Temporary residency

[Mike Klein]

I just arrived Thursday with my Temporary Residency Visa and now need to register at the Immigration Office.. I checked back posts but most go back many years. Is it best to go to Leon or SMA and does anyone have the address of the Immigration Offices? My 30 day clock is ticking and I know that there are holidays coming up. Any advice would be most appreciated. TY

[laconstance]

Depends on how you will travel there: by bus SMA couldn't be easier because you can walk from the bus station, only a couple of blocks. I went there for all of my immigration issues and found them quite helpful. There is an office across the street from INM where you can have forms filled out, photos taken, etc. for a very reasonable fee. The men there seem to have a very good relationship with the people at INM. I've never been to the office in León, but from what I know of it, you would want to take a car there.

Monday, the 19th is a holiday. And don't expect to get anything done during Semana Santa or the week after Easrer.

[kasugie]

Congratulations on completing Step 1 and the easier and less expensive part of the process. I only have experience with Migración in SMA, but I've heard the process is the same in León. In either case, I would recommend hiring a paralegal to process all the paperwork and avoid multiple, unnecessary trips and unpleasant hour-long waits to be told you filled out a certain form incorrectly and other forms are missing, and have to come back again-and-again-and-again.

In SMA I can recommend either the Escritorio Publico (Jessica López & Carlos Apolinar) across the street from the Migración office, or Sonia Diaz, who works near the Luciernaga Mall (Liverpool Dept Store, U.S. Consulate, etc). The contact info for the Escritorio Publico is 415-154-8232 / escritorio.de.polo@gmail.com and Sonia Diaz 415-106-1499 / SONIANGEL32@hotmail.com

[Mike Klein]

Thank You both for the great info. Looks like I am off to SMA, ASAP.

[roberb7]

Actually, the office in León is closer (it moved a couple of years ago) and the green Metropolitano buses stop very close to it. You just get out when it stops at Sam's Club.

[Mike Klein]

TY everyone. I was going on Monday but won't because of the Holiday. More time to decide - SMA or Leon???

[Clay01]

The man in the office across the street from INM in San miguels name is Apolinar. His daughter speaks English. They are wonderful and will walk you through the process for a great fee. It’s easy done in San Miguel. I was there in July last year. Takes about 5 weeks to get your card. You will make 3 trips in all. 1st to get paperwork rolling, 2nd to give finger prints and more paperwork and finally to pick up your card. Apolinar actually said he would deliver it in person to Guanajuato but I’m not sure that’s the norm. I went and picked it up at the office. I highly suggest this route. Buena suerte

[Clay01]

Mike if you go to SM let me tip you to something. If you let Apolinar help you with forms etc. there will come a point when you need to go to bank nearby and pay a fee to Mexican Gov. they will give you a receipt which you take back to Apolinar to finish things up. Take a cab to and from bank. You will need pesos to do business. There is an atm where you can use your debit card if needed to get pesos. Apolinar can tell you the bank to go to it’s a bit further than comfy walk so can it. If I can help holler. barrito12000@yahoo.com

[jesm]

The Leon office of INM is currently overwhelmed with visa applications from the many Japanese nationals coming to work in the new plants and offices opened by their employers.
Long waits, 2 hrs. Or more, to see officers.

[Mike Klein]

Thanks for the update on Leon, jesm. I am off to SMA. Thank you Clay01, they sound ideal.