TalkBaja.com » Baja Mexico Forums » Visas for travel and living in Baja California, Mexico

They limit how long you can be out of the country on an FM2 visa? I didn't know that. What is the length of time in days per year that an FM2 visa permits you to travel outside Mexico? Is there any annual limit with an FM3?

FM-3 is a Non Immigrant Visa. The FM3 visa is a yearly renewable long term (more than 6 months) permit which gives non-immigrant temporary residency status to the holder. This means that it gives a person the right to live in Mexico (under the terms set out in the visa) but it does not lead to, and cannot be converted to, a visa leading to permanent residency. With an FM-3, you can enter and exit Mexico without any time limits.


As an FM2 holder, you are considered an Immigrant and may apply for Mexican citizenship after 5 years. FM2 Visa holders may not leave the country for more than 18 months during any five-year period or they will lose their eligibility to apply for Inmigrado status. If an FM2 Visa holder leaves the country for longer than two years at a time, they will lose their status as an Immigrant.

Immigration told me if you are out of Mexico for more than 180 days in a row, you lose your FM3 status. My question is how would they know how long you are in and out of the country if you are driving across the border. No one checks. I know a lot of people here that get a FMT every six months at the border. FMT is good for 180 days. You cannot own a mexican plated car with a FMT.

I don't see any way Mexico could possibly document how long you are in/out of Mexico unless you have a stamped passport saying so.

Hello, I've been gone for a while, but my plans to move to Ensenada have not changed. I have four jobs currently, so I have not had a lot of time what with keeping up with them, clearing through 30+ years of personal possessions, papers, etc, to determine what I need to have and what to dispose of (a lot). I am still hoping to make my move in late November or early December. I am now at the stage where I have to take specific (and immediate) action to obtain my resident visa. It is in that regard that I am seeking advice regarding how specifically to go about that process. Which should I go for, the FM3 or FM2. I am over 60 and have a provable income from outside Mexico and some financial assets. I would like to pursue business interests in Mexico, but do not have a great amount of money to invest. I am currently a professional teacher. I do not currently hold a TEFL certificate, but can get one. Should I get it before I move or should I get a FM3 and apply for the FM2 “professional” later after I am there? Can I apply for FM2 status as a teacher? Do I need a Mexican immigration lawyer? How much will that cost? There are also probably a lot of questions that I have not asked here that I should have, but that is why I am posting here, hoping for some expert guidance. I am seeking relevant and useful information, please!

Thank you.

Seajay44

For your FM-2 or FM-3 needs, contact:

Blanca Medina
646 117 3442 (cell)
646 178 2607 (office)
vlanka7@hotmail.com
Office is in the little strip mall between (behind) Anthony's and the Pemex on Blvd Costero, a block or so from the Imigracion.

Dependable, reliable, reasonable. and efficient. Has never let us or any of our friends down in any way. Highly recommended!

I am close to decision time I currently am on my 5th FM3 IF it takes a full 5 years on a FM2 to apply for citisenship it wouldnt be worthwhile as I am 71. I read somewhere it could be done in 2 years if you are over 70 I need to confirm that I kinda figure if I would be 76 + what the heck.

Find a good attorney in your area of Baja that has immigration experience. Ask around other attorneys for a referral. That is your best bet IMHO for working visas / citizenship. A simple change in the wording on your application can make all the difference down here...

It's been awhile since this was started and I am curious to see how the new rules have effected the whole FM2 application and process.
Since I am going to want to work, after awhile, in my own business most likely, I should probably just wait until I get moved down there for starting the process. I could start the FM3 with my place in BOLA but since it is a different state than where we plan on retiring I don't see any advantage to doing so.

In my experience and observation choice of visa varies to individual circumstances. You can have your own business here with an FM3, and with appropriate sponsorshp you can be employed in certain types of jobs.

You can also "begin" with FM-2 if the restrictions on the amount of time you would be out of Mexico are not an issue for you. As far as I know, at this time, there is a 5 year requirement of FM-2 status in order to apply for Inmigrado status.

Contrary to what many naysayers will tell you online, getting an FM3 lucrativo is not that hard. I do however suggest you do it through an attorney that specializes in immigration. It will cost you less than a thousand dollars but it will get done and better yet, that same attorney can help set you up for the fast track to imigrado status. Most gringos down here lose years in that process until they finally get it right.

Originally Posted by Teniente

We obtained our originals at the Mexican Consulate in San Diego. A one day process.

All of our renewals have been handled by:

Blanca Medina Hernandez
Virgilio Uribe #649 local 15
Plaza Delfines C.P. 22800
Ensenada Baja California
Cel. (646) 117 3442

If you are in the Ensenada area, I highly recommend Blanca.

Didnt I hear Blancha Passed away recentaly

Originally Posted by J.P.

Didnt I hear Blancha Passed away recentaly

Yes, she did.

We are in the process from converting from FM-3 (which we had for 3 years) to an FM-2. The process seems simple. A letter to Immigration requesting conversion, one bank statement and the most recent CFE bill showing residence address. We are also removing my wife as a "dependent", she will have a "stand alone" FM-2. The fees are slightly higher, but reduce with each renewal. We will make it up in 5 years when we don't have to go through the renewal process.

We are using:

Carlos Victorica
011-52-646-175-7893
carlosvictorica@hotmail.com

His office is located in the same building as Immigration in Ensenada (makes it real handy!!!)

Originally Posted by Teniente

Yes, she did.

We are in the process from converting from FM-3 (which we had for 3 years) to an FM-2. The process seems simple. A letter to Immigration requesting conversion, one bank statement and the most recent CFE bill showing residence address. We are also removing my wife as a "dependent", she will have a "stand alone" FM-2. The fees are slightly higher, but reduce with each renewal. We will make it up in 5 years when we don't have to go through the renewal process.

We are using:

Carlos Victorica
011-52-646-175-7893
carlosvictorica@hotmail.com

His office is located in the same building as Immigration in Ensenada (makes it real handy!!!)

I was in Carlos Victorias office Yesterday getting my fm renewed .found out from him you can naturalise off your fm2 the the 3rd year .this allows you to purchase property fee simipe. but you still have to mantain your fm2 for the full 5 year to become a citizen.
I dont belive you could ever educate your self to the full extent of the immigration laws in Mexico as they are constantly changing my fm expires May 10 it seems the newest changes go into effect the end of May. so its a full year before i can take advantage.
I think we may see some important changes in the laws in the coming years The Mexican goverment knows they need to make changes to atract the Baby Boomers

Originally Posted by J.P.

I was in Carlos Victorias office Yesterday getting my fm renewed .found out from him you can naturalise off your fm2 the the 3rd year

John...if this is your intention, I hope your Spanish is in good working order. There's a test.

Originally Posted by DENNIS

John...if this is your intention, I hope your Spanish is in good working order. There's a test.

Not real good, but i was told the test has ben simplified for people in my ase group

I believe the test is waived for those over 60......or 65 years..............or so I have been told

Originally Posted by Teniente

I believe the test is waived for those over 60......or 65 years..............or so I have been told

You mean there is hope. As my memory slips so does my language skills.

The way I heard it (two different sources), the language requirement still applies. It's the history/culture exam that's waived for applicants over 60 or 65. But this still doesn't appear on the SRE website that I can find, so it's likely to be "unofficial".

Not to change the subject we watched a very interesting movie last night called TEXAN staring Patric Duffy and Randy Travis .Although It was entertaining it was pretty much a rehash of Texas and Mexico history as I was force fed that stuff in school in TEXAS. In the movie Mexico was trying to Populate the area called TEXAS they gave huge parcels of land to someone marrying a Mexican citizen. Too bad that doesnt apply today