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pat murray

Feb 24, 2003, 6:55 AM

Post #1 of 33 (2534 views)

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renewing fm3

hi folks....i live in mexico now, but will return to the usa...Florida...in mid March for a few weeks. i want to renew my fm3 while i am there...everyone here says it is easier to do in the usa...my fm3 expires at the end of March. So,l my question is...what copies of everything do i need to present to renew....and anything specific that i need to put in my letter to request that renewal? Thanks, Pat

jennifer rose

Feb 24, 2003, 7:21 AM

Post #2 of 33 (2396 views)

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Re: [pat murray] renewing fm3

The FM-3 cannot be renewed in the US. It can be renewed only at the INAMI office having jurisdiction over its holder's place of residence in Mexico, the office in which the FM-3 was registered.

Each INAMI office has a slightly different procedure, but essentially the documents required for renewal are:

1. Proof of income. Last three months' banks statements showing deposits in the requisite amount.

2. Letter of solicitude.

3. Comprabante de domicilio (proof of residence).

4. Original and one copy of U.S. passport.

5. Original and one copy of FM-3.

6. SCHP-5, available at a legal stationer's. There is usually an office located near the INAMI office.

7. Payment of the fee for renewal of FM3 no-inmigrante visa (without permission to work) - 1,104 peso.

Here's a form for the letter of solicitude:

CURRENT DATE

Instituto Nacional de Migracion
Secretaria de Gobernacion
PRESENTE

Re: Prorrogacion de FM-3

Mis datos: Nombre: YOUR NAME
Nacionalidad: Estadounidense
Documento Migratorio del no inmigrante FM3 No. 777777
Lugar y fecha de internacion: Date, Place
Fecha de nacimiento: YOUR BIRTHDATE
Lugar de nacimiento: YOUR BIRTHPLACE
Sexo: PICK ONE
Estado civil: Soltera/Casada
Pasaporte: E.U.A.. No. 777777

Solicito prorroga de mi documento migratorio FM-3 y manifiesto que soy NO INMIGRANTE VISITANTE RENTISTA, para lo cual acredito mi solvencia economica.

Gracias por su atencion.

Atentamente,

/s/
YOUR NAME

pat murray

Feb 24, 2003, 7:52 AM

Post #3 of 33 (2394 views)

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Re: [jennifer rose] renewing fm3

Thank you so much for your info. i do know that just the info that i cannot renew in the usa will save me a thousand or so hours of fm3 grief....and you also gave me the list and a sample letter. you are tooooo good. thanks.

Jerry@Ajijic

Feb 24, 2003, 8:59 AM

Post #4 of 33 (2372 views)

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Re: [pat murray] renewing fm3

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Pat,

There are a number of people who are in the business of helping people, who are either not too good with Spanish,do not have the time or are out of the country, renew their FM3s, IMSSs, etc. They can tell you what is needed, get your renewal and send the renewed papers back to you.

Jerry

Rolly

Feb 25, 2003, 10:05 AM

Post #5 of 33 (2311 views)

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Re: [jennifer rose] renewing fm3

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I renewed my FM3 this morning. It was a breeze. All done in one trip. Return next week to pickup the FM3 booklet.

What a wondewrful change from the last two renewals when I had to make 5 trips to get it done.

Rolly Pirate

olalla

Sep 5, 2004, 2:26 PM

Post #6 of 33 (2212 views)

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Re: [Rolly] renewing fm3

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I think I have read somewhere that if one has a Lloy's account, they will take care of renewing one's FM3. Is this true?

tonyburton / Moderator

Sep 5, 2004, 4:12 PM

Post #7 of 33 (2198 views)

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Re: [olalla] renewing fm3

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No, it's not true.

Bubba

Sep 5, 2004, 6:46 PM

Post #8 of 33 (2160 views)

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Re: [jennifer rose] renewing fm3

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Jennifer Rose brings up an interesting point. We have been renewing our FM-3 since 2001 demonstrating financial capacity with a local bank statement that shows we maintain an account in a local institution that always has a balance equal to or exceeding the aggregate yearly income necessary to qualify for the FM-3 status. However, we don't ordinarily deposit money in there except once a year if at all. We have never had them question whether or not we were qualified from an income point of view. However, if her statement that we must demonstrate income with monthly deposit activity is correct, then we may technically not qualify on that basis. Has anyone else run into this problem? For future reference, should we create this deposit activity in order to meet the income requirement?

She also states that the annual payment for the FM-3 stands at present at $1,104 Pesos but, just last week we were required to pay $1,038 Pesos by the immigration people in Chapala. If she is right, we have underpaid at the bank and God knows what faces us in the next two weeks when we return. Just warning you folks of this discrepancy to help you avoid potential problems.

Wait'll I tell you guys about our experience in getting a Mexican driver's license in Ocotlan, Jalisco. We succeeded but it was no fun.

jennifer rose

Sep 5, 2004, 7:04 PM

Post #9 of 33 (2157 views)

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Re: [Bubba] renewing fm3

I don't recall when I provided the figure you've cited, but the current rates are shown at http://www.inami.gob.mx/paginas/241100.htm.

What constitutes acceptable documentation varies with the INAMI delegation, and even with individual applicants. The sheer quantity of retirees in the Guadalajara office may dictate looser standards than elsewhere. Michoacan's INAMI delegation has been known to accept copies of bank statements downloaded from the Internet in some instances, yet other offices won't accept those. Whether an office is willing to divide a year's deposit by 12 is also a matter of administrative discretion.

lbc

Sep 5, 2004, 7:13 PM

Post #10 of 33 (2154 views)

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Re: [jennifer rose] renewing fm3

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In San Miguel, for my FM3 renewal they accepted downloaded Merill Lynch Account Statements provided the local American consul wrote a letter (for $300 pesos) vouching for the validity and the dollar figures needed as they appear on the documents.

mrchuck

Sep 6, 2004, 4:31 AM

Post #11 of 33 (2124 views)

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Re: [Bubba] renewing fm3

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Bubba: I truly now believe that each office of Immigration is given the "local authority" to amplify certain sections of the requirements necessary as they see fit.
In La Paz for instance, the local jefe in charge, requires that you keep and collect all of your receipts showing just how much money you are actually spending here in Mexico on an annual basis. He also really goes over your 3 months of bank deposits looking to make sure one qualifies.
Many here getting their FM-3's renewed have complained about this, but all here have conformed to this scrutiny, because they need heir FM-3 to live in their house here.
There is no negotiation.
Things have really tightened up!
The Mexican accountants here who help the "gringos" here for a fee, have spread the word to all, that you must get all your papers and receipts in order, or forget about getting a renewal.
And also living further in the Republic of Mexico.
No complaints have been filed. What is there to complain about, and to whom???
This is their law.
This has been happening for the last 2 years.
Some long time residents now are looking to possibly sell and leave.
They feel they are being picked on.

I expect this is the letter of the law thru-out the Republic of Mexico.
Since this requirement is not affecting me personally, I don't feel this so-called discrimination as the ones complaining.
I guess the answer to it all is that the basic requirements one must pass to reside here in Mexico permanently, has and is being made very clear to all involved.
You must pass 100%, and there will be no "gray" area to squeak thru anymore.

Saludos, mc

abq

Sep 6, 2004, 6:11 AM

Post #12 of 33 (2114 views)

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Re: [mrchuck] renewing fm3

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How does one get all those receipts? So much of what I spend in Mexico is in cash.

jennifer rose

Sep 6, 2004, 7:45 AM

Post #13 of 33 (2082 views)

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Re: [Bubba] renewing fm3

In Reply To

She also states that the annual payment for the FM-3 stands at present at $1,104 Pesos but, just last week we were required to pay $1,038 Pesos by the immigration people in Chapala.

Bubba, you're living in the past if you think "at present" is February 2003. I checked my files, and the figure shown was what was being charged at the date. INAMI changes the rates annually. The current rate is shown in my post of last night.

esperanza

Sep 6, 2004, 9:13 AM

Post #14 of 33 (2062 views)

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Re: [jennifer rose] renewing fm3

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February 2003?

I received a new FM3 in Guadalajara in June 2004. Fee was $1038MN, exactly what is shown on the INAMI site.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

(This post was edited by esperanza on Sep 6, 2004, 9:16 AM)

Bubba

Sep 6, 2004, 9:17 AM

Post #15 of 33 (2058 views)

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Re: [jennifer rose] renewing fm3

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Jennifer:

I think you misread my comment. I stated that we went to the INAMI office in Chapala last Wednesday, September 1, 2004 and the INAMI official on duty told us to pay $1,038 to the bank which we did. I am not syaing that is right, simply that that is what we were told to pay last week, not in February, 2003. If, indeed, we are going to owe more money, I can't wait to see how they handle that.

If we can't stay here, we'll just move to France. The food's a hell of a lot better there anyway. Anybody want to rent a nice house in Ajijic?

olalla

Sep 6, 2004, 11:39 AM

Post #16 of 33 (2041 views)

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Re: [jennifer rose] renewing fm3

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Would SS deposits into California Commerce Bank in the required amount plus peso withdrawals of cash in Mexico of an equal amount or more constitue the necessary data for renewal?

Mazatlan RLibrary

Sep 6, 2004, 11:52 AM

Post #17 of 33 (2033 views)

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Re: [olalla] renewing fm3

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The last time I renewed in Mazatlan, they only wanted a copy of my latest statement from CC Bank, which showed my SS deposit. (Plus of course the other paperwork, including a receipt showing my address). They don't seem to care what you spend, only that your income meets the minimum required. In reply to a previous poster, if you live in Mexico you should easily be able to provide a receipt from someone with your address on it, rent receipt, cable, phone bill or whatever. They just want proof of where you live. In Mazatlan, renewal is very simple. Hope your experience is as easy. Dee

Marlene

Sep 6, 2004, 12:34 PM

Post #18 of 33 (2021 views)

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Re: [Bubba] renewing fm3

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The confusion here is that someone resurrected an old thread and post of Jennifers from Feb 2003 instead of starting a new one.

mrchuck

Sep 6, 2004, 1:04 PM

Post #19 of 33 (2010 views)

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Re: [abq] renewing fm3

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To abq: If I was getting the message from the "Migra", I would save my atm receipts, all grocery receipts from our little mercado in town, Costco receipts, Telmex, water, gas, and so on.
If you have car work done, just like I had today and paid 1045 pesos to have the front brakes re-done, this receipt would get saved by you.
That is how you should do it.
And start now asking for and collecting your receipts. This is the advice I have given locals here, and it is working fine for them.

Also, this area here has a ton of people who have built homes here, but haven't retired here. They are in their 40's and 50's. This is the major population group here in Los Barriles.
The next group are in their late 50's and early 60's. This is the next highest percentile here. They have nice homes here too, but are only here for 6 or so months from late Oct thru May.
Again, these 2 groups have FM-3's but don't collect SS or a pension yet. Their bank statements reflect a high salary or equivalent monthly deposits.
The group that is having the hardest time here, complying with the migra, is the truly retired couple on a minimum pension/ SS deposits who are renting(owning your home gives one a very big discount on the amt necessary to prove to Migra).

To Marlene: yes correct on using an old posting. I concur, always post new...don't re-surrect.

Saludos, mc

Don

Sep 6, 2004, 1:18 PM

Post #20 of 33 (2005 views)

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Re: [mrchuck] renewing fm3

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What would showing receipts prove to immigration? How would they know they were your receipts, as not all receipts have your name of them? How much does one have to show in receipts? Sorry for the questions, but we don't have to do this in Jalisco State.

Carron

Sep 6, 2004, 1:39 PM

Post #21 of 33 (1996 views)

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Re: [Don] renewing fm3

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I am living full time in Mexico for what is now my 7th year. I have never had to show receipts for FM3, but receipts, especially for utilities, seem to be the credit check of Mexico. As long as I can produce a paid receipt, it doesn't matter in whose name it is. Apparently Mexican officials trust that anyone with a paid receipt is indeed the person who paid the bill. I have lived in places where I had no idea who the person was actually named on the bill. I think the address is the important thing as proof of residency. Very different from the way things are done in the US, verdad?

esperanza

Sep 6, 2004, 1:47 PM

Post #22 of 33 (1991 views)

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Re: [Carron] renewing fm3

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The electric or telephone bill received at your address is proof that your place of residence actually exists. It's not proof that you actually exist, or that you have paid the bill or not paid the bill. The bill must be no more than 90 days old to be acceptable to the INM.

The proof that you are in fact you is your valid passport issued by your country of origin.

I personally know of no one who has received a new FM3 or renewed an existing document at the Guadalajara INM--which covers the Lake Chapala region--in at least the last 6 years who has been asked to show receipts for what money he or she has spent. That office appears to be only interested in income, not in outgo.

YMMV.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

Don

Sep 6, 2004, 1:51 PM

Post #23 of 33 (1991 views)

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Re: [Carron] renewing fm3

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I have lived here over 5 years and I too have never had to show receipts, except a receipt for phone, or electricity service etc. to prove I resided in Mexico. The receipt had to be in my name.

ncferret

Sep 6, 2004, 2:56 PM

Post #24 of 33 (1976 views)

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Re: [Don] renewing fm3

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Bubba's going to France for the "much better food". When was the last time you were in France Bubba? We were there in May and for what I spent on 1 meal in a small local restaurant (and it was VERY good), I could go out in Mazatlan every night for 2 weeks.

I think the cost of the apartment we rented for a week (1br, 1ba) in Paris would easily get you a 2br place here with an ocean view for SIX MONTHS!

Have a nice time in France...

gpk

Sep 6, 2004, 3:38 PM

Post #25 of 33 (1959 views)

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Re: [Bubba] renewing fm3

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Yes, the last time I was in France my wonderful food included virtually uncooked scrambled eggs, RARE chicken livers, and a steaming plate of tripe a foot high. I'll take tacos anyday!!

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