Chapter Eleven: Becoming a Year-Round Resident

If you plan on staying in Mexico for more than 6 months at a time you will need an FM3. With an FM3 you can legally keep a car in Mexico and apply for Mexican medical insurance at IMSS (if you are under 65). You will need to renew your FM3 every year. Any questions contact INM at 01-800-004-6264

Obtaining or Renewing an FM3 visa

Mexico has implemented a new system through the Internet to apply or renew your FM3 and FM2 visas. They are doing away with the old green passport looking document and replacing it with credit sized card. You will still need the same documents as listed below. If you want to get an FM 3, there are two ways to go about doing it. One is to contact an immigration lawyer or apply yourself online at: http://www.inm.gob.mx. However; this is a brand new system and still has some kinks, so be prepared to encounter inconsistencies. Here is the paperwork you will need to have in order to apply for an FM 3 whether you apply online, or with a legal service.

1. Copies of your bank statements for the past three months or other proof that you have a stable income of at least $1838.72 a month for yourself and for each additional dependant its $919.36 USD. However if you own your home you only have to prove ½ that amount stated.

2. Proof of residency in Mexico. If you own your own home, you can bring in copies of your electric and telephone bills in your name. If not, you can go down to the Municipal in your town and have them issue you a proof of residency. The cost for this is around 50 pesos.

3. Copies of your passport and at least 4 passport sized photos.

4. Plan on spending about $100 U.S. for your FM 3.

The new immigration procedures that are done online require a letter of intent written in Spanish and do require some specific legal phrasing. If you are not proficient in Spanish or are confused with the INM site, do yourself a favor and hire a legal service that specializes in immigration procedures.

However you choose to obtain your FM 3, it is highly advised that you do so. It is the simplest way to live in Mexico, free and clear, for as often and long as you please.

Advantages of the FM-3 Visa (Rentista)

You do not have to give up your citizenship. You continue to pay taxes in the USA or Canada, you are not subject to income tax in Mexico. (Unless you get a working FM-3 and work in Mexico.)

You can continue to drive a car with foreign plates (e.g., USA), and use your USA driver’s license. You do not need a Mexican driver’s license unless you buy a vehicle in Mexico.

For foreigners, who plan to make Mexico their retirement home for more than 6 months a year, an FM-3 visa is required.

A new resident, during the first year of their newly issued FM3, can import their used household goods without paying a tax at the customs office at the USA-Mexico border. Make advance arrangements with the Aduana in Guaymas. Remember this is a one time only proposition!

A person with an FM3 or FM2 is entitled to buy health insurance from the Mexican IMSS agency, an inexpensive government backed insurance program.

The FM3 visa is technically a 1-year visa, which you may renew once a year for a total of five years. At the end of that time, you will have to go through the entire process again in order to obtain a new FM3 visa.

Apostille

If you are applying for a working FM-3 you will need the following information:

Apostille is a French word which means a certification. It is commonly used in English to refer to the legalization of a document for international use under the terms of the 1961 Hague Convention, Abolishing the Requirement for Legalization by a consular officer of Foreign Public Documents.

With this certification by Hague Convention apostille, the document is entitled to recognition in the country of intended use, and no legalization by the embassy or consulate of the foreign country where the document is to be used is required. In other words, when a document is to be used in a foreign country, it may be necessary to authenticate the notarization or certification. Foreign countries often require documents to be authenticated before the documents will be accepted in the foreign jurisdiction. An "authentication" certifies the signature and the position of the official who has executed, issued or certified a copy of a document.

The sole function of the apostille is to certify the authenticity of the signature on the document; the capacity in which the person signing the document acted; and the identity of any stamp or seal affixed to the document.

The United States of America is a signatory to this convention but Canada is not. Canadians, to have the equivalent of this type of document recognition must have the documents certified by Canadian Foreign Affairs and then take the document to the Mexican Embassy or Mexican Consulate. Foreign Affairs do not charge a fee for certifying the document but the Mexican Embassy/Consulate office does charge a fee. Bring small bills and change as the Embassy/Consulate never has the ability to make change. Remember to go to the Embassy/Consulate very early in the day as you will be asked to come back to get your document(s). If you are fortunate you may get the certified document back the same day.

How to Find the INM Office in Guaymas

For those of you that know Guaymas, the INM office has moved! You will no longer find the INM building across the street from the Coca Cola bottling company.

In Guaymas take the left fork at McDonald’s drive past Ley’s and right after Burger King turn left between the lavanderia (laundry) and the kiddy wooden play equipment. The Nissan Dealer is on the right hand side of the street. Turn left drive up the hill and you will see a white building. You can park in front of the INM building but there are very few parking spots and it’s hard to turn around.

FM2 for Permanent Residency in Mexico

Immigrant Visas (FM2) are issued to people who wish to gain permanent residency in Mexico (inmigrantes). Permanent residency is only granted to people who have lived in Mexico for at least five years with an immigrant (FM3) visa (years that you have lived in Mexico with a non-immigrant (FM3) visa do not count). Permanent residency gives you the status of an inmigrado and entitles you to all rights and obligations of a Mexican citizen (including the right to work in Mexico), except the right to vote.