BajaNomad

Is letting a FM3 expire a good or bad idea?

Leo - 1-25-2011 at 06:46 PM

Our Fm3 is due next month. Paid 5 years for renuwals for no good reason we found out lately. We never stay longer then 180 days in Baja.
What is the consequence of letting it expire and next time simply get a tourist card for about 25 bucks.

[Edited on 1-26-2011 by Leo]

[Edited on 1-26-2011 by Leo]

[Edited on 1-26-2011 by Leo]

bajacalifornian - 1-25-2011 at 07:06 PM

'pends whether you wanna pay a fine or not. Live here, stay current. No, be a tourist. Still need to let them know what you're going to do.

longlegsinlapaz - 1-25-2011 at 07:16 PM

Which is it? You said FM2 in your header, but FM3 in the body of the text. It's BAD to let either an FM3 or FM2 expire. If you do, you'll be liable for fines! If you go into INM & tell them you want to cancel it, they'll do that for you on the spot & they won't be any monetary penalty or negative legal ramifications. But think it through before you do, because if at any time in the future you want another, you'll be starting from square one time-wise. You'll lose however many years you've invested in it.

Also if you have a vehicle that you want to leave here, you'd technically be violating the law leaving it if you enter the country on an FMM. Go talk with the folks at INM for the pros & cons.

Edit: typo

[Edited on 1-27-2011 by longlegsinlapaz]

toneart - 1-25-2011 at 09:59 PM

Do you own property? If so, you need FM3 or FM2 for legal protection. Otherwise you have no legal stand in court.

If you don't own property, why do you have an FM3?

durrelllrobert - 1-26-2011 at 11:50 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Leo

What is the consequence of letting it expire and next time simply get a tourist card for about 25 bucks.

Turn that question around. If you were a Mexican or Canadian citizen holding a US tourist, education or temporary work visa and you let it expire, what would happen? Deportation and refusal to issue new visa. Be glad you are talking about Mexico and stay legal.

Bajahowodd - 1-26-2011 at 05:38 PM

I don't think there is a single correct answer. Partly because Mexico has been so lax with its immigration enforcement. It is abundantly true that having the FM-3 will provide one with more protections and rights. But, Leo never mentioned or responded to the question about ownership. That said, I have a feeling that since he lists Todos Santos as his hood, he probably does own. My own personal rule of thumb is that the farther you venture down from the border, the less likely the FMM is gonna be your friend. I'm not speaking of tourists. Por ejemplo, renting in Ensenada. Easy shot to the border. Not so in Todos.

Leo - 1-27-2011 at 09:37 AM

OK, general consensus is; BAD idea.
But I still don't get it,why. We are here neber longer then 5 to 6 months.

This lawyer in La Paz told me there is no need for it. Not even for opening a bank account, Feedecommiso for property or staying up to 180 days.
So why bother the paperwork, going to LAP twice and pay the high fees every year?
We have property, bank acc. a car etc. Have paid for FM3 for 5 years and are at the cross-roads now sionce we can not renew the excisting FM3.

fishabductor - 1-27-2011 at 09:55 AM

from my personal experience it is a bad idea. I had to pay a $9000 peso fine for letting it expire and then trying to get another reissued. if you aren't going to need it, don't own property..etc. Just make sure they cancel your fm2/3.

gnukid - 1-27-2011 at 10:04 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Leo
OK, general consensus is; BAD idea.
But I still don't get it,why. We are here neber longer then 5 to 6 months.

This lawyer in La Paz told me there is no need for it. Not even for opening a bank account, Feedecommiso for property or staying up to 180 days.
So why bother the paperwork, going to LAP twice and pay the high fees every year?
We have property, bank acc. a car etc. Have paid for FM3 for 5 years and are at the cross-roads now sionce we can not renew the excisting FM3.


You might be misunderstanding the responses:

1) If you do not want the visa cancel it prior to expiration. You will be given 30 days to leave the country whereupon you can get a tourist visa.

2) If you fail to cancel it and it expires and then you get a tourist visa it may be a problem for you if the computers link it up, since, somehow that is considered fraud.

3) If it is expired and you are not in Mexico it may be possible to visit a Mexican Embassy and turn it in for cancelation prior to your return under a tourist visa.

4) If you cancel and return with a tourist visa, you may once again apply for a fm3 or fm2 whenever you want.

Hope that makes it clearer.

DavidE - 1-27-2011 at 01:32 PM

If it's any consolation I was fined a couple of years ago for not cancelling out an FM-3 before getting an FMT. A thousand pesos.

durrelllrobert - 1-27-2011 at 02:05 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Leo
.... at the cross-roads now since we CAN NOT renew the excisting FM3.

Of course you CAN. even though you have held the FM3 for 5 years you CAN continue to renew it OR you can go to the FM2 (more $).

BAJA.DESERT.RAT - 1-27-2011 at 02:18 PM

Hola,

last year, i had my accountant renew my fm3 and i was one day late. i received a fine of a dollar ( pesos ? ) a day with a minimum of $ 30.00.

renewing my inactive corporation late, l didn't receive a fine ?

BIEN SALUD, DA RAT