Job Discussion Forums

[Samantha]

That comment is not correct. You will hold dual citizenship. It's the perfect solution.

[Phil_K]

Samantha, it seems you're right, and I qualify for a minimum of 5 years residency (my marriage is by church only). Also it would be much cheaper in the long run, what with renewals and charges to change this that and the other. However, I haven't found anything on the web that specifically says I don't have to give up British nationality. Mexicans born here can have dual nationality for sure, but if someone can point me towards an official website that states that a naturalized Mexican has the same right, I would be grateful. (or I guess I could get down to the SRE office and ask them myself.

BTW, I downloaded the DNN3 form and that doesn't say anything about it.

[Phil_K]

Just found this from a website about Mexican law:

"The FM2 Visa is extended (refrendo) every year until completing five years. At the end of five years, the foreigner can apply for another FM2 visa or request a “Declaration as an Immigrated Person” (Declaratoria de Inmigrado) Once the status of ‘INMIGRADO” is granted, the foreigner can live and be involved in any legal activity in Mexico. This status is permanent and does not require further renewals or extensions. The person with this status can request Naturalization from the Secretary of Foreign Relations or stay with this status permanently".

So it seems that the residency requirement begins with the FM2, not the FM3, which is only a "visitors" visa.

[Samantha]

What you cut and pasted about the FM2 is correct, however you jumped to some inaccurate conclusions after reading that. You do NOT any longer need to have had an FM2 to naturalize. That changed quite some time ago. Btw, an FM3 is NOT considered a visitors visa. That would be the FMT.

We have discussed this subject on the forum in the past. I would not have posted this had I not personally known it to be true. The fact is if you are on an FM3 and (legally) married to a Mexican you can apply to naturalize 2 years after marriage registration date or if you have 5 full years on an FM3 you can go ahead and apply for naturalization at that point.

[Phil_K]

It's not that I don't believe you, Samantha, but I guess I will go to SRE to get it from the horse's mouth, you know how complicated bureaucracy is in Mexico. The private message I received was from someone who no longer posts, and I don't want to invade his privacy by revealing his name, but he is someone well respected on the forum.

Could you please help me by saying exactly when the rule changed, and point me to a page which officially announces this change? Sorry to be pedantic but I want to be totally sure about this.

[Samantha]

Point you to a "page"??? Please, be serious. Go to your local SRE office and ask for the requirements. In fact, the forms online are outdated so don't waste time filling them out...again, personal experience. Here's the thing; someone who hasn't applied for citizenship hasn't a clue what is required. That includes the Immigration department. They have no idea what is required by that arm of the Government. That's a whole 'nother ballgame. I don't know anything about a private message you received or what it contained since this is the first you have mentioned it, but I am sure it was well-intentioned and didn't doubt what I posted. I know the process because I have experienced it personally. Sooooo, that's all I have to say on the subject. Good luck.

[MELEE]

Phil,

I don't post on the weekends, I only post while I'm actually at work!


I have been here 9 years and 4 months! But my situation is a little different. When I got to the end of my first FM3, I had a 1 year paid sabbatical looming in front of me (which we get as a benefit after 6 full years on the job at my school) I didn't know yet what I was going to be doing during that year. There was a possiblitiy that I would be outside of Mexico (though earning a Mexican salary so needing to keep my FM3 current) the entire time. So an FM2 was very unattractive to me. There is a time limit to how long you can be out of Mexico over the 5 years of the FM2 booklet. I would have blown that time in one year and been "trapped" in Mexico. Also, like Sam, being married I can naturalize without going through those steps. (I suggest you get legally married, was you wedding in England? or Mexico? if it was in England, a church marriage will count as a legal marriage because the UK goverment recognizes it--you just need to get the UK to put an Apostille on you marriage certificate and your wife needs to go to registro civil and register as having been married abroad, then you go to immigration and register your marriage in the "Registro Nacional de Estranjeros".) When you naturalize, you do renounce your citizenship, but I was told by employees of Relaciones Exteriores that it is just a formality and they won't take my US passport away from me. I also know a Scotish woman and an Irish man who are or have been married to Mexicans and hold dual citizenship.

But for now I've stuck with an FM3, why? two reasons, I haven't gotten around to getting my daughter's US citizenship yet, and I just don't trust my own government and don't want to give them any motivation to deny my daughters US citizenship. And two, while citizenship is being processed you can't leave the country, I can't stand the thought of being prisoner here. My parents are old and so are all my aunts and uncles, I will return to the US (for a visit) if any of them fall gravely ill or suddenly die. I'm going to Oaxaca next week and I plan on popping in to RE and asking if it is possible to get special permission to leave the country if something like that should happen--otherwise I won't do it.
The ironic thing is I haven't set foot outside of Mexico for 5 years!!!! Maybe I'm crazy, but I just can't stand the thought of not being allowed out.

[Samantha]

melee wrote: