Job Discussion Forums

[championthewonderhorse]

Hi... It' that time again when I have to renew my visa at the dreaded INM in Guadalajara (Is there a worst immigration office in Mexico?? I doubt it)

I have been living here for 3 years on my FM3. I am married to a Mexican citizen. My goal is to finally achieve permanent residency.

My first question is , would it be a good idea to "upgrade" my visa to an FM2 or just stay with an FM3? I know FM3s are much cheaper.

"As an FM2 holder, you are considered an Immigrant, and may apply for Mexican citizenship after 5 years" taken from sparks-mexico.com
"Temporary residents who reside legally in Mexico for five years can acquire permanent resident status". taken from the INM site.
Is being a Mexican citizen and a permanent resident different? (I believe it is)

Is being a non-immigrant FM3 holder the same as a temporary resident ?
Would I be correct to assume that after renewing my FM3 visa for another 2 years I would then be able to apply for my permanent residency?

I have seen in other posts that there is no consistency in the INM offices throughout Mexico. Does anyone have any specific experience with the Guadlajara INM in this matter?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[amaranto]

If you can swing getting your FM2, then it would be your best option considering your desire to stay in Mexico. After obtaining the FM2 you could apply for naturalization, given your marital status; however, you will have to have established a conjugal household in Mexico for at least 2 years prior to your request for naturalization. Here is a link to the requirements for naturalization for foreigners married to Mexican citizens at the Secretary of Foreign Affair's website (there is no English version of this document posted, sorry):

http://www.sre.gob.mx/tramites/nacionalidad/tema1h.htm

In response to your other questions, according to the General Law of the Population, a permanent resident would be considered an FM2 holder (inmigrante/inmigrado). An FM3 holder (no inmigrante) is considered a temporary resident. You would be correct in assuming you could apply for an FM2 after 2 more years in Mexico.

While I have only dealt with immigration in D.F., it seems all immigration requirements are governed by federal law. I have no idea whether that's actually the case.

[championthewonderhorse]

Thanks for your reply.

So the FM2 is the same as a permanent residency (changing my status from non-migrant to migrant), and I would need to renew it for 2 years and then apply for naturalization.

I might have to just renew my FM3 this year and go for an FM2 next year. The place where I am going to work want me to get my visa before I start working and they said the FM2 will take much longer for them to process.

Thanks again

[notamiss]

In case you don�t apply for naturalization after 2 years with an FM2 for whatever reason, you might find it useful to know that after 5 years with an FM2, you no longer have to keep renewing it. You just hang on to it, but there are no more yearly pilgrimages to the migration office and no more yearly fees.

[TheLongWayHome]

Get an FM2 and go for naturalization. Remember you need at least 6 months vigencia on it. It's got to be better than dealing with the incompetency of migracion. As soon as I get my FM2 back (currently being held hostage at migra because they want me to pay for their mistake) I'll be going for it. SLP must be a close second to the GDL office for sheer incompetency.

[Samantha]

They are holding your FM2 hostage? What happened?

[TheLongWayHome]