Job Discussion Forums

mep3 · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 212

Samantha, I understand that you have to prove foreign income for a non-working FM2. But if I understand correctly MELEE's post at the top of page 2 of this thread, Immigrado is not the same as the FM2.

Hence, my questions remain:

Do you have to prove a certain annual income every year once you have Immigrado status?

Do you have to work once you have Immigrado status?

Thanks ... Mep

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

You cannot reach Inmigrado status until you have 5 years on an FM2, so don't be confused. It used to be 5 years on an FM3, then you could graduate to FM2 for 5 years, then (10 years have passed now) you could reach Inmigrado status. Things change constantly in Mexico. (I notice that new applicants for an FM2 have to obtain their CURP first.) The point we have been trying to make is that you can save money (the costs are nearly double), not be restricted for time out of Mexico, plus apply for citizenship after 5 years on the FM3. I think you are putting the cart before the horse here. As someone suggested, come to Mexico and see how you like it, see if this is where you want to stay before making these types of decisions. There's surely to be new regulations by then anyway!

Here is a recent internet article (July 2006) written by lawyer Adriana Perez Flores. She specializes in this type of thing in a thriving foreign community in Mexico.

Immigration and Inmigrado

These are the taxes that must be paid when applying for your documents:

FMT

Extension $210 pesos

FM3

New $1,432 pesos
Renewal $1,038 pesos

FM2
New $2,783 pesos
Renewal $2,247 pesos.
These prices are subject to change at Immigration's discretion, but were accurate at press time (July, 2006).

FM2 and Inmigrado status in Mexico do not get much coverage, as the majority of the foreigners apply for FM3 status. Therefore, we have been asked to clarify some false beliefs surrounding these migratory statuses.

FM2s can be applied for as soon as you come to Mexico, right from an FMT (tourist visa), or at any time during your FM3 status. You do not have to wait for the renewal of the FM3 to apply for the FM2. The requirements are basically the same as an FM3, however the monthly income requirements are set higher, and the cost of obtaining such a document is also higher, as listed above. Please note; you cannot apply for an FM2 outside of Mexico the way you can an FM3. A new rule set this year by Immigration is that you will require a Mexican CURP number to obtain your FM2.

The other basic rule with an FM2 is that over the five-year period you have this migratory status, you are only allowed to travel out of Mexico for a maximum period of 18 months over those five years. If this requirement is not met, immigration will not award you your Inmigrado status at the end of the five years when you apply for it. Please note; you cannot obtain this Inmigrado status from an FM3, you must have the FM2 for a period of five years.

The rules on your foreign plated vehicle are also the same as the FM3, which you can import and keep here for the duration of the FM2. However, once the Inmigrado status is granted to you, legally the foreign plated vehicle must go, and you will have to purchase a Mexican plated vehicle.

And heres a little more information on the subject. Scroll way down below the fee schedule.

http://www.canadianclubmx.com/Immigration.htm

mep3 · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 212

Sorry, I would want to know these things before deciding to leave China for Mexico. It's important to me. I've built certain things in my life in China, and much of my decision to leave would be based on comparative aspects of such practical things. There are certain practical things about China I don't like, such as the requirements for permanent residency. But it would be foolish for me to leave here for somewhere else before I knew about the rules in the other place.

I have certain reservations about the nationalization status because, like I explained, for various reasons I don't like the idea of renouncing my U.S. citizenship.

Hence my two questions, again:

[i]Do you have to prove a certain annual income every year once you have Immigrado status?

Do you have to work once you have Immigrado status? [/i]

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

You can do whatever the Mexicans do when you reach Inmigrado status, except vote. And really, you do not have to renounce your citizenship when and if you naturalize. That's a crock. You will carry two passports and use them accordingly. But before all this make sure you are of the personality type that will be able to live in Mexico before making the big move. It is not a country for those that have to have everything etched in stone. Rules in Mexico are fluid and change hourly.

mep3 · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 212

Not everything, just the big things that are important to me. So information is important. For example, if you really don't have to renounce your citizenship when you naturalize, that's important for me to know.

Thanks .... mep

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

mep3 · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 212

Thanks Ben that is good info to know. Also, you can retire if you like without having to meet any set foreign income requirement, right? Is my understanding correct that currently, to get the Inmigrado status, you first have to have FM2 status for five years, and to get FM2 status, you first have to have FM3 status for five years? (I know Inmigrado status is the long route as compared to Nationalization, but I'm not sure of my aforesaid understanding that it basically takes 10 yrs after starting off on an FM3) Mep

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

Michael,
Are you pulling our legs? Don't take my word for it then, but reread the article I posted by Adriana Perez another time where she clearly says you can apply for an FM2 straight off a tourist visa. I think that has been mentioned quite a few times in this thread as well.

mep3 · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 212

Samantha, also on this thread:

Melee wrote:

FM2 is an immigrant resident. You can get this after 5 years as a non immigrant, or if you are married to or the parent of a Mexican you can go right to FM2, I've also heard of certain people getting it at the whim of immigration officials.

J Sevigny wrote:

Becoming a Mexican citizen is a process that ultimately involves Relaciones Exteriores, not immigration.

One way to do it is to live here a long time on an FM3, then an FM2, and eventually, you apply to be a citizen.

So ...... Sorry for asking for clarification on that.

Mep

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

What can I say? This is a job discussion forum not an immigration forum, and teachers answering have done their best to relate in depth what has been observed during the course of time here in our various areas of Mexico with our favorite place, the INAMI office. Know that it is going to depend on where you land in Mexico as to how things will go for you and don't count on it being set in stone or you are setting yourself up for disappointment. Suerte.

mep3 · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 212

I just meant to explain that I wasn't pulling your leg Laughing

Polly0607 · Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 64

What Samantha is trying to say is that things change in Mexico constantly. Don't count on anything we say, even if it is true today. It can all change.

If you like Mexico, you will be able to withstand the bureaucracy and the immigration problems you will have (and you will have them, we all do). Unfortunately nothing here is a given, so you will have to take a leap of faith.

I apologize if our answers seem vague or confusing, but the immigration and naturalization process is vague and confusing, we posters are not.

Good luck.

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

mep3 · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 212

Actually I wasn't complaining at all about the information given by the posters. I found the discussion very interesting.

Mep

MikeySaid · Joined: 10 Nov 2004 Posts: 509 Location: Torreon, Mexico

I wish there was some kind of work exchange program... I would be a very happy gringo if my lagunera could come here and work for a time without us having to marry simply for such a reason. (I'd like to do it appropriately, in a manner that would be respected and honored by both our families, if she'd have me.)

You know... An American goes down there, she gets to come up here. It'd be a beautiful thing. Of course, it's not that way. Sadly, she all but had a job tied up here and they then told her if she didnt have work authorization, they couldn't sponsor her. Anyone know any other loopholes?