We now have our brand new Temporary Residents Visas for Mexico!

Well, fellow British Columbians, we've heard from CARP (Canadian Association for Retirees and Pensioners) and the Snowbird Association that we can now be out of country for as much as 7 months in a calendar year!  This came into place on March 14, 2013 when we caught up with the Ontario snowbirds!

For those of you yet to experience the new Mexico Visa application process, things changed drastically in November of 2012.

With me retiring in October 2012 we decided it was time to apply for our Visas, having never had an FM2 or FM3, which were Mexico's previous temporary resident visas.

First off, the temporary visa allows you to be in Mexico for periods longer than 6 months.  The tourist visa you complete on the plane allows up to 6 months. The most important feature for Vic and I was that this will allow us to someday purchase and own a car here in Mexico, where previously we have not been able to.

Here is our experience with the process.

If you don't currently hold an FM2 or FM3 for the country of Mexico, you must now begin the application process in Canada, at your most convenient (not always) Mexican Consulate.  For us, this was downtown Calgary, on 4th St.  We could have likely done the mailing method with them for the initial presentation of our documents, but we chose to do everything in person.  You can find more information on the Visas and Services for foreigners link on the website below:  http://embamex.sre.gob.mx/canada_eng/

Yes, you will need the mandatory photos, proof of income, current Canadian passport, and all the relevant photocopies as advised on the website but unless you're going the mail in method, just complete the application form at the Consulate.  No payment is required at this time.

Then you will have to wait for the phone call or email saying you're documentation has been accepted by the Consulate in Canada.  They will call you in for an interview, which you must attend in person, as they will be taking your fingerprints,  currently $36 Canadian (cash with the correct change) per person to obtain a very fancy and ornate stamp laminated into your passport.

Processing time from our experience was 3 to 4 weeks. 

When you enter Mexico, it is essential that you mention to the Customs officer at whatever entry point you choose, that you have a Visa, and they will appropriately stamp your passport.  We would suggest you specifically show them the page with the laminated Visa.  Your arrival into Mexico starts the clock ticking, and you must now get to an INAM (Immigration office) in Mexico within 30 days to begin the final process of your application.  This final process will take several visits to the INAM office, and will encompass likely 6 or so weeks.  This must be completed before you leave, or you may have to recommence the process in Canada, so be sure to give yourself enough time.

Here in Progreso we have an amazingly efficient and helpful multilingual staff at the INAM office (which is located on Calle 80 just south of the main square and large water tower that is where the SMAPAP office is (water services) located.  These ladies seem to have all the answers and were a wealth of information.

We suggest getting there at 9am, as you'll need to sign in and wait your turn in line.  Having arrived early each time, we never had to wait more than about 20 or 30 minutes.

Our first visit was when we had to choose whether we wanted to take out a 1 to 4 year term for our temporary resident visa.  Once that decision is made, they take your FMT card away.  That is the one you will have completed on the plane and showed to customs on the way in.  They will replace it with a sheet of paper with important information that you must check for on the internet using the special codes you are given to determine when the second last step of your application is approved.  When you go to the website and the bottom line reads "present yourself to the INAM office" you're well on your way! 

While you're waiting for the approval,  have your photos taken according to the instructions you were provided by the INAM office.  There are several places here in Progreso where you can get your pictures taken, and you can even smile here in Mexico for your Visa photos. :-)  We used the photo studio on calle 29 just east of 82 on the north side of the street.  The cost was only about $60 (pesos) for both of us, and the photos were ready the next morning.  Quick and painless (unless you're like me and totally unphotogenic - ha!)

When you receive the email notification, head back to the office with your passport and paper in hand.  We mistakenly thought we were done at this point, but no!  Now you will be given the form to take to a local bank to pay the fees for your new Visa, based upon the length of time you've chosen. The one year period we chose cost us each $3,060 (pesos).  Get a receipt at the bank (they'll need your cash and your passports), and establish your next appointment for sometime in the next day or two back at the INAM office. 

At that next appointment, take your receipt and photos back to the INAM office.  You will now be fingerprinted (again), asked a few other miscellaneous questions, and asked to provide your photos.  These will now be sent away to Mexico City for final approval.  Don't worry, your passport will never be sent away.  We were told at this point that we would be emailed within 10 days to advise us that our cards were ready!  We were pleasantly surprised when we received the email just 3 days later!  We think this was now our fifth trip to the office!  We're on a first name basis!  And we are official - yeah!

For those of you who have your FM3's, our understanding is that you need to renew your visa before you leave, and before your expiry date, in order to not be fined or lose your accumulated years of residence towards your Permanent Visa.  It is now the case that once you have had that FM3 for a full 4 years without letting it lapse, it will automatically be rolled over to a Permanent Resident Visa, provided you've paid your funds.

If you wish to accelerate the process of going from Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident, you will be required to provide proof of income of a minimum monthly amount the equivalent of $32,000 pesos per person (by providing 6 months worth of bank account statements).  At this time that is the equivalent of about $2,500 Canadian each.  You can choose to make this application as soon as you begin your Visa process if you have met the income criteria, and provided the necessary documentation.  

Or should you wish to remain with the Temporary Resident Visa, you may choose to renew and pay annually, or pay all at once for the 4 years of Temporary Resident Visa.  Prepaying will save you countless trips to the INAM office, and you will receive a discount on the total renewal amount.

The advantage to having the Permanent Resident Visa is that you no longer have to make annual reapplication and payments, but there will be a one time fee of about $3,800 (pesos) as well as a $1,000 (pesos) administration fee.  We understand that this will create problems for any foreigners who currently have a foreign plated vehicle in the country, but if you choose to buy a local vehicle, you're okay!

One other thing to note is that, to our understanding at this time, as a Permanent Resident you must not be out of Mexico for more than 2 years at a time.

We're not lawyers, just telling you our experiences in the hopes that it will help you with your process.  In an ideal world having your Visa expire in the middle of your time in Mexico is perfect in that it gives you lots of time to renew it.

Happy Paperworking!

Hugs from Mexico.