Forums > General > Living, Working, Retiring

tonynico

Mar 5, 2011, 7:40 PM

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question for Rolly

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Hi Rolly
In the piece you wrote on moving to Mexico you wrote the following I just wanted clarification and I thank you in advance

FM3: If you plan to stay in México for something more than 180 days up to the rest of your life, you want an FM3. It’s a little harder to come by and costs more than an FMM, but it is good more or less forever – renewed each year in the city where you live with a small amount of paperwork. You will be issued a little plastic ID card. Useful in opening a bank account, signing up for utility services, etc

I thought after 5 years you had to get an fm2

You also state that with a fm2 retirement visa I can keep a car I thought once you had the fm2 I needed to get rid of the American plated car?

And Lastly you mentioned if you fail the the test for imigrato status (I know I spelled it wrong)
I could go out of the country and reapply for an fm2 I thought if you did not move up you had to go back down to the fm3

Can you please help me understand?

Tony

Rolly

Mar 5, 2011, 8:00 PM

Post #2 of 16 (4117 views)

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Re: [tonynico] question for Rolly

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You can keep your FM3 status forever. There is no requirement to change to an FM2.

You can keep your car with an FM2 (I still have mine). But only with an Inmigrante Retenista.
If you have an FM2 working, you cannot have a foreign car.

There is not a test for inmigrado. There is a test for citizenship.

This is what I wrote:
An FM2 cannot be renewed after the fourth renewal runs out. At that time you must apply for inmigrado or citizenship or revert back to an FM3.
There is an odd way to continue with an FM2. Leave the country, return with an FMM, and apply for a new FM2. This way may be of interest to someone who has failed the citizenship test or has been denied inmigrado status.

Rolly Pirate

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

tonynico

Mar 5, 2011, 8:06 PM

Post #3 of 16 (4112 views)

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Re: [Rolly] question for Rolly

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Rolly
thanks

Ron

tonynico

Mar 6, 2011, 6:41 AM

Post #4 of 16 (4049 views)

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Re: [tonynico] question for Rolly

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tonynico

Mar 6, 2011, 6:47 AM

Post #5 of 16 (4051 views)

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Re: [Rolly] question for Rolly

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I want to thank Rolly and everyone who have provided priceless information.
I am hoping someone can answer this follow up question.
If after five years of having my fm2 I can leave the country and re enter Mexico with an FMM and then reapply for a Fm2, why couldn't I just enter Mexico and apply for an FM2 from the very beginning. Rather then starting off with an FMM and going to an fM3 first? Is it because there is a record that I already had an fm2?

Thanks
Tony

Rolly

Mar 6, 2011, 8:03 AM

Post #6 of 16 (4018 views)

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Re: [tonynico] question for Rolly

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There is no rule that requires one to have an FM3 before getting an FM2,
although some INM offices have their own local rule requiring an FM3 first.
One of the purposes of the new INM procedures is to standardize the rules across the country.
It is not clear that this standardization push has been completely successful.

Rolly Pirate

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

tonynico

Mar 6, 2011, 8:26 AM

Post #7 of 16 (4002 views)

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Re: [Rolly] question for Rolly

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I spoke to a facilitator who works on Cozumel she said you have to get the fm3 first. Now I also have heard you can go right to an fm2. Like you said I guess it depends on where you do it. But taking that a step further that would mean that on Cozumel when your fm2 came up you would have to leave re enter with an FMM and reapply for an FM3. And that stinks because if you sell your home you would be liable for taxes. With an fm2 you might not have to pay tax.

Who said things are easy in Paradise?

Tony

Rolly

Mar 6, 2011, 8:36 AM

Post #8 of 16 (4000 views)

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Re: [tonynico] question for Rolly

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I think you are fretting over a non-existing problem.
When your 5 years with an FM2 are over, go for Inmigrado.
I have never heard of anyone being refused. Have you?

Rolly Pirate

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

tonynico

Mar 6, 2011, 9:01 AM

Post #9 of 16 (3992 views)

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Re: [Rolly] question for Rolly

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Rolly
That is my worst problem I worry!!!!

Thanks
Ron

Gringal

Mar 6, 2011, 11:58 AM

Post #10 of 16 (3964 views)

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Re: [tonynico] question for Rolly

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(Grin) NOW STOP THAT! It's all going to be just fine. There will be some topes in the road, but when you're settled, you'll be so glad you did it. We are.

tonynico

Mar 6, 2011, 1:22 PM

Post #11 of 16 (3949 views)

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Re: [Gringal] question for Rolly

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Gindal
Thanks for the encouraging words.
I swear if I had nothing to worry about I would be worried why I am not worried. LoL
Seriously I am like a chess player I try to think of all possible situations and try to plan for them even if they are years out. There are so many variables and possible out comes I drive myself nuts.

Thanks

yucatandreamer

Mar 6, 2011, 1:43 PM

Post #12 of 16 (3940 views)

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Re: [tonynico] question for Rolly

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"Seriously I am like a chess player I try to think of all possible situations and try to plan for them."

In the kindest way possible I need to say, Stop it! This is the first step to a successful move to Mexico, because it will never, ever work out like you planned. Work instead on developing flexibility, humor and a good sense of the absurd. In our move to Mexico much of what we assumed was going to be difficult was easily accomplished and much of what seemed obviously(to us) simple caused problems. There are no ducks in rows in Mexico in fact it is a whole lot more like herding cats

tashby

Mar 6, 2011, 2:32 PM

Post #13 of 16 (3925 views)

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Re: [yucatandreamer] question for Rolly

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I agree with yucatandreamer. I think you're much more likely to love living in Mexico if you can let go of any hyper-control tendencies. Type-A personalities tend to self-distruct here. Relax!

chicois8

Mar 6, 2011, 2:59 PM

Post #14 of 16 (3917 views)

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Re: [tonynico] question for Rolly

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well Tony, In the online pool I have you at 13 months, don't let me down.....

tonynico

Mar 6, 2011, 4:00 PM

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Re: [chicois8] question for Rolly

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LOL

You thinking that is all I will make it. I lived in Mexico in the early 70s those where great days there was nothing I mean nothing around except for one hotel. I lived there for two years and loved every minute I was horse back riding on deserted beaches with drink in hand at sun set. Listening to music and watching families picnic on the beach. These where the days when you barely saw an American.
I could have stayed forever but I was young with limited means and money ran low.
I think I can beat the 13 months you are betting on especially now that I have 13 months and 4 days worth of money to live on. I bet if I went back to Guaymas I wouldn't recognize it and if I did I most likely would not be happy there since I knew it way back in the day.
I got 13 months and 4 days what are the odds.

Tony

chicois8

Mar 6, 2011, 9:11 PM

Post #16 of 16 (3838 views)

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Re: [tonynico] question for Rolly

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Well Tony, lots of things change in 40 years when you were a tourist, I still wish you suerte y paz but 70/30 are the odds as of Sunday the 6th......