'Immigration Requirements for Mexico' Expat

Jill (152.163.36.69) -

What are the basic immigration requirements for retired americans to get residency in Mexico?

Comment #1 D. Groshaw (64.16.52.138) -

As a retired person you may apply for an FM3 for retired persons. You will be required to provide your finger prints, passport photos, proof of a minimum of $10, 000.00 us in your account for the previous 3 months, and a minimum of $1000.00 a month income from an outside source. You will also have to provide two receipts for electricity and telephone service where you reside in mexico. An atorney can do all of this for you for a very modest fee.

Comment #2 witzend from Alberta, Land of Ice and Snow! (Contact Member) -

What is acceptable as proof of $1000 monthly income? Is that per person?

I have not read about the $10, 000 in your account for 3 months. Is that recent, or have I just missed it before?

Thanks

Comment #3 H. G. Hjelm (189.162.22.41) -

Groshaw is not correct. You do not need $10, 000 in your bank account for an FM-3. You need only to show that your income is at least $1, 000 monthly for a single person and $500 monthly for each dependent.

Comment #4 scottyta (70.59.129.61) -

what if you cant prove a $1000 a month but you have a savings or check account showing proper funds? is there another way?

Comment #5 GueroPaz from Thialand and soon Mexico (Contact Member) -

So, I could just copy off the internet banking website, my last three months of bank statements? Or, could I just present my latest pension statements showing my total pension income?

Could I do this at a consulate in the USA, such as Houston?

Is there any complication if I wish to be a retired person (rentista) and work independently as an English teacher in Puerto Veracruz (independiente)?

Comment #6 frank shattuck from Cordoba, Veracruz (Contact Member) -

Gueropaz, Here in Cordoba, at least, I submit internet print-outs of bank acct, and it takes about a week. Many people say it is better to enter Mexico on a regular FMT tourist permit, and then apply here in Mexico at any inmigracion office. frankania

Comment #7 frank shattuck from Cordoba, Veracruz (Contact Member) -

Forgot to add, You cannot work for salary under the Pensionista FM3 (unless you are paid under the table of course). With your FMT permit, you can apply at the school where you wish to teach, and with that employment apply for a regular FM3 work permit.

Comment #8 Brian Eller from Cordoba, Veracruz (Contact Member) -

We just moved to Mexico and it took me about 6wks to get my FM3 working visa. A bank statement with the $10k, a telephone bill, gas bill and water bill usually do just fine to get the ball rolling. Remember to be gracious and polite during the process as they have a way of either expediting or delaying based on how they are treated. You must renew your visa every year so the process never really stops. I know that after 5 yrs you become eligible for the FM2. Anyway good luck in obtaining your permit and let me know if I can help.

Comment #9 DianaR from USA (Contact Member) -

It sounds like this is a difficult process, especially the bank balance issues if you have been living on a fixed income before moving.

Are there any problems if your bank account dips below that required $10, 000.00 after you have established a household in Mexico?

Comment #10 EugenS from Europe (Contact Member) -

Is it hard to buy a house there as a foreigner? How are the people treating you?

Comment #11 John S. (192.30.202.15) -

If we retire to Mexico on an FM3 visa and want to travel outside Mexico for much of the year, is that permitted? Do we need to be physically in Mexico for a certain number of days a year to qualify for FM3 visa renewals?

What would you all suggest?

Thanks a lot.

Comment #12 Lee Salazar (67.168.31.187) -

We are retiring to Mexico and plan on being there 8-9 months a year and return to US 2 or 3 months yrly to see family. We plan on applying for the FM3. We are driving there and my question is how do I deal with having my car there permanently since we will fly back to states yrly. Do I go thru process at border for temporary auth to bring veh into Mexico?? Can I insure vehicle with US plates with Mexican ins and not border ins once I get FM3 since its staying in Mexico? Do I have to get my US yrly lic tags for driving it in Mexico?? Will I be monetarily be penalized for failure to remove vehicle within 6 months on my credit card?? Does the FM3 allow usto leave Mexico for a few months yrly? Would appreciate any advise someone can give me

Comment #13 biswajit paul (196.35.158.178) -

Hi

I like to know about the mexico

Comment #14 dustin (63.176.159.133) -

If you are an American citizen and want to become a citizen of Mexico, why can't you just trade your citizenship with a Mexican person?

You should be able to do that. Mexicans want to be in America, you want to be in Mexico, its a fair trade.

Comment #15 bill (63.176.159.70) -

Would it be hard to move to mexico from america and start your own business? Is there strict requirments for doing this, and if there are any at all, what would I have to do, to open up my own business as an American in Mexico

Comment #16 Shirley (200.92.83.18) -

I am a Philippines passport holder 26 y.o. and i have FM3 good for one year and leave in Mexico for 5 months with my American fiance and we travel all over Asia for 2 years. Is there somebody tell me that if i can use my only FM3 travel to Belize.And i am worry about the Immigration maybe they not let me in.

Thank you

Regards Shirley

Comment #17 yuri (63.224.107.182) -

Im a mexican citizen my husband resides in El Salvador what or what forms should i fill out so he can visit me in mexico?

Comment #18 pale_o (63.176.159.174) -

Dustin, I am choosing not to take you any seriously. How could you trade citizenship with another person? It seems then that everyone here has a different view of the requirements so why not do your research well and also visit the embassy?

One thing about the law is that it has a long hand; better suffer through the hassles of ensuring a smooth process than be dubious and live like a fugitive!

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