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Miguelito

Dec 30, 2003, 12:11 PM

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Ahh, caught in the middle between 2 consulates

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Confusion is alive and well amongst the Mexican Consulate offices. I'm in San Antonio, Texas until leaving for San Miguel de Allende. My permanent, legal address is in Livingston, Texas (just north of Houston a bit). When I checked with the SA consulate they said I must apply for an FM-3 with the Houston office because that's closest to my home and they gave me the forms, etc. Sooo, having done all the paperwork, made all the copies, sent all that stuff along with passport, photos, money order, application, bank statements, etc. just talked with Houston to get a status report (10 days after mailing). Houston says "Senor, why didn't you process this with the San Antonio consulate?" after telling me I have to come in and give them a fingerprint in addition to second fee (turns out there's 2 fees) and they will either hold all the paperwork in Houston until I get there or send it all back to me in SA and I can do the whole thing here! Aye Caramba! Mike

Los que cantan oran dos veces! (Those who sing pray twice!)

(This post was edited by jennifer rose on Dec 30, 2003, 12:54 PM)

Carol Schmidt

Dec 30, 2003, 12:50 PM

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Re: [mikelangford] Ahh, caught in the middle between 2 embassies

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Whew! If you don't get it in time, you can get it later after you get back to the States, before your return here with your menaje de casa load, or you can get it in San Miguel.

There's a lovely woman named Patty Garcia who does all the legwork for many of us gringos here in SMA for something like $25 US--a small price considering she runs back and forth to the Consulate and Immigration, meeting all their deadlines and the appropriate days they take in and give out our stuff. Buck passing is alive and well!

Carol Schmidt

El Gringo Nuevo

Dec 30, 2003, 12:51 PM

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Re: [mikelangford] Ahh, caught in the middle between 2 embassies

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Ah yes, the pleasures of learning to deal with a "foreign" culture, however, "when in Rome"....... I just finished applying in person (my choice) for my FM3. When my number in line finally came up and I explained my purpose in being in the Portland OR Mexican Consulate they brought out their forms explaining in much detail what I needed. It was quite different from what was explained on their web site. Fortunately for me, I had planned ahead (for once) and brought with me a copy of their requirements per the internet. I quietly questioned the difference. A bevy of officials "huddled" for a moment and ultimately informed me that what I had brought would be quite sufficient. I must add that all of the Mexicans I dealt with at the consulate were quite polite even though there were only 3-4 of them dealing with a "bizillion" Mexicans and one gringo in a very small room.

Yes, I also paid 2 fees. As explained to me; one was $99 USD for the FM3 and $37 USD for the visa itself. My largest challenge was waiting for nearly an hour for some other applicant to move his car that was blocking my exit. So much for showing up early. My normal procrastination would have possible served me better that day. Oh well.

jerezano

Jan 3, 2004, 7:56 AM

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Re: [mikelangford] Ahh, caught in the middle between 2 consulates

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Hello,

Watch it! Before you do anything else, check with the San Antonio consulate and make sure they will process the application. I ran into the same problem in Harlingen Texas where I went to Mc Allen and they immediately refused and said I had to go to Brownsville. Those consulates are very careful about treaading on somebody's toes. Good Luck. Jerezano.

jennifer rose

Jan 3, 2004, 8:03 AM

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Re: [jerezano] Ahh, caught in the middle between 2 consulates

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It's a matter of jurisdiction. It's not a matter of buck-passing or treading on someone else's toes.