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TomG

Oct 10, 2003, 9:41 AM

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FM3 in the USA - get by mail or in person

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I live 3 hours from the Chicago Consulado and planned to go there today for our FM3's to travel in less than 3 weeks. I called yesterday afternoon to confirm and the decision from the Consul himself was that I am not in the Chicago jurisdiction (I'm on the other side of the border of it) and so will have to deal with Omaha, NE, 7 hours away.

I could drive to Omaha, necessitating leaving at 1 AM to arrive at 8 AM in order to assure getting through before they close for the day at 1 PM. That's a nasty hour. Driving the day before makes it a 2 day trip, more expensive and lost time. I could also send all documents in the mail, including our passports - handy. But if they (delivery of Consulate) loose our passports or docs we would be delayed 2 months to get the all stuff redone.

Has anyone had experience with mail or FedEX and documents of this importance? Is there much probability of administrative glitch if you are not there in person?

jennifer rose

Oct 10, 2003, 10:05 AM

Post #2 of 7 (1141 views)

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Re: [TomG] FM3 in the USA - get by mail or in person

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First, call the Consulate in Omaha to determine whether he will accept FM-3 applications by mail. Each consulate has his or her own rules; some accept applications only in person. Do this before you send off the application.

Yes, the travel to personally present these documents can be a nuisance. But there are folks who have to travel even farther to negotiate their business with the Mexican Consulate in the US or the American Embassy in Mexico.

When I lived in Iowa, long ago and far away in another universe, and far closer to Omaha than Chicago, I sent my passport to the Mexican Consulate in Chicago by Airborne Express with nary a problem. And I've sent other far more valuable and time-sensitive documents by both Airborne and Fedex. However.....when you send those documents, a) mark the box "signature required," and b) enclose a prepaid, self-addressed Fedex mailer with your package. Otherwise, the Consulate will return your documents by ordinary mail.

A few years ago I was at the Mexican Consulate in Chicago on business for some clients, and I noticed that the clerk had two piles of documents. Those that were submitted by Fedex or Airborne got priority treatment.

FWIW, you could lose your passport by having it fall out of your hands when you're not looking just as easily as Fedex could lose it.

(This post was edited by jennifer rose on Oct 10, 2003, 10:06 AM)

TomG

Oct 10, 2003, 12:29 PM

Post #3 of 7 (1121 views)

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Re: [jennifer rose] FM3 in the USA - get by mail or in person

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We had dinner with Sr. Luis Alva, the Mexican Consul from Omaha, and his whole staff (there are only 4 of them) 18 months ago at the local Mexica restaurant. And our musician friend, Romeo, who plays there, seranaded the table. All this reflected well on my present situation. I talked with Sr. Alva again last fall in Davenport when I helped some immigrants get matriculas through their consulate outreach program. So I called on the Omaha Consulate on your advice. He was glad to hear from me again, and remembered that our original plans were to live in Guanajuato. I explained that my wife's recent mobility problems dictated a more wheelchair friendly environment and a little lower altitude, thus Oaxaca. As Oaxaca is his favorite city, it sounds like he may come to visit.

He offered to do the FM3's for us when the Consulate comes to Muscatine (2 hours away) on Oct. 25. This is cutting it very close for us as we leave on the 30th. So we discussed using FedEX.

One of the staff, Pilar, is going to call on ahead to McAllen/Reynosa and see what they can do to help us with the medical equipment passing through customs. (We will be crossing with my wife's oxygen cylinders and oxygen concentrator (not our property, because oxygen in the USA is a controlled substance as it is a prescription drug), oximeter, a wheelchair, walker, an electric scooter, and experimental medication. This is a problem because we will be crossing a few times a year with all this medical equipment. Paying duty on all this stuff 4 -5 times a year would be unbearable. It appears that this whole area is gray area.

The Omaha Consulate is a small consulate, and I knew that Sr. Alva would be personable and helpful. They are really doing more than I have a right to expect. Distances out this way can get big, but if you are in this Midwestern district, you will have the good luck of doing business with Sr. Alva.

Blackjack Davie

Oct 10, 2003, 5:17 PM

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Re: [TomG] FM3 in the USA - get by mail or in person

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I do believe that this is my old friend Tom with whom I attended Instituto Falcon in Guanajuato perhaps three years ago. Tom, if this is you, please 'fess up. It looks like you are finally going to make the big move we talked about. I do wish you and your wife the greatest success in this move. David

TomG

Oct 10, 2003, 5:48 PM

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Re: [Blackjack Davie] FM3 in the USA - get by mail or in person

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David, I don't believe it! Hola! Welcome.

A lot has happened in the last year, I think I wrote you last fall or early winter with an update. Oaxaca is the most handicapped accessible place on our list; Guanajuato went straight to the bottom on the accessiblity scale after Dorothy became handicapped. We will still visit GTO state, as my son-in-law's relatives live in Penjamo.

Well, if you are nosing around here, you time must be closing in.

jennifer rose

Oct 10, 2003, 6:50 PM

Post #6 of 7 (1063 views)

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Handicapped-Accessible Venues

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In Reply To

Oaxaca is the most handicapped accessible place on our list; Guanajuato went straight to the bottom on the accessiblity scale after Dorothy became handicapped. reply]

Would you share with the board what other venues you considered, and perhaps their ranking, in terms of handicap access?

Carron

Oct 10, 2003, 6:52 PM

Post #7 of 7 (1061 views)

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Re: [TomG] FM3 in the USA - get by mail or in person

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This goes back to a previous post of mine. All dealings with Mexican officials are on a personal basis. That is the way they do business. It works, not only for them but for ex-pats as well. Good start on your move to Mexico and thanks for your post!