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beachbum1A
Nomad
Posts: 442
Registered: 6-17-2006
Location: Punta Banda, BC
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FM3 Finally!
I finally received my FM3 visa yesterday! Not a complicated process but like a lot of things I enter into, I expect the worse, and at the end usually
find it was really quite simple.
What they require is: a current visa with a minimum of 12 months remaining and one copy of the first page, $134.00 in cash, for proof on income (over
$1,000 a month) I gave my social security letter that you get each year stating what your benefit amount would be along with three copies for them,
and two passport pictures! That was all that they required (in San Diego). Came back the next day and picked it up. Of course I applied on Friday so
had to wait till Monday to return for the final product. Not too bad! 
Just do it!
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Cypress
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7641
Registered: 3-12-2006
Location: on the bayou
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Mood: undecided
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congrats beachbum 1 A, Have you decided on any particular location in Baja for your upcoming retirement? Good luck. Will be heading down that way
very soon with the same intentions.
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beachbum1A
Nomad
Posts: 442
Registered: 6-17-2006
Location: Punta Banda, BC
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I will be moving to Ensenada-at least for awhile anyway. Guys I fish with are pushing me to go farther south, like to Mulege, Loreto, or LaPaz but
there's too many reasons for me to stay closer to the border. Anyway I'm excited, but at the same time sorta dread the "unknown" parts like moving
furniture, but guess it won't be that bad when I look back on it.
Just do it!
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Bajalover
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Posts: 227
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: The Cottage at Ocotillo Hills
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Mood: Strongly - Missing Baja
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Congratulations Beachbum. I'm envious........ Wow, Baja is a great place.
Good luck and look forward to reading more on your move.
Sometimes you really do question; why you are and where you are.
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Cypress
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7641
Registered: 3-12-2006
Location: on the bayou
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Mood: undecided
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Thanks for the reply!!!
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baja829
Nomad
Posts: 167
Registered: 2-24-2006
Location: South Campos, San Felipe, BN
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Mood: BAJA HAPPY
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Don't forget to get it stamped on your first entry, as you cross the border in TJ or Tecate. We did ours the first 3 years in the States and found
out 3 years too late, that we had to get it stamped, just once, when we entered. We lost 3 years as part of our first entry date (which we wanted and
needed) and after a long, long talk, they waived the fine.
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9010
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
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Mood: Inquisitive
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I may be going down this road someday.
Could you clarify a couple things?
One: what do you mean you had to show a visa with 12 months remaining on it? Were you renewing an existing FM-3? Reason I ask is cause the longest an
FMT is granted for is 6 months.
Two: you showed them your social security letter? Does this have your social security number on it? Did they make a copy?
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64858
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Yes, I have the same question as Hook... unless you meant 'passport' instead of 'visa'?
I am interested because even if I want to do some volunteer work, it is needed... Tourists (FM-T holders) can't do any work (free or paid), in Mexico.
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jeffg
Nomad
Posts: 175
Registered: 11-25-2004
Location: Vista, CA
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| Quote: | Originally posted by beachbum1A
I finally received my FM3 visa yesterday! Not a complicated process but like a lot of things I enter into, I expect the worse, and at the end usually
find it was really quite simple.
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It's good to expect the worst, then when things go smoothly it's great. But keep in mind you still have a couple of steps to go, getting the initial
FM3 at the San Diego consulate is painless. Then as someone noted above, you need to have the FM3 validated when you first enter Mexico, again no
problem, they just stamp it in the immigracion office at the border. But the next step that no one has mentioned - you need to have the FM3
registered at the local office where you will be a resident. For you I guess that will be Ensenada? I did this in La Paz, and essentially we had to
do the whole application again, with pictures, bank statements, etc. No fees of course, but this process takes longer than the consulate.
Another thing to consider is the date that you enter Mexico and have the FM3 validated at the border. This becomes your renewal date. We made the
mistake of getting ours validated at the border around Christmas, so our renewals are always due just before Christmas. Problem is, the immigration
office in La Paz is basically shut down from about mid-December to a week into January. (They are open, but nothing happens. ) Each year we have to
get the renewal into their office early in December, then we won't get the FM3 back until about mid January. Maybe no big deal, but something to keep
in mind.
Good Luck with your 2 months to retire, I'm about 4 years worth of jealous!
Jeff
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Beach Bum.............check your u2u
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64858
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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jeff, (or anyone) do you have the scoop on an FM-3 visa for working in Mexico (not living)... Such as doing tours or voulteer work... stuff that you
wouldn't need to be a resident for...?
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Baja Angel
Junior Nomad
Posts: 74
Registered: 3-28-2005
Location: Oceanside
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Mood: ...just cruisin'
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I'm confused
You guys have mentioned FM3 and FMT. Which one is it?
Is one for living there and one for working/playing there?
I'm also wondering about the 'voulteer work'.... 
David, you just need to put all the info together and start planning for the move.
I have a feeling you'll be living down there in no time! 
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64858
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Ooops... I think that was a combination of my bad spelling and a typo! The word I was thinking was volunteer!
The FM-T is also called the Tourist Card... It's what you and I have that we got easily in Tijuana at the border for $20 each... good for 6 months if
you request that.
The FM-3 (and -2) are for people that want to live part or full time in Mexico... or to do non-tourist activities, like work.
What I am not sure of, is there a special type of FM-3 that is for work, but doesn't require 'living in Mexico' information, like what is being
described, above?
This work permit visa would be required if I started taking people on tours or designing irrigation systems or doing historic site preservation...
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beachbum1A
Nomad
Posts: 442
Registered: 6-17-2006
Location: Punta Banda, BC
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For Hook and David K; I meant your passport must have at least one year remaining on it (and not your visa). Sorry for the confusion.
And NO, your Social Security letter that you receive at the beginning of each year that states your benefit amount does not have your SS number
anywhere on that letter. So if you receive SS $$, this letter is easier to produce than bank statements, or investment information etc and less
intrusive IMO.
jeffg; Yes you must get the new FM3 stamped when you go through the border and it must be done within 90 days or the visa is VOID.
Last but not least- if you go to the Mexican Consulate there on India Street in San Diego, their hours are 8 AM to 12 noon, Monday through Friday.
Thanks. 
Just do it!
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BajaRob
Senior Nomad
Posts: 722
Registered: 9-15-2003
Location: Bahia Santa Maria y Newport Or
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Mood: Life is good
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David,
I am not aware of a means to work in Mexico without living here at least part time and possessing a FM-3 or FM-2 with a work permit. You may need to
set up your camp permanently on Shell Island and obtain an FM-3.
The requirements for a FM-3 with a work permit are the same as without. In addition, the following are required.
A letter from employer on letterhead.
If you are self employed, a letter stating the activities you plan to do in Mexico.
A certified copy of said employers last tax declaration and a certified copy of Acta Constitutiva of the corporation.
Generally you must demonstrate that you will not be displacing a mexican worker.
Another, abeit more complicated and expensive, method to work legally is to form a Mexican Corporation.
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osoflojo
Nomad
Posts: 378
Registered: 10-29-2004
Location: c.s.l./b.c.s.
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David, I have known several folks that lived in the US but worked in Mexico either at the maquilas or as salesmen. They had the same FM 3 as I did but
with the working endorsement. I am not sure of the process but I know they exist. Hope that helps.............
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64858
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Thanks Rob and osoflojo!
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Pstreet1
Junior Nomad
Posts: 94
Registered: 7-25-2005
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Fm3--San Diego and Local
San Diego--or any Mexican consulate
1) You can get your FM3's at the consulate each year if you want. The process will be exactly the same as it was the first time.
2) HOWEVER, those FM3's aren't officially registered in Mexico City and locally, so they DO NOT count toward building your years to get an FM2, if
that is your goal.
Local
1) Because the one you got in San Diego had essentially no paper work connected to it, you are, in essence, starting over.
2) much more documentation is required for this one.
3) if you get the local one the next year after your first San Diego one, the first San Diego one will count toward building up years for the FM2
(or, of course, whenever you get the local one, the last one from San Diego would count).
NEITHER LOCAL NOR SAN DIEGO IS GOOD FOR EXACTLY A YEAR; IT'S A FEW DAYS SHORT, and it takes about 4-6 weeks to get a re-newal locally, so plan
accordingly and start early.
FM3 and FM2
The FM3 must be re-newed each year for $100.00 or so, plus the preparation fee. If you are applying locally, there is so much paperwork that, in my
opinion, it's better to pay the preparer. You can have an FM3 forever if you don't mind re-newing each year. After 5 years as an FM3 holder, you can
apply for an FM2
FM2
The FM2 doesn't give you any more privelidges, etc., and it costs well over twice the cost of the FM3. It, too must be re-newed every year and takes
a lot of paperwork. Why would you want to pay more for the same thing? Because after 5 years of FM2 status, you can apply to be Emigrado.
Emigrado
This is forever, no more applications, no more fees.
If you are young enough to make reaching Emigrado a viable alternative, then working through the steps makes financial sense. If you don't see
yourself in Mexico after 20 years, then just re-newing the FM3 every year makes financial sense.
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osoflojo
Nomad
Posts: 378
Registered: 10-29-2004
Location: c.s.l./b.c.s.
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Regarding the FM-2. Beware that as an FM-2 holder you are only allowed to leave Mexico for limited periods.
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Baja Angel
Junior Nomad
Posts: 74
Registered: 3-28-2005
Location: Oceanside
Member Is Offline
Mood: ...just cruisin'
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Thanks for the explanation David.
There sure is a whole lot of information here!
The best past is Robs idea of a permanent camp set up at Shell Island! 
I'm ready lets do it
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