The following information is for individuals who have decided to come to Mexico for a short visit as well as people desiring to become permanent residents.

This article will provide information on the - FMT, FM3 and FM2 Visas. The costs may vary. Please keep in mind that requirements are constantly changing, and the information in this article should be considered only as a useful guide.


FMT

An FMT is a tourist visa for people traveling to Mexico. If you are either staying in Mexico longer than 72 hours or traveling past the Border Zone you will need to pay the 190 peso Tourist Card fee (roughly $20 US dollars - If you are arriving by airline or cruise, your Tourist Card fee is usually included in your package or fare). The card, known as the Migratory Tourist Form (FMT) is valid for six months (180 days) with multiple entries. Although this Visa can potentially be valid for 180 days, it is at the discretion of the Immigration officer. Normally the time period is related to the purposes of your journey. Usually the visa is approved for a maximum period of 90 days if you arrive in Mexico by plane for a vacation, after which it can be renewed for an additional 90 days at any Mexican Immigration office. There is a fee to extend the FMT visa. If you are crossing the border in an automobile you can request the full 180 days. There is no guarantee that the full 180 days will be given.

In Baja California, the border zone has been extended to San Quintin, on the Pacific side and San Felipe, on the Sea of Cortez. Sonora state is in the process of extending it's border zone too. In mainland states along the border, this includes a 16-20 mile zone south of the border. Some areas have "tourist corridors" such as Baja, please check with the Mexican Consulate in your area.

According to the law you must have the Tourist Card on you while traveling (make a copy if possible in case original is lost). You can pick up a card at the border, just stop at immigration as you cross into Mexico, parking is available. You must have either a current passport or original birth certificate with current ID. Baja California and Sonora sometimes only require a current ID, but it's wise to check with the consulate first.

You will need the following to obtain a FMT:

Proof of citizenship - this can be either a passport or a certified copy of your birth certificate accompanied by a photo ID. Nowadays, it is recommended you travel with a passport. Be prepared to fill out the information requested which includes your place of birth, your destination and the reason for your visit.

You can pick up a blank FMT form at any Mexican Consulate or at the travel agency issuing your plane ticket. If they do not provide you with one or you simply forget to ask for it, you can pick one up at the check in counter at the airport or on the plane while en route to your destination. Usually, you will be provided a copy if traveling by airplane. If you are coming to Mexico by automobile, you can request an FMT form at the border.

You will not be allowed into the country without and FMT and you will have to turn it in upon returning home so it is strongly recommended that you don't lose it. Should it get stolen, report it immediately to the nearest Mexican Immigration office and be prepared to show proof of citizenship as well as your airline ticket, if you came to Mexico by plane.

A tourist visa is simply a permit to enter the country as a visitor. While you are here you may not work and the amount of "stuff" you can bring with you will be limited to just about what you would need for a 15 to 30 day stay. If you are planning on being in Mexico longer than the time allowed by the FMT, you will want to consider obtaining a FM-3.


FM-3

An FM-3 is a one year permit to reside in Mexico. This document makes the holder a No Imigrante (Non-Immigrant) like the tourist card but, unlike the tourist card you are allowed to live in the country for an extended period of time. The document must be renewed each year as long as you continue to reside in Mexico. After your fifth year you can either upgrade to an FM-2 or simply request a new FM-3.

The following information applies to persons who will be considered Rentistas meaning you will not work in Mexico.

You may apply for an FM-3 at any Mexican Immigration office within Mexico or at any Mexican Consulate in your country.

First you will need to submit the following:

A letter in Spanish addressed to the proper immigration authorities - check with your nearest Mexican Consulate about this for this requirement. Generally this is not required in Spanish. The body of the letter must include your full name*, current address, a request to change your immigration status from Tourist to FM-3, and a statement to the effect that you have annexed all pertinent paperwork.

You will need a current and original tourist visa and your passport. (If you are applying after entering Mexico you will require the tourist visa but if you are applying in your home country, only your passport is required)

Proof of income: This figure changes constantly. It is based on minimum wage (250 times the minimum wage in Mexico City) and fluctuates with the exchange rate. The current amount is $8,700.00 pesos per month for the applicant and $4,350.00 pesos per month for each dependent. This proof could be in the form of a bank statement showing your investments generate that amount or more, it could also be a letter from your consulate stating you receive social security, a pension, etc.

The administrative "Fee" is ~1500 Pesos.

The monthly income requirements are reduced by 50% if you own and reside in your Mexican home. If this is the case, be sure to include a notarized copy of either the deed (escritura) or trust.

All that is required is proof that the minimum income is deposited in any financial institution, anywhere with credibility, be it the US, Canada, Europe, or offshore institution. Even a stock brokerage account, showing the requisite income, has proved sufficient, both in obtaining an original FM-3, both within Mexico at the local immigration office and at an overseas Mexican Consulate.

If you are married and your spouse also wishes to apply for an FM-3, have your original marriage certificate authorized and translated at the Mexican Consulate nearest the place of marriage. Submit a letter signed by you and two Mexican witnesses stating that you are an upstanding citizen living harmoniously within the community. Include with this a copy of each witnesses' photo ID.

Once you have all of the above mentioned items, make three copies of each and submit your package to immigration.

Normally, immigration stamps the original documents plus two sets of the copies with the date it was received. They keep the originals and one set of copies, the second set is for your files. It is habit to make the third set of copies as things can sometimes get misplaced.


The second step is once you are notified that your application has been accepted, obtain the following:

Black and white passport size photographs (4 x 4 cm.) - 3 right profile and 4 front, no jewelry or glasses, hair off the forehead.

Form SHCP-5. These forms are readily available through immigration or in Mexican stationery stores. Hint: If you are doing all of this yourself, the people at immigration are very nice and can direct you to someone who can help you fill out the form.

Your letter of authorization for your FM-3 - 1 original and 2 copies.

2 Copies of your entire passport.

Include the FM-1 form you received with you authorization letter and 2 copies. Review this to make sure the information is correct as this is the information that will be typed into your FM-3 book.

Submit all of the above documentation within 45 days of receiving your authorization letter to the person with whom you are working at immigration.

You will need a FM3 if you are planning on living in Mexico more than 180 days per year. You will not be able to work if you are classified as a rentista. If you are moving to Mexico because of work, make sure your employer helps you make all the arrangements necessary to allow you to get working papers or check with your nearest Mexican Consulate as to what is required.

If our obtained your FM-3 through a Mexican Consulate in your country, you must register it within 45 days of your arriving in Mexico with the local Immigration office.

Your FM-3 is to be renewed annually for a period of five years. After five years you may apply for an FM-2 or simply apply for a new FM-3. The FM-3 allows you to bring your vehicle with you across the border. As long as your FM-3 is valid, so is your car.

FM-2

An FM-2 is a one year permit to reside in Mexico. Unlike the FM-3, however, this document makes the holder an Imigrante (Immigrant). The document must be renewed each year as long as you continue to reside in Mexico. After your fifth year you can apply to become an imigrado - immigrate into the country.

You may apply for an FM-2 at any Mexican Immigration office within Mexico.

To obtain one, it is recommended that you find a good Mexican attorney to help you through the process. An FM-2 is harder to obtain than an FM-3 because it is meant for people who desire to make Mexico their permanent residence.

You will need proof of income. This figure changes constantly. It is based on minimum wage (400 times the minimum wage in Mexico City) and fluctuates with the exchange rate. The current amount is $13,780.00 pesos per month for the applicant and $20,760 for a married couple. This proof could be in the form of a bank statement showing your investments generate that amount or more, it could also be a letter from your consulate stating you receive social security, a pension, etc. The administrative "Fee" is $1,471.00 Pesos. The monthly income requirements are reduced by 50% if you own and reside in your Mexican home. If this is the case, be sure to include a notarized copy of either the deed (escritura) or trust.

All that is required is proof that the minimum income is deposited in any financial institution, anywhere with credibility, be it the US, Europe, or offshore institution. Even a stock brokerage account, showing the requisite income, has proved sufficient, both in obtaining an original FM-3, both within Mexico at the local immigration office and at an overseas Mexican Consulate.

The advantage to an FM-2 is that after renewing it consecutively for five years, you become eligible to immigrate into the country. So after 10 years, an FM visa holder may elect to become a Mexican citizen.