BajaNomad

Heads up to those of you going thru FM3

Santiago - 2-19-2011 at 07:11 AM

Just want to warn you of a snafu I almost got caught in while going thru the renewal process using an agent in Ensenada.
The agent requested copies of my FM3 along with other info to submit by my due date, mid-Feb.
I received a panicked e-mail from him a week before the due date that he needed the actual booklet - not just copies. Fortunately, I was able to mail the booklet to his San Ysidro PO Box, he drove to pick it up and got it in one day before due.
I don't know if he just made a mistake or if 'they' changed the rules on him but be aware of this if using an agent and they only ask for copies.
He says that in about 3 weeks it will be ready for the next step; 2 hours of getting photos and appearing in person; only between 9:00am and noon. Wonder how early Anthonys opens?
YMMV of course.:coolup:

beachbum1A - 2-19-2011 at 09:45 AM

Jim, Is the same agent you & I discussed using when our #1 was unavailable? Or someone else?

DENNIS - 2-19-2011 at 09:57 AM

I've always had to surrender the book. Probably will with the card as well.

Who is the agent that didn't know this?

rhintransit - 2-19-2011 at 10:15 AM

yeap...your agent made a mistake. he/she should have know this.

bajabound2005 - 2-19-2011 at 10:17 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by beachbum1A
Jim, Is the same agent you & I discussed using when our #1 was unavailable? Or someone else?


bet dollars to donuts it is!

Bob and Susan - 2-19-2011 at 10:23 AM

donuts?...pink?

Santiago - 2-19-2011 at 10:42 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by beachbum1A
Jim, Is the same agent you & I discussed using when our #1 was unavailable? Or someone else?

Same

Woooosh - 2-19-2011 at 10:47 AM

I just renewed by FM3 and they switched-out the booklet for a laminated card. The card still has a one year expiration date, so you must have to supply new photos each year and get a new one. They used to stamp my US passport while they had possession of the booklet- so I had something to show during processing time. This time they did not stamp my US passport. I don't know what they will do when they update the laminated card next year.

Santiago - 2-19-2011 at 10:58 AM

Let me say something here, as I suspect the fault lies with me, not the agent.
He gave me a list of things to scan and e-mail him from which he prepared the docs that I needed to sign allowing him to submit on my behalf. These he mailed to me so they would have wet signatures; I suspect that he assummed I would know to put my original FM3 in the same mailing packet when I sent these back to him; after all, everytime you have to turn in the original, right?
He probably opened my packet and thought, "Jeeze, what a dummy - didn't send the original". And he would be right.
I only posted this in case anyone else out there is a clueless as me. (Note to jeans; let's leave this one alone, OK?)

But since we are talking about it, the instructions never said anything about providing proof of income as in years past?? I think when I show up in March I'll have copies of my Vanguard/Fidelity statements proving that my ability to pick stocks is only exceeded in failure by my selection of what fly will likely catch trout on any given day.

Can of worms

bajaguy - 2-19-2011 at 11:15 AM

OK, since you opened it, we want to hear from Jeans!!!!!

backninedan - 2-19-2011 at 12:51 PM

I renewed mine last week, it was easy.. No more bank statement, fewer things to have copied. I did have to write a letter in spanish stating my reasons for wanting to stay in Mexico. I submitted just two paragraphs and they seemed satisfied. All in all a piece of cake.

DENNIS - 2-19-2011 at 01:35 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by backninedan
I renewed mine last week, it was easy.. No more bank statement, fewer things to have copied. I did have to write a letter in spanish stating my reasons for wanting to stay in Mexico. I submitted just two paragraphs and they seemed satisfied. All in all a piece of cake.



Just goes to show ya, no two INM offices are the same. I just renewed my FM2 and had to give a bank statement.
No writing requirments. That just sounds ridiculous. Maybe next year, they'll have you do a little tap dance.

rhintransit - 2-19-2011 at 04:50 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Santiago
Let me say something here, as I suspect the fault lies with me, not the agent.
He gave me a list of things to scan and e-mail him from which he prepared the docs that I needed to sign allowing him to submit on my behalf. These he mailed to me so they would have wet signatures; I suspect that he assummed I would know to put my original FM3 in the same mailing packet when I sent these back to him; after all, everytime you have to turn in the original, right?
He probably opened my packet and thought, "Jeeze, what a dummy - didn't send the original". And he would be right.
I only posted this in case anyone else out there is a clueless as me. (Note to jeans; let's leave this one alone, OK?))



well, Jeeze, too...then why did you say "I don't know if he just made a mistake or if 'they' changed the rules on him but be aware of this if using an agent and they only ask for copies?"

based on what I've heard around Loreto, not necessarily 'the rules' proof of income isn't required now for renewals only if you are getting a new FM3, or changing from FM2 to FM3

[Edited on 2-19-2011 by rhintransit]

Pescador - 2-20-2011 at 08:01 AM

I did all the forms on the computer, printed them out, took them in to the office and it was a breeze. Check out this site.

http://www.rollybrook.com/inm-forms.htm

willyAirstream - 2-20-2011 at 08:48 AM

I used the same online forms as Pescador. Piece o cake.