BajaNomad

FMT OR FM3 ?

henshaw - 4-17-2010 at 08:24 AM

We're planning to start building a Casita in Los Barriles on September first and staying until mid April. Our six month FMTs will expire before we leave.

Is this a real problem?
Can we renew then in Los Barriles?
What kind of penelties are involved if they check us at the border and find our FMTs have expired?

We've never had our FMTs checked when crossing back into the states but who knows.

FM-3

bajaguy - 4-17-2010 at 08:34 AM

Get one

longlegsinlapaz - 4-17-2010 at 08:58 AM

What bajaguy said.:bounce:

I'd recommend that you apply at the Immigration office on the Malecon in La Paz. You can do a search here for what documents are currently required to be submitted at the time of application.

durrelllrobert - 4-17-2010 at 09:13 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
Get one

will probably take at least 30 days to get one and you MUST turn in your FMT when you apply.:bounce:

BajaWarrior - 4-17-2010 at 09:16 AM

The rules are supposed to change next month (May) for FM-3. My agent has not heard what if any changes there will be (I renew in June). Anyone heard yet?

noproblemo2 - 4-17-2010 at 09:20 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
Get one

I agree with bajaguy, well worth it especially if you are building to get the process started.

danaeb - 4-17-2010 at 09:29 AM

Here's a summary of the new requirements, to take effect 5/1/2010:

http://www.mexperience.com/blogs/mexicoinsight/?p=256

DENNIS - 4-17-2010 at 09:30 AM

Yeah...You're going to need one eventually. May as well get it over with.

If you own a house in Baja, It's a hard sell to say you're a tourist.

jak - 4-17-2010 at 09:37 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaWarrior
The rules are supposed to change next month (May) for FM-3. My agent has not heard what if any changes there will be (I renew in June). Anyone heard yet?


Nope, no leaks yet on details...some rumors starting?
:?:

BajaWarrior - 4-17-2010 at 09:44 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by jak
Quote:
Originally posted by BajaWarrior
The rules are supposed to change next month (May) for FM-3. My agent has not heard what if any changes there will be (I renew in June). Anyone heard yet?


Nope, no leaks yet on details...some rumors starting?
:?:


No intent rumor being started. Look at "danaeb's" post above.

monoloco - 4-17-2010 at 10:22 AM

One thing to consider is that you will need to renew every year on the date your FM3 was issued so for convenience sake apply for it in the month you are most likely to be here.

BajaWarrior - 4-17-2010 at 10:46 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by monoloco
One thing to consider is that you will need to renew every year on the date your FM3 was issued so for convenience sake apply for it in the month you are most likely to be here.


Which is one month or more before it is due.

sancho - 4-17-2010 at 12:28 PM

Scheduled to come in on May 1, is the new form
fmm which will replace the fmt. There are several
opinions on the affect of actual new regs. Some claim the
practice of getting back to back fmt's will end,
and only 1 fmm will be granted per person
per yr. I haven't seen any clear signal on that,
time will tell. Last week I walked
over and back at TJ and got a 180 day fmt, just in case
they do enforce some sort of time restriction.
The new info on the new regs does not address
more than 1 fmm per yr., (for non lucrative visitors),
it does address the Business visitor needing an
fm3 after 180 days. My Spanish is fair, but the Mex IMM Officers English
was not very good, I was going to try for some
fmm info, but thaught is would be confusing.
Yrs ago I knew a couple Yachities in la paz
who would get new fmt's from Mex IMM
in la paz

[Edited on 4-17-2010 by sancho]

Bajahowodd - 4-17-2010 at 12:31 PM

I recall that there have been other posts on this forum about the rule changes. I seem to recall some mention about the FMM possibly being limited to 180 days per calendar year. The information in the link posted by danaeb is silent on that issue. Whether one may renew or get a new FMM within the same 365 day period is important to those who make frequent trips for relatively short duration. It was also speculated that the FMM would allow for 180 days including multiple entries, with some mechanism in place that would debit the time spent in country. It doesn't appear from that article that such will be the case.

DENNIS - 4-17-2010 at 12:35 PM

Anybody with a computer, printer and a 12 PAK could make an FMT/M in an hour. C'mon folks, where's your sense of larceny? :lol:

bajaguy - 4-17-2010 at 01:45 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
I recall that there have been other posts on this forum about the rule changes. I seem to recall some mention about the FMM possibly being limited to 180 days per calendar year. The information in the link posted by danaeb is silent on that issue. Whether one may renew or get a new FMM within the same 365 day period is important to those who make frequent trips for relatively short duration. It was also speculated that the FMM would allow for 180 days including multiple entries, with some mechanism in place that would debit the time spent in country. It doesn't appear from that article that such will be the case.





It appears the no one (including INM) actually knows what the regulations will be.........

I especially like this snippet taken from the link that daneb posted.......The applicant will then need to enter Mexico within 365 days and obtain the new FM visa card within 30 days of internment, by visiting a local office of the INM..........

Looks like we are back to the "local office" making their own rules.....again!!!!!!

Riom - 4-17-2010 at 08:46 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
It appears the no one (including INM) actually knows what the regulations will be.........


The new regulations (operations manual) were published in DoF on January 29th.

I link to that (it's in Spanish) and the relevant laws in the article on the FMM / FM-3 changes on my site (link below). So it is already possible to read the official regulations that apply from May 1st.

But that's just regulations. What actually will happen will probably be different...

For example, it's unclear whether the 50% reduction in income requirements for an FM-3 if you own a house has been withdrawn, or not. It's no longer in the operations manual, but somebody pointed out it's still in the law. Which wins? Will probably be interpreted locally.

To get back to the main subject, get the FM-3, at a time of year when you expect to return each year. No reason not to if you plan to ever live in (or sell) the house.

Rob



[Edited on 2010-4-18 by Riom]