BajaNomad

Renewal of FM3 question

Katiejay99 - 8-2-2011 at 10:55 AM

I have a friend whose husband has an FM2 - she is on her 5th renewal of an FM3 and she wants to get another FM3 but immigration in La Paz is saying that, per the law, she must apply for an FM2. Does anyone know about this? She is wanting to fight for her FM3 (cheaper than an FM2). She is listed as a dependent of his - no work.

Thank you.

DENNIS - 8-2-2011 at 11:14 AM

It used to be that one could continue on and on with the FM3. Don't know what's happening today with the changes. My feeling toward the whole thing is to do whatever it takes to get it over with.

Perhaps you'll find something useful in this:

http://yucalandia.wordpress.com/living-in-yucatan-mexico/new...

Katiejay99 - 8-2-2011 at 11:40 AM

Thank you Dennis - I really couldn't find an appropriate answer to my question - Immigration in La Paz seems to be going by the "old" rules. She specifically wants the FM3 because she wants to be able to go to the US and visit her daughter without restrictions.

karenintx - 8-2-2011 at 01:33 PM

Things change but for what it is worth this is what we were told by the INM in CSL in May 2010...just days after the first "cards" were being issued.

FM-3 - can be renewed for five years only then the person "has" to apply for a FM-2.

FM-2 - no longer will have limited days you can be out of country...unless you are working toward your Mexican citizenship.

When I questioned about being required/forced" into a FM-2 the INM agent said "you can always cancel your FM-3 wait then reapply for a new FM-3." I didn't ask any question...figured we would do that at a later date as things tend to change.

Fast forward to May 2011. This was our sixth FM-3 renewal...no one at INM said a word about upgrading to a FM-2 so we didn't say anything...let that dog sleep! Yes, we still have a FM-3 and so do several of our friends that are way past the five years on their FM-3.

My point is ask La Paz INM if there is a limit on days out of the country and/or about canceling then reapplying, if that is something you think would fit your situation.

Again that info is from CSL INM but then they allow you to apply for your FM renewal the same day it expires...one day late then you will pay a fine.

J.P. - 8-2-2011 at 04:02 PM

As far as i kmow there wasnt any tine limit on fm 3 you could keep it from now on but with this new program there will no longer be a fm3 time will tell what the new order of things will be I too have had my fm3 6 years/:?::?:

karenintx - 8-2-2011 at 04:58 PM

We started our 6th year FM-3 renewal on May 27th and on that day we asked the INM agent about the "Ley de Migración President Calderon signed it into law on May 24, 2011". He looked at us like we were crazy and said "I do not know what you are talking about." He then asked an other agent working next to him, to which the second INM agent repeated the same thing the the first INM agent had just said.

OK, so maybe it was too soon for anyone to know about the new law...four weeks and four days later when we went to INM to p/u our FM-3's. We asked a different INM agent the same question we had asked on May 27th. Again, this agent did not know what we were talking about. That made three INM agents that had no clue about the "new law" or maybe they had been instructed by their supervisor/el jefe not to say anything. While waiting at INM we asked several Mexican business people, the ones foreigners hire to process/renew their FM-2/3, if they knew anything about the new law. They too did not know what we were talking about nor did they seem interested in hearing about it.

I guess we will take a "wait and see attitude"...as we do with everything.

The one thing that has been discussed on this board is "no two INM offices apply the rules the same".

Katiejay99 - 8-2-2011 at 05:01 PM

Thank you - I will let them know this. Maybe they can just cancel the FM3 and re-apply. They go to INM tomorrow.

J.P. - 8-2-2011 at 08:22 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Katiejay99
Thank you - I will let them know this. Maybe they can just cancel the FM3 and re-apply. They go to INM tomorrow.


I was told the document you currently hold wll still be honored until expiration date then what ever is appilcable will go into effect.

toneart - 8-2-2011 at 08:42 PM

If you don't like the answer you are getting from one official, come back another day and ask a different official or go to another jurisdiction.

I don't mean to be flip in my answer, but experience tells me that, with Mexican Officialdom, the standard is unstable. The truth is probably set in quicksand. :o

You could say, the same applies to answers on The BajaNomad.:rolleyes: We try to give helpful answers (most of us), but...

Bob and Susan - 8-3-2011 at 04:29 AM

no...

get the CORRECT rule
even if you HAVE to go to mexico city fo it

seems a shame
6 years a fm3

you could be an immigrato and never have to do this again

Norm - 8-3-2011 at 06:39 AM

So here we go !!!!!! In March 2011 our FM-E WAS DUE~We have not been able to get back to Lapaz to renew .... We will head out in nov & try to get our paper work taken care of. The taxes for the house are very nice & ezzzzzzy !!!
But now what is the best way to get across the border ??? We drive & last fall we had a hard time at the border. We have had the FM-3 SINCE 2006.
I am sure that one of you will be able to give us some info that will help ??
Thanks ~N/sUE

J.P. - 8-3-2011 at 10:08 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bob and Susan
no...

get the CORRECT rule
even if you HAVE to go to mexico city fo it

seems a shame
6 years a fm3

you could be an immigrato and never have to do this again






Quite possibly you could be correct. My rational was I am 72 and by the time i would qualify I might not rember why I wanted toooooo.:lol::lol:

Jim/Liisa - 8-3-2011 at 02:13 PM

I have heared and read about the FM3 going away on one of the San Felipe sites. But have seen nor heared anything further on clarification on what will happen. I have heard that it is now in effect, but what? That is one things of many that Mexico is so poor in and thats clear communication for changes like this as far as INS "lets keep them gringos confused...

Here I found the site...
http://www.blueroadrunner.com/News/2011/fm3disappear.htm

[Edited on 8-3-2011 by Jim/Liisa]

greengoes - 8-3-2011 at 02:46 PM

FM3 Indefinite?

tal vez si, tal vez no.
:)

Jim/Liisa - 8-3-2011 at 03:30 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by greengoes
FM3 Indefinite?

tal vez si, tal vez no.
:)


And?

Bob and Susan - 8-3-2011 at 03:37 PM

im pretty sure after 5 years with a fm3 you need to re-apply
not renew

jp
you still have till 90 something
i think...i cant remember:lol:

Katiejay99 - 8-3-2011 at 03:48 PM

My friends did go to La Paz today and were able to submit the tramites for another Fm3. She told me it took some foot stomping - but they finally did it. Then they wanted an apostiled copy of their marriage license - they have used the same one they have every year for the past 5 years but were told it was not correct. I just got a call from my friends and they decided to get married in Mexico - cheaper than trying to get their stuff from the US (in their words - but maybe they just want to get married again).

J.P. - 8-3-2011 at 03:55 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bob and Susan
im pretty sure after 5 years with a fm3 you need to re-apply
not renew

jp
you still have till 90 something
i think...i cant remember:lol:


Yeah give it some time and see how this thing washes out I am probably going to start the process if i am reading things right i should be able to go to permenant resident status now:light::light:

BajaBlanca - 8-3-2011 at 04:21 PM

I recently heard froma guest who was with us that they had become inmigrados and never had to go back to immigration again. as you all know, I chose to become a citizen but I think the inmigrado option seems excellent ...why go thru jumping thru the hoops every year?

I do think we keep more on top of the changes in laws than the offices do since we are the ones so affected by whatever changes occur.

anyo9ne else an inmigrado and can attest as to the advantages and/or process one goes thru ?

Bob and Susan - 8-4-2011 at 05:43 AM

the ONLY problem is the limits of time out of the country with a fm2

AND

it more money each year$$$

but it DOES end

bajalou - 8-4-2011 at 08:14 AM

Inmigrado for about 4-5 years now. Go into the office and sign the book once a year. No charges for this - No test etc. to become Inmigrado after 5 years of FM2. When I got it, a petition was sent to Mexico City and 18 months later it came back approved. I understand the delay is less now.

J.P. - 8-4-2011 at 11:06 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajalou
Inmigrado for about 4-5 years now. Go into the office and sign the book once a year. No charges for this - No test etc. to become Inmigrado after 5 years of FM2. When I got it, a petition was sent to Mexico City and 18 months later it came back approved. I understand the delay is less now.


My neigbors have been Immigrado for several years. they came down this past week to get new Id.cards I dont know whats up with that.

bajalou - 8-4-2011 at 11:26 AM

I signed in last Feb. and they didn't issue the new card. People new to Inmigrado got the cards, but they just looked at my old book. No exchange.

Bajatripper - 8-4-2011 at 09:17 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by toneart
If you don't like the answer you are getting from one official, come back another day and ask a different official or go to another jurisdiction.

I don't mean to be flip in my answer, but experience tells me that, with Mexican Officialdom, the standard is unstable. The truth is probably set in quicksand. :o

You could say, the same applies to answers on The BajaNomad.:rolleyes: We try to give helpful answers (most of us), but...


These are wise words indeed. The real mistake one can make in these dealings is to expect consistency.

In response to a question from a fellow Nomad, I asked an immigration agent in La Paz if holders of FM-3/2s had to get the FMM when flying in. He said "No," just as I broused through a pamplet there on the counter that said that yes, we did need to get FMMs (free) for statistical purposes only. He confirmed from a fellow worker that the pamplet was correct.