VISA INFORMATION

There are three kinds of visas – FMT, FM2 and FM3. There are more, but these are the most common and the ones that are most relevant for foreign nationals relocating to Mexico.

 
FMT is the common tourist visa that is issued as you enter the country and which you must turn in as you exit the country. The FMT is good for a maximum of 180 days. It cannot be renewed. If you require more than 180 days, you will have the leave the country and re-enter with a new FMT good for another 180 days.

If you fly into México, you will be given the simple FMT visa form on the plane where you can fill it out, so you’ll have it ready for immigration when you get off the plane. The cost is included in the price of your ticket. If you walk, drive or boat into México, you will be given the FMT form at the immigration office. You will have to pay a charge of about US$20.

The amount of time given on your FMT is at the discretion of the immigration agent up to a maximum of 180 days.  When driving into México, 180 days is the usual amount.  When flying in, you may be given a lesser time.  You can get an extension up to a total of 180 days at any immigration office. 

FM2 is the visa type that leads to permanent residency status and citizenship.  It is not available from a consulate in the USA or Canada.  You can get an FM2 at your local INM office in México.  Generally this is not the type of visa for a person retiring to México, rather for those seeking permanent residency and/or naturalization. The FM2 is issued after several years of living in Mexico with a valid FM3. Once granted an FM2, you will need 3 more years in order to apply for Mexican citizenship.

FM3 If you plan to stay in México for periods of more than six months without leaving the country, you want an FM3. The FM3 must be renewed each year in the city where you live, but allows you to easily open bank accounts, apply for credit, and other conveniences. You will be issued a passport-like document that really becomes your passport for México.

To get an FM3, you will have to visit your area Mexican consulate in person; phone calls, letters and e-mails don’t work. You will meet with someone who handles FM3s and menaje de casa (more about that next). There you will learn about the application form and fee (near $200) and exactly what other paperwork you need to get your FM3.  

The most important requirement is to provide proof of financial responsibility to be sure that you are not going to become a burden on México. The income required may vary and is around $1000 to $2000 per month with 50% more for a dependent -- spouse or kid. Sometimes a background check is required– a letter from your police department stating that you do not have a criminal record. You can also get your FM3 in México.

Before you apply for your FM3, you need to consider the time line (and limits) imposed by the Mexican regulations. Your FM3 is not activated until you cross into México for the first time, and the immigration officials stamp it. You must do this within the first 90 days after you receive the FM3, or it will be invalidated.   So you will have to travel to México for this requirement unless you are ready to make your move within the first 90 days.  

Once you have crossed the border and your FM3 is stamped, you have only 30 more days to register yourself at the INM (immigration) office serving the city/town where you will be living. If you fail to meet this 30-day deadline, you will be fined $3,000 pesos. This rule has two practical consequences:

1.   You really should be ready to make the move when you get your FM3.

2.   You cannot get your FM3 and then go touring around México trying to decide where you want to live.

Make your exploratory visits with an FMT; then when you have selected a city to live in, go for the FM3.

Your FM3 comes with a couple of other time limits. You have a time window of six months in which to get your menaje de casa approved. Then you have a 90-day window in which you must complete your move.   These things are subject to change, so be sure to ask when you go to get info for your FM3.  

APPLYING FOR AN FM3 IN MEXICO

There are various reasons why you might want to do this – looking to work in Mexico, opening a business in the country, not yet 55, living too far away from a Mexican consulate, having entered with an FMT and then decided to stay, etc. If you own the house you will be living in, you may wish to consider this option because you may be entitled to a 50% reduction in your income requirement.  This income reduction cannot be obtained when applying for an FM3 outside México.  You will need proof of ownership.

When you apply for an FM3 at an immigration office (INM), you will not need a police report, but you will need bank statements and an application form you can get from the INM office. If you are applying for a husband and wife joint FM3, you will need official documentation of your marriage license.  You will need official birth certificates for any children you are registering as dependents on your FM3.  It is likely that you will be required to have all the documents, including the bank statements, translated into Spanish by a designated official translator. The INM office will give you the necessary instructions.

If you get your FM3 in México, you don't have to register it; that's done automatically. 

You will still have 6 months to go back the old country to get your menaje which can only be issued by the consulate where you used to live; it cannot be done from within México.

Your car permit which you got with your FMT will still be valid.  You will not be required to get a new car permit at that time.  Your original registration continues to be valid so long as your FM3 is valid.  However, if you ever drive out of México, at the border you are asked to turn in your FMT-issued car permit and get a new one tied to your FM3.  You are not breaking the law by driving with the old permit, but at the border they will want you to correct the disconnect.  More on car things on the Living in México page.

MEXICAN SPOUSE?

If you are married to a Mexican who is employed in México, you may qualify for an ama de casa.  This allows you to get an FM2 or FM3 without having to show an income from outside México.  Go to your local INM office to get instructions.

You will need your birth certificate and marriage certificate.  All official documents must be notarized in the US and an Apostille certificate, which simply certifies the document and the notary´s signature. An apostille entails sending the document to the capital of the state in which you live for the proper certification.

SHIPPING YOUR BELONGINGS TO MEXICO  
 
Moving your personal belongings (i.e. furniture, car, appliances, etc…) requires a process referred to as a Menaje de Casa which should be processed at your nearest Mexican Consulate once you have obtained an FM3. The menaje is the paperwork that allows you to move your used household belongings to México without paying any import duties. (Note the word “used” defined as at least six months old.) Rules for the menaje, can be obtained at the Mexican Consulate nearest to you.  Shortly you’ll see why it is important for your menaje to move along as you get the FM3.

Preparing the menaje is simple. It simply entails a detailed list of the belongings that you are importing into Mexico.   You must have your belongings packed in boxes, and the boxes must be numbered and inventoried for the menaje. 

All this inventory and box numbering has to get turned into the menaje de casa, which,must be in Spanish -- an original and five copies to be submitted to the Consulate for approval and stamping.  There is a fee of around $150.    

Somewhere along the planning for a move to México, one really should carefully address the question of moving the household furnishings vs. having a giant garage sale, move to México with personal items and a few treasures that will fit in your vehicle, and buy all new for a new life in a new land. You might even rent or purchase a furnished apartment or house for a while. Let´s not forget the hand crafted high quality furniture you can purchase in Mexico.

Dogs and Cats:  If you are bringing a pet, you'll need an international health certificate and a current rabies certificate showing a shot within the year.  The health certificate is supposed to be no more than 5 days old when you cross the border, although this rule is generally ignored.  You may bring only two. It is important to consult your airline and your nearest Mexican Consulate will have all the proper information for your pet´s travel needs.

 IMPORTING YOUR VEHICLE