Mexico Does

Uphold

Vehicle Law

Dick and I were stopped at one of the many temporary check spots in Mexico. There are many of them.  They can appear overnight – anyplace. 

One of the law officials came over to our car smiling and said something in Spanish and removed our permit from our car and sort of gestured that we were to stay there and wait. 

He then walked over to another car with American license tag on it and talked for a while to the driver, soon, another official who spoke some English joined them.  The whole gist of it was, a young man (the North American driver) had somehow gotten his car half way down the country of Mexico without a permit.  He was turned around and warned that he would be escorted back to the border and he was to properly take care of business. 

The second law official, after just a short while came back to our car, handed us our permit, smiled and explained “Had to show him what he needed”.  Very polite.  We smiled, breathed a sign of relief, and drove away. 

That young man was very lucky!  The law reads he could have had his car confiscated. He would have been stuck in Mexico outback without a car or perhaps even put in jail for his offense. The moral of the story:  Don’t try to get away with any short cuts in Mexico – follow their laws to the T!  They usually don’t fool around.

To take your vehicle into Mexico beyond the border zone (20 to 30 kilometers past the border with the United States) your options are:

An “Only Sonora” permit or a Federal Permit.  Both permits cost the same. Motorists are required to show proof of U.S. citizenship, car title (or pink slip) and registration, and a valid driver’s license.

1)  “Only Sonora” means exactly that – the law says – do not travel to any other Mexican state other than Sonora,  nor past a specific Sonora corridor ending at Empalme, without a Federal Permit…very limited traveling, and is good for one entry only.

2)  The Federal Permit allows you to drive your car anyplace in Mexico and allows for multiple re-entries into Mexico.

3)  A permit is not required for travel to Rocky Point and other border cities, which are classified as “free-zones”, by law. 

TO ENTER MEXICO, by law:

You need a Tourist Card, secured from the Mexican consulate or Mexican Immigration at the border check point –(we did it at the border). You will need:

1)       Valid proof of citizenship (passport or birth certificate).

2)       An appropriate immigration form (tourist card)

·   Mexican Tourist Visa: Those who will travel into Mexico further than the Border Zone, or for more than 72 hours within the Border Zone, or,

·  Visa / FM3 For Temporary Resident: Those who will be living in Mexico. (Usually what retirees get.) Or,

·  Visa / FM3 For General Business: Applies to purchasing agents, importers and exporters who will attend board of directors meetings of Mexican companies, conduct business that requires notary certification, or institute any legal proceedings in court or:

· Visa / FM3 For Technicians & Engineers: Technicians or engineers who intend to repair or install machinery, or train personnel, or take tools or machinery to Mexico, or,

·  Student Visa Requirements: Foreign students who plan to study in Mexico.

TO ADHERE TO THE LAW, WHEN YOU TAKE YOUR CAR INTO MEXICO, YOU WILL NEED: 

·  The valid vehicle registration certificate, or document i.e. the original title that certifies the legal ownership of the vehicle.  It must be in the driver’s name.

· A valid driver’s license, issued outside Mexico. (U.S. or Canada are fine.)

·  An international credit card in the name of the driver of the car/vehicle, issued outside of Mexico (American Express, Mastercard or Visa).

· If it’s a leased/rented car – The contract which shows it is a leased/rented car in the name of the person importing the car.

· If you are making payments on your car, have in your possession a notarized letter of authorization issued by the lender.

· If the vehicle belongs to a company, present the document that certifies the employee works for the company.

TO ACQUIRE A PERMIT:

Drive your vehicle to a Mexican customs office at the U.S./Mexico border.  At the border crossing, go through the Declarations Lane. Look for the “Modulo de Control Vehicular” where you will present your documents.

All documents and a credit card must be in the name of the owner, who must also be in the vehicle when crossing the border.  The process is easiest if you use a credit card to post the required “return guarantee” bond. If you do not have a credit card or a Visa/Mastercard check card – get one before traveling.

You will receive your temporary permit at the border facility by leaving the Guarantee Exit Deposit Fee (guarantee exit – take the car back out of Mexico,  deposit fee – Bond, which is based on the year and model of the vehicle).  From 1999 to present = $400.  1994 to 1998 = $300.  Earlier than 1994 = $200.  And when you exit Mexico, by law, this charge on your card is reversed.

You will pay the certification fee (processing fee), non-returnable at the border, with your international credit card and that will be equivalent to approximately $27.00US.
You’ll be issued your documents, that allow you to take your car into Mexico.  That completes the process for acquiring the certificate. Keep in mind the full process is not completed until you return the certificate upon exiting Mexico with the same car.

ALTERNATE  PROCESS: 

You can do this before crossing at some of the Mexican Consulates – It’s pretty easy at the border – in my book,  Retire In Luxury, I walk you through Dick and me entering Mexico.

TO RETURN THE CERTIFICATE:  Upon your departure from Mexico to the U.S., if the vehicle is not going to be driven back into Mexico, the permit for temporary importation must and will be cancelled at Customs. The original bond posted for the return guarantee will be returned to you at this time. That’s all there is to it. Follow these simple steps and you shouldn’t have any problems.

Ice Truck

EXTRAS: The temporary authorization for the importation of vehicles is valid for any type of vehicle weighing under three-tons for periods up to six months (180 days). The temporarily imported vehicle may be driven across the border multiple times during the authorized period.Always carry the importation permit on your person when driving your car in Mexico…same with your passport.  Do not leave any documents in the vehicle!

A vehicle, temporarily imported by the owner, may be driven in Mexico by the spouse or adult children, as long as they have the same immigration status. Other persons may drive the vehicle as long as the owner is in the vehicle.  Again, in my book, Retire In Luxury,  I sincerely suggest you do not allow others to drive your vehicle.  If someone were to be stopped while driving your car, and there were ANY drugs found – you are responsible too!  Mexican jails are food for nightmares!

The car permit which you got at the border is valid so long as your FM3 is valid — with renewals for as long as you wish.

Within 10 days of renewing your FM3 or if you convert from FMT to FM3, you must notify customs to continue your registration.  You do not have to go back to the border, you can do it by mail or in person if you live near one of the 42 cities that have an Aduana (Customs) office.  There is no fee.  You will not be given a new sticker or registration papers, so be sure to keep a copy of the letter in your car attached to the copy of the registration form that you should always have in your car.  Do NOT carry the original in your car.  You will need that paper if anything happens to your car.

A traveler can take his or her luggage and additional items up to $50.00 per person or $250.00 for a family of five, never exceeding US$1,000.00 in total, when travelling by road. If you exceed that limit, make the necessary arrangements at the Mexican Customs Office.  (I think everyone has more than $50 worth of clothing…just don’t take 6 computers, two refrigerators, etc.  Take normal luggage and supplies for your trip – and declare it.

Mexican Vehicle Law article by Barbie.

Lake Chapala

I just received a wonderful email from Verl, a retiree who is considering Lake Chapala for his retirement paradise.

Verl writes: “Thanks for your correspondance. We are planning a trip in July to possibly purchase in the Lake Chapala area. It is difficult from here to get the real scoop on the most desirable retirement spots and then the best neighbourhoods, we’re shooting in the dark.  And we think we should purchase now before prices go through the roof.”

And so, I introduced him to Charlie after assuring him that to hurry the process is not wise – prices have leveled off just as they have in the States – relax – shop around.

Charlie has  rented a three bedroom, two bath home, with a maid’s casita and bath, garage, patio and nice yard about 30 miles south of Ajijic on the other side of the Lake Chapala for $200 a month.

He lived in Ajijic while looking for a permanent place and paid the Ajijic prices for everything and out here it is about half.  Even the food, and pharmacies are cheaper a little distance from the Lake Chapala, because it seems that here everything is priced for the economy of the town.

A few months with the Gringos in Ajijic and it was an easy decision, Charlie said. It wasn’t an economic move but being away from the Gringos who do drive the prices up where ever they go it certainly turned out that way.

You may remember the article in AARP magazine that offered Lake Chapala at $800 a month.

Well the Gringos drove it up to an easy $1200 to $1400 a month at Lake Chapala.

Charlie is here to tell you that if you don’t desire the hubbub of the crowd and you don’t mind a 25 or 30 minute drive to the larger towns tell your folks that $800 a month is a breeze.

He writes, “You know the climate & beauty here, the people in the country, like in the U.S., are more friendly and helpful than city folks and the only thing we don’t have out here is the noise of the city.

 ”My advice to a prospective person coming to Mexico is to rent for a few months and look around for what fits their economic and social desires. There is something here for every one. In my community I don’t spend or act like a Gringo and I am accepted as a member of the community.”

Lake Chapala/Ajijic article by Barbie.

A Short Primer On HealthCare in Mexico…

The National

HealthCare

Program,

IMSS:

1. Available in most major cities.

2. Takes about 6 to 9 months for coverage to be activated after acceptance. Once accepted, you are a life member as long as premiums are paid.

3. At IMSS clinics you do not have a choice of physicians. 

Available in Mexico:

1. Small clinics with general practitioner who is qualified to handle minor illnesses and injuries.

2. Small hospitals with surgeons, internists and pediatricians.

3. Large intensive-care facilities with various specialists.

The general requirements for joining the IMSS Healthcare program are:

 1. You will be asked to complete a questionnaire, with the assistance of a doctor.

2. Submit to a basic medical examination which includes checking your blood pressure and listening to your heart. Other tests may be requested. The cost of the health care coverage is approximately $250.00 U.S. per year. You may apply only in January, February, July and August.  This program is open to all foreigners regardless of nationality and/or immigration status.

If you are accepted, IMSS covers only minor illness, such as colds etc., and nothing involving surgery the first year. The second year the insurance will cover everything other than broken bones, and orthopedic surgery. The third year finally covers everything. Medication is covered as well for anything needed for diagnoses, and it is provided toyou during your visit. Prescriptions are not covered if you buy it at any other pharmacy.  Any pre-existing condition that is not reported and later found to exist causes cancellagion of all coverage.  If you do have a pre-existing condition, it’s mandatory you discuss it with a doctor at IMSS to see if it would be covered later, or if it will affect your coverage as a whole.

Medical healthcare in Mexico is unbelievably inexpensive by almost anyone’s standards.

Of course healthcare prices vary according to the region and whether you go to a private clinic or a government run facility.

Healthcare,IMSS article by Barbie

Why are more and more

retirees going to

Mexico?

For some retirees, the answer is “beauty”, culture, ambiance…but for the vast majority of Americans and Canadians, the number-one reason is “affordability”.  Meaning: “Cheap retirement”.

You see, the wage scale and cost of living in Mexico is why retirees want to live there.

While American dollars can be a tremendous boon to the local economies of many retirement havens and enclaves, our dollars can also backfire on us if we are not careful.

Many retirees and tourists make the mistake of showing off their dollars. They want to feel “rich and powerful” or they feel guilty because they aren’t paying enough. How do they do this? By leaving huge tips. By over-paying. By flaunting their money or giving it away in exchange for common courtesy — something which has always been free in any culture.

And when prices increase, retirees aren’t the only ones who suffer. What about the natives who are “priced-out” of the basic neccessities of life?  Expats and retirees aren’t the only ones who need to live cheaply!

Let me present a story you need to read before you retire:

The first year Jim went to Mexico, he felt embarrassed by the extremely affordable meals, goods, and rentals available  — so he covered his discomfort by leaving large tips everywhere. 

The next year he went back, and found the prices had risen,  but still affordable.  He continued leaving large tips that year, still assuaging his guilt over the still very inexpensive prices.

The next year he went to Mexico again, and found he could barely afford the higher prices that were becoming an everyday event. 

Jim struck up a friendship with a restaurant owner and eventually broached the subject regarding the seemingly never-ending increase in the cost of groceries, the cost of renting, the price of meals and prices in general. The restaurant owner frankly replied, “As long as you Americans want to pay a lot, we can accommodate that. We will find out just how much you are willing to pay for your apparent embarrassment for being rich – when you stop buying!”

Retirees / Golden Goose article by Barbie.