BajaNomad

Immigration Permanente Application - Good News!

RnR - 1-19-2013 at 07:00 AM

I just returned from the La Paz immigration office:

They are now accepting "Permanente" applications based on income alone. :bounce:

As reported in other threads, prior to this week, you had to have the magic "Prorroga 4" on the back of your current immigration card to be accepted for Permanente status. (Prorroga = Renewal)

I just turned mine in yesterday based solely on income. My current Inmigrante card (FM2) was only at Prorroga 2 and I fully expected to have to convert it to a "temporal" card for two more years.

The story from the La Paz office had been that income alone would eventually be a route to Permanente status but that they hadn't yet received instructions from Mexico City. In the interim they were only accepting applications with the clearly defined "Prorroga 4" status. That changed this week!

It sounds like the processing time in Mexico City is still a month or more but at least my application is "in process".

:biggrin::bounce::biggrin:

dtutko1 - 1-19-2013 at 07:12 AM

What did you need to show proof of income?

Hook - 1-19-2013 at 07:24 AM

Drat! I was afraid of that.

I was forced to continue along the Temporal path AFTER SPECIFICALLY INQUIRING ABOUT QUALIFYING FOR A PERMANENTE THROUGH INCOME.

gnukid - 1-19-2013 at 08:01 AM

To show income, bank account printouts of monthly credits for 6 months have been acceptable, though each office may be different. The amount is based on a formula that equals over $2500 or so/month.

I can only guess that after everyone becomes a permantent resident then they will start coming up with fees/taxes specially for permanent residents (justified since they can afford to pay).

RnR - 1-19-2013 at 08:39 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Hook
Drat! I was afraid of that.

I was forced to continue along the Temporal path AFTER SPECIFICALLY INQUIRING ABOUT QUALIFYING FOR A PERMANENTE THROUGH INCOME.


Same story in La Paz for my wife in mid-December. She tried for permanente with two years on her FM2 and had to settle for two more years of "temporal" because the La Paz office "wasn't ready to process yet. They said, the instructions will be coming some time in the future....".

I waited until the second to last day before my Inmigrante card expired just hoping that the instructions would be received in time. I was in shock when they were all smiles and said "No Problemo".

Mine may be the first application accepted on income alone as it seemed that the instructions were received just a day or two ago. It was a very slow day, only one other person in the office, and three agents crowded around to have a look at the documents/process. All joking and laughing and basically saying, "Whew, this is going to make a lot of people happy, including us."

Will continue to post on what happens..... :bounce:

DENNIS - 1-19-2013 at 08:40 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by gnukid
I can only guess that after everyone becomes a permantent resident then they will start coming up with fees/taxes specially for permanent residents (justified since they can afford to pay).


I would bet you're right since they've given up the yearly processing fees. That had to be an appreciable amount of money.
One day, the proverbial light bulb will come on over some bean-counter's head.

shari - 1-19-2013 at 08:46 AM

does this mean you can go from a FMM directly to a Permanente? wow

RnR - 1-19-2013 at 08:49 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by dtutko1
What did you need to show proof of income?


The law says:

1. A regular monthly income of 500 times the daily minimum wage in Mexico City, (currently about $2,100 USD/month) for the last six months as evidenced by bank statements.

OR

2. A standing (or minimum) account balance of 25,000 times the daily minimum wage in Mexico City, (currently about $105,000 USD) for the last 12 months as evidenced by account statements. (I interpret that this can be in multiple accounts such as checking, savings, 401k, bonds, whatever as long as the sum total exceeds the minimum amount.)

RnR - 1-19-2013 at 08:59 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by shari
does this mean you can go from a FMM directly to a Permanente? wow


I believe so. However, the FMM process has to be initiated at a Mexican embassy outside of the country.

For current No-Inmigrante (FM3) and Inmigrante (FM2) holders, my situation, here is a link for the requirements as posted on INM's website:

Change from Temporary to Permanent Resident

Sorry, it's in Spanish. Maybe somebody can translate???

P.S. - The "Points System" is still under development to be available someday in the future.

[Edited on 1-19-2013 by RnR]

[Edited on 1-19-2013 by RnR]

rhintransit - 1-19-2013 at 09:17 AM

my information on the amounts is the same, over $2500 or average balance about 98k, but the conversion rate may have been different.
my application for Permanent Resident was accepted here in Loreto this week but only because I had a lawyer do the paperwork/take it in. I had gotten the 'no go', based on FM2 and Prorrago 1, the week before.
a huge YEAH! for the rest of us in the future!!!!!

deportes - 1-19-2013 at 09:28 AM

What are the benefits of permanente?

DENNIS - 1-19-2013 at 09:42 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by deportes
What are the benefits of permanente?


It's supposed to be a last and final transaction.....like Inmigrado.
The temporal must be renewed each year.
That's the only advantage that intrests me.

Leo - 1-19-2013 at 10:27 AM

Another benefit from the permanente status is that I can renew my Mexican driver's licence when that comes up. Temporal would do that also but is more expensive year after year and the hassle!

BajaBlanca - 1-19-2013 at 10:49 AM

that is indeed GREAT news.

RnR - 1-19-2013 at 11:14 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by rhintransit
my information on the amounts is the same, over $2500 or average balance about 98k, but the conversion rate may have been different.
my application for Permanent Resident was accepted here in Loreto this week but only because I had a lawyer do the paperwork/take it in. I had gotten the 'no go', based on FM2 and Prorrago 1, the week before.
a huge YEAH! for the rest of us in the future!!!!!


Not sure if it was the lawyer or just the timing. Two weeks ago it was a "no go" in La Paz, too. I tried. Immigration said to wait just a little longer.

The instructions for the offices just came out this week. Whew. I had one day to go before my card expired.