Job Discussion Forums

[Silence820]

I read on one of the forums that even though I received my fm-3 in the U.S. I still would need to go to INM here in Mexico City.

Here is my story. When I arrived at the airport, I went to the immigration officer, he did a lot of looking at my passport and visa book then did a lot of writing and stamping, and then told me I was free to go.

I went to INM today just to make sure everything was in order and the lady at the information desk said that my paperwork was fine. And was good for 1 year from the date I arrived here in M�xico (but I had to renew 30 days before it expire). The only form I would need to fill out would be for my address, so they could mark it in my visa book. But she said it really was not important and I could do this at a later date.

My question is AM I LEGAL? Has anyone else had a similar experience when the received their visa in the states before coming to M�xico?

I am concerned because everywhere I have read stated that the visa process is very tedious complicated, and my visa process was very very simple and simple things just do not happen to me.

[Tretyakovskii]

Sounds to me like you're just stumbling through, doing the right things!

You're going to immigration at the airport was the first. It sounds like the agent there registered your FM3, a step required to be done within 30 days of arrival, and did you a nice service.

Registering your address is the next step, as you were told: don't be lackadaisical about doing that, once you've got a place rented, and you'll be continuing on a path of good fortune.

[Samantha]

I think there has been some confusion. Once you arrive and are stamped into the country (which was done at the airport as you describe), you then have 30 days to register with the INM office. That involves turning in your paperwork (booklet, whatever) and receiving an FM3 booklet issued in Mexico. That can take whatever time it takes in Mexico City. In my area it's about 14 days. They will view the same qualification paperwork that you presented to the Consulate up north, and additionally your proof of residence, which is obviously your address. That's all part of the same procedure. Take a copy of your lease (or other proof) and a recent electricity bill with you. (In my area they have taken to visiting the residence address to verify that you actually live there.) This has to be done within 30 days after your arrival in Mexico. Go back to the Immigration office and ask for someone who can understand English and then point you into the right line-up to get your FM3 registered. Otherwise, you will be facing a fine. When you need to change your status (when you begin to work) you will have to return and change things again. And on it goes.

This can also be verified from the up-to-date information on Rollybrook.com He authors a very informative website and keeps it up to date.

[Tretyakovskii]

Hi, Samantha.

Did you think Silence was mistaken when he said he got an FM3, retirement visa, in the U.S. (another thread); that he presented it at the airport (referring to it, I thought, when he spoke of a "visa book"); or, that he was mistaken when he said they told him everything was in order, when he visited the offices of INM, locally, and that all he had left to do was to advise them of his address, when he'd established one, and they would enter it in his "visa book"?

It sounded to me, and I guess looked to immigration there, wherever Silence is, that things were moving along as they should. What made you suspect otherwise, or feel he might be off on the wrong foot somehow?