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sioux4noff

Sep 4, 2013, 3:26 PM

Post #1 of 17 (1127 views)

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transitioning to permanent resident

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I haven't really been following discussions about this as our documents are good until later this month.
I went to the Nuevo Vallarta office today to find out my options. We have refrendo 2 on the back of our current cards (inmigrante).
I asked what I need to do to go to permanent resident at this time. The agent asked how long we had lived in Mexico (8 years) and confirmed we had always renewed on time.
She told me to bring copies of every year's documents and we can receive permanent resident status by virtue of years living in Mexico.
I was of the impression that it had to be 4 plus years on your current document, so I was pleased to hear that it was total time.
We'll go back with all required documents soon. Crossing my fingers!

YucaLandia

Sep 4, 2013, 4:59 PM

Post #2 of 17 (1100 views)

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Re: [sioux4noff] transitioning to permanent resident

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What good news for you. Many/most INM offices have been allowing Permanent Resident applicants to combine past years completed on FM2's + FM3's as long as you had no breaks, (no expirations), and no fines.
steve
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Read-on MacDuff
E-visit at http://yucalandia.com

sioux4noff

Sep 4, 2013, 8:23 PM

Post #3 of 17 (1059 views)

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Re: [YucaLandia] transitioning to permanent resident

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She was very firm on the point that I must produce copies of all previous documents. Maybe that rules out the unprepared. :)

careyeroslib

Sep 5, 2013, 6:55 AM

Post #4 of 17 (1017 views)

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Re: [sioux4noff] transitioning to permanent resident

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Good for you Sioux!

I´m travelling right now so don´t have my files, but, when you write your letter requesting the change of Estancia, you might want to mention specifically that you are applying based on 4 years residency, as they tell you to do in section 6 of the criteria. Good luck! You should be fine. Note there is nothing in the criteria that says you had to have at least 4 years No-inmigrante, it just says residency

http://www.inm.gob.mx/...dente_permanente.pdf

(This post was edited by careyeroslib on Sep 5, 2013, 6:57 AM)

viktoremski

Sep 5, 2013, 11:55 AM

Post #5 of 17 (949 views)

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Re: [sioux4noff] transitioning to permanent resident

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The INM officer shouldn't even ask you to bring previous years' copies. They have them in their files. At Tijuana INM I was not asked for any copies of previous visas (I also combined FM3 and FM2/imigrante). Just the application, cover letter, and passport.
Of course, do as they instruct you.
Good luck!

sioux4noff

Sep 5, 2013, 2:54 PM

Post #6 of 17 (909 views)

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Re: [viktoremski] transitioning to permanent resident

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I imagine they do have them in the file. But if I bring copies, the agent can do a quick check for gaps or fines.

careyeroslib

Sep 5, 2013, 4:40 PM

Post #7 of 17 (885 views)

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Re: [sioux4noff] transitioning to permanent resident

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Do say specifically in your letter you are applying on the basis of residency. Don´t forget that this all goes to Mexico DF for approval. It doesn´t matter how well you are known locally. Someone in DF could be lazy and not even look at the other years (the FM3 years) unless you point them out by mentioning them in your letter. We had the 4 years continuous (FM2/Inmigrante) but we still pointed it out in our letter. Best to bullet-proof your application. I want you to succeed no hassles. Best wishes Libby

rockydog85251

Sep 5, 2013, 7:02 PM

Post #8 of 17 (841 views)

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Re: [careyeroslib] transitioning to permanent resident

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In Mazatlan, my husband who has lived in Mexico for over 15 years, non-stop, no interruptions...had a 2 on the back of his last card. He was NOT allowed to go permanente because they claimed the rules had changed the Fri before he qualified to renew! What a crock!!!!!
Willie

sioux4noff

Sep 5, 2013, 7:21 PM

Post #9 of 17 (835 views)

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Re: [careyeroslib] transitioning to permanent resident

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Thanks for the tip about wording the letter! Always best to present things as straightfowardly and specifically as possible.

tashby

Sep 6, 2013, 8:08 AM

Post #10 of 17 (788 views)

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Re: [rockydog85251] transitioning to permanent resident

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I haven't been here 15 years, but I did have enough accumulated time on a combination of previous continuous, uninterrupted FM3, FM2 and Inmigrante visas to supposedly meet the 5 year criteria. But I had a a '1" or a '2' on the back of my then current Inmigrante card. The office in Guadalajara (at that time, anyway) wasn't allowing people to combine times. I wanted it done and over with, so I applied with supporting financial info and received my Permanente, no problem.

sioux4noff

Sep 6, 2013, 12:43 PM

Post #11 of 17 (725 views)

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Re: [tashby] transitioning to permanent resident

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Tashby, that's what I thought I was going to have to do. So I was pleasantly surprised to find out I can use total "time served."

tashby

Sep 6, 2013, 2:20 PM

Post #12 of 17 (704 views)

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Re: [sioux4noff] transitioning to permanent resident

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Well, I sure wouldn't mention to the folks in the Puerto Vallarta office what their brothers and sisters in Guadalajara are doing, or were doing as recently as two months ago. 8-) Good luck.

(This post was edited by tashby on Sep 6, 2013, 2:22 PM)

sioux4noff

Sep 6, 2013, 2:58 PM

Post #13 of 17 (691 views)

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Re: [tashby] transitioning to permanent resident

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It was also the case here in Nuevo Vallarta earlier in the year.

careyeroslib

Sep 6, 2013, 6:50 PM

Post #14 of 17 (639 views)

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Re: [sioux4noff] transitioning to permanent resident

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One thing I never asked anyone who was refused (as others have mentioned) was whether they actually cited the appropriate regulation (link above) in their application letter

The regulation specifically says that if you have been a resident for 4 years (i.e., a legal temporary resident), you´re in as a Residente Permanente. No other evidence (points, financial statements, whatever) need be provided. The reglation says nothing about having had to be a legal temporary resident on the same document.
I wonder if anyone presented this argument along with evidence (photocopies of their previous residency documents) and were still refused.

sioux4noff

Sep 9, 2013, 2:25 PM

Post #15 of 17 (532 views)

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Re: [careyeroslib] transitioning to permanent resident

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We went today, with our tree-killing sheaf of paperwork. I got the same agent as last week.
She looked at our cards and said you can renew for 1 year, then become permanent residents.
I said, but last week you told me total time counts.
She said, yes it does but you need copies of all documents. I said, I have that right here.
Interestingly she did not offer that choice until I specifically asked. I think most people who said they were told total time did not count were not even allowed to try. I don't know anyone who applied for the change of status who was turned down.
After looking closely at all the copies, she took maybe 4 pages from each of us, of the 15 or so we brought.
She looked over everything, we paid our 1000 pesos each at the bank, then submitted everything.
It's all over now but the waiting. We hope.

GringoCArlos

Sep 27, 2013, 5:32 PM

Post #16 of 17 (270 views)

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Re: [sioux4noff] transitioning to permanent resident

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I went into INM Queretaro in mid-August. Gave reception my current card with a "2" on it and asked her if I could now get Permanent Residency.She went back to the boss's office, tappity tappity tap, came back and said that since we've been in Mexico for more than 4 years, we had no choice - Permanent Residency only. No mention of my late renewal in 2009.

First appointment, I needed the passports and copies of the face page only; the receipt and a copy for payment of $1000 pesos; current residency card and copy, and a simple, brief letter to INM that stated only that we have legally been in Mexico for 4 years or more, and wished to change from Inmigrante status to Residencia Permanente, I included the residency card numbers in my header as a reference.

2 weeks later for fingerprints and 2 copies of the receipt for the other $3815 (?) after it was approved in Mexico. Picked up our new cards this week. Minor children's cards must be reissued with a new photo every 4 years until they are 18 as their appearance will change.

The INM lady with my cards said the only reasons I would ever have to come back is to report a change of address, a change in marital status or a change in business activity. She said I won't need permission to make a business change, just need to report it to them. Told her good luck, and goodbye (for forever maybe) hhahahaa.

(This post was edited by GringoCArlos on Sep 27, 2013, 5:42 PM)

tashby

Sep 29, 2013, 8:23 AM

Post #17 of 17 (146 views)

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Re: [GringoCArlos] transitioning to permanent resident

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Being able to walk out that door with your Permanente and contemplate never having to return is a nice feeling, isn't it? Congrats.