Rule changes, higher prices, and rumors all contribute to the confusion surrounding your legal status here in Mexico. We would like to help clarify some of this confusion. Lets start with the 4 basic statuses in which you can be here in Mexico.
1) FMM – Better known as a Multiple Tourist/Visitor Visa. This is the migratory document you receive when entering Mexico, either driving, flying or arriving by sea.
2) FM3 – This is your temporary residency migratory document (non-inmigrante card) you apply for here or at a Mexican Consulate in the US or Canada. Good for 5 years, renewable ever year.
3) FM2 – This is your permanent residency migratory document (inmigrante card) you can only apply for here in Mexico. Good for 5 years, renewable ever year.
4) Inmigrado – This is the status you obtain after having an inmigrante card and abiding by its rules for 5 years.
Most common myths for these 4 migratory statuses
FMM – Need a passport to obtain? True. All that is required for an FMM is your passport and the new fee of $362 pesos. This fee is included in the price of your airline ticket is you are flying.
FM3 – Must be a least 55 to apply? False. Some Consulates in the U.S. and Canada state this, but this is not true if applying in Mexico. Any age can apply as long as you meet the requirements such as the monthly income requirement.
FM3 – As long as my FM3 (non-inmigrante card) is up to date, my foreign plated vehicle is also legal? True. It has been rumored that one must drive back to the US/Mexico border and re-register their vehicle, which is false, even if the windshield decal is expired. As long as the registered owners migratory status is legal, so is their vehicle. As of June 11, 2011, you must now pay a deposit for the car you are bringing in. To keep this deposit “live” so you can get it back when you leave with the vehicle you must now inform Customs when you renew or get a new migratory status.
FM3 – If I’ve obtained my FM3 (non-inmigrante card) outside of Mexico, I must register it when I come to Mexico? True.
FM2 – I cannot leave the country for more than 6 months a year, or a total of 24 months over 5 years? True. These are the rules outlined by the Mexican government.
FM2 – I must have an FM3 (non-inmigrante card) for a number of years before I can apply for an FM2 (inmigrante card)? False. You can apply for an FM2 (inmigrante card) right from an FMM.
Inmigrado – I’m no longer allowed to drive a foreign plated car in Mexico? True.
Other Facts
Some other facts to remember: when applying for these documents (except for the FMM) they also require a proof of address, such as a lease, deed, phone bill etc. Proof of income, bank statements from Canada, the US, or your offshore investment house are all accepted from Immigration. If you want to work in Mexico, you can have a work permit added to your FM3 (non-inmigrante card) or FM2 (inmigrante card). If you are Inmigrado, you can work with only having to inform Immigration, no permit is required.
The renewal requirements are much simpler as of April 30th, 2010. Bank statements and proof of address are no longer required. You do have to provide new photos of yourself to obtain the new plastic FM3/2 I.D. cards which you will need to go to Immigration to sign for. The photos need to be “Infantile” size and must be obtained by a studio. Infantile measures 2.5 cm’s wide by 3 cm’s tall.
The prices of these migratory documents go up every year. These are the taxes that must be paid when applying for your documents: FMM $362 pesos – FM3/New $2001 pesos – FM3/Renewal $1451 pesos – FM2/New $3889 pesos – FM2/Renewal $3139 pesos. These prices are just the taxes required by the Federal Government; these prices do not include our fees if you decide to retain our services.