time and money. "

Don't know about that, I haven't had to pay anything in the last 5 years so I think I'm money ahead now.

longlegsinlapaz - 1-12-2010 at 12:56 PM

CortezBlue, I'm unclear exactly which part of Bob and Susan's statement you feel isn't true.

According to the Immigration office in La Paz, all of it is accurate today. You can switch from FM3 to FM2 after 2 years. I know people who have done it....as part of the normal process currently in place, not through any extraordinary finagling.

Also when I went from FM3 to FM2 in December, I was told I could apply for Immigrado OR Naturalization after 2 years on FM2....rather than the 5 year requirement frequently reported here.

What they will not allow is a leap from FM3 straight to Immigrado. I'd been on FM3 for 10 years, so I asked whether actual full-time residency in country would make it possible to forgo the FM2 step & was told "No, but you can apply for Immigrado after 2 years on FM2." At which time, renewals & annual fees become a thing of the past.

Immigrado = no more annual renewals/fees for visa

Naturalization = no more annual renewals/fees for visa AND you can pay (probably big bucks) to cancel fideicomiso & hold title in your hot little hand versus the banks.

k-rico, if your head can't sift through any more facts/I heard it from a friend who heard it from a friend/rumors....it's always good to confirm current possibilities with a reputable lawyer.

comitan - 1-12-2010 at 01:00 PM

And that's the straight POOP11111111

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

WHICH one of the above Comitan? :lol:

DENNIS - 1-12-2010 at 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dave
IMO, unless the end goal is citizenship an FM2 is a waste of time and money.

IMO, it's all a waste of time. Anyway, to be here legally, you have to have something and if you live in your own house, it's difficult to sell yourself as a tourist.
So, if you don't want to graduate to FM2, you still have to pay yearly for the FM3.
In my opinion, both the 3 and the 2 are just necessary steps to and end, Inmigrado. The time goes by anyway and it's in my budget so I play the game.

comitan - 1-12-2010 at 01:07 PM

Which one has long legs!!!!!! :bounce:

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

:biggrin:

k-rico - 1-12-2010 at 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by longlegsinlapaz
Also when I went from FM3 to FM2 in December, I was told I could apply for Immigrado OR Naturalization after 2 years on FM2....rather than the 5 year requirement frequently reported here.

What they will not allow is a leap from FM3 straight to Immigrado. I'd been on FM3 for 10 years, so I asked whether actual full-time residency in country would make it possible to forgo the FM2 step & was told "No, but you can apply for Immigrado after 2 years on FM2." At which time, renewals & annual fees become a thing of the past.

Immigrado = no more annual renewals/fees for visa

Naturalization = no more annual renewals/fees for visa AND you can pay (probably big bucks) to cancel fideicomiso & hold title in your hot little hand versus the banks.

Again, thanks for the info. The "Immigrado" status is something that is new to me. I'll have to read more about that.

Sounds like it is comparable to the US "permanent resident" or "resident alien" status.

Is there a name/designation for the document Immigrados possess?

Also, since I'm married to a citizen, there may be some rules that don't apply otherwise.

Time to lawyer up.

bajalou - 1-12-2010 at 02:13 PM

You receive a letter authorizing your Imigrado status from Mexico City Immigration. Also, your FM2 is stamped and endorsed that you have this status.

BajaBruceFan - 1-12-2010 at 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dave

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by bajalou
Imigrado status also imposes time limitations for being "out of country".

I've never heard that. I always thought the rewards for going through the process were less restrictions.

Does anyone know what the time limitations are for being out of country on an FM2?

And , if one drove north across the border on an FM2 without 'checking out', would problems arise if one were fly back into Mexico without having the FM2 exit stamp?

DENNIS - 1-12-2010 at 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by k-rico
Also, since I'm married to a citizen, there may be some rules that don't apply otherwise.

Time to lawyer up.

She'll let you know about those rules as she sees fit. Keep that lawyer retained. :lol:

other restrictions?

akshadow - 1-13-2010 at 11:32 AM

When we talked to immigration in San Felipe they said there were also requirements that applied to vehicle licenses, vehicle to have Mexican plates, so then there was the cost of importation.
If you live there, FM2 is probably cheaper way in long run. If you annually come and go to the states as we do it seemed much easier to comply with rules and not much more expensive to keep with FM3.
It is only a matter of time until Mexico border is computerized like US. the US certainly knows when you come back into the states. Mexico will eventually get to the same level of knowledge

longlegsinlapaz - 1-13-2010 at 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaBruceFan
And , if one drove north across the border on an FM2 without 'checking out', would problems arise if one were fly back into Mexico without having the FM2 exit stamp?

Yes, that is a problem! I had it....ONCE! The only time it became an issue was when I went to renew my FM3 & the number of departure stamps didn't equal the number of entry stamps. Thankfully I still had my 1-way airline ticket to back up the fact I drove my RV back up to Oregon & flew home. It is a big deal to Immigration....they wouldn't begin renewal process until the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

Because they automatically stamp it when you fly, you need to make the efforts to get a corresponding stamp to balance entries & exits when you fly/drive on one trip.

Bajahowodd - 1-13-2010 at 04:20 PM

Bureaucrats! Just have to wonder what were the marching orders. Just seems to me that when a Mexican "official" is confronted with documents from a US ex-pat, or tourist, they would err on the side of understanding that someone from the US is likely to bring dinero and jobs to them.