BajaNomad

FM 2 or 3 or what?

Janzie - 3-21-2014 at 12:06 PM

We are going to be spending our winters in Baja and are wondering about the varying levels of immigration. If we want to open a bank account, purchase an ATV or the like is it sufficient to have just the usual 180 day tourist permit? What is an FM3? FM2?
Thanks for your help.

DENNIS - 3-21-2014 at 12:23 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Janzie
We are going to be spending our winters in Baja and are wondering about the varying levels of immigration. If we want to open a bank account, purchase an ATV or the like is it sufficient to have just the usual 180 day tourist permit? What is an FM3? FM2?
Thanks for your help.


The nomenclature has changed. No more FMs. They are now called FMM-----tourist permit, Temporary Resident, and Permanent resident.
Since your plans kind of rule out Tourist Permit, you should probably be going for Temporary Resident status.

chuckie - 3-21-2014 at 01:01 PM

Why? If they are going to be in Baja 180 days or less the tourist visa is fine...And beats me why anyone would want a Mexican Bank account with all the ATMS around......

Udo - 3-21-2014 at 01:46 PM

What kills much of the money withdrawls from Mexican ATMs are the fees that your US bank is charged by the owner of the Mexican ATM.
By opening an account in a Mexican affiliate bank, one avoids the withdrawl feels that you would normally be charged.


Quote:
Originally posted by chuckie
Why? If they are going to be in Baja 180 days or less the tourist visa is fine...And beats me why anyone would want a Mexican Bank account with all the ATMS around......

rts551 - 3-21-2014 at 01:53 PM

I believe with the tourist visa you are restricted on leaving stuff in Mexico and have limited legal recourse if you have a land dispute.

bajabuddha - 3-21-2014 at 01:55 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Udo
What kills much of the money withdrawls from Mexican ATMs are the fees that your US bank is charged by the owner of the Mexican ATM.
By opening an account in a Mexican affiliate bank, one avoids the withdrawl feels that you would normally be charged.


Quote:
Originally posted by chuckie
Why? If they are going to be in Baja 180 days or less the tourist visa is fine...And beats me why anyone would want a Mexican Bank account with all the ATMS around......

However, the tourist permit is about $28 U.S. How much are the fees for the Temporary and Permanent status a year, and does that justify a few extra points off the exchange rate at an ATM?

David K - 3-21-2014 at 02:11 PM

Are you a 'tourist' if you have a home in Mexico you keep going back to? Tourists are people on a tour or vacation, camping, hoteling, renting a vacation home, right?

Once you buy or lease property in Mexico, keep going back to that property, leave furniture, appliances, personal items there all year long, then aren't you instead a PART-TIME RESIDENT of Mexico and not a tourist anymore?

I know the tourist card (FMM) has been modified to do more than when it was an FM-T, but are you covered legally by it when you leave property in Mexico while you are not there with it, part of the year?

DENNIS - 3-21-2014 at 02:45 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Janzie
We are going to be spending our winters in Baja



What part??

Janzie - 3-21-2014 at 04:23 PM

Thanks for all your replies.
We plan to be in the Mulege area from November to the end of April, mas o menos.
Just wondering if any of you have a definitive answer? What benefit is a temporary residents permit over a 180 day tourist visa, and what is the cost? What about buying vehicles and opening bank accounts.
We are Canadian, but Udo is right. The fees pile up for ATM withdrawals. We do try to max them out.

bajagrouper - 3-21-2014 at 04:25 PM

Same old rant David,
With an FMM you can buy property and have or build a house on the land,fill it up with belongings and leave it intact when you leave Mexico and return for another 180 day FMM...
I have 1 beach house north of Puerto Vallarta I purchased it with the old FMT and have had it for 7 years, no Mexican official has ever said I must get a temp or perm visa to leave my belongings there..
Same with my organic veggie ranch near Dolores Hidalgo,GTO I bought with only a FMM and have had no problems with furnishings...
So David until you own property in Mexico I wish you would stop giving out false hearsay information....

To the OP, you can open a bank account with Banamex USA and get an ATM card to withdrawal pesos from Banamex ATM's fee free or from any Citibank ATM world wide ,or Schwab bank ATM is fee free worldwide with any banks ATM.....

weebray - 3-21-2014 at 05:06 PM

Bajagrouper is absolutely right on the MONEY. Save all the hassle and cashish, get a Schwab account and drive on down. There are heaps of hoops to jump thru and reams of regulations to worry about with residency. Ditto with the Mexican banking system. If you're looking to make a small fortune here in Mexico just put a large one into a Mexican bank.
Plus, let's say some trip you are enjoying life and don't want to return after 180 days? Guess what? You can just go on enjoying life and stick around for a few more days or years. No one is going to ask you for your papers - EVER. No, not even the police. Oh sure immigration can ask but who out there has ever been asked? OK, I lied, you will have to take a tour of the airport in Guerro Negro instead of staying on Hwy. 1 IF, traveling south, you are traveling on an expired FMM and IF it is during their sporadic working hours. Oh, I forgot! If you are the 1 in 250,00 unlucky ones to get caught you're going to have to go back to the border and get another one. Oh bother. The only problem I see here is that you're Canadian and would never consider spitting in the street if there were an ordinance agaaaainst it. This is a great example of "if I had known then, what I know now". My advise, try it on an FMM for a few years but don't rush into residency.

David K - 3-21-2014 at 05:16 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajagrouper
Same old rant David,
With an FMM you can buy property and have or build a house on the land,fill it up with belongings and leave it intact when you leave Mexico and return for another 180 day FMM...
I have 1 beach house north of Puerto Vallarta I purchased it with the old FMT and have had it for 7 years, no Mexican official has ever said I must get a temp or perm visa to leave my belongings there..
Same with my organic veggie ranch near Dolores Hidalgo,GTO I bought with only a FMM and have had no problems with furnishings...
So David until you own property in Mexico I wish you would stop giving out false hearsay information....

To the OP, you can open a bank account with Banamex USA and get an ATM card to withdrawal pesos from Banamex ATM's fee free or from any Citibank ATM world wide ,or Schwab bank ATM is fee free worldwide with any banks ATM.....


Did you read my post... I was ASKING a question. No ranting at all. Because you do it, or get away with it, does that make it legal and offer you protection when the 'real owner' shows up and wants your property (this happens frequently enough in Mexico to be a concern)???

The logic is baffling, none-the-lest: When does a tourist become a part time resident? How can you be living several months, in the same place in Mexico, every year, and be called a tourist?

Again, is the FMM we get for vacationing in Mexico (and I understand you can buy/ lease property with it) the same FMM one SHOULD have to maintain the property in Mexico for your future returns to it???

No rant, no hate, just questions I would think ANYONE would want to know the answers to BEFORE moving to Mexico part time.

Thank you.

weebray - 3-21-2014 at 06:42 PM

Janzie, Welcome to Nomads. A lot of us here have nothing to do but sit around all day and rant. You are under NO obligation or urgency to apply for residency here. I respectfully suggest you come here on a tourist basis and talk to others that live here full or part time. Take the time to make an intelligent decision based on YOUR needs. The truth is you do not have to have resident status to own property and surround yourself with ATV's boats or any other of life's pleasures no matter what people here may write. I was just asked "what's to stop you from just driving into Mexico and avoiding ANY paperwork?" I can't answer that question.

Mulegena - 3-21-2014 at 06:50 PM

You will most likely enter the country on a 180-day tourist permit which currently costs $24.50 USD. This confers rights and responsibilities and will serve you well and give you plenty of time to enjoy yourselves and "get the lay of the land" first-hand.

With a 180-day tourist permit you can camp on the beach or in a campground, rent a place to stay, buy "construction and improvements" i.e. house and maintain ownership of that house with a 10-year renewable lease on rented land, put related house bills in your name, buy an ATV or car, open a bank account, fly within Mexico and fly out of Mexico. You'll need to renew that 180-day visa each time you come back in-country.

You will need a Temporary Resident visa (or Permanent Resident visa if you qualify) to own a fidecomiso (bank-held trust) or Mexican corporation. A temporary resident visa costs about $350US/year and the permanent resident costs about $450/year.

Other than owning a corporation or a fidecomiso another reason to begin the process of the residency visas is if you wish to eventually apply for Mexican citizenship. Note, this is subject to change as the immigration laws change.

Mulege's bank, Bancomer, will gladly open a dollar or peso account for you. Note: Bancomer requires a minimum daily balance of $2000pesos ($150US+/-) 24/7/365 or they will deduct significant fees which will effectively render your account empty and inactive and closed within a few short months. Bancomer has an ATM that honor cards from other banks and levies transaction fees that vary according to its relationship with that particular bank. They let you withdraw up to $10,000pesos/day with a foreign bankcard but only $3,500/day with their own bankcard.

[Edited on 3-22-2014 by Mulegena]

Alm - 3-21-2014 at 07:29 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajagrouper
With an FMM you can buy property and have or build a house on the land,fill it up with belongings and leave it intact when you leave Mexico and return for another 180 day FMM...

You can buy and fill it with stuff, yes. And this technically is not allowed for a tourist, because a tourist is not supposed to leave anything behind. OTH, this can be allowed for somebody who intends to be something more than a tourist, ex. planning or applying for FMRT - temporary resident. Yes, we can get away with breaking some their laws.

As others noted, from practical point of view the OP can bring ATV and leave it in storage in Baja, nobody cares. And they can use local ATMs with their US cards.

churro - 3-21-2014 at 08:01 PM

Interesting post... So to be clear on this topic, If i were to buy land with a fedecomiso, I would need to pay the annual fee to the bank for the fedecomiso plus an annual fee to the feds for the part time resident visa?

Quote:
Originally posted by Mulegena
You will most likely enter the country on a 180-day tourist permit which currently costs $24.50 USD. This confers rights and responsibilities and will serve you well and give you plenty of time to enjoy yourselves and "get the lay of the land" first-hand.

With a 180-day tourist permit you can camp on the beach or in a campground, rent a place to stay, buy "construction and improvements" i.e. house and maintain ownership of that house with a 10-year renewable lease on rented land, put related house bills in your name, buy an ATV or car, open a bank account, fly within Mexico and fly out of Mexico. You'll need to renew that 180-day visa each time you come back in-country.

You will need a Temporary Resident visa (or Permanent Resident visa if you qualify) to own a fidecomiso (bank-held trust) or Mexican corporation. A temporary resident visa costs about $350US/year and the permanent resident costs about $450/year.

Other than owning a corporation or a fidecomiso another reason to begin the process of the residency visas is if you wish to eventually apply for Mexican citizenship. Note, this is subject to change as the immigration laws change.

Mulege's bank, Bancomer, will gladly open a dollar or peso account for you. Note: Bancomer requires a minimum daily balance of $2000pesos ($150US+/-) 24/7/365 or they will deduct significant fees which will effectively render your account empty and inactive and closed within a few short months. Bancomer has an ATM that honor cards from other banks and levies transaction fees that vary according to its relationship with that particular bank. They let you withdraw up to $10,000pesos/day with a foreign bankcard but only $3,500/day with their own bankcard.

[Edited on 3-22-2014 by Mulegena]

Mulegena - 3-21-2014 at 08:16 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by churro
Interesting post... So to be clear on this topic, If i were to buy land with a fedecomiso, I would need to pay the annual fee to the bank for the fedecomiso plus an annual fee to the feds for the part time resident visa?
Simply put, yes, I believe so. Will someone who has a fidecomiso report, please?

Alm - 3-21-2014 at 08:38 PM

Yes, you pay and pay and pay. Annual fideicomiso, property tax, and FMRT visa fees if and when you qualify for that visa.
Our wallets is what's keeping their economy running :)

dasubergeek - 3-21-2014 at 08:55 PM

Not to mention that you can't apply for a temp or perm resident permit unless you have a tourist FMM, so...

DianaT - 3-21-2014 at 08:59 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by churro
Interesting post... So to be clear on this topic, If i were to buy land with a fedecomiso, I would need to pay the annual fee to the bank for the fedecomiso plus an annual fee to the feds for the part time resident visa?



Yes

mtnpop - 3-21-2014 at 10:20 PM

I can only say that this thread is getting a considerable amount of misinformation posted...
I can honestly post this as we and several of our friends have been through all these processes in the last couple of years.
You can purchase and have a fideicomiso with only a tourist visa...
You can open a Bancomer account with your passport and a utility bill for your address in your name and a local reference having only a tourist visa.
To use your Bancomer card you can withdraw up to $5000 peso per day at a cost of about 5 pesos.. To use your US atm card you will get a deduction from what you withdraw of $69 peso ..This has been the norm from all I have talked with no matter what US bankcard they use. Your only limit is what you are set with your us bank to withdraw at an ATM.
Bancomer does have some small monthly fees but you do want to keep their required minimum or the fees are considerable.
You can not exchange US dollars for Pesos at Bancomer unless you have an account there...
The new immigration laws took effect Jan 2013. To get a permanent resident card you need to start the process at a mexican consulate in the US or Canada.. when you do so you have 30 days to complete at the nearest immigration office to your residence in BAJA.. The cost is one time and is just under $500 there is no annual fee or renewal... no expiration on this status. These replace the old FM3 and FM2 process... If you are currently in the old FM process then you have to do all the paperwork at the local immigration office..
As for getting checked at GN for visa or FM,, in the several years we have been through there we have never been asked to see going in either direction... But I know several that have..

The above are the facts of our experiences a well a many others we are associated with...
We reside in Mulege for about 8 months a year and have a network of friends that are currently doing what I have listed above..

You are welcome to argue with me until you are blue in the face but I am giving the actual experiences of ours and our neighbors...

My apology for the long dissertation...

I am sure that I will have to explain some in more detail and I might think of something else in a day or so...
Isn't this fun??????

mtnpop - 3-21-2014 at 10:25 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by dasubergeek
Not to mention that you can't apply for a temp or perm resident permit unless you have a tourist FMM, so...


Fact is that you can apply for the permanent resident having never had a tourist visa...and you will get it...
I speak the truth on this one...

bajagrouper - 3-21-2014 at 10:30 PM

NO, I bought my beach house with only an FM-T, I do not or will ever need any other type of visa...Tomorrow I will enter TJ and get a new FMM good for 180 days.
The fedicomiso cost about $4000USD and annual fees to Banorte are about $550 USD a year, cheap enough insurance to own property, build, sell and still be able to leave it to anyone upon your death......

bajagrouper - 3-21-2014 at 10:39 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mtnpop
Quote:
Originally posted by dasubergeek
Not to mention that you can't apply for a temp or perm resident permit unless you have a tourist FMM, so...


Fact is that you can apply for the permanent resident having never had a tourist visa...and you will get it...
I speak the truth on this one...



Well this is the way you start the visa process is at the Mexican Consulate closest to your home either in the USA or Canada. then you go to Mexico and enter on a FMM and within30 days you must visit the local IMN offices to validate your new visa...

Mulegena - 3-21-2014 at 10:39 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mtnpop
... I can honestly post this as we and several of our friends have been through all these processes in the last couple of years.
You can purchase and have a fideicomiso with only a tourist visa...

This is good to know your first-hand experience. Can you maintain the fideicomiso with the FMM (tourist) visa or must you "step-up" to another visa within a time-frame?

Is the same true of owning a Mexican corporation; can it be acquired and maintained with the FMM (tourist) visa?

What are the advantages of the temporary or permanent resident visas? One can legally stay in-country year-round, and eventually qualify to apply for citizenship. Anything else? Why get anything other than an FMM (tourist) visa?

bajagrouper - 3-21-2014 at 10:49 PM

No need to step up to a perm or temp visa.......

Do not know anything about the corp except it is expensive.....

don't know why, I am an American and do not want Mexican Citizenship..Maybe to purchase cheap medical Ins., cheaper bus seats, get a drivers license, and not do border runs......

bajabuddha - 3-22-2014 at 12:48 AM

AHHHHH, NOMADNESS.............. :no:

chuckie - 3-22-2014 at 05:20 AM

Zackly! Lots of info..much of it wrong...These people just need the 180 day tourist card...thas all folks..

pacificobob - 3-22-2014 at 06:16 AM

i have 7 years with a tourist permit, and a fideicomiso, and mexican bank accounts, both peso and dollar. i find it remarkable how many are ready to pass along inaccurate council on things they know little about.

monoloco - 3-22-2014 at 06:44 AM

There is absolutely no need or benefit to having permanent or temporary residency papers unless you plan on spending more than 6 consecutive months in Mexico or intend to work here.

Pompano - 3-22-2014 at 06:59 AM

Another vote for the tourist visa @ 180 days. I've never had the actual need for anything else, and I've done all of the events posted on this thread...with three bank-trusted homes since 1973. We were never going to live in Baja during the hot summers, so 6 months at a time was fine for us. If it occurred that we would be longer, it was a simple matter to get another 180 day visa.

Actually, I did get us 2 FM3's for several years, but grew weary of the constant renewals and fees for nothing really worthwhile....ended up turning them in at Sta. Rosalia, which then cost me a hefty cancellation fee as a final insult. The initial urge to get them was just that...an urge & excuse to have another 'passport'. Fun, but unneeded. We never once used them for any benefits to living in Mexico.

But...to each his own. We all have different situations and wants, plus somebody has to keep all those officials and lawyers happy. :rolleyes:

rts551 - 3-22-2014 at 07:18 AM

As you can see, opinions all over the board. BUT beware, not one person has actually pointed you to the Mexican immigration law for you to review.

Yes, in Mexico, a lot of things happen that are against the law (or at least ignore the law) if the price is right.

Unfortunately, its not a defense later if some one decides to crack down. Why not check with the Mexican consulate or immigration office closest to you?

DENNIS - 3-22-2014 at 07:22 AM

Well....here we are again, caught up in the semantics and hazy interpretations of Mexico immigration law.
Using the information brought here by our own Bajabound Geoff:

http://www.bajabound.com/before/permits/visa.php?r=mexonline

there is need for clarification to a pertinent question.....or two.
-------------------------------------------------

Mexican Tourist Cards (FMM)

Mexican Immigration

Tourist Card (FMM) Facts:
�The FMM is a document issued by Mexico's INM (Instituto Nacional de Migraci�n)
�Casually called a tourist card or tourist visa
�Issued to U.S., Canadian and other nationalities for vacation purposes


"When is a tourist card (FMM) required?
A tourist card (FMM) is required when:

The visit is 72 hours or more
OR
The visit is outside the limits of the border zone or tourist corridors established by the Mexican government."
---------------------------------------------

[1] Is a trip of six month duration, to reside at a property owned by the traveler, considered "a visit" to Mexico?

Is one "visiting" a country when the itinerary involves various meetings and several transactions with Notarios and bankers for the purpose of "owning" a property, in which he/she shall reside for six months at a time?

--------------------------------------------------
Who may obtain a tourist card (FMM)?

If you are a U.S. or Canadian citizen traveling to Mexico for tourist reasons, you may only need a tourist card (FMM).
----------------------------------------------------

[2] Are the above activities, in the furthest stretch of any sane imagination, considered "tourist reasons" for traveling to Mexico?

Pompano - 3-22-2014 at 07:24 AM

As my Mexican lawyer so often tells me...

"It's better to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission."

He must be right, no?

p.s. It's just a joke from an oldtimer who's jumped through the hoops.


[Edited on 3-22-2014 by Pompano]

rts551 - 3-22-2014 at 08:00 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Pompano
As my Mexican lawyer so often tells me...

"It's better to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission."

He must be right, no?

p.s. It's just a joke from an oldtimer who's jumped through the hoops.


[Edited on 3-22-2014 by Pompano]


Jumped through the hoops as well...and heeded the lawyers (and Nomad experts) advice. After a hefty fine, I got the message. But that was in yesteryear when the immigration used to do periodic checks. Will they start again? hmmmm who knows....when.

shari - 3-22-2014 at 08:28 AM

One of the problems with Mexican "law" and rules are that they are constantly not only changing but are interpreted and applied differently in many institutions so while one person may report that he did things a certain way...that may have applied to his personal case at a particular point in time....

For example...a few years back with a different bank manager, one could open a bank account with only a tourist visa and deposit dollars into it. When the manager changed, his policy was that you could only open an account if you had an FM3 and you could NOT deposit dollars into a peso account. These policies seem to differ from branch to branch. All of a sudden now, we CAN deposit dollars into peso accounts again....so things are rather willy nilly and certainly unpredictable...which is exasperating at times until you get used to this and just go with it. Expect the unexpected is my motto.

The same goes with immigration policies...different offices give you different information and what you may be told at the border or at your local canadian or american consulates often can be wrong or outdated as well.

As others suggested, I concur you should just get an Fmm and see how you like it all and learn the ropes for awhile. Good luck and perhaps we will meet you seeing as we will be in the same municipality!

Where are you from in Canada paisano?

Janzie - 3-22-2014 at 08:46 AM

Thank you all for your input. Lots of constructive advice there. I think the consensus is that an FMM will do us for now. We will learn more as we go. This is a great forum full of mostly positive information, and we will be monitoring it regularly.

DENNIS - 3-22-2014 at 08:51 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by shari
One of the problems with Mexican "law" and rules are that they are constantly not only changing but are interpreted and applied differently in many institutions so while one person may report that he did things a certain way...that may have applied to his personal case at a particular point in time....



It just illustrates how far Mexico has to go in implementing democracy. I mean...what good are laws if not for everybody, all the time? Specialized interpretation has always been the norm here. That's why "special" people always seem to prevail in litigation.

rts551 - 3-22-2014 at 09:32 AM

OK here is the LAW. In English for most of you. Helps a little (JUST A LITTLE) to sort out the BS.

http://www.albany.edu/~rk289758/documents/Ley_de_Migracion_e...

Article 60 is of interest to people wanting property and bank accounts

shari - 3-22-2014 at 09:39 AM

As much as it is soooo exasperating, one of the things I do love about Mexico is the "wiggle room"...that things are not always cut and dried or carved in stone and if you are especially good at wiggling, things can go your "special" way.

I know it sounds rather....er....hmmm..what is the proper word?...illogical? but I love being able to reason with an officer or official. I rather believe that law is a slippery slope that has many shades of grey that need to be reckoned with.

I have learned that it is a cultural thing that when you ask for something, most often the answer is no...which in most cases is not necessarily no if you can convince the person otherwise. I find that no...just means not right at this moment and that if you persist, it will certainly be YES! strange but true

David K - 3-22-2014 at 12:10 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by rts551
OK here is the LAW. In English for most of you. Helps a little (JUST A LITTLE) to sort out the BS.

http://www.albany.edu/~rk289758/documents/Ley_de_Migracion_e...

Article 60 is of interest to people wanting property and bank accounts


Thank you Ralph... Being dated 2011, is it the most recent 'law'?

DENNIS - 3-22-2014 at 01:14 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K

Thank you Ralph... Being dated 2011, is it the most recent 'law'?


Good question. Mexico amends the Constitution often.

churro - 3-22-2014 at 01:23 PM

So True... When going down to Baja Sur Crossing the border at TJ, I was told I must pay the $25.00 for the tourist visa if staying more than 72 hours or going south of Ensenada, No problema. pay the $25.00 and on my way with a tourist card stamped.

When crossing at Mexicali I was told there was no fee for staying in Mexico for less than a week no matter where I was traveling to, Paid no money, Had a tourist card stamped and on my way.... No charge

The two Baja trips described above were only a few months apart at the end of 2013.

I want to respect the laws no matter where I go. But I would sure like to know what the laws are. For both trips to Baja Sur I had a stamped tourist card, I suppose thats all that matters.

Quote:
Originally posted by shari
One of the problems with Mexican "law" and rules are that they are constantly not only changing but are interpreted and applied differently in many institutions so while one person may report that he did things a certain way...that may have applied to his personal case at a particular point in time....

For example...a few years back with a different bank manager, one could open a bank account with only a tourist visa and deposit dollars into it. When the manager changed, his policy was that you could only open an account if you had an FM3 and you could NOT deposit dollars into a peso account. These policies seem to differ from branch to branch. All of a sudden now, we CAN deposit dollars into peso accounts again....so things are rather willy nilly and certainly unpredictable...which is exasperating at times until you get used to this and just go with it. Expect the unexpected is my motto.

The same goes with immigration policies...different offices give you different information and what you may be told at the border or at your local canadian or american consulates often can be wrong or outdated as well.

As others suggested, I concur you should just get an Fmm and see how you like it all and learn the ropes for awhile. Good luck and perhaps we will meet you seeing as we will be in the same municipality!

Where are you from in Canada paisano?

rts551 - 3-22-2014 at 01:33 PM

No changes that I am aware of....BUT

The Regulations to enforce the law went into effect last year and I do not have a copy of those.

Here are the regulations in Spanish if you are so inclined

http://dof.gob.mx/nota_detalle.php?codigo=5270615&fecha=...



[Edited on 3-22-2014 by rts551]

willardguy - 3-22-2014 at 02:01 PM

or if you want to spend 20 bucks this is supposedly the tell all book updated last month.
http://www.mexperience.com/store/vuitem.php?itemid=26

what i don't get is what exactly is mexico after? do they really want us to hold these temporary and permanent visa's?? is it a way to raise revenue, if so why the heck do they make the financial requirements so ridiculous? im sure im not the only expat living comfortably on SS, nowhere close to qualifying for either of these visa's! :O

DENNIS - 3-22-2014 at 02:10 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by willardguy
or if you want to spend 20 bucks this is supposedly the tell all book updated last month.
http://www.mexperience.com/store/vuitem.php?itemid=26



From the above publication in regard to the FMM.

"This visa can also be issued for 10 years, instead of 180 days, but the visa holder may not spend
more than 180 consecutive days in Mexico at one time."

?????????????????????????????????? <-- [my question marks]

DENNIS - 3-22-2014 at 02:15 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by willardguy

what i don't get is what exactly is mexico after? do they really want us to hold these temporary and permanent visa's?? is it a way to raise revenue,


Certainly not the Perm Res card, since it doesn't require renewal.




Quote:

if so why the heck do they make the financial requirements so ridiculous? im sure im not the only expat living comfortably on SS, nowhere close to qualifying for either of these visa's! :O


I thought they were allowing short income for the Temp Res card???

One thing for sure....the requirements for Guatemalans wouldn't be anything like this. A Guat billionaire couldn't even qualify for a tourist card.

rts551 - 3-22-2014 at 02:20 PM

In the law and regulation it is quite clear the 180 day visa is for visitors (visitantes is their exact wording).
Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by willardguy
or if you want to spend 20 bucks this is supposedly the tell all book updated last month.
http://www.mexperience.com/store/vuitem.php?itemid=26



From the above publication in regard to the FMM.

"This visa can also be issued for 10 years, instead of 180 days, but the visa holder may not spend
more than 180 consecutive days in Mexico at one time."

?????????????????????????????????? <-- [my question marks]


[Edited on 3-22-2014 by rts551]

willardguy - 3-22-2014 at 02:23 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by willardguy

what i don't get is what exactly is mexico after? do they really want us to hold these temporary and permanent visa's?? is it a way to raise revenue,


Certainly not the Perm Res card, since it doesn't require renewal.




Quote:

if so why the heck do they make the financial requirements so ridiculous? im sure im not the only expat living comfortably on SS, nowhere close to qualifying for either of these visa's! :O


I thought they were allowing short income for the Temp Res card???

One thing for sure....the requirements for Guatemalans wouldn't be anything like this. A Guat billionaire couldn't even qualify for a tourist card.
monthly income not less than $1900.00 or real estate exceeding $103,500.00 (for a temporary resident status)

rts551 - 3-22-2014 at 02:25 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by willardguy
or if you want to spend 20 bucks this is supposedly the tell all book updated last month.
http://www.mexperience.com/store/vuitem.php?itemid=26

what i don't get is what exactly is mexico after? do they really want us to hold these temporary and permanent visa's?? is it a way to raise revenue, if so why the heck do they make the financial requirements so ridiculous? im sure im not the only expat living comfortably on SS, nowhere close to qualifying for either of these visa's! :O


Their stated intent was to simplify immigration procedures while attacking the issue of illegal immigration from the south. There is also a lot of attention to human rights of both legal and illegal migrants. For example, both have legal access to medical care and education now.

DENNIS - 3-22-2014 at 03:25 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by willardguy
real estate exceeding $103,500.00



That figure is extremely flexible. My neighbor used his antiquated mobile home on rented land as his declaration of wealth and he got Perm Res.

Here we go again.....looking for absolutes in Mexico. Very frustrating.

willardguy - 3-22-2014 at 03:36 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by willardguy
real estate exceeding $103,500.00



That figure is extremely flexible. My neighbor used his antiquated mobile home on rented land as his declaration of wealth and he got Perm Res.

Here we go again.....looking for absolutes in Mexico. Very frustrating.
could I inflate the value of a 14 year old 4runner? if not, im screwed :lol:

Riom - 3-22-2014 at 06:03 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS

From the above publication in regard to the FMM.

"This visa can also be issued for 10 years, instead of 180 days, but the visa holder may not spend
more than 180 consecutive days in Mexico at one time."

???


Sounds like they're confused between visas and entry permits. A visa is a document, applied for in advance at an embassy or consulate, that gives you the right to turn up at the border to apply for entry. Mexico doesn't require a visa, if you're a tourist, and from a low-risk country (like USA, Canada, Western Europe and many others). But, if you do need a tourist visa (you're from a high risk country), it is added to your passport and is valid for 10 years, 180 days per entry, very similar to a US B1-B2 visa.

The FMM isn't a visa, it's an entry permit, that you're required to get (with some border exceptions) on entry (on payment of a fee) and it records your arrival and (in theory) departure (within 180 days). The US has a similar form that is required in most cases for visitors (the I-94) (Canadian's don't need them).

A good (free) source for accurate and up-to-date information on the current Mexican immigration process is at Yucalandia. A lot to read, and some things are a little different in Baja (mainly cars), but he does make a real effort to check the actual laws and reliable sources (so he wouldn't fit in here at all!).

I'd agree with the other comments, for a yearly trip of under 6 months for a Canadian there's little reason to bother with Temporary or Permanent Residence yet. There may be some cases where you need it (for example in San Felipe temporary or permanent residence is needed for a local drivers license and car registration), but it's probably more flexible down south.

DENNIS - 3-22-2014 at 06:19 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by willardguy
could I inflate the value of a 14 year old 4runner? if not, im screwed :lol:


Only if you're living in it. [wanna borrow a few bucks?]