Marie-Rose
Senior Nomad
Posts: 894
Registered: 10-2-2003
Location: Victoria, B.C. and Todos Santos
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Mood: Worried...
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Oh no....! Another FM3 question
I hate these FM3 questions and can't believe we have one of our own but just know you will be able to come up with solutions...
We fly into Cabo on the 15th which is the beginning of semana santa. Our FM3's need to be renewed sometime in April. No problem for me as I am
spoiled and get to stay until at least the 15th of April. The esposo needs to be back at work, so he flies out on the 2nd of April. Does anyone know
if the immigration offices(La Paz) would re-open on the Monday (24th) and if they do, I understand the "usual" (and I use this term loosely!) length
of time it takes to process is one week.
Here comes the(other) question... what happens if the FM3 is not processed by the time he has to leave??? I understand there is a fine if you let
your FM3 expire... anyone know how much it is?
...and then if you come back in with an expired FM3, do you come in with a FMT?
This is all very complicated 
Remember, when in Mexico, yes may be no and no may be
maybe!
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oldlady
Banned
Posts: 1714
Registered: 10-31-2005
Location: BCS
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Marie-Rose,
All I can help with is to relate our similar story. We went into La Paz office to renew as early as possible (30 days before expiration). It was a
Monday, husband had to leave for US on Friday. FM-3's would not be ready.
Not sure how long he would be gone we explained our dilemma.
They replied they would try to rush the FM-3 but that they could issue a letter that would work as a visa for his exit and re-entry while they had is
FM-3. There was a fee, I believe it was approx. 200 pesos. It took them just a few minutes to put the letter together, the pain was standing in line
at the bank.
As it turned out, my husband ended up leaving on Saturday of that week and the office did indeed get his FM-3 done by Friday morning instead of the
following Monday, so the letter was never used.
Nice letter though...lot of artistic signatures and a shiny seal!
Good Luck with your issue!
oldlady
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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Mood: Full Time Residents
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i used to renew one week...then have to leave
i would pick up the fm3 in 30 days
the renewal at that time took me 2 weeks because of the working attachment
(its now way faster and can be done in a couple of days)
i would have to get a letter from imn ($20 bank ) for the out of country time and then i was legal until i picked up the fm3 the next month
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longlegsinlapaz
Super Nomad
Posts: 1685
Registered: 11-18-2005
Location: La Paz
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The immigration office is actually staffed 24 x 7....because those pesky potential deportees refuse to get picked up by office hours! But the front desk only accepts paperwork until 1 PM daily. I've never gone in
during Semana Santa week, but I'm guessing that for them it'd be business as usual, except possibly on the legal holiday date. I've
also done the letter thing to leave and/or return during my renewal process, but it was "back in the days" when the process was taking the full 30
days they required....and then some! As long as your polite & explain your situation, the La Paz office is very willing to work with you in a
reasonable time frame! Going in sooner is better than going in later.
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dtbushpilot
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3296
Registered: 1-11-2007
Location: Buena Vista BCS
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Mood: Tranquilo
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We need to renew our FM3's in April as well. Do we need any documentation when we arrive at Migracion in La Paz other than our "soon to expire" FM3's?
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longlegsinlapaz
Super Nomad
Posts: 1685
Registered: 11-18-2005
Location: La Paz
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YUP!!!!! Last 3 months current bank statement showing more than $1,200-$1,500 balance, current utility bill from your local address, letter in
espanol requesting renewal & why, original & one copy of EVERY PAGE in your current passport, original & one copy of every page of your
current FM3. They'll provide the forms you need to complete to accompany all this stuff. And the cash to pay....I just moved & can't put my
hands on my December renewal, but I KNOW if you do a search, the current fee is posted here on a slightly older thread.
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dtbushpilot
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3296
Registered: 1-11-2007
Location: Buena Vista BCS
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Mood: Tranquilo
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Thanks for the info long, can't wait to get in the middle of that mess....dt
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livencabo
Junior Nomad
Posts: 43
Registered: 11-18-2007
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I have frequently travelled when FM3 or FM2 was in the INAMI files awaiting action. With all the required paperwork and document in my file, they put
the file number on a copy of the Solicitud and I was able to come and go as if I had the document.
As regards Inmigracion I can report my experience, but not generalize.
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longlegsinlapaz
Super Nomad
Posts: 1685
Registered: 11-18-2005
Location: La Paz
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NAW.....it goes pretty smoothly if you have all your duckies lined up when you walk in the door....just time consuming to have to take paperwork to
the bank to pay & then back to Immigration office to give them receipt, then back in a week or so to pick it up.
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longlegsinlapaz
Super Nomad
Posts: 1685
Registered: 11-18-2005
Location: La Paz
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It's a monthly minimum amount required, be glad they just require a sampling of only the 3 most recent months
statements!
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Marie-Rose
Senior Nomad
Posts: 894
Registered: 10-2-2003
Location: Victoria, B.C. and Todos Santos
Member Is Offline
Mood: Worried...
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Thanks so much for the replies...Morgaine, thanks for calling to see if they are open the week of semana santa. Very helpful, as always.
Wow... renewing is almost the same procedure as applying for the original... glad I asked the question as I would never have thought to bring all that
info down!
Remember, when in Mexico, yes may be no and no may be
maybe!
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Bernardo
Junior Nomad
Posts: 44
Registered: 12-3-2007
Location: La Paz
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Mood: Bien
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What advantage does the FM3 give you? Why don't you just get a six months visitors visa every six months? Porque?
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Bernardo
Junior Nomad
Posts: 44
Registered: 12-3-2007
Location: La Paz
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Mood: Bien
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Kate - thanks for your reply. What is confusing is that I live in La Paz 5 months a year and I own property here (Fidiocomiso), own a car here
(Mexican plates), have it insured here, have it registered here, have phone and internet service here, have brought household goods down here - all
without an FM3. My Mexican friends say "Just use the FMT." Am I going to jail or going to get kicked out of Baja?
Confused.
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oldlady
Banned
Posts: 1714
Registered: 10-31-2005
Location: BCS
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I have only needed my FM-3 to open an bank account and get a driver's license. Never have been asked for it for anything else.
Caveat: Mexico is consistent in it's inconsistency
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Bernardo
Junior Nomad
Posts: 44
Registered: 12-3-2007
Location: La Paz
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Mood: Bien
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Kate - advantages of having a FMT over a FM3 are financial (cost) and time spent getting the FM3 and renewing it.
Bernardo
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Bernardo
Junior Nomad
Posts: 44
Registered: 12-3-2007
Location: La Paz
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Mood: Bien
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Kate - thanks for the info and the sites. I had an FM3 two years ago and let it lapse and can't find the FM3. Do you have any idea of how to replace
a FM3 that has been lost?
I really appreciate the info you sent.
Bernardo
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