VISAS, Part I of 3

FMM for Mexico

Okay – I did warn you in my reminder mailing that my next article would be about Visas…this is important info, albeit a tad dry…maybe it’s time to get that second cup of coffee?  Well, here goes…Each immigration office can, and does, set local requirements, and the final word is theirs on Visas – to their interpretation, apparently – however, no one can or should impose extra charges to secure a visa.

First, in this series, we can easily and quickly cover the visa most of you are already familiar with – it was called the FMT – it’s now called the FMM Visas.

FMM Visas

This is the form you fill out when you fly into Mexico for short visits and vacations – also used on ships, if you are going to be in Mexico for a while, and when you drive into Mexico, and are going further than the “free zone”.  An FMM is required by all individuals entering and exiting Mexico (except Mexican citizens), including holders of FM3 and FM2 visas.

This visa, FMM, covers a maximum time period of 180 days, if you enter Mexico by car. 

FMM visas are only good for a maximum time period of 90 days if you arrive by plane or ship…but then, you can request an additional 90 days through any Mexican Immigration Office.

• This permit comes in two parts, one half is retained by immigration when you enter Mexico, the other half, green, is yours to keep and protect.
• You must return the green half of your FMM form upon exiting Mexico.

 As of 2010, there is no rule that states you can only have one FMM approved per year.

There is not a legal limit stating you can only stay in Mexico 180 days per year.

An FMM is a permit to enter the country as a visitor…period… and is turned back in, when your visit is over.

FMM visa does not give you permission to work.

You are limited to the amount of household items you can bring into the country with an FMM. 

Cruiseline monkey towel art

You must have SOME type of a visa to be allowed into Mexico (past the free zone – The Free Zone, also known as the the Liberated Zone, the Perimeter Zone and/or Free Trade Zone is a customs’ designation for that area located along the Mexican international land borders, and they run inward up to the point at which the Mexican Customs authorities have their first “interior” check point (usually about 20 to 26 kilometers into Mexico from the border towns – exceptions are on the peninsula of Baja California and places like Puerto Peñasco (Rocky Point) where it runs to the ocean front, along the main highways.)

To secure an FMM:

Moving to Mexico?

You will be applying for certain Mexico Visas – FM3, etc. - you must prove you have a minimum monthly income.

That is a requirement to obtain certain visas – expecially for seniors. $1,150 a month for the first person in the family is approximate, due to the fluctuation in the exchange rate, and considering yearly increases set by the government’s Mexican Immigration Department’s Official Federal Requirement, but that’s a pretty close estimation.  If you own property in Mexico, you can cut that amount in half.  For the second person in the household, about half the amount of the first person is required.  This amount also varies as to which zone you want to reside in Mexico, A, B, or C, in 2010.   Read more in one of my newsletter reports:

http://www.retireinluxury.com/free/retire_in_luxury_july20.pdf page 3.

There are rental properties available almost anywhere in Mexico.

And you may be able to take advantage of them to check the area out that you are interested in.  I always tell my readers to go, not as a tourist, but as some one who is really looking for a new place to put down roots.  Hang out at the native shops and restaurants.  Staying only in a lovely resort, in the fabulous pools, is not going to give you the real taste of Mexico you need to make your big decision as to whether you’re going to move south of the border or not.   Take a few trips to check things out.

Mazatlan, because of having every convenience, was our choice, but, there are places nearer the border.

And, sure, you can own property in Mexico.  In the interior you’ll get a deed – much like the States.  In the “excluded zone”, you can still own property, but you will do so through a Trust. Do download all my free newsletters and read all my reports and articles – you’ll find oodles of information to help you in your decisions.

Just heard a new one – at least for me – when life deals you a bunch of lemons – hey – make Margaritas :)

Steep Roads of Acapulco

And, to end today, an email received from Marlene S.:   “Thanks for all the information on Mexico.  Your e-book was very helpful.  Thanks to it and a visit for the month of October, we are moving to Lake Chapala area at the end of February.  Less than one month!!!  In about two weeks I will have a different e-mail address. If you want it just let me know. And thanks again for the good tidbits, do’s and don’t's,  etc.  Our friends from British Columbia just moved as well.  He was having some chest pains before he left but the BC doctors gave him a clean bill of health. When he arrived in Mexico things got worse.  He ended up having triple bypass surgery in Gudalajara.  It went very smoothly.  They gave the BEST and quickest care they have ever seen.  In a new clean modern hospital.  He may not be alive if he was still living in BC.  So Medical care is superb in Mexico. All for now.  Marlene”

Do read all my free articles on Mexico on my sites, and enjoy.

Bob has questions

about moving the

household.

He writes:

“My wife and I enjoy reading your info abour Mexico. We are in the process of house hunting in Ensenada and would like to learn how to take our household goods (furniture, etc.) into Mexico when we move there. If you have any particular info about Ensenada and that area, we would appreciate that too.”

That’s a really good question.

HI, Bob:

This is a pretty long answer – but here ’tis:

IMPORT OF HOUSEHOLD GOODS FOR HOLDERS OF FM3 OR FM2
You must use the importation without tax privilege within the first six months of your move to Mexico…AGAIN:  All foreigners to Mexico who apply for and receive an FM3 permanent residence document are carefully instructed by the Mexican officials that the newly documented resident has the one-time right to import his used household furnishings to Mexico without the necessity of paying import duties.
All household goods must be inventoried.   (An inventory should include:   make, model and serial number for ALL electronic devices and electrical devises. You also want to list the estimated value – individually – for EVERYTHING.  You may import a quantity of used items which would be appropriate for a normal household.  WITHIN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF YOUR MOVE TO MEXICO.  New appliances are prohibited.)

The list must be in Spanish, typed in single space on white paper, leaving a space of two inches from the top.

Each household item must be numbered progressively and on a separate line, beginning with the electrical appliances, specifying make, model and serial number (including kitchen appliances).
Small household articles packed in boxes or crates must be described and numbered in the list as one box (crate) containing clothing, kitchen utensils, etc.

Each page of your original list must be signed in blue ink on the bottom, right-hand corner.

The original list, and five copies, must be presented to the Consulate General to obtain your visa.

Take your original FM3 or FM2, and six copies of the page(s) where your personal date is located.

Make sure you take six copies of your valid passport, the page with your personal data, picture and signature.

You will then, pay the consular fee of $127.00 US dollars, either with cash or money order, payable to the Consulate General of Mexico.  Personal checks and credit cards are not accepted.

Once the Mexican gov’t official receives all the requirements, it can take five business days to process your application.
You may either mail the above documents, or bring them in person. (Any thing you can do in person, we’d suggest you do – papers can get lost in the States, let alone in Mexico!)  Make sure you take proof of U.S. residency, for the past two years when you go to the Consulate.
If you decide to mail your documents and want them mailed back, include a self-addressed prepaid envelope, completed FEDERAL EXPRESS or UPS.  The Consulate does not assume any responsibility concerning mailed documents.
Consulate locations and info are listed on pages 67, 68, and 69 of Retire In Luxury.
 
If possible, get a minimum of three written relocation proposals from reputable household goods forwarders. Do this at least 30 days in advance of your planned move-out date. International moving estimates are NOT binding.

Will your household items work here?

REMINDER:
Within six months of obtaining your FM Visa, you are able to import used household goods and personal effects in quantities which would be considered normal for the number of family members in your household.
Prohibited. Furniture and especially electronics and appliances MUST have been in use for more than 6 months. Items deemed to be new may be subject to confiscation by Mexican customs officials and the owner may not get his furniture back until a substantial fine is paid. (Import taxes)
 In my book, just to review:  After you have decided to move to Mexico as a perpetual tourist, you will probably want to bring your household goods down…or just get rid of your stuff.
However, if you decide to keep your things:
Hire a shipping/moving company (there are several you can locate via internet who offer moving service to Mexico) or have a truck of your own.
Get your items inventoried.
Procure your FM-3.
Give your shipper the stamped inventories and a notarized (by Mexican Consulate) copy of your FM-3.
Then when your household goods show up at your new home, have cold drinks and snacks available to the workers.
It is wise to use someone you have received a personal reference from. Check on the chat sites where you’ve decided to move. Have every detail in black and white – with many copies available. Include price, exact performance such as packing, loading, unloading at your new home, dates, etc.

Dick and I felt it easier to sell most of our household stuff in the U.S., and just replace…we planned to downsize a lot anyway – who wants to clean and dust “stuff” during retirement?!

Best to you,
Barbie

Household article by Barbie