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marv sherrill
Nomad
Posts: 462
Registered: 11-18-2003
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another FM3 question
Got my FM3 a few months ago - got it stamped when we crossed the border - no problem - got yelled at in Guerro Negro for not having the habitation -
address of my house/lot in Baja not filled in - Stopped at immigration in Ensenada 35 days after we entered - got really yelled at because we were
over the 30 day limit - we would have to pay a hefty fine!! - Collected 3 pages of junk to fill out, told to get copies of all pages of my passport
and FM3, copies of the lease - ad naseum - QUESTION - have all of you FM3 holders out there in Nomadland had this done? We we told at San Diego that
just get it stamped when you cross the border and that's it!
Before heading to Ensenada Thursday I'd like to know - thanks in advance - Marv
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rob
Senior Nomad
Posts: 509
Registered: 10-19-2004
Location: Pacific Coast, BCS
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. . . er, what 30 day limit?
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rhintransit
Super Nomad
Posts: 1588
Registered: 9-4-2006
Location: Loreto
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I believe what they were referring to is that when you get your FM3 in the states you are given 30 days to get to your LOCAL migracion office where
they 'finish up'...essentially run you through the same paperwork drill and fill in the domicile address, etc. I elected NOT to get mine in the
states for that reason. seems easy but really isn't. bueno suerte.
another thing friends have run into is that the renewal date can be tied either to date of issue or date of finalization, and that can created a
problem cause you have to present it IN PERSON only at your local migracion office for renewal and if your plans don't coincide you either get to
change them or pay another huge fine...they paid over 200 bucks to correct the date so that it was when they were usually here.
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13048
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
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Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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Yes it's ALWAYS a huge rigamaroll...lots of copies of everything and it seems you always are missing something or other. I disagree that you HAVE to
go to your local office...our local office in guerrero negro but things never go well there and it takes forever and the folks nice as they are aren't
very efficient so I always just do mine in La Paz (through an agent) which ends up cheaper than me going personally...just give him a carta poder and
he does the works....much easier.
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Dave
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6005
Registered: 11-5-2002
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Guys, you would all save yourselves tons of grief if you would just hire a preparer.
In nine years I've been to immigration a total of twice. Once for my first FM3 and then when I got my FM2. And it doesn't matter when my FM
is due or if I'm "in country". I can just leave it with my preparer and sign a power of attorney. He files the documentation and picks it up when
ready.
Spend the few extra dollars and fugetaboutit. Why sweat the small stuff?
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marv sherrill
Nomad
Posts: 462
Registered: 11-18-2003
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Rob - the 30 days was after I got it stamped and entered Baja for the first time - Dave - any recommendation for a preparer? Sounds like the way to
go! I'll gladly spend a few bucks to save the headache and numerous trips to Ensenada - thanks - Marv
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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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Marv, hope you are taking great photos for next year's calendar!
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marv sherrill
Nomad
Posts: 462
Registered: 11-18-2003
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David - heading back down in a couple of weeks - maybe catch the late whale watching boat form Mario's - Plan to make a few trips "off the beaten
track" while in the area - Maybe a drive to Guadlupe bay
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Dave
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6005
Registered: 11-5-2002
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| Quote: | Originally posted by marv sherrill
Dave - any recommendation for a preparer? |
Only if you live within the Rosarito city limits. Your preparer needs to be located near the immigration office where you live.
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Don Alley
Super Nomad
Posts: 1997
Registered: 12-4-2003
Location: Loreto
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We always get our work done in Loreto. They require fewer documents than some other places. We don'tuse a preparer and have not had a problem in three
years. But this year they are sending our file to Cabo San Lucas, it will take three weeks instead of one or less (they say) so who knows what will
happen.
Lots of threads like this. Yes, it's really easy to get your FM3 in the states. But then you hear all these stories about having to essentially do
everything over again in Mexico; wow, it wasn't as easy as believed.
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aliibike
Junior Nomad
Posts: 49
Registered: 2-2-2006
Location: BCS
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We were debating whether to get an FM3 or not. I've heard all the arguments about home ownership.......I still think a fideocomiso with the bank takes
care of ownership. Anyway, we got our FM3's in Cabo by just following the checklist the agent went over with us. No, it wasn't smooth.......my wife
got hers three weeks before me, and, my address is in Todos Santos, and hers is out here on the East Cape! But, an agent wanted $150 each to do what
we did ourselves. Got more time? Or money? You can do it yourself.
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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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| Quote: | Originally posted by Dave
| Quote: | Originally posted by marv sherrill
Dave - any recommendation for a preparer? |
Only if you live within the Rosarito city limits. Your preparer needs to be located near the immigration office where you live.
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I hope there is one in Bahia de los Angeles then!!
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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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| Quote: | Originally posted by aliibike
We were debating whether to get an FM3 or not. I've heard all the arguments about home ownership.......I still think a fideocomiso with the bank takes
care of ownership. Anyway, we got our FM3's in Cabo by just following the checklist the agent went over with us. No, it wasn't smooth.......my wife
got hers three weeks before me, and, my address is in Todos Santos, and hers is out here on the East Cape! But, an agent wanted $150 each to do what
we did ourselves. Got more time? Or money? You can do it yourself. |
I am always amazed at how many people escape the requirement to have an FM-3 once they start using Baja as a second home, leave personal property
there, lease a lot, build a palapa or house, etc.
An FM-T is only for tourists (people visiting Mexico on a vacation). Also, no work, even volunteer work is permitted when you are in Mexico with an
FM-T (Touist card).
I bet it is one of the most mis-understood formalities facing us, as visitors to Mexico.
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13048
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
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Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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You are sooo right david...and be careful because when you do go to get your FM3 cause if they find out you've been here awhile they can fine you
hefty pesos for each year you weren't a "tourist". I had an immigration official discourage me from getting my FM3 many years ago then later I got
fined for not getting it!!! I have learned that just cause they are officials doesn't mean they're right so it's good to check lots of sources.
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bajabound2005
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2760
Registered: 10-15-2005
Location: Punta Banda, BCN
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Mood: words cannot describe...
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If you own property in Mexico; if you have intentions of buying property in Mexico; or LEASE land in Mexico -- get an FM3. This is your ONLY
protection to proof you were a legal resident to sign any documents! Don't let realtors talk you out of it. Yes, you CAN get the document at the
consulate in the US but YOU MUST get it stamped when you cross the border with it for the first time AND register at the local immigration office that
covers where you are in Mexico within that window of time which is sounding like 30 days. In all cases, PIA, but must be done. Ensenada is
especially time and $$$ consuming. And yes, by all means use an intermediary if you don't have a perfect understanding of the language. For the
getting registered in your own area -- shouldn't run more than $50 US per person. Oh, and worth it!
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viabaja
Nomad
Posts: 277
Registered: 10-6-2003
Location: Georgia
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Dave said it all - pay a licensed agent and let them do the run-around. Best value you will ever pay!
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Dave
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6005
Registered: 11-5-2002
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajabound2005
If you own property in Mexico; if you have intentions of buying property in Mexico; or LEASE land in Mexico -- get an FM3. This is your ONLY
protection to proof you were a legal resident to sign any documents! Don't let realtors talk you out of it. |
But the real fun starts when you go to sell. Think a tourist visa will get you resident taxpayer status? Get your FM. It will save you
thousands in cap gains.
And when you buy insist on full price disclosure. Realtors don't like that, either. 
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rhintransit
Super Nomad
Posts: 1588
Registered: 9-4-2006
Location: Loreto
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can't agree about the agent thing...sure throwing money at something is an acceptable way to do things, and more power to you if you can do so.
however you CAN DIY and save a whole lot. smile, be patient, follow the rules, that's it.
of course if your local migracion office has a bad reputation, it may be worth the money not to deal with them.
Loreto is easy...just go in, ask what you need for an original, they will give you a check list. go gather everything and take it back. wait.
that's it. the wait is hard, and it's hard wondering if someone else could do it faster. but, what's the hurry? and, no they can't.
my original DIY FM3 took a little under three hours, start to olive drab book in hand. my first renewal took 13 weeks. absolutely nothing that
paying someone else to do would have changed. just an internal routing migracion thing. (by the way I understand that they are supposed to start
doing everything again in Loreto soon, rather than send to Cabo. keep your fingers crossed) inconvenient in that I wanted to fly out and back after
10 weeks, and migracion wanted a fee for the same, but I was able to talk them out of that.
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marv sherrill
Nomad
Posts: 462
Registered: 11-18-2003
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Thanks for all of the comments - Loreto, unfortunately is not in Baja Norte - but I did get a preparer in Ensenada who will take care of the whole
thing for 200 pesos - name on request - I just have to get them my FM3 and pick it up in 4 days or so - no fine for over 30 days, etc - and little
paperwork - someone just has to stamp the little green book!! way cool - (don't forget Fred Halls Boat and Tackle Show in San Diego this weekend!)
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danaeb
Senior Nomad
Posts: 991
Registered: 11-13-2006
Location: San Diego; El Centenario
Member Is Offline
Mood: groovy
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Now I'm more confused than ever. My residence will be in La Paz when my home is finished, which should be next month. I got my FM3 at the consulate
in San Diego in December. I was instructed to have it stamped at the border within 90 days. In February, I went to TJ for the day and got it
stamped. I don't understand the 30 day requirement. Is that from the date that I arrive in La Paz, or was that from the date of the first border
crossing in February? I had planned to go to LP next month when the house is finished and take care of the FM3 registration then.
Experience enables you to recognize a mistake every time you repeat it.
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