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oxxo
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New visa requirements
I have just applied to renew my FM-3 visa in San Lucas. I use a company called "Easy Papers." It is owned and operated by Luis Cervantes who is an
immigration official by day and a visa processsor by night. Yes, I know I can do this myself at no cost (other than the cost of the visa) but I
choose to pay him to do it for personal reasons.
Here is the latest scoop on visas. He said that this is all brand new and hasn't been published yet, but all the staff is going through "training"
right now.
- the Fm-2, FM-3 visas are being eliminated
- the new visas will be listed as "visitor", "resident", and "permanent resident."
- You need to have a "visitor" visa for 5 years before you can apply for the "resident" visa. The cost of the visitor visa will be the same as an
FM-3, 1400p per year.
- You need to have a "resident" visa for 4 year before you can apply for a "permanent resident" visa. The cost of the resident visa is the same as
an FM-2, 2800p per year
- The new "permanent resident" visa will be free and it will be permanent, with no annual renewal.
- Once you have the "permanent resident" visa, you can apply for Mexican citizenship.
- There is talk (but not confirmed) that a "permanent resident" visa may exempt you from Mexican capital gain taxes when selling a property.
No more of the inmigrado, no inmigrado business.
**** there is an exception to the above: If you qualify for one of the three below, you can apply for "resident" visa immediately.
1. you own a property in Mexican with a valid Fideicomiso or deed
or
2. You are married to a Mexican citizen
or
3. You have legal Mexican children
Therefore, since I qualify for #1 above I am applying for "resident" status immediately even though I have had an FM-3 for only one year. It is a way
to fast-track the path to citizenship and also eliminate the hassle of annual renewal of visas.
We did not discuss how this new system woulld affect tourist visas.
Please, I am only repeating what he told me. I don't know any more details than what I have stated above. I realize that things could change again
in a couple of years (or a couple of days). But, I have applied for the new "resident" visa and should receive it in 3 to 4 weeks.
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Russ
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As the new rules become more clear would someone please check or what those of us that already have inmigrado status will be required to do?
Bahia Concepcion where life starts...given a chance!
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oladulce
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| Quote: | Originally posted by oxxo
...I have applied for the new "resident" visa and should receive it in 3 to 4 weeks. |
We submitted FM2 renewal paperwork in La Paz on Friday Sept 9. All application procedures were unchanged. The INM online application forms were
unchanged and there were no other options presented on the gov. website that indicated they were instituting the new rules.
Do you think that by utilizing an agent, you had an inside track to choices we didn't know about or could this be a difference in the specific
immigration offices' procedures? I realize you probably don't know all the details oxxo, but did you get the impression from your agent that he was
able to fast track you somehow?
If so, maybe I can do something about it before we return to La Paz pick up our stuff next week.
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oxxo
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| Quote: | Originally posted by oladulce
Do you think that by utilizing an agent, you had an inside track to choices we didn't know about or could this be a difference in the specific
immigration offices' procedures? I realize you probably don't know all the details oxxo, but did you get the impression from your agent that he was
able to fast track you somehow? |
Good questions, oladulce. I don't have the answers. Luis seemed to be saying this was the latest, hot off the wire information. I'm not sure he has
all the answers. I am sure there will be mass confusion for awhile! In the meantime, I have applied for the new "resident" visa. We will see what
develops. 
I have not posted his business telephone number or email address because it is not my purpose to promote his business on BN, but with a little
googling I'm sure you can find it. BTW, he charged me 2000p to process my application plus the cost of the 2800p for the visa.
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Lee
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| Quote: | Originally posted by oxxo
- the Fm-2, FM-3 visas are being eliminated...
Therefore, since I qualify for #1 above I am applying for "resident" status immediately even though I have had an FM-3 for only one year.
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Assuming this is true, is the assumption that someone holding a current FM-2 for 5 years, but hasn't applied for national status, would be starting
over?
And is ''fast track'' in your case 4 years of resident status -- before being eligible for citizenship?
Four years doesn't sound fast to me.
US Marines: providing enemies of America an opportunity to die for their country since 1775.
What I say before any important decision.
F*ck it.
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ncampion
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This all sounds good. Hope all the details get worked out before I have to renew in April.
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oxxo
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Lee
Assuming this is true, is the assumption that someone holding a current FM-2 for 5 years, but hasn't applied for national status, would be starting
over? |
Lee, I don't know if you would have to start all over - I doubt it. But if you qualify for one of the three exceptions, you can apply for the
"Resident" visa immediately, like I did.
| Quote: | And is ''fast track'' in your case 4 years of resident status -- before being eligible for citizenship?
Four years doesn't sound fast to me. |
Well it would be fast track in my case because I would need 5 years of FM-3 and then 5 years of FM-2 before applying for citizenship. In my case it
would be cut from 10 years to 4 years with a resident visa.
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oladulce
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This might be what Lee was saying, but my question has been will we get any credit for our years with an FM2 towards the "Permanent Resident" status.
Or or do we have to start all over as a "Temporary resident " for 4 years before applying as a "Permanent"? I thought we were on the path to
Inmigrado with our FM2's and it will be disappointing if we have to start all over.
Since our paperwork is already in the office I imagine we're sol for this year. I'll ask some questions when we pick up our docs in La Paz next week
to see if they know anything yet.
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DianaT
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| Quote: | Originally posted by ncampion
This all sounds good. Hope all the details get worked out before I have to renew in April. |
Ah, such positive thinking. 
OXXO, thanks very much for all the information---it is a beginning for understanding what the changes will mean. At the end of June our immigration
office told us they did not know what was going to happen, but it sounds like the training has started. Glad you shared what you have learned.
The current FM2 is more expensive than the FM3 and it sounds like that will be the case for "resident" status. Besides fast tracking to permanent,
what are the other advantages of that status and is the paper work more involved?
Thanks.
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oxxo
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| Quote: | | Originally posted by oladulcebut my question has been will we get any credit for our years with an FM2 towards the "Permanent Resident"
status. Or or do we have to start all over as a "Temporary resident " for 4 years before applying as a "Permanent"? |
I don't know, but I don't THINK they will make you start all over. It was explained to me that they are trying to make the system more simple and
equatable.
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oxxo
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DianaT
The current FM2 is more expensive than the FM3 and it sounds like that will be the case for "resident" status. |
Currently the cost of the visitor visa is the same as an FM-3. The cost of the resident visa is the same as an FM-2. Cost of visas has not gone up.
| Quote: | | Besides fast tracking to permanent, what are the other advantages of that status and is the paper work more involved? |
Evidently there may be additional advantages such as potential waiving of capital gain taxes, perhaps easier to get work permits, etc.......but those
provisions are still being worked out (my guy simply doesn't know yet). Also I was told that you will now need a resident visa to get the senior
discount card. I haven't had one in the past, but I am getting one included with my new resident visa. With the senior card, you get 50% off on your
traffic fines!  You will also get 50% off on your property taxes, plus
discounts many other places, including prescriptions, etc.
The paperwork looks exactly the same to me as before. It is certainly not an onerous process. But as I said earlier I prefer to pay him to process
everything.....it is nice to have friends in the right places.
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bajajudy
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Jeez
They just went to the cards and ship canned the booklets. I havent even had my card a year.
Jim's renewal is in process and has been for a while. Maybe that is the hold-up. My father-in-laws FM3 is ready and they went in at the same time.
Actually it has been ready for over a week.
Vamos a ver
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CortezBlue
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Ok, so I called my lady in San Felipe and she had the following comments.
1. They are changing the rules because it has something to do with the cartel registering folks from central america to move freely within Mexico to
transport durgs
2. She said there are a bunch of rumors and when she spoke to Immigration they told here that nothing was changing until Nov.1 and that they were not
aware of the changes at that time.
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BajaBlanca
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I find it just astounding how often the rules change....there is no way to keep up ! holy smokes.
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BajaWarrior
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I renewed my FM3 this summer. I applied in July and picked up my new card in late August. My agent had photos of me which had been submitted but when
I went to pick up my ready FM3 I was told I had to go to the "Copy Center" to get hard copy photos because the Digital photos were no longer accepted.
That had changed only one day before arriving to pick up my document.
Oh well, down to Copy Center, get some pictures taken, told to come back in two hours? Ouch, talked her into an hour. Got some Tacos, drove around,
got my photos, went to Immagration, they processed/laminated my card and I was outa there.
Yes, we will see what changes take place next year...
Haven't had a bad trip yet....
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larryC
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I go to Ensenada on this Tues to pick up my FM2 renewal. I'll ask if they know anything about any changes. Actually most of this sounds the same as it
has been for a while just different teminology. You have been able to start with an FM2 for a couple of years now if you have a fideocomiso.
Larry
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oxxo
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Mood: If I was feeling any better, I'd be twins!
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| Quote: | | Originally posted by larryC Actually most of this sounds the same as it has been for a while just different teminology.
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My understanding (as it was explained to me) is, yes and no. Yes, the new visitor visa is roughly comparable to a FM-3. The new resident visa is
roughly comparable to a FM-2. But what is really new is the new permanent resident visa. This is a new permanent visa with no annual renewal
requirement and no annual cost.
It will be intereting to see how this develops!
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bajajudy
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"This is a new permanent visa with no annual renewal requirement and no annual cost. "
Actually by the current rules, after you have your FM2 for 5 years you are done...no more renewals, no more fees
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SFandH
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I'm wondering if rules stating you can't leave the country for specified periods of times apply anywhere.
What's the best visa for part time residents? Are you a tourist or are you a resident?
[Edited on 9-17-2011 by SFandH]
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oxxo
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajajudy
Actually by the current rules, after you have your FM2 for 5 years you are done...no more renewals, no more fees |
gracias Judy, I didn't know that. I guess the period to permanent resident is reduced from 5 years to 4 years now. Quien sabe
| Quote: | Originally posted by SFandH
I'm wondering if rules stating you can't leave the country for specified periods of times apply anywhere.
What's the best visa for part time residents? |
I think the answer to that question depends on how much time do you spend in Baja and how often do you go forth and back.
As an aside, I told my guy that when I fly in and out of Baja I always check out with immigration at the airport before leaving to get my visa
stamped. But when I drive in and out of Baja (which is most of the time) I don't bother to check out with Mexican immigration at the border. He just
laughed and said "you are like most people, and that is a big no-no." He said at this time, immigration does not have a good system to check on this.
So, most of the time no problema. But he said in the future he predicts that there will be new rules that require that all vehicles will be stopped
at the border to check for a valid visa before entry into Mexico. If you have a visa, other than a tourist visa, and you did not check out of Mexico
properly, "YOU WILL BE IN BEEEEEK CACA SENIOR! But give me a call and I can knock $10 off your fine and a week off your prison time"
[Edited on 9-17-2011 by oxxo]
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