BajaNomad - FM3/2 Photos--Picked up FM3 today--added information

FM3/2 Photos--Picked up FM3 today--added information

DianaT - 6-3-2010 at 06:27 PM

Black and White or Color?

My sister turned in her paper work this week in Ensenada, through an agent----agent said she had checked with the office several times and the photos had to be in Black and White.

So even though we remembered the agent in Guerrero Negro had said color with a white background, since she had also told us that the old application form was OK, we decided to go with the latest information and paid 200 pesos for black and white. The immigration office was closed by the time we arrived in Guerrero Negro so we could not verify.

Opps, this morning after the first trip to the immigration office, it was back to the pharmacy for pictures in color---another 200 pesos, but we kept the black and white just in case.

We had the new applications and that was good. We had the same letters with new dates that we had from last year along with the letters that Bob and Jane posted that the Loreto Office wanted and neither was acceptable, but she typed a new one for us.

Then others have said they did not need utility bills or bank statements for their offices, but we did---fortunately we had them.

Consistency so far does not appear to be a part of this new process. But evidently we are only the second ones to apply in Guerrero Negro under the new system----we just hope they have it right. :biggrin:

So, we are supposed to have them next week---we will call first as it is a 100+ mile drive and part of it on highway horrible---the Vizcaino- Tortugas highway.

Just another FM3 story.

[Edited on 6-16-2010 by DianaT]

rts551 - 6-3-2010 at 06:52 PM

We will be one of the first on Monday in Santa Rosalia. Yes color pictures. (We are going to get them done there). We have the new form... good thing we have our Birth certificates. Apparently they want those again... we will see what else

DianaT - 6-3-2010 at 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rts551
We will be one of the first on Monday in Santa Rosalia. Yes color pictures. (We are going to get them done there). We have the new form... good thing we have our Birth certificates. Apparently they want those again... we will see what else

Sure hope they don't ask for birth certificates at GN---don't have those----they are archived in the museum of ancient history.

Yea, the line cuts across about La Bocana---you have Santa Rosalia and we get Guerrero Negro. Wonder what will happen in the Municipality splits ---- more interesting develops.

If you head up this way while we are here, the guest room is available for you. Let us know.

And good luck with the FM2/3

[Edited on 6-4-2010 by DianaT]

durrelllrobert - 6-5-2010 at 10:38 AM

yep, black and white only in Ensenada :?:

DianaT - 6-5-2010 at 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by durrelllrobert
yep, black and white only in Ensenada :?:

So my sister and I can't fight over this one as to who was correct? :biggrin:

Black and White for Ensenada, color for Guerrero Negro and Santa Rosalia----

Total consistency. :yes:

I think I forgot to tell her that her FM2 might be delayed because of machine failure. Opps

[Edited on 6-5-2010 by DianaT]

DianaT - 6-11-2010 at 10:15 AM

So far color seems like the correct one for Guerrero Negro---we hope. We were supposed to be able to pick up our FM3s today. Called yesterday--they said system was down. Then they called back to ask the personal questions---height, weight, etc., but now ASSURE us they have everything.

It is going to be ready in the middle of next week. Absolutely, no question about it---nothing else will be needed, all the paper work is correct, the photos are correct. :yes:

But we will call first just in case---don't want to drive highway horrible more than necessary. :lol:

bajabound2005 - 6-12-2010 at 06:29 AM

Ensenada is accepting both color and B&W photos (this week!)

DianaT - 6-12-2010 at 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajabound2005
Ensenada is accepting both color and B&W photos (this week!)

Bajatripper - 6-16-2010 at 11:11 AM

I just got back from our local INM office here in La Paz, wanted to get started on the renewal of my FM2. While waiting, I read some postings stating that one needed to register online prior to visiting the office (www.inm.gob.mx). I wondered if they were serious. When I approached the counter, the young lady had me sign their big logbook, and I thought to myself, "piece of cake" since past experience taught me that once you were in the logbook, you got issued your file number and you were off and running.

Not this time. The young lady asked how she could help me, at which point I handed her my FM-2 and said I was in for renewal. Instead of turning to, going off to a file cabinet to get a sheet of paper to check off what I needed to bring back, she just looked at me. After an ackward moment of silence, she asked what documentation I had brought her. I sheepishly explained what I had thought the process would be. She told me that I would now have to go online to get all that information.

She did give me the heads up that--although the website makes no mention of it--we now need to provide them with three colored front shots and two colored side shots of infant-sized photos.

So that is what happened to me on this given day at 1100 a.m. with that lady working in INM today. Who knows what someone else will experience.

Steve

DianaT - 6-16-2010 at 02:39 PM

SUCCESS

Today we picked up our FM3s --- cards at Guerrero Negro. They called on Monday and said they were ready.

Well actually when we got there it took almost an hour for them to fill out a few more papers, glue the photos on the papers in the file, heat up the laminating machine, have us sign the log book, several other papers and take the fingerprints.

So here is our time line and process. We are not sure if they used everything, but they said they did.

June 3 ---- Turned in:

Completed forms from the internet site
3 months bank statements----in English
2 CFE bills
The receipt from the bank that we paid the fees (had picked up that form from Immigration a couple weeks before on our way through GN)
Photos in color-----white background, 6 front view and 6 right profile, and taken with glasses removed. (Did not need 6 of each, but that is the way they came where had them taken)
The letter requesting the renewal that we had was not quite correct so they typed us new ones.
Copies of our US Passports
Our Green FM3 booklets.

They said it would take one week. We called on June 10 and they said the system had been down. They called us back that day and asked more questions---personal ones like height, weight, former employment, etc.

They called us again on Friday, June 11 and said it would be a couple more days.

So we were surprised when they called up on June 14 and said they were ready. It ended up being far easier than we expected---no surprises, and extra fees.

But it does seem that there are still some differences between offices, and I wonder how those of you who will not be in Baja when your FM3 expires are going to handle it???

Glad to have it!

pacside - 6-16-2010 at 03:13 PM

Thanks DianaT for explaining your experience and congrats on your new FM3's.

Well it looks like I will be the test case re being out of the country when my FM3 expires. Mailed all the docs (including original FM3) to my guy in La Paz to handle. A letter will be provided if flying back. If driving he said letter not necessary. Next trip I will go in to finger print and hopefully pick up new FM3.

Will keep all informed of progress.

pacside

schwlind - 6-16-2010 at 06:28 PM

We have provided all information and documents for our renewals to our Immigration person in Ensenada, Blance Medina, except for the last month's original bank statement prior to our renewal date and the pictures, which we'll send at the appropriate time. We too face the problem of having to appear before Immigration for fingerprinting and signing of the "card". According to Blanca, the rules say we must appear in person to do this within 30 days of the completion of the processing of our documents by Immigration, however, she said she would speak with them and get back to me to confirm if there is any flexibility in that time frame. Unfortunately, due to a scheduled hip surgery around that same time... it creates a dilemma for me (especially because I currently live 2600 miles away!)

Bajatripper - 6-18-2010 at 12:12 PM

After getting my Internet-generated form, I returned to IMN with it, the photos, a form they gave me to fill out on my first visit, the proof-of-payment from the bank, and the letter asking to extend your stay, and that was apparently all that is now required, since they accepted it and told me to check back in seven business days.

Things they didn't ask for this time: no proof of residence (electric/phone/water receipt), no last-three-months of bank statements, and no folder (a folder use to be on the check list they gave you, now they provide them, unless you offer to give them the one you brought the stuff in).

The lady who attended me informed me that I could check on the Internet to see if it was done early, I could come and get it.

Of course, this is only my first renewal of my FM-2, so I'm not exactly an old hand on what they required before. Perhaps they were always easier to renew than FM-3s.

Steve

DianaT - 6-18-2010 at 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by schwlind
We have provided all information and documents for our renewals to our Immigration person in Ensenada, Blance Medina, except for the last month's original bank statement prior to our renewal date and the pictures, which we'll send at the appropriate time. We too face the problem of having to appear before Immigration for fingerprinting and signing of the "card". According to Blanca, the rules say we must appear in person to do this within 30 days of the completion of the processing of our documents by Immigration, however, she said she would speak with them and get back to me to confirm if there is any flexibility in that time frame. Unfortunately, due to a scheduled hip surgery around that same time... it creates a dilemma for me (especially because I currently live 2600 miles away!)

My sister has a different agent in Ensenada and through her agent all the papers have been submitted. However, my sister will also not be able to return to sign and pick up the card on time.

Here agent told her that she would have 3 months to get there and there would be no penalty. I hope she is correct.

Good luck and check you u2u

Diana

katedogg - 6-25-2010 at 08:35 AM

Just to clarify... That was 5 pictures, infantil size, 3 frontal and 2 right full profile? We're trying to get the pictures done here (where it's 20 degrees cooler!) but I don't want to do it wrong. Thanks for the help.

katedogg - 6-25-2010 at 12:22 PM

One more question.....
When the form says, "Pasaporte o Documento con el que se identifica el extranjero"- does that mean I put in my US passport information or my FM3 information?

SDRonni - 6-25-2010 at 12:24 PM

For us, it was the US Passport info.....

vandenberg - 6-25-2010 at 12:45 PM

Haven't read anywhere what length of time these card type FM2's & 3's are good for ? Do you guys have to go through this system the same as with the old passport type books?

And.. does anyone know what the procedure is for those who have inmigrado status? Do they issue cards for that also ?

Hook - 6-25-2010 at 01:51 PM

Just got back from the INM office in Guaymas. One thing very different is that they are not requiring an apostile stamp on records from US banks anymore and you no longer have to copy each and every page from your passport. This was for FM-3 renewal and starting a new FM-3.

bajalinda - 6-28-2010 at 01:10 PM

vandenberg - my new card-type FM-2 is good for 1 year (same as with the old booklets). The issue date and the expiration date are both printed on the back of the laminated card.

I'm guessing that this means that at my renewal time next year I will have to get new photos for a new card along with the other usual requirements.

DianaT - 6-28-2010 at 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajalinda
vandenberg - my new card-type FM-2 is good for 1 year (same as with the old booklets). The issue date and the expiration date are both printed on the back of the laminated card.

I'm guessing that this means that at my renewal time next year I will have to get new photos for a new card along with the other usual requirements.

At Guerrero Negro I asked if we would need new photos for next year, and all she said was it would be better.

So since we had to buy more pictures than we needed as they only did them in packets, maybe they won't notice and we can use the same ones next year. :yes:

bajalinda - 6-29-2010 at 01:59 PM

right Diane....maybe, we'll see. Will be interesting to see how many things are the same or different at renewal time next year.

Just re-read my previous post and noticed it wasn't exactly correct. The new card-type FM-2 is good for 1 year. The EXTENSION/RENEWAL in the old booklets was for 1 year, but the booklet itself was used for 5 years.

toneart - 6-29-2010 at 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT

Quote:

No, Diana, You will look much older next year.

vandenberg - 6-29-2010 at 02:26 PM

Diana,
You could probably submit a picture of Marilyn Monroe, since, here and in the States, I have never seen anybody look at the picture and then at you, to make sure it was actually you in the picture. Always wanted to try that, but was afraid it could have consequences I was not ready for.

DianaT - 6-29-2010 at 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by toneart

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT

Quote:

No, Diana, You will look much older next year.

I know where you live and the next time we are there, I will find you! You should pay for that one. :lol:

Actually, it is way too true. :yes:

Quote:

Originally posted by vandenberg
Diana,
You could probably submit a picture of Marilyn Monroe, since, here and in the States, I have never seen anybody look at the picture and then at you, to make sure it was actually you in the picture. Always wanted to try that, but was afraid it could have consequences I was not ready for.

I think I have an old high school graduation picture around I could try and then at least it would be me. :biggrin:

Nah, I would not want to steal your wonderful idea. I do think you should give it a try and report back---- :yes:

bacquito - 7-21-2010 at 12:05 PM

Quote:

I recently applied for an fm2 and they took my photos necessary for the permit but gave me the remaining photos and said I could use them next year. iI did this in Ensenada.