BajaNomad - New immigration process

New immigration process

RedBear - 3-19-2013 at 08:16 PM

okay, now i'm thoroughy confused. If we already have FM2 & FM3 status and our current cards expire ina few months do we have to apply for some new status card or do we keep the cards we have. Is there a webiste in English that will explain the new process?

DENNIS - 3-19-2013 at 08:36 PM

Next step for you....either residente temporada or residente permanente. Here's some reading material:

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

Hook - 3-19-2013 at 08:44 PM

Why dont you ask others with FM2/3s in your area? Surely, you're not the first one in Abreojos to go through the new procedure.

I suggest this because it changes from office to office. What they do in Yucatan is not necessarily what they do in La Paz, NO MATTER WHAT THE LETTER OF THE LAW SAYS.

When I applied for a permanente in Guaymas in December, they said I wasnt eligible. Now, they are allowing people in my exact situation to do it.

When I tried to use my own translated bank statements, they said they had to be translated by an official translator only. Now, they dont even require them to be translated by ANY means.

The new laws are a moving target, drifting through the time-space continuum........I know, that's makes no sense.

Neither do the new requirements.

Dennis, you ever get your permanente? Where you at on that?

RedBear - 3-19-2013 at 08:55 PM

thanks for the replies. I've got someone caling the immigration office in Sta Rosalia tomorrow to find out what I can do. As far as I know, we may be the first americans in Abre to go through the new process. I only say that becuase there aren't that many permanent American residents there. Most just get the standard travel visa and don;t have FM 2 or FM 3 status.

Bajafun777 - 3-19-2013 at 09:00 PM

Don't worry Mexico is going to follow the USA lead and grant everyone there illegally AMNESTY, whether that number be 12 million or 20 million just wait it will happen, LOL.

Could not resist just too hard watching Americans and Canadians jumping through hoops trying to do the right thing while others do it the wrong way and get rewarded. Fair or Unfair I know the comments to my humor will be blasting but I really feel whatever the other Countries immigration rules and regulations are to us should be the same to them. We have helped several people immigrate into the USA but we did it the legal way, so I know what it takes and that it can be done the right way.

With that said when has any other Country ever granted illegal immigrants amnesty like the USA??? None, Never Not ONE!! The first time with Regan it was said to be maybe 2 to 4 million but turned out to be closer to possibly 6 million. Just tired of seeing us get the short end of the stick here and there, Fair or UNFAIR, HMMMMMM?? That is the QUESTION!! LOL Take Care & Travel Safe------"No Hurry, No Worry, Just FUN!!""" bajafun777

grizzlyfsh95 - 3-20-2013 at 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by soulpatch
Seriously?!
Don't be a 'tard....
Jumping through hoops? Get a grip.... I applied with my family, the first in San Diego under the new law, mid-November of 2012 and we have been Residencia Permanente for over a month.... whew, what a travail! Not.

Try doing that in the other direction in that time frame... I am completely legal.

At least you answered his question.....

bajafun777

Took me 10 years and $6000. You did it in a year...amazing

DENNIS - 3-20-2013 at 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hook
Dennis, you ever get your permanente? Where you at on that?

Not quite yet. I thought I was going in to pick it up last week, but it was only for prints and signatures.
One more month.......they say.

Bajafun777 - 3-20-2013 at 10:43 AM

Southpath, watch your comments :fire:

, as I did not insult you and your experiences, since your experiences may have been different from ours however we know both sides to this.
I won't call you some lowlife name as that would only enable you to be more off the wind into the ozone. Oh, wait you are from San Francisco I guess the ozone and lowlife roll fits your living arrangements well already!! Take Care & Travel Safe "No Hurry, No Worry, Just FUN" bajafun777

DENNIS - 3-20-2013 at 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajafun777
Southpath

I like that. Kinda sums up your life at the moment, Frank.

Quote:

Oh, wait you are from San Francisco

I think he's from San Diego and recently retired from the Fireman's pole....not the dance pole, but who looks back. :lol:

Hook - 3-20-2013 at 11:00 AM

Soulpatch, your experience by starting the process OUTSIDE of the country bears zero resemblance to what those of us who are inside Mexico have had to go through. Manzanas y naranjas, amigo.

It is BY FAR easier to begin the process from a Mexican consulate, than dealing with the idiosyncrasies of the individual offices.

bajajudy - 3-20-2013 at 11:09 AM

Boy I am debating about jumping into this but

My understanding of the new rules is that, if you want a visa other than tourist, it must be started in your home country.

Hook - 3-20-2013 at 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajajudy
Boy I am debating about jumping into this but

My understanding of the new rules is that, if you want a visa other than tourist, it must be started in your home country.

I understand your reluctance. INM is all over the map on this.

BUT, if you are already in the country on a non-tourist permit, there is a track you are placed on. It varies from office to office.

The Guaymas office has flip-flopped so many times on this that it's finally lost the humorous aspect of the process.

Streamlined on paper isn't necessarily streamlined on the ground.

RnR - 3-20-2013 at 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by Hook
Dennis, you ever get your permanente? Where you at on that?

Not quite yet. I thought I was going in to pick it up last week, but it was only for prints and signatures.
One more month.......they say.

Yep, that's what La Paz tells everybody. "One month after the fingerprints/signatures are taken".

Six weeks and counting ....

Riom - 3-20-2013 at 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajajudy
My understanding of the new rules is that, if you want a visa other than tourist, it must be started in your home country.

If you already have a valid FM2/FM3, the process to change it to Temporary or Permanent Resident should be done within Mexico. For those without an existing card the process must be started from any Mexican consulate in any country outside Mexico that you have legally entered (doesn't have to be your home country).

The San Felipe process is: if you have held your *current* FM2/FM3 for 4 or 5 years (any previous cards don't count) you can change it for a Permanent resident card. Otherwise, you get a temporary resident card that takes you up to 4 years residence on the current card.

For example, if you had 5 years on one FM3, then one more year on your current FM2/FM3, you'll get a 3 year temporary resident card. No proof of income needed, just your statement that nothing has changed.

Alternatively, with the suitable proof of income (and maybe assets, although they weren't doing that in December), you can move straight to permanent regardless of the number of years on the existing card.

Be sure to apply while the existing FM2/3 is valid. If it is allowed to expire, you will probably have to start all over again from outside Mexico, and meet the new income requirements.

The process has been a lot slower than last year, because it's new and there's an extra step. For me it was: apply in early December, then the Christmas break, application started processing in late January, called to the office a couple of days later for fingerprints and photo drop-off, picked up card (temporary, 2 year) in late February.

Other offices may well be different. :-)

I'm not aware of any country with a simpler, faster, cheaper way to become a legal (permanent, for those who qualify) resident.

Rob

DENNIS - 3-20-2013 at 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RnR

Yep, that's what La Paz tells everybody. "One month after the fingerprints/signatures are taken".

Six weeks and counting ....

WEll...I could have been done and gone, but my agent, I believe, dropped the ball and lost track of it. When I called him to see what was up, he didn't even know that I hadn't been in to sign the papers.
Ohhh well...... if you arn't waiting on something, you probably arn't in Mexico.

durrelllrobert - 3-20-2013 at 04:08 PM

Anyone heard anything new regarding whether or not anyone acheiving a Residente Permanente staus will also have to IMPORT their vehicle(s)?

rhintransit - 3-20-2013 at 06:43 PM

underline that, your HOME country. two Canadian friends due to re-up (to Temp or Perm, whatever they could do) drove to San Diego Consulate from Loreto. no good. they were told to go back to Canada. so they are back now on FMMs

Quote:

Hook - 3-20-2013 at 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by durrelllrobert
Anyone heard anything new regarding whether or not anyone acheiving a Residente Permanente staus will also have to IMPORT their vehicle(s)?

Well, there is apparently nothing official from Aduana yet, BUT.............

one person from San Carlos attempted to get an All of Sonora permit for travel within the area of Sonora that is OUTSIDE the free zone. He was denied BECAUSE he had a permanente card. He was told that this was also the case for the All of Mexico permit and that they will NOT be issuing either of these permits to foreigners with permanente cards and gringo plates. At least not until Aduana FINALLY issues their long overdue ruling on how they will treat the foreign plated cars of permanente card holders.

This permit issuing station is THE major permit issuing point for all of the western coast of the mainland. It is where you MUST get a vehicle permit for leaving the free zone, IF you didnt get one at the border, headed south.

ANYONE with a permanente card who is considering going to the mainland from Baja, with a foreign plated vehicle on any ferry, should really think hard about this. You could be sent right back.

Repeat: the Mexican agency that issues permits mainland travel for foreign plated vehicles is apparently not issuing them to holders of the permanente card at this time.

I'd have to say this is not a good omen. Mandatory importation looks likely to me.

[Edited on 3-21-2013 by Hook]

Bajafun777 - 3-20-2013 at 09:58 PM

Soulpatch, Who the hell said anything about evil illegals working here, my point was as Americans we always get the shaft from other Countries even though they always, repeat always getting the benefits from our Country. Where is the same understand for us in their Country?? Just want a fair playing ground for our citizens living and visiting Mexico and other foreign Countries.

Now, what ticked me off wasyou trying to insult me by calling me a 'tard' which showed your poor choice of wording. Anyone that has worked for the Special Olympics or ARC knows how hard these kids and adults with developmental disabilities have to struggle in making their lives workable. I have worked with these special loving people and this just set me off with my hard reply to you. So, I not going to get into a word war here with you or name calling. However, we can just agree to disagree but keep your attempt to use hurtful insults that probably touched more people than you realize to yourself. Enough said on this. However, my whole issue was fairness with Americans and Canadians on immigration issues in Mexico that are clearly trying to do the legal thing not the illegal thing. Additionally, like the other nomad said on this topic it is very costly in Mexico for our citizens trying to do the right thing. We along with an aunt are helping a female cousin living in Mexico with her paperwork and to date we have spent over $6,000 and now the Notary wants another $2,000 to finish it up after 3 years. It seems these government agencies and lawyers keep adding to the drawn out system to get more monies, regardless of your experience it is not OURS! So, yes I am a little disgusted with this double game playing being done in Mexico. Take Care and Travel Safe---"No Hurry, No Worry, Just FUN" bajafun777

Riom - 3-21-2013 at 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rhintransit
underline that, your HOME country. two Canadian friends due to re-up (to Temp or Perm, whatever they could do) drove to San Diego Consulate from Loreto. no good. they were told to go back to Canada. so they are back now on FMMs

That's interesting, the consulate doesn't seem to be following the rules fully. There's an item on the checklist for applying that says you need "proof of legal stay in the country you are applying from if you are not a citizen of that country". Maybe they're interpreting that as "proof of residence" instead.

Alternatively, it may just be a problem for Canadians, as they don't generally need an I-94 (US Entry Permit) to enter the US, unlike other nationalities, and it's that I-94 form that would show that are in the country legally. (it's the US equivalent of an FMM).

Rob

DianaT - 3-21-2013 at 09:02 AM

It is amazing how different it seems to be everywhere! We have been told that even though our current FM3 cards are stamped with a one indicating one year, we can get the permanent status because the local office knows that we have had an FM3 for 5 years. We will see.

What we wonder about at this point is if we pay the money for the permanent status and are denied, do we get a refund? OK, probably a silly question, but just wondered if anyone had paid and been denied.

DENNIS - 3-21-2013 at 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT

What we wonder about at this point is if we pay the money for the permanent status and are denied, do we get a refund? OK, probably a silly question, but just wondered if anyone had paid and been denied.

It's nice to start the day with a good belly laugh. Thanks, Diane. That was fun.

DianaT - 3-21-2013 at 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

It's nice to start the day with a good belly laugh. Thanks, Diane. That was fun.

Glad to oblige. :biggrin:

The local office is pushing us to go for it and we just don't know if we want to possibly throw money away --- I can think of far better ways to throw money away. :yes:

DENNIS - 3-21-2013 at 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT

The local office is pushing us to go for it and we just don't know if we want to possibly throw money away

The way I see the process....the local offices screen the applications to establish the qualifications of the applicants, then send it all over to DF for approval. I can't imagine that DF is further screening the applications, but moving forward on the approval of the local offices.
DF, obviously and understandibly doesn't want to relinquish control over the process by turning it over completely to the local offices, knowing full well the process would be corrupted.

Sooo....if the local office says it looks good, it probably is.

That's how I sees it.

.

[Edited on 3-21-2013 by DENNIS]

Hook - 3-21-2013 at 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT
It is amazing how different it seems to be everywhere! We have been told that even though our current FM3 cards are stamped with a one indicating one year, we can get the permanent status because the local office knows that we have had an FM3 for 5 years. We will see.

What we wonder about at this point is if we pay the money for the permanent status and are denied, do we get a refund? OK, probably a silly question, but just wondered if anyone had paid and been denied.

The one on the back is supposed to indicate that you have had an FM3 for TWO years. The one indicates the number of renewals. But even THAT has been screwed up over here.

I think you MIGHT lose the 1000 peso application fee towards the permanente fee, but no more. But our office (which is about the most clucked up office I have read about) makes the determination as to whether you qualify or not. If you dont in their eyes, they wont begin the process and you wont pay. I have not heard of anyone being denied but I deal with people who have been on the FM# track for some time. I do know one person who SHOULD have qualified for permanente status but she had a "black mark" in her immigration file. She was moved back to first year FM3 status and must wait four years to get the permanente. Her infraction was legitimate, BTW. I think she let something expire or didnt update her lucrativo properly or something.

I HAVE heard of some offices ignoring the prorroga number on the back and actually looking at your past file that exists in their office (what a concept! actually USE the file they have created!!) and move you up to permanente-qualified status.

Diane, you guys seem to head stateside pretty regularly. If they wont allow a permanente and you really want one, simply cancel your FM3 on the way out and begin the process at a Mex consulate in the States. It's much simpler, but you will have to prove some financial merit that isnt too stiff. My understanding is that the card will come to your local office in Mexico. You dont have to return to the consulate to pick it up.

Hook - 3-21-2013 at 09:49 AM

One last, VERY IMPORTANT THING. If you apply for permanente status, make sure you plan on being in Mexico for AT LEAST three months or more. After you apply, you give up your old FM3. If you have to leave Mexico, I have read that you have to pay for a letter to leave the country and it is not cheap, as I recall. I have read of persons who have had to pay for more than one, since this process is so slow.

I have also read of offices that refuse to even issue a letter to leave.

If this process is simpler, most of us are still waiting for it to be..........

durrelllrobert - 3-21-2013 at 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT
What we wonder about at this point is if we pay the money for the permanent status and are denied, do we get a refund? OK, probably a silly question, but just wondered if anyone had paid and been denied.

There is not a single DHS/ US immigration application/document where the fee is refundable in the case of rejection, including the SENTRI Pass.

bajajudy - 3-21-2013 at 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hook
One last, VERY IMPORTANT THING. If you apply for permanente status, make sure you plan on being in Mexico for AT LEAST three months or more. After you apply, you give up your old FM3. If you have to leave Mexico, I have read that you have to pay for a letter to leave the country and it is not cheap, as I recall. I have read of persons who have had to pay for more than one, since this process is so slow.

I have also read of offices that refuse to even issue a letter to leave.

If this process is simpler, most of us are still waiting for it to be..........

I am waiting for my permanent resident card. When I left two weeks ago, I did need a letter which cost 320mn...not a whole lot of money....I seem to remember that the whole cost for the card was 4800mn...that is not cheap.

bajaguy - 3-21-2013 at 12:13 PM

Quote:

Nobody checks if you leave, then re-enter by car. Our documents are awaiting approval and we re-entered by car yesterday. Nobody checked, but I did have my Baja Drivers License and DIF card ready :lol:

latina - 3-22-2013 at 02:14 PM

2 weeks ago we went to INM office to start the renewal process for our FM3. First thing that had changed was that they wanted our bank statements again when last year they did not. They told us to come back in 2 weeks, which we assumed was for our cards, just like last year. However when we went back this morning to be fingerprinted we were told it will take one, one and a half, maybe 2 months for our cards....why? Because they said all of our paperwork of today goes back to Mexico City! We have a flight out of the country in two weeks so they told us we now have to download the form on the inm.gob.mx website to request permission to leave and return to the country and bring it in to them along with a copy of our itinerary and then wait, maybe 2 days for our letter of permission...
As far as how long you need your fm3 to switch to permanent, last year we cancelled our FM3 as it was the only way you can get a new renewal date, again in La Paz. Today we were told that even though we had 5 years on our previous FM3 we are back to 1 year. They do not give you credit for previous FM3 time spent in the system.
It is also time to pay our tenencia for our Mexican plated car. Now we do not have our FM3 card in hand which is required here. According to them, the paper you receive when you start the renewal process is good for anything you need to take care of in Mexico while you are waiting on the plasticized card...we shall see.
That's what I can share from my experience today

David K - 3-22-2013 at 02:20 PM

Just more government that almost begs you to violate the 'rules'!! LOL

So sad that they do this to people like latina who are doing so much to play their game... Tough game when the rules are changed on you in the middle (or 5 years later) in the process!!

latina - 3-22-2013 at 02:29 PM

You're right about that David K...oh well...After the major pain to travel to Brazil and all the red tape and disorganization we encountered there...this isn't so bad, only frustrating not to know what to expect ahead of time...

DENNIS - 3-22-2013 at 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by latina
...we shall see.

I can only guess, but since there are no more FMs, you either applied for either a temporary resident visa or a permanent resident visa.
Did anybody mention either one of those terms during your process?

latina - 3-22-2013 at 02:57 PM

Our option was "expedición targeta residente por renovación", which is what we used to have with our FM3 (temporary). Had we been credited with time logged on our previous years of FM3 before we cancelled in order to change our renewal date, we could have applied for the permanent visa which would have saved us time and money in the long run.....Too bad we didn't have a crystal ball and we could have just suffered the bad renewal date for one more year

Obviously lots of folks are applying for the permanent....the La Paz office was jammed this morning with people waiting to get fingerprinted for their permanent visas...