Job Discussion Forums

[EMH1969]

I know that in many countries you can stay indefinitely by doing a border run, leaving the country for a few days and then getting another 90 day visa. Does anyone know if this can be done in Mexico? And yes, I realize that the size of Mexico would make a border run difficult. I'm just wondering if the Mexican authorities allow such a thing.

Thanks!

[Samantha]

A tourist visa in Mexico is valid for up to 180 days. If it is issued for something less than that, you can obtain the additional number of days by visiting an Immigration office. Many people do leave Mexico when their 180 days is complete, and then reenter.

[Phil_K]

What is not clear from the OP is why you want to do this. If you want to stay indefinitely I assume you would need work, in which case the immigration process is not that difficult or expensive.

[EMH1969]

Ah, I thought someone would ask that eventually. Basically, I have enough money saved up that I don't need to work for a while. Eventually I'd need to work but I could easily go a year or two without working.

[Samantha]

If you have the required money saved, you will qualify for an FM3 Rentista. This is the FM3 used by those with income from outside Mexico or those with lump sums tucked away. It doesn't permit you to work, but it beats spending money running to the border twice a year.

[EMH1969]

Thanks Samantha. Any idea what the lump sum requirement is?

[corporatehuman]

You can always go on a sight-seeing vacation around your 180 days. I recommend the Guatemala border. Renewing your VISA can be easy and can be hard. Technically you are supposed to leave Mexico for three days (technically technically from what I understand it actually is half a year but that isn't enforced.)

So you can go to Guatemala for 3 days and then return no problems. At the land border they seem to give out 90 days. By airplane I recently got 180 days. Always ask for 180 regardless. You can also go to the Guatemala border and enter, then exit, and then you have to pay 'una mordida' or a bribe (I paid 200 pesos.) When I went back to the Mexican officer he asked me if I had just left and I said yes, and then he gave me the VISA.

Anyway I think going Samantha's way of the FM3 is easier. But yes you can do the tourist visa.

Chris

[Samantha]

You will need to speak to the Immigration office looking after the area in which you plan to live. Where I am, they are asking for proof of the monthly minimum I mentioned x 12 months. That gives them assurance that you can support yourself in Mexico for the year.

For monthly income proof it's 3 months of regular income from abroad that will suffice. You could transfer the minimum requirement ($1100.00 USD) into your bank account each month for the immediate 3 months prior to applying for the FM3. You can transfer it straight back out to wherever it was, as long as INAM can see the 3 regular deposits of the required amount. Our area accepts internet printouts of bank statements but other areas of Mexico can be more picky about that.

And don't forget that once you have your FM3, you can apply to get on the IMSS health insurance plan. It's a good fallback in case of a medical emergency, or certain other situations.

[EMH1969]

Wait, so I can basically shuffle my own money around in order to get a resident visa???

[Samantha]

Well, yes, since you put it that way. It's the FM3 that requires you show income from abroad. The proof of that is your 3 most recent bank statements. They don't care how you spend your money, just that you actually can show 3 required deposits in a row, just prior to your applying for the FM3.