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Author: Subject: FM 2 or 3 or what?
mtnpop
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[*] posted on 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??????




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mtnpop
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[*] posted on 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...




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bajagrouper
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[*] posted on 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......




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bajagrouper
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[*] posted on 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...




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Mulegena
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[*] posted on 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?




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bajagrouper
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[*] posted on 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......




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bajabuddha
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[*] posted on 3-22-2014 at 12:48 AM


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



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chuckie
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[*] posted on 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..



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pacificobob
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[*] posted on 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.
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monoloco
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[*] posted on 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.



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Pompano
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[*] posted on 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:




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rts551
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[*] posted on 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?
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[*] posted on 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 Migración)
•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?




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Pompano
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[*] posted on 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]




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rts551
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[*] posted on 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.
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[*] posted on 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?




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[*] posted on 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.
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[*] posted on 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.




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rts551
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[*] posted on 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
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shari
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[*] posted on 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




for info & pics of our little paradise & whale watching info
http://www.bahiaasuncion.com/
https://www.whalemagictours.com/
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