- Requirements
- * Income
- * Age
- * Permitted Activities
- * Letters
- * Photos
- Step by step instructions
- Persons who can assist in the process
- Location of Immigration Office
By M.Houtmann billiemike2000@yahoo.com:
On Jan 6th. at eight30 AM I, (one person) went to the INM in Mazatlan (immigration dept) and processed my application and my wife's application. I provided all they required, in other words ... photos( 4 front and 2 profile), we had made them the day before, receipts of water and electric bills, photocopies of all the pages of both passports, copies and originals of our 2 visas obtained at the Nogales Border, (6months) ,copies of the purchase agreement of the house, etc. For the bank statement the only thing i had was the 3 last months of one of my US internet account, printed in Mazatlan at an internet cafe, (the statement, did not show any income, it just showed the numerous atm wihdrawls made in Mazatlan, during that period...and part only of the account number... and a five figure balance. They sent me to the bank to pay the fees, so I went to the bank that same morning paid what they had prepared for me to pay. If remember right, it was something like, 1055 pesos (yearly fee) each, plus around 400 pesos each (a one time processing fee). I was back by, 10 AM with the proof of payment I had made at a bank. They ,she, (the immigration officier) told me that everything was fine and to come back the 19th of january between 12 and 2PM with my wife in order to make finger prints and obtain the FM3.
At noon the 19th of January at the immigration dept we were, within 30 minutes we were received in an office on the upper floor. After a few minutes our file was located amoung a pile of files, a few signatures needed our fingers printed and we were in possession of the FM3. In order to regularise the Car; We, then went to Customs: Aduana de Mazatlan ( located close to the Freeman hotel), I explained that I had just received my FM3 and wanted to regularize the car papers. They gave me an example letter to reproduce with the characteristics of the car and dates etc.... I went to the cyber cafe next to the English library on Sixto Ossuna typed the document (I left a copy of it in the computer for the next people who could need it: Folder My document computer #one on the left date jan19th2005 "import a car" something like that). Made copies of the car papers and I ran back at the ADUANA with the copies and the originals. It took 5 minutes, they stamped one original paper and gave it back. That was all over... By three o'clock that afternoon
When it Expires
Posted by Jim (unknown)
This FM3 information doesn't apply to getting or renewing your visa but may be useful.
In January 2005 I had to make an emergency trip back to Canada to help with a family situation. I didn't know exactly how long I'd be out of Mexico. What I did know was that my FM3 would expire while I was out of Mexico! I went to Migracion to find out what my options might be. I was hoping I might possibly get the renewal done quickly because of my situation but that didn't seem to be an option. I also asked if I could start the renewal process and get a letter explaining my situation and keep my FM3 until I returned to Mexico. I could surrender my old FM3 for my new one as in my case it was the fifth renewal and time for a new book. That wasn't an option either.
I was told I could do the following. Leave Mexico with my current FM3 and make sure it was stamped with the exit date. Return to Mexico within thirty days and make sure the re-entry date was stamped. There's a thirty day grace allowance with no penalty.
I followed this procedure, which is what you normally do, and I had no problems. When I returned, Migracion did notice my FM3 was expired but that I hadn't exceeded the thirty days. They explained this an told me I should report to Migracion in Maz asap. I assured them I would and that's all that was required at the airport.
When I went back to Migracion they also noticed it was expired but because I had the exit/entry dates stamped in the book there was no problem. If you don't have the stamps, it seems there is a fine of approximately fifty pesos per day. My renewal was then handled normally and I received my new FM3 book in a couple of weeks!
Everything you need to know
Simple go to this link: http://rollybrook.com/how_to_move_to_mexico.htm
Its very detailed information on how to obtain all your paperwork.
DavidShafer March 16, 2005