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drmike

Jan 31, 2012, 9:03 AM

Post #1 of 21 (3131 views)

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Rolly--I have an Expired FM3 and am traveling back to Mexico

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Rolly,
We left Mexico in 2008 to move back to the US for my medical care. Our FM-3s were good until Sept. 2009. We were not sure if we'd be back or not. We allowed the FM-3 to lapse and have been back to Mexico wile the FM-3 was still good, but not since. We are now planning to move to Lake Chapala. I am going down to Lake Chapala at the end of February. What do I do with an expired FM-3?

I've had people on another board tell me to enter on a FMM (tourist visa) and later try to get another FM-3.

I've had your co-writer Carol Schmidt tell me to turn the FM-3 in at immigration when I land in Guadalajara and basically take my chances. If I do that do I get fined? Or will they just take it back and not fine me?

What is your recommendation for me to do? I'm confused by the contradictory answers and will trust your advice.

Thanks
Dr. Mike

http://www.smarthealthchoices.blogspot.com

There are hundreds of paths up the mountain,
all leading in the same direction,
so it doesn't matter which path you take.
The only one wasting time is the one
who runs around and around the mountain,
telling everyone that his or her path is wrong.

Hindu teaching

(This post was edited by drmike on Jan 31, 2012, 9:59 AM)

esperanza

Jan 31, 2012, 9:48 AM

Post #2 of 21 (3109 views)

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Re: [drmike] Rolly--Expired FM3 and travel back to Mexico

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Dear god. The title of your question made me think Rolly had expired. My heart is still going 90 mph. If there's a way to change it, would you please?

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

drmike

Jan 31, 2012, 10:00 AM

Post #3 of 21 (3099 views)

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Re: [esperanza] Rolly--Expired FM3 and travel back to Mexico

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Esperanza,

I did not mean to scare you so badly, I did not catch the original title. I hope the new one clarifies it somewhat.

Sorry. But what about my unfortunate situation?
Dr. Mike

http://www.smarthealthchoices.blogspot.com

There are hundreds of paths up the mountain,
all leading in the same direction,
so it doesn't matter which path you take.
The only one wasting time is the one
who runs around and around the mountain,
telling everyone that his or her path is wrong.

Hindu teaching

(This post was edited by drmike on Jan 31, 2012, 10:02 AM)

bournemouth

Jan 31, 2012, 10:10 AM

Post #4 of 21 (3092 views)

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Re: [drmike] Rolly--I have an Expired FM3 and am traveling back to Mexico

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I seem to remember that you are in Phoenix - what about returning the expired FM3's to the consulate there and having them formally cancelled - then coming in on an FMM, getting new FM3's or whatever they are now called/going to be called, once you are here. Having no personal experience of such a situation, I can't guarantee that there would no be fines etc.

Rolly

Jan 31, 2012, 10:18 AM

Post #5 of 21 (3089 views)

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Re: [bournemouth] Rolly--I have an Expired FM3 and am traveling back to Mexico

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I agree -- go to the consulate, turn in your old visa, and apply for a new one.
That way everything is taken care of while you're safely in the USA.

Rolly Pirate

drmike

Jan 31, 2012, 10:21 AM

Post #6 of 21 (3086 views)

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Re: [bournemouth] Rolly--I have an Expired FM3 and am traveling back to Mexico

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WE went to the consulate in Phoenix and they told us they would not handle it, that we had to go to the border and turn it in.
Dr. Mike

http://www.smarthealthchoices.blogspot.com

There are hundreds of paths up the mountain,
all leading in the same direction,
so it doesn't matter which path you take.
The only one wasting time is the one
who runs around and around the mountain,
telling everyone that his or her path is wrong.

Hindu teaching

drmike

Jan 31, 2012, 10:22 AM

Post #7 of 21 (3084 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Rolly--I have an Expired FM3 and am traveling back to Mexico

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What would happen if I turned it in at the Guadalajara airport?
Dr. Mike

http://www.smarthealthchoices.blogspot.com

There are hundreds of paths up the mountain,
all leading in the same direction,
so it doesn't matter which path you take.
The only one wasting time is the one
who runs around and around the mountain,
telling everyone that his or her path is wrong.

Hindu teaching

fug

Jan 31, 2012, 1:19 PM

Post #8 of 21 (3039 views)

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Re: [drmike] Rolly--I have an Expired FM3 and am traveling back to Mexico

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I agree with the folks on the other board. We are talking about an Fm3 that expired in 2009. I think that you will be fine. Toss out the old FM3, do not mention it to Mexican authorities and sail in on the 180 day visa and then apply for new fm3 when you arrive lakeside. That is what I would do if I were in your position. fug

La Isla

Jan 31, 2012, 1:44 PM

Post #9 of 21 (3030 views)

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Re: [fug] Rolly--I have an Expired FM3 and am traveling back to Mexico

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I agree that if drmike's FM3 expired in 2009, then he should just dump it and return to Mexico on an FMM. However, nowdays, with everything related to immigration recorded on INM's computer systems, this would not be good advice for someone whose visa had expired a year or two ago.

fug

Jan 31, 2012, 2:00 PM

Post #10 of 21 (3025 views)

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Re: [La Isla] Rolly--I have an Expired FM3 and am traveling back to Mexico

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Agree. If we were talking this year or last year, I would not offer that advice, but we both agree that with an expiration of 2009, he should have no problems. fug

chinagringo

Jan 31, 2012, 3:51 PM

Post #11 of 21 (2994 views)

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Re: [La Isla] Rolly--I have an Expired FM3 and am traveling back to Mexico

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For all that are providing speculation - please explain how an FM3 which expired in early 2005 was found in their computer system in August of 2009?

And yes, there was a fine!
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

(This post was edited by chinagringo on Jan 31, 2012, 3:52 PM)

fug

Jan 31, 2012, 4:12 PM

Post #12 of 21 (2988 views)

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Re: [chinagringo] Rolly--I have an Expired FM3 and am traveling back to Mexico

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Last year. My fm3 was in renewal process. Had to fly to the States. Chose not to pay 800 pesos for immigration letter. Went to immigration at the GDL airport told them I had lost my 180 day visa. I was scolded, but it was no problem. I was allowed to leave and when I came back, got a new 180 day visa, threw it away and picked up my new fm3. I do not understand why folks who do not even live in Mexico and may have never lived in Mexico post with their less than complete knowledge and their unhelpful and negative responses. Please note that I am speaking from personal experience and you are speaking hearsay. I wish that you would attempt to be more helpful with your comments. My comments are based upon facts and not speculation, nor unsubstantiated hearsay. fug

(This post was edited by fug on Jan 31, 2012, 4:23 PM)

La Isla

Jan 31, 2012, 4:21 PM

Post #13 of 21 (2983 views)

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Re: [fug] Rolly--I have an Expired FM3 and am traveling back to Mexico

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There's no need to be testy, fug. Some people are lucky when having to deal with things like expired FM3s and others of us are not so lucky. I always try to do things by the book, so I won't need to worry about being caught with invalid documents.

fug

Jan 31, 2012, 4:45 PM

Post #14 of 21 (2977 views)

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Re: [La Isla] Rolly--I have an Expired FM3 and am traveling back to Mexico

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Testy? Maybe a little, but I am providing personal experience, not hearsay. fug

chinagringo

Jan 31, 2012, 5:59 PM

Post #15 of 21 (2956 views)

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Re: [fug] Rolly--I have an Expired FM3 and am traveling back to Mexico

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Terry:

The fine came out of our wallets. So what is the BS about hearsay?
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

DavidHF

Jan 31, 2012, 6:16 PM

Post #16 of 21 (2951 views)

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Re: [chinagringo] Rolly--I have an Expired FM3 and am traveling back to Mexico

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And besides, ChinaGringo used to live in Mexico and since then visits here every year. So Fug, BACK OFF.

robt65

Jan 31, 2012, 8:03 PM

Post #17 of 21 (2929 views)

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Re: [fug] Rolly--I have an Expired FM3 and am traveling back to Mexico

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Fug

Chinagringo has more tmie and property ownership in Mexico that you could hope to have at this point. He is also much better informed than you are on most such issues. You might be wise to apologise and eat crow. Besides, since you have come back here another name, you are on thin ice once again. but then again, I know that you already know this and just love lurking in the bushes.

robt65

surebought

Feb 3, 2012, 6:14 PM

Post #18 of 21 (2798 views)

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Re: [drmike] Rolly--I have an Expired FM3 and am traveling back to Mexico

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I disagree with everyone on this. If you have time built up on the FM3, you ought to be able to pay a fine, keep the time, and move on. Have someone call Servicios Migratorios in Nogales and tell the problem and ask what documentation will be needed and it might be worth it to run down there and get it renewed. It might take two trips, but believe me its better to finish with Servicios Migratorios as quickly as you can.

I was so disappointed with my Wife and Children complaining about the heat in Cholula, that I ran up the steps to the top of the Pyramid when I was 57 years old. Getting down was the hard part. My path is always the direct one.

Rolly

Feb 3, 2012, 8:12 PM

Post #19 of 21 (2779 views)

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Re: [surebought] Rolly--I have an Expired FM3 and am traveling back to Mexico

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If you have time built up on the FM3, you ought to be able to pay a fine, keep the time
Time for what? The only visa where time in grade counts is with an FM2.

Rolly Pirate

surebought

Feb 10, 2012, 1:42 PM

Post #20 of 21 (2609 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Rolly--I have an Expired FM3 and am traveling back to Mexico

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Maybe things have changed, but in my day and in my area of the country the FM-3 took five years including renewals. You really didn't want to have to start over.

Rolly

Feb 10, 2012, 1:53 PM

Post #21 of 21 (2606 views)

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Re: [surebought] Rolly--I have an Expired FM3 and am traveling back to Mexico

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I assume you are trying to say 5 years with an FM3 before you can change to an FM2.
That is no longer a requirement.

Rolly Pirate