BajaNomad - FROM A FM-3 TO A FM-2

FROM A FM-3 TO A FM-2

fishingmako - 4-29-2012 at 11:52 AM

I realize this subject in different matters have come forth on this board.

I really want to know some feedback on the subject.

I have had a Fm-3 for (5) years I realize you don't even have to wait that long anymore to go to the FM-2...here is my question...what is the advantages and disadvantages of going to an FM-2? I have a house in the FEDERAL ZONE..I don't think I want to become a citizen or do I? etc. etc.

I just want to know should I ? or shouldn't I ?go from my FM-3 TO A FM-2. I would really like to know why? and what will or won't do for me?

Thanks Nomads I know someone will come up with what i'm looking for! my FM-# expires soon.

Howard - 4-29-2012 at 12:00 PM

For me the big thing will be after the FM2, the next step is you don't have to go through the renewal each year.

The rules state that you have to have the FM2 for 4 renewals to appply for Immigrado. That makes it a total of 5 years and in Loreto, maybe everywhere, the cost is a one time charge of 750 pesos and annual fees of 3,189 pesos until you become Immigrado.

Another thing, you don't have to get those damn photo's every year after Immigrado!

fishingmako - 4-29-2012 at 12:23 PM

Howard,

What about entrances and exits from Mexico? if you really don't live full time in Mexico? won't this become a real problem as the computers now and will cross each other knowing exactly whats going on?

DavidE - 4-29-2012 at 12:43 PM

Points To Ponder

Imigrados are not supposed to bring in a car with extraneous license plates. Cops in some cities and towns will cite an infraccion for this and it ain't cheap, La Paz transitos seem to be the most vigorous. And yes, under federal, state and municipio law a cop can ask to see your driver license, car registration and immigration papers. Not a rumor, I read the books, chapter and verse. I have talked to the cops, and to migracion. Not commonly enforced, but...

You can not bond a car for the mainland on an FM2, or anything but an FMM or Rentista. The rule is rigorously enforced.

CortezBlue - 4-29-2012 at 09:04 PM

We are in our second year of FM2 and have only 3 years left to get our permanent resident.

Then I have the option of getting my citizenship.

You do have to be retired and living in Mexico full time. However, it is highly unlikely that they would be able to track you down to see if you are here full time.

shari - 4-29-2012 at 09:42 PM

if you live full time in Mexico, I highly recommend becoming a citizen(which you can only do from a FM2)....it is great to be finished with all the immigration stuff once and for all, have your property in your own name, vote, not get deported because someone doesnt like you, and you do NOT have to renounce your american citizenship. It end up being cheaper in the long run not having to pay for immigration status.

CortezBlue - 4-29-2012 at 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by soulpatch
we think we will start straight away with our FM2.... it will be interesting to see what implementation of the new law will be by the time we get there sometime around the New Year.

From what I have found you have to have 10 years in country before you can get your permanent migration status.

FM3 is half the cost of FM2, so if you start with FM2 you will pay a bunch of extra dough.

I would check with a few folks before you make a decision that may cost you more.

CortezBlue - 4-29-2012 at 09:46 PM

Quote:

stanburn - 4-30-2012 at 06:12 AM

There is one point that no one addressed for you. You can not get rid of your fideocomiso unless you are a Mexican citizen. The only path to citizenship is with an FM-2.

I am on my last renewal for my FM-2, wooo hooooo

Pescador - 4-30-2012 at 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by CortezBlue

Quote:

No, you need an FM2 for 5 years and can then apply for Inmagrado, under which status you can remain, if you choose, or you can go through application for citizenship. Immigrant status means no more applications, so yes it costs a little more for an FM2 over an FM3 but in the long run that difference is probably negated.

All of these are merely vehicles to help you get to where you want to go, it is up to you to decide where that is, or perhaps the closest point to what you think that is. I spent a couple of years on FM3 that could have better gone towards my 5 year requirement, but things do change.

Hook - 4-30-2012 at 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DavidE

You can not bond a car for the mainland on an FM2, or anything but an FMM or Rentista. The rule is rigorously enforced.

This is COMPLETELY incorrect. People are doing this all the time over here, on FM3 and FM2, as they head below Empalme.

Udo - 4-30-2012 at 08:26 AM

OUCH!
$303 U.S. Per person!

Quote:

Originally posted by Howard
. ..the cost is a one time charge of 750 pesos and annual fees of 3,189 pesos until you become Immigrado.

CortezBlue - 4-30-2012 at 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pescador

Quote:

Originally posted by CortezBlue

Quote:

As I said, I would check locally. In San Felipe we tried to go directly to the FM2 and it was explained to us that we had to have a 10 year run in order to have any type of permenant status and not being retired at the time it was silly to pay twice as much for an FM2 than for the FM3

I think these rules vary greatly from one location to the next.

CortezBlue - 4-30-2012 at 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by stanburn
There is one point that no one addressed for you. You can not get rid of your fideocomiso unless you are a Mexican citizen. The only path to citizenship is with an FM-2.

I am on my last renewal for my FM-2, wooo hooooo

I will start this out by saying in San Felipe this is what happened to my neighbors when they sold their home.

You can sell your casa on an FM3 or FM2, however, if you sell it on an FM3 you have to pay taxes off of the price you sold it for. Even if you paid more than what you sold it for. If you have an FM2 there are no tax issues.

They were lucky enough to have renewed and went to FM2 and just made it under the wire with no issues.

One more note.

I had a friend who owned a house in San Felipe and when he sold his house to a gringo there was about a $10K tax that the notario said needed to be paid. My friend asked him if he could research it further to see if their was any other options. It would be $1000 if he could figure it out.

Low and behold the skys opened and the tax was reduced to $0

[Edited on 4-30-2012 by CortezBlue]

J.P. - 4-30-2012 at 10:13 AM

Quote:

One more note.

I had a friend who owned a house in San Felipe and when he sold his house to a gringo there was about a $10K tax that the notario said needed to be paid. My friend asked him if he could research it further to see if their was any other options. It would be $1000 if he could figure it out.

Low and behold the skys opened and the tax was reduced to $0

The Notary would have turned the 10k over to the proper department don't you think :lol:

.

[Edited on 4-30-2012 by CortezBlue]

J.P. - 4-30-2012 at 10:23 AM

For me the 10 year dance is worth it . just to know I wont have to deal with it anymore.

BajaBlanca - 4-30-2012 at 10:55 AM

the laws change all the time but once you have an FM2, it is a 5 year wait to get citizenship status.

and again, if you can prove latin heritage - columbian, bolivian, spanish (spain), portuguese etc. the wait with FM2 is only 2 years.

and if you are over 60, there is no history/cultural test.

remember to contact GILBERTO PINEDA directly with any questions - he is one of the attorneys who is in the main Mexico City immigration office every single day so he knows firsthand when a rule changes:

GILBERTO 55 5429-8701 OFFICE
55 5419-6812 CELL

I get nothing for referring him - just want to get you the right answers to your doubts.

fishingmako - 4-30-2012 at 12:07 PM

Thanks,

All this information is great, always the best info on this post.

But again here is my question? I have had a place in Baja over 30 years it is in the Federal Zone...So Fideocomiso and all that does not have anything to do with me, I have had a FM-3 for over (5) years, I do not live in Mexico full time probably won't? roughly 50% 50% Mexico and the States.

So with that in mind would you go for the FM-2 I don't want to continue down the road paying anymore than you folks do, but with the Rules set up the way they are only being able to be out of the Country so long in a year or what ever the rules are? being held hostaage to that rule may not be a good choice? and the way things are going, I believe they will catch it?

So I really don't know which way to go...Thanks all for the great info you all are the very best.

So what would you do in this situation?

CortezBlue - 4-30-2012 at 12:21 PM

When we got our FM2, the IMM lady only asked us if we were retired. She never asked if we live in Mexico full time.

After 5 years of being FM2 status you don't have to renew every year. So it is more expensive for the 5 years but there is a light at the end of the tunnel

DavidE - 4-30-2012 at 03:00 PM

Hook, I was in SONOYTA (4 mo. ago) and the Banjercito lady flipped me an eight and a half by eleven and it says in clear spanish that you can NOT obtain an FM-2 derived 180 day car permit. FMM yes, FM-3 yes. FM-2 NO. Inmigrado NO. Citizen NO. FRONTERA Motor vehicles are treated as extraneous.

She said "NO!"
The Capitan de Aduana said "NO!"

Aduana in Mexico City said "NO!"

Please! Check for me and see if this law has RECENTLY been changed. It may have been when the FM-3, Rentista, and all the other designations were realigned and consolidated. A mistake here will cost me a lot of money. Too much for me to waste. Could you do that for me, please?

Thank You

Lee - 4-30-2012 at 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DavidE
...you can NOT obtain an FM-2 derived 180 day car permit. FMM yes, FM-3 yes. FM-2 NO. Inmigrado NO. Citizen NO. FRONTERA Motor vehicles are treated as extraneous.

Is a car permit not needed for someone with an FM2?

Don't believe the above is enforced by all offices handling car permits. Or is it?