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johang

Jul 9, 2010, 11:08 PM

Post #1 of 56 (17308 views)

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FMM, FM2 and FM3 explanations with screen shots

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I have put together an hierarchical explanation of the INM process for FM2 and FM3 visas with screen shots of every step of the on line form filling. Rolly covers the topic so well but if you still have trouble this different approach might work for you.

We will all be learning a lot more about this process as we gain experience as a community. There is a comment section for each step of the process where you can give us your experiences to be incorporated into the explanations and where corrections will be greatly appreciated.

The explanations starts here.

Johan....If we all do a little we can do a lot. Visit our little corner of paradise at the Jaltemba Jalapeño.

Goyo

Jul 10, 2010, 9:47 AM

Post #2 of 56 (17228 views)

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Re: [johang] FMM, FM2 and FM3 explanations with screen shots

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Thanks a lot and to Rolly too. I start the FM2 renewal process again in a week and it will be the first time with the new system. I'm gonna read up and use you guys' info to try to avoid typical hassles. I'll be glad to comment back here if something works differently at the office I go to in Bucerias Nayarit.

johang

Jul 10, 2010, 10:13 AM

Post #3 of 56 (17220 views)

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Re: [Goyo] FMM, FM2 and FM3 explanations with screen shots

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That is exactly what we need; personal experiences. I don't have to do mine until February so I am looking to pioneers like you. (you know how to tell the which are the pioneers right? They are the ones with the arrows in their backs. jijijiji...)

Johan....If we all do a little we can do a lot. Visit our little corner of paradise at the Jaltemba Jalapeño.

prmjcm

Jul 10, 2010, 5:59 PM

Post #4 of 56 (17164 views)

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Re: [johang] FMM, FM2 and FM3 explanations with screen shots

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I started the process on july 6th, They would not take the form i printed from the internet they had two computers in the office and you had to fill in the form on them, and then they printed it and gave it to you, they gave me the form for the bank, which after I paid they wanted the orginal receipt and two copies, they only needed the first page of my passport copied, they still wanted 3 months of bank statements, gave me a password and the pieza number and told me to look on website which they gave me the address of ,
in ten working days, so for me was about the same amount of time, but having the printed form already filled out made it easier for me to fill the same form out on their computer, you also need 2 front and two right side small pictures in color. This was in the Leon GTO. office

johang

Jul 11, 2010, 12:04 AM

Post #5 of 56 (17126 views)

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Re: [prmjcm] FMM, FM2 and FM3 explanations with screen shots

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Excellent info!! That is exactly the type of detail we all need. Thanks!

I have incorporated your information in the FM2 and FM3 Application Procedures here.

I have also asked the moderator if I am permitted to copy your comment to the same page. If he gives permission and you do not object I will do that too. OR you could post it there yourself. That would definitely be acceptable to all concerned.

Johan....If we all do a little we can do a lot. Visit our little corner of paradise at the Jaltemba Jalapeño.

gpkgto

Jul 12, 2010, 7:10 AM

Post #6 of 56 (17039 views)

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Re: [prmjcm] FMM, FM2 and FM3 explanations with screen shots

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My friend just applied for inmigrado (he has completed 5 years of FM2) at the Leon office last Friday. They accepted the computer form and his printout. They did not evn ask to look at his bank statements. The inmigrado process is different because it is ultimately handled in DF.

johang

Jul 12, 2010, 9:02 AM

Post #7 of 56 (17030 views)

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Re: [gpkgto] FMM, FM2 and FM3 explanations with screen shots

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In Reply To

Thanks gpkgto: Did you mean to say the "citizen process is different...". If not please explain. I have updated the appropriate page.

The FM2 visa allows foreigners to stay in the country. It is renewed annually. After the 4th renewal it cannot be renewed but the holder is eligible for Naturalized Mexican citizenship or Permanent Resident Alien status (Inmigrado). If you do not apply for Citizenship or permanent resident alien status after 5 years with and FM2 then you will need an FM3 if you want to continue to have residency status.

Johan....If we all do a little we can do a lot. Visit our little corner of paradise at the Jaltemba Jalapeño.

Rolly

Jul 12, 2010, 9:36 AM

Post #8 of 56 (17020 views)

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Re: [johang] FMM, FM2 and FM3 explanations with screen shots

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Inmigrado is different than a regular renewal in that it is processed in DF rather than in the local INM office.

Rolly Pirate

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
On Facebook as Rolly Brook

(This post was edited by Rolly on Jul 12, 2010, 9:39 AM)

gpkgto

Jul 12, 2010, 10:36 AM

Post #9 of 56 (17001 views)

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Re: [johang] FMM, FM2 and FM3 explanations with screen shots

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My friend was applying for permanent resident/inmigrado status (he has completed 4 renewals of his FM2)--that application goes to the INM office in DF and takes 6-8 months to finalize. A regular FM2 renewal is processed in the local INM office. That's what I meant in case it wasn't clear. I was also saying that maybe for the inmigrado process, the local INM office doesn't (always?) ask for bank statements. I guess my friend will find out--supposedly he will get the dictamen (decision) or a request for more information in a few weeks. If nothing else is needed, the application goes to DF where it sits for several months until it is finalized and the inmigardo credential is sent back to Leon (in my friend's case).

Peter

Jul 12, 2010, 11:42 AM

Post #10 of 56 (16991 views)

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Re: [gpkgto] FMM, FM2 and FM3 explanations with screen shots

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With it taking 6-8 months to process, what kind of visa is he on in the interim? Do you apply for this at the regular renewal time after completing 5 years on the FM-2, or before? And then your immigration status is in tramite, or is another FM-2 given in the interim?

johang

Jul 12, 2010, 11:57 AM

Post #11 of 56 (16988 views)

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Re: [Peter] FMM, FM2 and FM3 explanations with screen shots

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In Reply To

I have "need to apply for Inmigrado status after the 4.5 years with FM2". Perhaps someone could tell us if that is also the case for switching from an FM2 to citizenship status.

Johan....If we all do a little we can do a lot. Visit our little corner of paradise at the Jaltemba Jalapeño.

gpkgto

Jul 12, 2010, 2:28 PM

Post #12 of 56 (16968 views)

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Re: [Peter] FMM, FM2 and FM3 explanations with screen shots

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All he got was a paper with a number (NUT)--"Comprombante de Registro de Solicitud". If he wants to leave Mexico during the 6-8 months he has to go back to INM--so we were told--for some other kind of letter/permiso. The inmigrado application can be made any time within the 6 months after the expiration of the 4th renewal (i.e., after having had the FM2 for 5 years). I have heard that if you choose not to apply for inmigrado or citizenship (both are available after 5 years of FM2, I believe)--you have to start over with an FM3--BUT THIS MAY NOT BE CORRECT--SO YOU WOULD NEED TO VERIFY THIS AT INM. My friend decided to wait to apply for citizenship later--after he has inmigrado status.

Casa

Jul 12, 2010, 3:07 PM

Post #13 of 56 (16958 views)

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Re: [Peter] FMM, FM2 and FM3 explanations with screen shots

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No visa in the interim as your FM2 is still valid.

Just to clarify, the 4th renewal would be at the end of the 4th year, and therefore 6 months after the 4th renewal would be after 4.5 years of holdingFM2. This would be when one should apply for the Inmigrado status, within the first 6 months after the 4th renewal. (This gives INM 6 + months to issue the Inmigrado status (or not), BEFORE the FM2 officially expires.)

Casa

Jul 12, 2010, 3:28 PM

Post #14 of 56 (16954 views)

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Re: [johang] FMM, FM2 and FM3 explanations with screen shots

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In Reply To

I have "need to apply for Inmigrado status after the 4.5 years with FM2". Perhaps someone could tell us if that is also the case for switching from an FM2 to citizenship status.

Citizenship is handled differently as there are various avenues available to claim or apply for Mexican Citizenship and it is handled by a different “dependencia”, SRE.

Residency requirements can be different depending on the passport one holds and the nationality of your spouse and or children. So there is not one easy answer to the question, it will depend on one’s personal situation (current nationality, Nationality of spouse and or children etc..)

You can check all the details at www.sre.gob.mx

One thing that is the same in all cases is that the standard FM2 cannot be renewed more than 4 times (total 5 years). So one must make the decision go to Inmigrado, Mexican citizenship, or back to FM3. (or FMM if they decide to go that route)

johang

Jul 12, 2010, 10:59 PM

Post #15 of 56 (16919 views)

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Re: [Casa] FMM, FM2 and FM3 explanations with screen shots

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... Residency requirements can be different depending on the passport one holds and the nationality of your spouse and or children. So there is not one easy answer to the question, it will depend on one’s personal situation (current nationality, Nationality of spouse and or children etc..)

The only exception I currently have to a 5 year wait for citizenship is the following:

The citizenship process only takes 2 years if a person is married to a Mexican citizen or is the parent of a Mexican child or is a citizen of a Latin American country.

Johan....If we all do a little we can do a lot. Visit our little corner of paradise at the Jaltemba Jalapeño.

Casa

Jul 13, 2010, 6:02 AM

Post #16 of 56 (16892 views)

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Re: [johang] FMM, FM2 and FM3 explanations with screen shots

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You are right those are some exceptions but there are other situations and scenarios as well,( Adopted child , one year) some you can see them on the SRE Website, others like the example below would depend on one’s personal situation.

Say a foreigner has a nice US plated car in Mexico that he is not ready to give up and take it out of the country as the law requires when he becomes a citizen. The foreigner married to a Mexican, although eligible, does not “need” to apply for citizenship after 2 years, with an FM2 they can wait till year 3 or 4 or 5 just by renewing the FM2 and keep the car in Mexico for an additional 3 years as opposed to becoming a Mexican citizen after 2 years. If that is not enough time could always go Inmigrado after the 4th FM2 renewal and then Citizen anytime later.

Hound Dog

Jul 13, 2010, 7:08 AM

Post #17 of 56 (16881 views)

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Re: [Casa] FMM, FM2 and FM3 explanations with screen shots

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Just to clarify, the 4th renewal would be at the end of the 4th year, and therefore 6 months after the 4th renewal would be after 4.5 years of holdingFM2. This would be when one should apply for the Inmigrado status, within the first 6 months after the 4th renewal. (This gives INM 6 + months to issue the Inmigrado status (or not), BEFORE the FM2 officially expires.)

Either this "...4.5 years of FM2." information is incorrect ot INM is incorrect. We are within a couple of weeks of completing the 5th year of FM-2 status and we have been told emphatically by INM in Guadalajara earlier this year that we cannot apply for "inmigrado" status until the end of the fourth annual renewal period of the FM-2 or, in other words, the end of the 5th year. Therefore, we are told our application for inmigrado status cannot be submitted prior to that time or up to six months after that point in time.

We have also been told that it is best to achieve inmigrado status before applying for citizenship which is our intent - not because that is required but because it seems efficacious.

The only question left unresolved is whether we demonstrate legal residency status with the "expired" FM-2 during the application period or some formal application letter. I guess we´ll soon find out.

(This post was edited by Hound Dog on Jul 13, 2010, 7:22 AM)

gpkgto

Jul 13, 2010, 7:32 AM

Post #18 of 56 (16869 views)

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Re: [Casa] FMM, FM2 and FM3 explanations with screen shots

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"Just to clarify, the 4th renewal would be at the end of the 4th year..."

The 6 months start after the END of the 4th renewal, i.e. after someone has held an FM2 for a total of 5 years (issuance year plus 4 renewals). Also, they take the FM2 when you apply for inmigrado, so while your FM2 is "valid"--you don't actually have it to use for proof.

Something else I was told by a Mexican immigration lawyer that may or may not be new was that a person can LOSE inmigrado status if they leave Mexico for more than 5 years every 10 years. Probably does not affect many people.

(This post was edited by gpkgto on Jul 13, 2010, 11:14 AM)

eyePad

Jul 13, 2010, 7:38 AM

Post #19 of 56 (16871 views)

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Re: [Hound Dog] FMM, FM2 and FM3 explanations with screen shots

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My understanding is I can leave the country up to 6 months during the 2 years leading up to citizenship (I'm married to Mexican citizen). Is it mandatory to have FM2 during this period?

Rolly

Jul 13, 2010, 7:50 AM

Post #20 of 56 (16866 views)

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Re: [eyePad] FMM, FM2 and FM3 explanations with screen shots

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Yes, you must have an FM2 before applying for citizenship.

Rolly Pirate

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
On Facebook as Rolly Brook

johang

Jul 13, 2010, 3:02 PM

Post #21 of 56 (16827 views)

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Re: [gpkgto] FMM, FM2 and FM3 explanations with screen shots

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In Reply To

Something else I was told by a Mexican immigration lawyer that may or may not be new was that a person can LOSE inmigrado status if they leave Mexico for more than 5 years every 10 years. Probably does not affect many people.

That is also the information I have and there are a few other differences between a naturalized citizen and a native born citizen here. The every 10 years part is new to me but like you say it probably is not too likely to affect most folks. Many of us probably hope to live long enough that it becomes a problem.

Johan....If we all do a little we can do a lot. Visit our little corner of paradise at the Jaltemba Jalapeño.

(This post was edited by johang on Jul 13, 2010, 3:24 PM)

johang

Jul 13, 2010, 3:19 PM

Post #22 of 56 (16822 views)

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Re: [Hound Dog] FMM, FM2 and FM3 explanations with screen shots

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Either this "...4.5 years of FM2." information is incorrect ot INM is incorrect. We are within a couple of weeks of completing the 5th year of FM-2 status and we have been told emphatically by INM in Guadalajara earlier this year that we cannot apply for "inmigrado" status until the end of the fourth annual renewal period of the FM-2 or, in other words, the end of the 5th year........
The only question left unresolved is whether we demonstrate legal residency status with the "expired" FM-2 during the application period or some formal application letter. I guess we´ll soon find out.

I am going to change the 4.5 years to "when your FM2 expires". It just made too much sense. I imagine there will be some kind of a proof (letter, or copy of the application like had with the FM3 while it was in process) that you have applied to be Inmigrado and that gives you residency status but please let us know.

Johan....If we all do a little we can do a lot. Visit our little corner of paradise at the Jaltemba Jalapeño.

Peter

Jul 13, 2010, 4:27 PM

Post #23 of 56 (16806 views)

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Re: [Hound Dog] FMM, FM2 and FM3 explanations with screen shots

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The only question left unresolved is whether we demonstrate legal residency status with the "expired" FM-2 during the application period or some formal application letter. I guess we´ll soon find out.

I hope you will let us know about that when the time comes, also any problems that may arise. It seems they are getting much more sticky about proving you are in this country legally.

I was stopped out by the coast earlier this year and for the first time they were not so much interested in what I was doing or what I had in my vehicle but if I had all my documents in order. It seems that is the idea with the new visa card, so that you can and MUST carry it at all times. I have seen recent postings about people that were held in custody because they did not have their visa in their possession. That is what prompted me to ask about that interim period.

gpkgto

Jul 14, 2010, 8:26 AM

Post #24 of 56 (16741 views)

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Re: [Peter] FMM, FM2 and FM3 explanations with screen shots

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They take your FM2 when you apply for inmigrado, so all you have is the "comprombante de registro de solicitud" with your file number. This is your ID for the entire 6-8 month period, I guess. An immigration lawyer told me that you must go to INM in advance of any travel outside of Mexico for some other document/permiso during the application process.

MaryPat

Jul 18, 2010, 3:15 PM

Post #25 of 56 (16483 views)

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Re: [johang] FMM, FM2 and FM3 explanations with screen shots

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The step-by-step with pictures of how to complete the form is very useful. But, it still took us 4 tries to finally bring up the form so it could be printed. I suggest you do these additional things (they worked) before navigating the form completion:

1) In Windows Exploer, click through TOOLS>Internet Options>Privacy and uncheck "Turn On Pop-Up Blocker" if it's checked.
2) While in WE TOOLS GENERAL, check "Delete Browsing History on Exit" then click the Delete button and check every box so everything is deleted. Click DELETE on your way out. Everything will be deleted but this is probably just good housekeeping anyway. If yu want to note your setting before doing these things that's fine and then you can go back in and set the, up as they were after you are done.
3) On the bottom of the Application for is an ADOBE update button. Update your ADOBE to match the INMs expectations for your computer. There is an additional add-on that is built in the update process. Accept it. You will have to reboot to complete the install.
4) After rebooting, go into WIN Explorer and delete again as in #2 above.
5) Load ABODE Reader so it is running while you complete the form.
6) Then and only then, start completeing the form as in the example. I don't know if all this is necessary but it finally worked for both my wife and myself the 1st time after doing all of this.

Notes:

a) I had thought it might have been the fact I had no local printer installed on the computer I was working from and went to a computer with a local printer. THIS WAS NOT NECESSARY as after I did the above I was able to print to network printers.
b) The above applied to WIN EXPLORER 8. I did not try any other browser so can't speak to them.

Again THANK YOU for this thread. john and mary pat

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