BajaNomad - FM2 vs FM3 - Powered by XMB

FM2 vs FM3

Mxsmoothsailor - 4-16-2010 at 02:09 PM

My FM3 has 5 yrs on it so need to renew. Just wondering the advantages to getting an Fm2 this time. I have a work permit and also wondering if it would be easier to renew with an FM2?

DENNIS - 4-16-2010 at 02:13 PM

The FM2 will cost more, but it all leads to the end....yours in five more years. It's a minor inconvenience for ten years, but if you stay with the FM3, it goes on forever.
I have two years to go.

vandenberg - 4-16-2010 at 02:24 PM

Don't forget with a FM2 you have to reside in Mexico 80% of the time, I believe.
Put severe restrictions on travel NOB.

DianaT - 4-16-2010 at 02:39 PM

Will the new changes that are supposed to come in May make a difference in all of this? Has anyone figured out what is going to really happen with the current FM2s or FM3s?

Our FM3 is due to be renewed in June so we wonder.

Bajahowodd - 4-16-2010 at 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by vandenberg
Don't forget with a FM2 you have to reside in Mexico 80% of the time, I believe.
Put severe restrictions on travel NOB.

What I've always wondered is how the authorities would be able to determine if you weren't in Mexico 80%. Say you have a place where you stay half the year. Why would your immigration documents even become an issue when you return, if you didn't let them know you left? Seems to me that carrying a US passport would be all you'd need to get North, or go South. Inasmuch as even if they check for a passport entering Mexico, unless and until they require some form of immigration document even for day trippers, once you are beyond the border, your FM-2 is all you would need. Am I wrong?

rts551 - 4-16-2010 at 03:13 PM

basically with an FM-2 you become a legal immigrant (full time resident).

Biggest advantage is after five years no more renewals and you can apply for citizenship if you like. But remember you are declaring you are a full time resident of Mexico.

I am in my last year of the FM2 yeyyyyyyy

longlegsinlapaz - 4-16-2010 at 03:16 PM

People who drive back & forth MIGHT be able to pull off exceeding the allowable time out of country....those who fly definitely could NOT.

vandenberg - 4-16-2010 at 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by longlegsinlapaz
People who drive back & forth MIGHT be able to pull off exceeding the allowable time out of country....those who fly definitely could NOT.

True, besides, all you have to do get caught once, and, this being Mexico after all, will loose all priviliges associated with the FM 2 and get kicked out of the country.
No softhearted treehuggers here. :biggrin:

longlegsinlapaz - 4-16-2010 at 04:02 PM

So ya telling me I can't drive that car sitting out front to OR & back in the next couple weeks? Uh oh! Too late! :lol:

I won't "get caught" because I do things legally & besides, I haven't been out of the country for 5+ years! Van, you know me....I wasn't promoting doing anything wrong, simply stating my opinion of current methodology in place (slim to none) for those who drive in & out. You put in writing what I ALMOST did!

Bajahowodd - 4-16-2010 at 04:54 PM

I'm quite curious. Are you saying that there are data systems that will track disparate info? In other words, let's assume that legs has a US passport and decides to fly out of LAP to San Diego. When she walks up to the counter and flashes her US passport, Am I to assume they will then look for other documentation, such as an FM-T? So, assuming you produce your FM-2, does that automatically go to the immigration database? I'm just thinking about the old days when no accurate records were maintained.

longlegsinlapaz - 4-16-2010 at 08:22 PM

Mexico doesn't care about passports, they only care about their own authorizationdocument for a foreigner to be crossing their borders....FM-T, FM-2, FM-3, etc. They giveth FM-T's to tourists upon entry & takenth away upon departure. And yes, flying one direction & driving the other DOES cause a problem if the number of departures & arrivals are not in sync.

To correct your scenario....Legs walks up to the counter & flashes her FM-2, which is promptly stamped with an exit stamp (or it was the last time I flew in/out). Upon return to La Paz, clearing Immigration wherever I clear it, be it La Paz, Hermosillo, or Loreto, Legs once again flashes her FM-2 & it's promptly stamped with an entry stamp which completes one full circuit/trip. Actually, the first couple of times I flew, I flashed both my passport & my FM-3 & they always slid the passport straight back to me unopened & only worked with my FM-3.

Bottom line is driving in/out there are different/laxer checks in place than there are if you fly in/out. It's my understanding that they are now starting to track departures/arrivals on-line, but I don't know if it's 100% on-line yet.

gnukid - 4-16-2010 at 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT
Will the new changes that are supposed to come in May make a difference in all of this? Has anyone figured out what is going to really happen with the current FM2s or FM3s?

Our FM3 is due to be renewed in June so we wonder.

From recent conversations with INM they state the changes are largely cosmetic, when your FM-3 or FM-2 book is done and you get a new one it will look different, be smaller and probably have rfid.

Bob and Susan - 4-17-2010 at 05:56 AM

for us simpletons...

rfid =

Radio-frequency identification (RFID)

the use of an object (typically referred to as an RFID tag)

incorporated into a product, animal, or PERSON

for the purpose of identification and TRACKING.