Immigration and Visas
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As of October 2007, all passengers traveling to Mexico by air will need to hold a valid passport. US Citizens are no longer able to use their birth certificate / driver's license to enter the US by air from Mexico. The same passport requirements are in effect for entering Mexico by land effective January 2008. All passports, regardless of the holder's country of origin, MUST be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the time they enter Mexico, regardless of how long one intends to stay.
Requirements to obtain an FMT Mexico Tourist Visa
- Must register in person in front of Mexican immigration authority
- Must have valid passport with six months left. Prior to expiration
- FMT Visa fee about $25.00USD (included in price of airline ticket when flying to Mexico)
Please note that the FMT visa is only valid for up to a total of 180 consecutive days. You must leave Mexico prior to end of the 180-day period and the FMT's expiration.
Who needs a FM3 Visa?
- Foreigners that reside in Mexico for more then six months
- Foreigners looking to work or start a business in Mexico
- Foreigners that own Mexico property through a Mexican bank trust
- Foreigners that desire to have a Mexico drivers license
- Foreigners that want to bring a vehicle in Mexico for more than 6 months
- Foreigners desiring to eventually move from FM3 to FM2 status.. for those looking down to the road to permanently live/retire in Mexico
- Foreigners wishing to have a bank account in Mexico
- Foreigners that want to bring household items into Mexico duty free
- Foreigners that want to buy, sell, or lease property in Mexico
List of items necessary to obtain a first time FM3 Visa
FM3 application, authorization and Mexico immigration fees. There are two different kinds of FM3 specific authorizations one can get. The first option is known as a "rentista" and this designation is a non-working permit. The current application fee cost for this authorization is about $1,600.00 pesos.
If you plan to work or start a business in Mexico, a "persona de confianza" authorization is the type of FM3 you should pursue. The cost of rights for this authorization is about $2,500.00 pesos. In this case you will need a letter from your prospective employer in Mexico stating your terms of employment.
Petition letter stating your desire to live in Mexico.
Your fingerprints will be taken by Mexican immigration authorities.
To get your FM3, you will need:
Your original passport plus a photocopy of all pages of your passport needed only at the filing day.
Valid FMT Tourist Card.
Three months of most recent bank statements.
Proof of Mexico address with one of the following; CFE utility bill, lease agreement, or bank trust.
Five black and white photographs (4X4 cm), 3 facing front and 2 with right profile (2.5 cm from chin to hairline), white background, with forehead and ears uncovered, and without earrings or eyeglasses. Instant photographs are not acceptable.
The FM2 Visa
An FM2 Visa is the best option for those who wish to become Inmigrados or Permanent Residents of Mexico who are not required to renew their visas every year. FM2 holders may also apply for a work permit.
As an FM2 holder, you are considered an Immigrant and may apply for Mexican citizenship after 5 years. FM2 Visa holders may not leave the country for more than 18 months during any five-year period or they will lose their eligibility to apply for Inmigrado status. If an FM2 Visa holder leaves the country for longer than two years at a time, they will lose their status as an Immigrant.
Who needs an FM2?
- Foreigners that want to immigrate to Mexico.
- FM3 holders that completed four renewals and wish to immigrate to Mexico
Helpful Government Websites
SRE - Secretaria de Relaciones Exteriores: This is Mexico's equivalent of the US State Department or Foreign Office (Europe). The website is in Spanish.
INM - Instituto Nacional de Migracion: This is Mexico's equivalent of the INS (US) or Immigration Services (EU). The website is in both Spanish and English