Update on my friend's year 6/1 FM3

[mr bill]

TOP THIS? It was going all to well. I got my FM-2 3rd Ref in just three visits. Had I remembered I was Asimilado instead of Rentista it would have been two trips so off I was to fetch proof that I pay Mexican IVA ISR IETU and state tourist taxes monthly. My wife was on the same petition but her FM-2 was not ready. Finally 15 days later she is summoned to Leon where we expected she'd receive her re-newed FM-2. Instead we're told she needs to start the process afresh and petition for a regularization of her status [3140 pesos]and also pay a fine [1200 pesos] as she has overstayed her welcome given the old FM-2 expired June 24th.

It was pointed out that a mistake had been made in the original petition that one sets up via Internet. Now the way the system is designed to work is that one presents ones documents and they are reviewed. When all is in order one is given the ficha with the INM bank account data so your derechos can be paid at whatever bank. Well an 'error' occurred at this stage. The Immigration Official didn't do his job thoroughly. My Thai wife's passport carries the title Mrs in front of her name. Mrs was missing on the petition. He didn't notice it and OK'd us for paying the derechos. Getting them to admit their error was a bit of work and all we got was a lo siento back. Money going into their account is on a one way trip - it can't come back out. Could we have at least been notified of this before June 24th? Probably but that didn't happen. And this Regularization process is not just a simple deal like renewal of the FM-2. We have to go back to step one with Marriage Certificate legalized in Thailand by the Ministry of Foreign Affiars and then passed through the peritio traductor at UGTO y mas y mas y mas. Well all of that will take 3-6 months and when the FM-2 is issued it will parallel mine and expire in 6-9 months or whatever - she won't get a full year. Well maybe we'll sell the houses first.

And the "Top This" part if the above wasn't enough:
Driving back to GTO a truck threw a stone and now we have a genuine Mexican windshield

[roberb7]

I had a much different experience than what's been described here.

I got an "NI/Vis/Rentista/nlu/hasta365dias" from the Mexican consulate in Vancouver. I paid a fee of $160 for it, and had to demonstrate only $1,000 of monthly income. I did this by just printing off statements from two bank accounts, and circled the Social Security and Canada Pension Plan deposits on the statements.

[mr bill]

Robert can you translate this please: NI/Vis/Rentista/nlu/hasta365dias esp. the /nlu/ part.
What did you actually receive? a Visa, an Fm2 Fm3
Did you use your what you received from the consulate to exchange for something else at INM?

Thanks

Remarkable that Google can find only 4 references to the string:
http://www.google.com.mx/search?q=NI%2FV...24&bih=572
Search 4 results (0.27 seconds)

[roberb7]

"Rentista" in this context means "annuitant". "hasta365dias" means good for 365 days. Sorry, don't know what "nlu" means.

What I've gotten is the successor to the FM3. It's for retirees, and they are very specific about not being allowed to work in Mexico.

No, I don't need to exchange this for something else. It's pasted onto a page in my passort.

I do, however, have to go through a separate process to import my stuff.

[meroberts]

Hi there Rob,

When you entered Mexico, did you get a small form called FMM? On the back of that form they show a small box indicating how many days you have to exchange the passport visa for a "Visa Card" at one of the INM offices in Le?n or SMA.

If it says 365, you may be fine for now. Even if the visa is on your passport, you are supposed to exchange it for a visa card within 30 days. Check the back of your FMM slip for the number of days they gave at the time of entry. If you are late, you may end up with a fine. (Of course they don?t always explain this to you when they stamp a visa on your passport).

Another thing I learned just today is that ALL documents that are presented to INM in English, MUST be translated in their entirety (mirror copy) and the amounts in US Dollars, must be converted to Mexican Pesos. I have been using the exchange of $14 pesos per $1 USD and they have accepted it.

For folks who do not have their SSA annual retirement statements, or originals of your annuities, they will accept downloads. However, another letter in Spanish must be attached to those documents stating that under penalty of purgery you swear that the documents are legitimately yours, and that you could only obtain them by downloading them. This letter has to be addressed to the "Delegado" and signed by you. Save ALL your originals from now on.

Now, don?t kill the messanger please. I must warn you that there are more changes to come within a month or so... Stay tuned.

If you have any questions, you may call my office at 109 2264 from 9 to 5.

Martha

[DavidR]

Today Heather and I went to our immigration agent in SMA to clarify what will be needed when we have to renew our FM2's in November - assuming we have not sold the house and returned to Australia.

The agent told us that as FM2 holders we would be able to renew them exactly the same as we did last year and that letters from the bank are not necessary. Nor do we need to provide proof of income. This is not to say that change in not in the wind - there is a chance that the immigration people could alter the regulations before the government changes in December but the changes may prove to be in our favour.The regulations for the FM3 changed a few weeks ago as Colleen's friend discovered because he has held one for 5 years - after this period they expect one to obtain an FM2 or reapply for a new FM3 with all the disruption that this entails.