MexConnect.com Forums: General: Living, Working, Retiring: FM3 problems: Page 2

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cbviajero

Aug 2, 2012, 4:02 PM

Post #26 of 40 (2295 views)

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Re: [kmetzger] FM3 problems

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Wow, what a nightmare,were these Guadalajara municiple police?Once you're out of the country you should report them if you have their names.

donemry

Aug 3, 2012, 8:25 AM

Post #27 of 40 (2229 views)

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Re: [kmetzger] FM3 problems

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What is the situation that requires a "permission to leave"? In my experience, the only interaction with Mexican authorites at the border was to turn in the TIP. The US side only wants to see your US passports. Did I miss something?

kmetzger

Aug 3, 2012, 8:26 AM

Post #28 of 40 (2225 views)

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Re: [donemry] FM3 problems

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What's a TIP?

Rolly

Aug 3, 2012, 8:31 AM

Post #29 of 40 (2222 views)

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Re: [kmetzger] FM3 problems

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TIP = Temporary Import Permit for a vehicle

Rolly Pirate

kmetzger

Aug 3, 2012, 8:34 AM

Post #30 of 40 (2215 views)

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Re: [Rolly] FM3 problems

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Thanks, Rolly. Yes, I'll be driving my US-plated car back and will need the TIP, but I'll also be flying out of the country before that. We've always had to have our FM3s checked by immigration at the airport. So I'll need a letter granting permission to leave since we no longer have FM3s.

esperanza

Aug 3, 2012, 9:08 AM

Post #31 of 40 (2198 views)

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Re: [kmetzger] FM3 problems

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Kmetzger, I certainly understand why your wife would want to leave Mexico. What a horrendous experience, to be robbed at gunpoint.

Having said that, I also sympathize with and commiserate with you over the decision to leave this country that you love. I'm sure that along with all of the other feelings that you have, you are experiencing tremendous sadness.

Best of luck to you both.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

robt65

Aug 4, 2012, 6:05 AM

Post #32 of 40 (2116 views)

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Re: [kmetzger] FM3 problems

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Hello kmetzger,

Sorry to hear you are leaving, I can unbderstand it must be difficult for you.

I do know for first hand fact that if you drive out of the country (I use the Anzalduas Bridge at Reynosa / Mission. TX, the US Border Immigration never asks why you are leaving. If you have a current American or Canadian Passport you will not be bothered with such questions. If you are taking back personal goods, even in a trailer, they will probably ask what is in the trailer and ask you to pass through X-ray and that is that. It is not even necessary to stop and produce any papers for the Mexican authorities (including your TIP) if you do not plan on returning.

It is a very easy process. I have personally driven many times through both ways and have never had a hassle. In the past couple of years, I have used the cuota between QR and Monterrey and then on East to the bridge without any problems Always only in daylight hours.

I have found Matahuala a good overnight without problems. The federal police along this route (again in my case) have always been polite and helpful in the past. You might want to make a list of what is in your car or trailer if it is a lot and have a second copy for them. That has always been a help to me.

I can't say about flying as I do not travel except by car sometimes with or without my enclosed cargo trailer (loaded or unloaded) in both directions.

I hope that helps you a little. Sorry to hear you are leaving, but under the circumstances it is understandable. Who knows . . . . any one of us could be in a similar boat someday. As others have said, I would sure make a report to some higher authority.

Best of Luck,
Regards,
robt65

hunteradvisor

Aug 5, 2012, 12:58 PM

Post #33 of 40 (2015 views)

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Re: [robt65] FM3 problems

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We just drove to Austin passing through the Columbia Immigration and no one stopped us at all, so I think you should be ok there. So sorry about your situation and I hope for the best for you and your wife.
Isabel
www.RanchoSolyMar.com

kmetzger

Aug 6, 2012, 4:09 PM

Post #34 of 40 (1888 views)

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Applying for new FM3 after 4 extensions

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Has anyone had any experience applying for a new FM3 after four extensions under the new online system? As things stand now, I may have to go through the process after all because it could be three months before we can move back to the US. I tried the online application process, but I'm not sure what to do.
First, what's the difference between a tramite and a solicitud? I opted for tramite de estancia, regularizacion de situacion migratoria en Mexico and filled it out and got a print-out with the magic numbers. But how can I find out what documentation they need and how much to pay? Help much appreciated.

Rolly

Aug 6, 2012, 4:30 PM

Post #35 of 40 (1881 views)

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Re: [kmetzger] Applying for new FM3 after 4 extensions

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You need to go your INM office and talk with them. Continuing with an FM3 after the fourth renewal is a little complicated. To make it even more so, there are reports that different offices have different policies in the matter.

Rolly Pirate

kmetzger

Aug 6, 2012, 4:33 PM

Post #36 of 40 (1873 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Applying for new FM3 after 4 extensions

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Thanks, Rolly. In the 14 years I've lived here I went through the process once or twice without much of a problem under the old paper system. There was a huge form I filled out and maybe some extra documents like marriage certificate that weren't needed when just applying for an extension. But under this new system I guess you're right. I'll go in and ask them what I need to do.

(This post was edited by kmetzger on Aug 6, 2012, 4:35 PM)

johanson

Aug 6, 2012, 4:39 PM

Post #37 of 40 (1870 views)

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Re: [kmetzger] Applying for new FM3 after 4 extensions

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I wish I could help. I can't and please forgive me for posting something other than what you requested. I just want to say, you have been here for years offering help and I appreciate that. I also appreciate the fact that that you speak so many languages so well. Sure I speak a little NL, D, & Esp. but none as well as you. I have always admired your linguistic abilities. You shall be missed.

Best of luck Amigo

Pedro

El ruco de (Nacolandia)

Now, maybe someone can answer KMetzqer's question.

kmetzger

Sep 15, 2012, 11:50 AM

Post #38 of 40 (1236 views)

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I must leave the country within 30 days

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I thought some of you might be interested in the follow-up to my FM3 renewal ordeal.
Our permission to stay in Mexico has been withdrawn and my wife and I must leave the country within 30 days. The official reason given is that I failed to submit required documents on time. Apparently my letter requesting regularization wasn't worded correctly.
After 15 years of applying for an FM3, I find that hard to believe. If something wasn't right, they always just told me what to do and I complied. Something must have pissed them off. When I found out that my application was rejected because I should have requested regularization instead of an extension, we had just gone through a robbery in our home, and it looked like we would be returning to the States. When we spoke to an administrator I told her to just cancel the application because we would be leaving Mexico anyway. Then we changed our minds and decided to stay after all. When I then didn't submit what they told me I needed using the proper wording, they were fed up, I think.
Lesson learned: when the situation is unusual and you don't master the Spanish language, hire a lawyer.
But the good side to all of this is that we had been planning to visit our son in Austin anyway, so the expense of the flight isn't something we didn't anticipate. I talked to an American lawyer here in Ajijic and he said I have nothing to worry about. We'll come back as tourists and start the process over again.

RickS

Sep 15, 2012, 3:32 PM

Post #39 of 40 (1185 views)

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Re: [kmetzger] I must leave the country within 30 days

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kmetzger, you need to catch some 'good luck' sometime soon! Maybe leaving and coming back to start fresh in a new place will be what it takes.

Good luck.

La Isla

Sep 16, 2012, 1:06 PM

Post #40 of 40 (1107 views)

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Re: [kmetzger] I must leave the country within 30 days

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In Reply To

I thought some of you might be interested in the follow-up to my FM3 renewal ordeal. ...
Lesson learned: when the situation is unusual and you don't master the Spanish language, hire a lawyer.
But the good side to all of this is that we had been planning to visit our son in Austin anyway, so the expense of the flight isn't something we didn't anticipate. I talked to an American lawyer here in Ajijic and he said I have nothing to worry about. We'll come back as tourists and start the process over again.

My situation when I first arrived was unusual in a very small way. So even though my Spanish is fine, I hired a good immigration lawyer to apply for my FM3 lucrativa. Everything went smoothly, and I learned several things that have helped me in the following years when I returned to INM on my own to renew my visa.

I wish you a wonderful stay with your son in Austin and hope everything goes smoothly for you and your wife when you come home to Mexico!

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