thefishaholic
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Registered: 4-8-2006
Location: Colorado Springs
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Visa Costs?
Wife and I are going to start spending 9 months yearly in Baja and would like to know what the costs are for a retirees visa (FM2?).
We stay at Vag's in Cabo most of the time and looking for a permanent palapa to buy in Sept.
I have attorney from a past life in Cabo but remember there are several others that will help for a smaller fee.
Thanks for the help.
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CaboRon
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thefishaholic,
Probably an FM3 would also work for you. It is cheaper. Last summer the fee was $139-us for the Visa and then you had some photos , copies
etc.
As to assistance in preparing and dealing with Immigration, I believe the going price is around $100-us .
Will you apply at the consulate near your home, or will you come down on an FMT and apply in CSL (is a pretty busy office).
Welcome to the board,
CaboRon
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Freebird
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The cost for FM3 is about $180 and is valid for one year.
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BajaGringo
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But I will sneak you in via the comfortable confines of my trunk for half that amount...
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Russ
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Remember that the renewal on the FM-2&3 is the same time EVERY year so get one at a time you can return each year.
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bajajudy
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You can only be outside of Mexico 180 in 5 years with an FM2. I think that an FM3 would be better for your situation.
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BajaWarrior
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Don't they need an address in Baja, or do they have one, they didn't say...
Haven't had a bad trip yet....
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David K
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajajudy
You can only be outside of Mexico 180 in 5 years with an FM2. I think that an FM3 would be better for your situation. |
Judy, how would they know if your total days added up to more than 180... I mean since there is no migra exit station when you leave and nothing is
asked when you enter Mexico again... ? It seems to be just an horor system rule. Get an FM-2 if you want Mexico to be your new full time home, verdad?
The FM-3 if you just want to be legal when you buy property or leave personal property in Mexico, like those who want a vacation home in Mexico... and
maybe live there part of each year... si?
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bajalou
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If they are in Baja Calif. Sur, the immigration station near Guerro Negro will stamp them in and they would have to stop at the border for the exit
stamp. You can't have a FM2 and a FMT at the same time - and their computers just might catch you. Or if they ever fly in/out it gets stamped.
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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CaboRon
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
| Quote: | Originally posted by bajajudy
You can only be outside of Mexico 180 in 5 years with an FM2. I think that an FM3 would be better for your situation. |
Judy, how would they know if your total days added up to more than 180... I mean since there is no migra exit station when you leave and nothing is
asked when you enter Mexico again... ? It seems to be just an horor system rule. Get an FM-2 if you want Mexico to be your new full time home, verdad?
The FM-3 if you just want to be legal when you buy property or leave personal property in Mexico, like those who want a vacation home in Mexico... and
maybe live there part of each year... si? |
David,
Can you or anyone else explain the advantages of paying more for an FM2 instead of just keeping the FM3?
I thought I wanted an FM2 so that I could legally work, but you still need a work stamp as I understand it.
Unless you want to become a citizen, but I am not sure what , if any , advantages there are to going through those hoops.
Just an FM3 holder wondering what's the big deal ?
edit: I live here year round.
CaboRon
[Edited on 6-14-2008 by CaboRon]
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bajalou
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After 5 years of FM2, you can either go for citizenship or just apply for permanent residency. No more renewals to have to remember and pay for. But
restrictions during the 5 years, as mentioned can't be out of country more than a total of 180 days during that period. Also with Imigrado status, I
loose it if I'm out of country more than 3 years at a stretch.
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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stanburn
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Visa Costs
After 5 years of the FM-2, like bajalou said, no more renewals and you get to do anything in the country you want to except vote. That includes
working. One of the other interesting things is that once you have completed 5 years on the FM-2 you can no longer drive a foreign plated vehicle.
David K, as far as I know every time you leave the country with either a FM-2 or an FM-3 you are supposed to visit immigration and get stamped out of
the country and get stamped back in. I just did it a couple of weeks ago at Otay Mesa. Just because it isn't easy doesn't mean you shouldn't do it.
As I was flying back into Mexico I knew I would get hassled if I didn't have an exit stamp on my FM-2. As it was the Otay Mesa guys didn't have a FME
form you are supposed to complete and the guys gave me a little grief about that. Then they noticed the exit was from BCN & understood.
Stan
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bajajudy
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
Judy, how would they know if your total days added up to more than 180... I mean since there is no migra exit station when you leave and nothing is
asked when you enter Mexico again... ? It seems to be just an horor system rule. Get an FM-2 if you want Mexico to be your new full time home, verdad?
The FM-3 if you just want to be legal when you buy property or leave personal property in Mexico, like those who want a vacation home in Mexico... and
maybe live there part of each year... si? |
Legally with an FM2, you are supposed to check in and out even if in a car. If flying, which many do, your records are there for them to see.
Ron dont worry you are fine with an FM3. Neither have anything to do with working unless specified and approved.
Lou- I didnt know that rule!?!?!?!?
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bajalou
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Which one, about the 3 year exit thing? When I finally got my book back from Mex City, it lists the Ley's that apply. I imposed on Fernando to
translate them for me. Don't remember which one but there were a couple regarding being out of country and loosing Imigrado status.
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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thefishaholic
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Registered: 4-8-2006
Location: Colorado Springs
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Thanks for all the help and advise.
Now, the way I read the above....We get a FM2. We're not going to work and are not interested in being nationalized etc.
But we can come and go (stay more than 6 months straight in Baja)and leave our boat etc when we are in the USA?
Does the FM2 allow us to have a bank account?
Thanks again.
PS--Hi to all at the Texas Holdem gang at Mulege.
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bajalou
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Either allow you to have a bank account
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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