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Tretyakovskii
Joined: 14 Aug 2009 Posts: 462 Location: Cancun, Mexico
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Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2010 4:54 pm Post subject: Process, in country |
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Has anybody been through the process of entering Mexico on a student visa, then going to INM to get permission to stay more than 180 days (perhaps get an FM3, as a student)? I've got a friend who is a little perplexed about the process, now. Is it similar to getting other FM3s? |
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Samantha

Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera
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Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2010 4:58 pm Post subject: |
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The student visa IS an FM3. The permission on it is to study. He or she cannot work on a student visa, and they are very strict about that. |
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Isla Guapa
Joined: 19 Apr 2010 Posts: 1520 Location: Mexico City o sea La Gran Manzana Mexicana
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Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2010 6:11 pm Post subject: |
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I think the OPs question was not about changing from a student FM3 to one that gives you permission to work, but rather about an extension of the original visa beyond 180 days. |
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MotherF
Joined: 07 Jun 2010 Posts: 1450 Location: 17�48'N 97�46'W
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Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2010 6:33 pm Post subject: |
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I think either Tret or his friend need to be a little bit clearer.
He says his friend entered on a student visa. Sam is right, students are issued FM3s with permission to STUDY. It may be that Tret's friend was issued an FM3 to study for 6 months (180 days). In which case if the friend wants to continue studying in Mexico for another semester. The FM3 can be renewed for another six months with papers showing said person will enroll and finacial support of some form--usually US bank statements.
Or it could be that Trets friend, like many study people on Spanish language courses, actually entered Mexico on a tourist visa, rather than a proper student visa. In which case it is possible to change to a student FM3 in country, similar documents as I mentioned above should be submitted to IMN. Proof that you are accepted into some study program and proof that you can support yourself while on said study program. |
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Samantha

Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera
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Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2010 6:54 pm Post subject: |
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MotherF wrote:
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Or it could be that Trets friend, like many study people on Spanish language courses, actually entered Mexico on a tourist visa, rather than a proper student visa. |
Thank you. That's how I read the question as well...that he was possibly on a tourist visa and looking at ways to extend his stay in the country. |
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Tretyakovskii
Joined: 14 Aug 2009 Posts: 462 Location: Cancun, Mexico
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Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2010 9:35 pm Post subject: |
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I can't interpret it, but I can describe it. The UK national obtained a student visa at the Mexican Embassy in the UK: it is in the form of a sticker affixed to her passport, like many visas are, and clearly indicates it is a single entry, student visa.
When she entered the country she was intending to study for nine months: she was told she must apply for an FM3, if she intended to stay beyond 180 days. She did. But, this involves a change of "calidad" apparently and now she is in a jam because she is not permitted to leave the country while the process is pending: INM told her she would have to petition to withdraw the application for the FM3 is she persisted in her plans to leave for the UK to celebrate Christmas with family before her FM3 were issued.
She's scheduled to leave 4 Dec; they have told her it will be mid Dec before her FM3 is issued. Begging them to speed up the process has not produced results.
__________________
Risking interpreting this situation, I would tend to think Isla is on the right track. |
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Isla Guapa
Joined: 19 Apr 2010 Posts: 1520 Location: Mexico City o sea La Gran Manzana Mexicana
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Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2010 9:43 pm Post subject: |
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When this person applied for a student visa (apparently not always an FM3) at the Mexican embassy in the UK, did she tell them she was planning to study for longer than 6 months? If she did and was not informed that she'd have to apply for an FM3 once she arrived in Mexico, that's a real shame. When she applied for the FM3 here, was she told that she couldn't leave Mexico till it was approved? I know my questions won't provide a solution to her dilemma - I'm just trying to get a clear understanding of what's going on. |
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Tretyakovskii
Joined: 14 Aug 2009 Posts: 462 Location: Cancun, Mexico
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Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2010 10:16 pm Post subject: |
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Yep, Isla, she knew she'd have to apply for an FM3, in country, and did: what she didn't know was that she could not request a permiso de salida y regreso while it was pending. (This may be the case with each, first time issuance of an FM3, though that's clearly not the case with a renewal of an existing FM3).
With a Christmas holiday abroad planned, I ran into the same problem- no permisos could be issued on my cambio de calidad, but INM solved the problem in my case by agreeing to accelerate the process so I'd have my FM2 before the time came to leave. |
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Isla Guapa
Joined: 19 Apr 2010 Posts: 1520 Location: Mexico City o sea La Gran Manzana Mexicana
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Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2010 11:01 pm Post subject: |
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Tretyakovskii wrote: |
With a Christmas holiday abroad planned, I ran into the same problem- no permisos could be issued on my cambio de calidad, but INM solved the problem in my case by agreeing to accelerate the process so I'd have my FM2 before the time came to leave. |
Wow, I'm jealous. Not only were you able to persuade INM to let you jump from FM3 to FM2 without waiting the usual five years, but they pushed it through in time for you to leave the countryfor the holidays. Do you have friends in high places? |
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Tretyakovskii
Joined: 14 Aug 2009 Posts: 462 Location: Cancun, Mexico
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Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2010 12:39 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the kind words, Isla. I've got no special friends, but I've been treated with unbelievable kindness by Mexican people. I always treat people in immigration with the utmost respect, shower them with documentation, and demonstrate unlimited patience. It seems to work.
In Mexico, I think it's possible to take advantage of an ingrained Mexican impulse to feel they are being kind, and helpful. Ask for assistance, or a favor, and they can see themselves in this light. Push them, or demand that they do something, and they cannot. It may help to go with the grain. I have no greater insight into it than that.
I felt a little guilty, today, when the lady who handles the appointments said, "Oh, senor, you have no idea the problems you cause for us," then proceeded to set an appointment for me to get the FM2 card between now, and the time I was planning to leave the country (8 Dec). |
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Dragonlady

Joined: 10 May 2004 Posts: 720 Location: Chillinfernow, Canada
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Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2010 12:45 am Post subject: |
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Tretyakovskii wrote: |
In Mexico, I think it's possible to take advantage of an ingrained Mexican impulse to feel they are being kind, and helpful. Ask for assistance, or a favor, and they can see themselves in this light. Push them, or demand that they do something, and they cannot. It may help to go with the grain. I have no greater insight into it than that. |
Bravo and well stated Tretyakovski!
PS: Where's the thumbs up emoticon?
Regards,
DL |
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Samantha

Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera
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Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2010 12:54 am Post subject: |
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Isla wrote:
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Not only were you able to persuade INM to let you jump from FM3 to FM2 without waiting the usual five years, ..... |
Actually it's a myth that you are required to hold an FM3 for 5 years before obtaining an FM2. You can apply straight from an FMM (valid tourist card) or during any time on the FM3.
Our local office has been busily changing documents from No-Imigrante (old FM3), to Imigrante (old FM2, first 5 years). Without the Imigrante status, foreigners are now subject to a healthy Capital Gains tax when they sell their properties (thanks to new tax laws, or new enforcement of old ones!), so this is one of main reason foreigners are suddenly switching.
Some forum readers might find this website of interest. It's written by a lawyer in Ajijic, whose main business is processing documents and sorting out problems for foreigners. http://www.ajijiclaw.com/immigration/ |
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Isla Guapa
Joined: 19 Apr 2010 Posts: 1520 Location: Mexico City o sea La Gran Manzana Mexicana
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Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2010 1:31 am Post subject: |
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Samantha wrote: |
Actually it's a myth that you are required to hold an FM3 for 5 years before obtaining an FM2. You can apply straight from an FMM (valid tourist card) or during any time on the FM3.
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It may not be a myth (since that's what I was told when I applied for my FM3 in 2008), but perhaps the rules have changed since the system was overhauled in spring of this year. |
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Dragonlady

Joined: 10 May 2004 Posts: 720 Location: Chillinfernow, Canada
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Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2010 1:36 am Post subject: |
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wrote: |
It may not be a myth (since that's what I was told when I applied for my FM3 in 2008).. |
This is Mexico....since when does anyone believe everything they are told.
Regards,
DL |
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Samantha

Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera
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Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2010 5:06 am Post subject: |
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Well now, isn't that the truth! You have to be a super-sleuth to get to the bottom of what really goes on in this fine land. Type A personalities don't do so well in this environment, for sure.
As far as myth busting goes.. The FM2 out of the gate is not anything new. You must qualify, whether it be now or later. And if you are planning to obtain an FM2, and you qualify, push for it now so the clock can start ticking. Here is another link from a respected Mexico website (a website that has been referenced here in the Sticky section):
http://www.mexperience.com/liveandwork/immigration-mexico.php
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You do not need to have held a FM3 visa before applying for a FM2, and any years you may have accrued while living in Mexico under the auspice of a FM3 do not count towards your FM2 qualification period.
If your goal is to seek long-term residency in Mexico, or to become a Mexican Citizen, you should apply for FM2 status (or request a change of status from FM3 to FM2) so that your time starts counting towards the qualification period as soon as possible.
You may apply for a FM2 visa while you are in Mexico and in possession of a FMM (Visitor's Visa) or in Mexico under the auspice of a FM3. |
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