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JohnnyBoy

Feb 9, 2010, 9:18 AM

Post #1 of 25 (6381 views)

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Getting rid of an FM2 or FM3 visa

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I did my due diligence and tried to search the old posts for an answer to this question, but I came up empty.

Having had an FM3 and an FM2 (current) visa, can I decide I no longer want to do the renewals and just get FMTs every six months at the border?

Here is some additional information that may be pertinent:

I own a house in Mexico.
I live here in Mexico most of the year. I go to the USA frequently, but usually only for a day or two. I usually go NoB for 2-3 weeks per year for family visits.
I cross the US/Mexico border at least once every two months or so.
My vehicle is tagged, registered and insured in the USA. I also have Mexican liability insurance.

Can I just not renew my FM2 next time around or is there some other more formal process?

Thanks for the help and advice.

(This post was edited by JohnnyBoy on Feb 9, 2010, 11:53 AM)

johnv

Feb 10, 2010, 7:17 AM

Post #2 of 25 (6274 views)

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Re: [JohnnyBoy] Getting rid of an FM2 or FM3 visa

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Personally, I was looking forward to some answers to your questions, but so far, to no avail. I also am sick of renewals, and, the invasion of privacy into my bank accounts, them knowing all the account numbers, the balances, my address, social security number, etc. I knew a person who lived in Mexico for something like 35 years on tourist visas, claiming they afforded a person more rights than an FM3 or FM2.

chinagringo

Feb 10, 2010, 11:19 AM

Post #3 of 25 (6229 views)

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Re: [JohnnyBoy] Getting rid of an FM2 or FM3 visa

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Should you make the decision to let your FM3 expired - make sure to turn it in as it is the property of the Mexican Government! My better half was recently caught crossing the border on a FMT but had an expired FM3 in her possession. Big time fine!
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

Rolly

Feb 10, 2010, 12:10 PM

Post #4 of 25 (6217 views)

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Re: [chinagringo] Getting rid of an FM2 or FM3 visa

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I agree with Neil. Don't just let it expire. Go to your area IMN office to turn it in and have it officially canceled. They'll provide you with a paper that will get you out of the country legally. You can do the same thing at a Mexican consulate in the USA.

Rolly Pirate

gpkgto

Feb 10, 2010, 1:20 PM

Post #5 of 25 (6197 views)

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Re: [JohnnyBoy] Getting rid of an FM2 or FM3 visa

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With an FMT you will have to pay capital gains if you ever sell your Mexican house (unless this has changed).
Also, it used to be the rule--although I don't think it was ever enforced--that you could only get one FMT per year--and, as you probably know, the maximum stay on an FMT is 180 days.
If you want to keep a US plated car, you cannot go to inmigrado status--US cars are only permitted with FM-type visas (documentos migratorio).

Rolly

Feb 10, 2010, 1:33 PM

Post #6 of 25 (6192 views)

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Re: [gpkisner] Getting rid of an FM2 or FM3 visa

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it used to be the rule--although I don't think it was ever enforced--that you could only get one FMT per year--

The rule still exists, but it applies only to Mexican nationals living abroad who come home to visit. It does not apply to foreign nationals.

Rolly Pirate

morgaine7

Feb 10, 2010, 1:57 PM

Post #7 of 25 (6182 views)

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Re: [JohnnyBoy] Getting rid of an FM2 or FM3 visa

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You may want to read these pages before deciding to give up your FM2:
http://rptides.blogspot.com/...-tourist-permit.html
http://www.rversonline.org/10Update.html (2nd paragraph)
I have no idea how accurate the info is, but the point is that immigration laws change. If Mexico does replace the FMT with the FMM tourist card described, you may find yourself unable to stay longer than 180 days per year.

You probably know that you can apply for inmigrado status after the fourth renewal of your FM2. As an inmigrado, you no longer have to do annual renewals.

Kate

Rolly

Feb 10, 2010, 2:27 PM

Post #8 of 25 (6172 views)

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Re: [morgaine7] Getting rid of an FM2 or FM3 visa

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That FMM rumor has been around for a while. I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for it to happen.

Rolly Pirate

mazbook1

Feb 10, 2010, 4:46 PM

Post #9 of 25 (6141 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Getting rid of an FM2 or FM3 visa

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The easiest and the best way IMO is to just turn it in at the border. Then, when you come back, get your FMT. It might be wise the first time to try to come across and get the FMT on a different shift so you aren't asking the exact same Migración officer for the FMT after cancelling the FM3.

As a property owner, there are certain advantages to the FM3, such as avoiding the capital gains tax, 50% reduction on your predial that you get for your principal residence. With only an FMT, you would have a hard time convincing anyone that your Mexican house was your principal residence.

Maztex

Feb 10, 2010, 7:35 PM

Post #10 of 25 (6102 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Getting rid of an FM2 or FM3 visa

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I have a related question. I obtained an FM3 (lucrativo) a couple of years ago in order to legally rent my house in Mazatlan. I am considering moving to Mazatlan later this year, sometime after the lease with my current tenants expires. I have assumed that I would be able to switch my FM3 (lucrativo) to an FM3 (rentista), if I cared to. I am 51 years old, and can meet the income requirements.

I've also figured I probably lost my opportunity to use the menaje de casa when I failed to exercise it within the first 6 months of my FM3 (lucrativo) visa. Does anyone know if that is not the case? I'd actually like to bring some furniture down when I move, but it did not make sense while I was renting.

Thanks for any information you may have on my question.

Tex

bournemouth

Feb 11, 2010, 7:49 AM

Post #11 of 25 (6039 views)

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Re: [mazbook1] Getting rid of an FM2 or FM3 visa

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In Mazatlan you get a reduction in the predial for having an FM3? I thought, maybe erroneously, that you needed an INSEN card for that reduction, and then only if the municipality choses to permit it.

gpkgto

Feb 11, 2010, 8:27 AM

Post #12 of 25 (6019 views)

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Re: [bournemouth] Getting rid of an FM2 or FM3 visa

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The reduction of predial is a local matter. Here in Irapuato, Gto. there is no reduction for age or FM status.

mazbook1

Feb 11, 2010, 11:04 AM

Post #13 of 25 (5976 views)

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Re: [gpkisner] Getting rid of an FM2 or FM3 visa

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The predial reduction is NOT for either age or FM status in Mazatlán. It's given when the taxable property is your principal residence, whether you are a Mexican or a foreigner. However, since a foreigner must have either an FM3 or an FM2 to legally LIVE in Mazatlán all year, the FM3 or the FM2 becomes a prerequisite for a foreigner to get the 50% reduction. It is self-evident that someone who has an FMT cannot have his/her Mexican house/condo as their principal residence.

It does surprise me that other cities don't have this same reduction for their citizens, but I guess it's different either for different states or possibly even different municipios in the same state.

sioux4noff

Feb 11, 2010, 7:42 PM

Post #14 of 25 (5910 views)

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Re: [mazbook1] Getting rid of an FM2 or FM3 visa

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The municipality where I live, Bahia de Banderas, Nayarit, does not offer a reduction of predial for citizens, or full time residents.
The INSEN card does get you a discount.

Maesonna

Mar 3, 2010, 12:59 PM

Post #15 of 25 (5563 views)

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Re: [JohnnyBoy] Getting rid of an FM2 or FM3 visa

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After 5 years of holding an FM2 visa, you become inmigrado and you never have to visit INM to refrendar the visa again. No more annual fees, no more giving of information. So you might consider sticking it out until year 5.

Well, I guess I should never say never, giving that visas are about to be seriously revised, but that's the way it's been up till now.

Reefhound

Mar 3, 2010, 1:11 PM

Post #16 of 25 (5557 views)

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Re: [mazbook1] Getting rid of an FM2 or FM3 visa

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In Reply To

It is self-evident that someone who has an FMT cannot have his/her Mexican house/condo as their principal residence.

Why not? Even if we say one is limited to 180 days per year (which hasn't been enforced thus far), let's say a person owns a house in Mexico and stays in it 6 months, rents a house in the U.S. and stays in it 3 months, and rents a house in Canada and stays in it 3 months. Where would you say is their "principal residence"?

(This post was edited by Reefhound on Mar 3, 2010, 1:14 PM)

Rolly

Mar 3, 2010, 1:14 PM

Post #17 of 25 (5550 views)

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Re: [Maesonna] Getting rid of an FM2 or FM3 visa

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After 5 years of holding an FM2 visa, you are able to choose to become inmigrado...

Rolly Pirate

tonyburton

Mar 3, 2010, 1:17 PM

Post #18 of 25 (5545 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Getting rid of an FM2 or FM3 visa

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Rolly, Should it not be "you are able to choose to APPLY for inmigrado..." since there is no gurarantee that you will necessarily be granted that status? Tony

Rolly

Mar 3, 2010, 1:20 PM

Post #19 of 25 (5540 views)

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Re: [tonyburton] Getting rid of an FM2 or FM3 visa

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OK, good point. I wonder if anyone ever gets turned down.

Rolly Pirate

Maesonna

Mar 3, 2010, 1:48 PM

Post #20 of 25 (5531 views)

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Re: [tonyburton] Getting rid of an FM2 or FM3 visa

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In Reply To

Rolly, Should it not be "you are able to choose to APPLY for inmigrado..." since there is no gurarantee that you will necessarily be granted that status? Tony

Well, in my experience, no, it didn’t work that way, i.e. choice was not part of the process. After 4 years of routinely going through the refrendo process on my FM2, the 5th time, the officials were “You can’t refrendar your visa any more.” and I was “What!?” until they explained that now I had to apply for inmigrado status. You can imagine had a few anxious moments until they explained further and it turned out that the documentation I had to submit was exactly the same as for the refrendo in the previous 4 years. The other difference was that it was about 6 months before I got the visa back.

Is anyone ever rejected after having their refrendo granted during the previous 4 years? And what would happen to their status if they were rejected? Good questions.

(This post was edited by Maesonna on Mar 3, 2010, 4:39 PM)

tonyburton

Mar 3, 2010, 2:17 PM

Post #21 of 25 (5514 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Getting rid of an FM2 or FM3 visa

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The answer is "Yes", some people are turned down.
As with similar decisions in most countries, there is very limited right of appeal, though the disappointed individual can start all over again with either an FM3 or FM2.

wynco

Mar 12, 2010, 1:38 PM

Post #22 of 25 (5259 views)

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Re: [mazbook1] Getting rid of an FM2 or FM3 visa

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I did not know that I am entitled to a 50% reduction on my predial (taxes on the house) as a holder of an fm2 or3 - How come??? hada house here for years

bournemouth

Mar 12, 2010, 2:59 PM

Post #23 of 25 (5241 views)

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Re: [wynco] Getting rid of an FM2 or FM3 visa

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Holders of Insen cards may possibly be granted a reduction in their predial taxes. Not every municipality does this - it has nothing to do with you having an FM3 or FM2 - although you did need one of those to get the Insen card.

mazbook1

Mar 12, 2010, 8:16 PM

Post #24 of 25 (5189 views)

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Re: [bournemouth] Getting rid of an FM2 or FM3 visa

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It's something done only by the municipio you live in, since the predial is a tax solely by and for the municipio. In el municipio de Mazatlán, Sinaloa, holders of FM3s and FM2s that have the entrance and exit stamps proving that the house or condo is their PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE, get a 50% reduction in their predial just as locals do. No INAPAM (or INSEN) card is necessary.

sioux4noff

Mar 18, 2010, 9:56 PM

Post #25 of 25 (5067 views)

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Re: [mazbook1] Getting rid of an FM2 or FM3 visa

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Do the local residents of Mazatlan who are over 60 get an additional discount on their predial? In our municipality, there is no discount for local residents, there is a discount for those over 60.