Navigating Immigration, Cancun

[V]

[NOTHING SAID ON THIS THREAD CONSTITUTES LEGAL ADVICE: IN IT, PEOPLE ARE MERELY REFLECTING ON THEIR EXPERIENCES AND IMPRESSIONS OF THE PROCESSES OF MEXICAN IMMIGRATION AND LAW. NOTHING CAN SUBSTITUTE FOR COMPETENT LEGAL ADVICE, AND THIS THREAD IS NOT INTENDED TO BE SUCH. AT MOST, YOU CAN ONLY RELY ON IT TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF ACQUAINTING YOURSELF WITH THE LAW AND PROCEDURES INVOLVED.]

On the thread, Why do you live in Cancun?, I said that one of the reasons we chose Mexico as a place to live was the (relatively) inexpensive and (relatively) simple process of getting permission to live here, if you're self-sufficient financially: with permission of immigration you can work here

Foolish though it may be, I decided to apply for an FM3 Visitante Professional. I know, it's crazy to work if you don't have to but, after a lengthy "semi-retired" period and a new country to live in, I decided to pick up the pace, a little. There was also subtle pressure from my wife who, having decided herself to take a lengthy break from her career, realized she wouldn't want me around the house all day, and began to suggest a little work could be good for me! Last week I began the process of getting permission to work.

I've been through this routine every year in every country I've lived in over the last seventeen years so I'm undaunted by government offices that appear chaotic- but, are often populated by people who're just quietly getting on with their part of the operation while ignoring the chaos around them. Cancun Immigration is no exception, in my opinion. They process something in excess of 25,000 visa applications a year and they don't have much time to put on a pleasant front.

It would be nice, of course, if the place were well signed; or, if there were numbered lines on the floor which you could follow, showing you the flow of work through the office; but, there's not. Instead, you find yourself just kind of milling about, trying to guess where you need to go, and what you may need to do next. For those with a strong need to know what's happening, and what they're supposed to be doing, this would be like a bad dream.

Fortunately, for anyone who wants to avoid those kinds of unpleasant emotions; or, who really doesn't have any business spending time trying to figure it all out, there is that wonderfully pleasant and competent, fully English speaking gentleman, who is often recommended on this forum, attorney Mauricio Mendoza! In preparation for my assault on immigration, I consulted with him twice; and, for a very reasonable fee he will walk your visa through for you.

Now, you might say that my visa application was straightforward, but I wasn't convinced. So, I put together as strong a package as I thought I could, under the circumstances. I had, for example, eight pages of officially translated documents: this alone added 2,000 pesos to the total cost of my application. In addition, there were certified, and apostilled, degrees and certifications to get up, all at considerable trouble and some extra expense. But, in the end, I had the best package I could assemble, practically speaking. (Here's where I get to the part that may have some meaning for you, should you choose to brave it.)

I have been pleased to find that, here in Cancun, in the midst of all that chaos, there are English speaking (after a fashion) staff that will come to your aid.

Today, at Immigration and hoping to hear that my application had been approved, I was instead presented with an very official looking request that I verify, further, my place of residence. Disappointed that my application had not sailed through, I was nevertheless planning to deal with it- that day if possible- when, as I was leaving, I was detained by one of these English speaking staff I referred to earlier. He insisted on explaining the problem to me and suggesting possible solutions. Unnecessary- I thought- but nice.

Two hours later, I returned with documents I hoped would do the job, and looked for this same man. He looked over my new offerings, told me to wait, and went to the back of the office. When he came out, he said their lawyer had tentatively approved the FM3. He then proceeded to officially log in the new documents I'd prepared, and told me to come back in four days.
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Going through Immigration, like receiving medical services, is a different experience for different people. Some will report a "sterling" experience; and, others a "nightmare". I'm glad mine, so far, has been mainly of the former variety.

[RiverGirl]

Glad to hear you are having an easy time with INM. But you are doing your homework and your due-diligence. You are not setting yourself up to have trouble with INM, and you should not expect trouble from them.

One thing that many do not realize is that no two applications to apply for immigrant status are the same. There is always a wish for clear and simple answers to immigration questions, but every case is unique, so there aren't universal answers. There are only guidelines and examples of other cases. The immigration law in Mexico is not even applied the same way in any two INM offices in the country, though I'm certain they try to apply it in a uniform manner.

I am curious where you get this statistic?:

They process something in excess of 25,000 visa applications a year and they don't have much time to put on a pleasant front.

Now I'm certainly guilty of not always being pleasant (just this morning I got called a "fucking bitch" by someone I've never met)...but it is my humble opinion that there is ALWAYS time to try to be nice. And INM doesn't get out of that obligation just because they are busy.

[V]

Under Mexican Law, these are the categories of non-immigrant visa that are the most likely to be of interest to foreigners coming here to live. Approval of one of these visas would, in the ordinary case, give you a right to live here for one year, or the duration of your contract (whether for personal services or contract of employment), whichever is less. Any of these can be renewed indefinitely, provided you continue to meet the requirements for the visa.

Visiting Businessman, or Investor;
Visiting Technician, or Scientist;
Visiting Professional;
Visiting Advisor;
Visiting Artist, or Sportsman; and,
Visiting Person holding a position of trust*

*A member of a corporate board, or other officer of a corporation, might be such a person: this category could be applied to a foreigner who has created a wholly foreign owned corporation, and wishes permission to manage it.

And, lastly,

Visiting Rentista, a person who is financially self-sufficient, and wishes to live in Mexico, on their own resources.

This later category is perhaps the most common, the easiest to understand and qualify for. Most of the foreigners I've met, who are living in Cancun, permanently, do so with this visa, renewing it annually.

[V]

FM3, VISITANTE RENTISTA

If you are interested in living in Mexico, and wish to have official permission to do so, one of the ways to do this is with an FM3 Visitante Rentista. Rentista means wealthy, but in practice that just means you have financial resources sufficient to live in Mexico, without working, for a period of one year.

The resources required may be in the form of an income stream from abroad, or cash in the bank from which you can draw; and, if based on an income stream, then the equivalent of $13,250 pesos per month. If based on money in the bank, there is no clear guidance on this in the law, but a sum the equivalent of 15 times $13,250 pesos should suffice, as it would be more than the total of 12 months of the required income stream. (The law also states that you only need half these sums, if you own your own residence, in Mexico.) If relying on money on deposit in the bank, more is better, up to a point, so no doubt is left about your ability to support yourself for one year.

The amounts mentioned above are for one person; but, a married couple, applying together, may not need the equivalent of 2X the above sums, but should have significantly more than that required for one.

If you intend to rely on an income stream, then it must be reflected as a regular deposit to your bank account in your monthly statements.

As with anything, knowing what you'll need, and preparing ahead of time may make the difference between success and failure. Now, as to what you'll need to have, in order to apply.

a) the original, and a copy, of the application, itself;
b) your passport, and a copy of each and every page of it, whether blank, or not;
c) the original, and a copy of the document given you when you entered Mexico: for many of you this will be an FMT;
d) a letter in Spanish, signed by yourself and addressed to the National Institute of Migration, in which you request a change of your status in the country to that of non-immigrant, Visitante Rentista, to live in Mexico at your own expense, relying on resources from outside the country;
e) the last three monthly statements (originals) from a bank account standing in your name, which either reflect the required income stream, or the balance on deposit, if you're relying on a sum on deposit, rather than an income stream (you will have brought these bank statements with you when you entered Mexico, so you are ready to begin this process), and a copy of each statement;
f) official translations of the three bank statements (easily obtained in Cancun, after you arrive), and copy of each translation;
g) proof that you've paid the initial fee required of you with the application, consisting of the receipt you will be given when you pay the required fee at any bank in Mexico, and three copies of same;
h) proof of your actual residence in Mexico, which can be a paid utility bill, bearing your actual address, for a utility service which is billed in your name; or, if the utility account is in the name of another, then, in addition to the bill and a copy of it- a letter from that person, 1) signed under a declaration they are telling the truth; which 2) shows the address of the property; and, 3) names you as living there, with 4) the date on which you began living there- together with a copy of their personal identification; and, a copy of each and every one of these.

These documents, submitted to the Immigration Offices, are sufficient to start the process of review. In Cancun, you may be told to come back in one week, at which time you will be told if your application has been approved. If approved, you will be given a date and time to return, and a new set of instructions to follow. You will be asked to pay an additional sum at a bank; and to have photos made of you which follow certain guidelines, both front and side views.

There will be additional visits to be made before the process is complete, but if you've gotten this far, the rest should be easy.

[V]

To better understand what's involved in the process of obtaining an FM3, based on financial self-sufficiency, I'll share with you my wife's experience.

My wife has completed the process of obtaining the non immigrant visa "Visitante Rentista". The process involved a total of five trips to immigration, if we count the visit to obtain the forms for the application. At each stage, the staff was helpful (within the limitations of their English and our Spanish) and not unpleasant, if not overly solicitous.

First, we presented the application (no appointment required), together with the required proof of financial self-sufficiency which, in our case, was money in the bank in the U.S., as neither of us was receiving a pension, at the time. We attached the last three month's bank statements, along with official translations of them into Spanish. (The required attachments to the application are detailed in the forms provided, and includes a receipt for payment to any local bank of the sum of 491 pesos.) We were told that the application appeared to be complete, with all the required items present, and to return in five days.

Five days later, we again went to immigration where we were told the application had been approved. We were then given a specific date and time, about five weeks later, to complete the next step. But, we had a problem with the date they gave us (we were planning to fly to the U.S.). When we told the staff about it they changed the appointment time to a nearer date so we could get the FM3 before our trip.

At our appointment we presented the required black and white passport photos, front and side view. They reviewed with my wife the details that were to go on the FM3, filling it out in her presence; then, told us to come back in one week to collect the officially signed and sealed FM3, with photo inserted.

One week later, it was ready, as promised. We presented proof that we'd paid the fees for the FM3, an additional 1291 pesos. (The first sum, 491 pesos, is the charge for reviewing your application; the second sum is for delivery of the FM3, itself.) We reviewed the new FM3, immediately, before leaving the office, and found it contained an error in the personal data. We called the error to the staff's attention, and they corrected it while we waited. This took about ten minutes.

We paid only the official fees, as posted in the office, and no employee hinted that extra money would be required, or helpful, at any stage of the process.

The total cost for obtaining the FM3, Visitante Rentista, including the required translations, copies and photos, was about 2,500 pesos.

[V]

My FM3 has been approved, to work, "forma independiente." This means I need no employer to sponsor me, and I can accept business from any individual, organization, corporation, etc., doing business on the territory of Mexico. I will have to go to the tax office to obtain a tax number, and begin filing monthly reports of income and expenses, as soon as I start having income.

I will be working, as the term implies, independently, and not for or through any corporation or other entity. The simplest way to put it is, I'm self-employed, by permission of immigration, in Mexico.

This is not the first time this concept has appeared on this forum. At least one other poster, Susan in Cancun, has spoken of having this status as, I believe, a photographer, in her case. Isla Zina has also mentioned a person she knew with this status in Mexico, working as a consultant on construction projects.

I have, in the past, on this forum, mentioned this concept, myself.

As for working independently, without forming a corporation, performing personal services, I've been told it is possible, if you can satisfy immigration you are not displacing a Mexican from potential employment- which requirement is most easily satisfied by a showing that you have qualifications/experience that Mexicans cannot match, as a practical matter. Immigration calls this permission to work, "forma independiente".

[For further information, and to receive professional guidance, contact Mauricio Mendoza, 9981591599. He is a very knowledgeable, professional and approachable attorney, specializing in the area of immigration. In every case in which I've wanted to consult with him, I've been able to see him the same day; but, the only reliable way to contact him is by phone. Do not waste your time with emails!]
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I've talked about my experiences in immigration on this thread, and others. They have been generally positive. Today was different. I had a 12:15 appointment. At least four times while I waited from 12:15 until 12:30, when my case was called, staff of immigration approached me, spontaneously, to assure me everything was proceeding normally, and not to worry. I told them I was in no hurry.... (This last paragraph was intended to be ironic, in case you hadn't already guessed!)

[T.J.]

V,

You are a valuable contributor to your own thread. LOL.

You mentioned that you must have the money in the bank. Would you agree that you need to deposit that amount of money in the bank and not merely have that much in the bank?

Theoretically, a person of means but without income, could merely transfer funds from one of his or her accounts to another, and then transfer it back either in full or in part, like from an interest bearing account to a regular checking account. This would seemingly meet the criteria for the Rentista FM3.

What do you think about this? It may be strange that a person could have an interest bearing account yet have no income, but that is beside the point. Said person could transfer back and forth from one checking account to another and meet the criteria. IMN does not ask about the source of the funds deposited on the bank statements submitted.

And, are you saying you did not submit proof of residence (not the proper name) with your application? My attorney has a checklist and makes sure every t is crossed and every i dotted before submission. That said, she makes multiple copies of the entire package as it always seems that Migracion rejects it initially for some form that they already have.

THE ONLY LEGITIMATE PROBLEM THAT WE MISSED, was that my US passport expiration date was Feb. 1, 2009 and my FM3 expiration was Oct. 31, 2008. At the last moment before I was to leave the country we were advised of the problem - they would not issue an FM3 whose exp date exceeded that of the passport. So off to Merida I went at the crack of dawn the next day, a Wed. and the following Wed my new passport was couriered to my door. There was a separate $100 fee for this to Pegaso or however it is spelled. Also, I received emails from the US Consulate and from the courier advising me of its progress. Oddly though, one of them said I had to show my passport to the delivery guy in order for my passport to be delivered. Go figure.

[V]

T.J., on the first of your two points, immigration does not seem to require proof of income for the V. Rentista: they seem merely to require proof of an ability to maintain yourself, on your own resources, for a period of one year. A sufficiently large sum of money, on deposit in a bank, at the time of application, will satisfy this requirement, as it did in my wife's case.

(I wouldn't have inferred, from reading the Mexican Law, that this would be the case, because it doesn't appear there; but, as we talked with people with V. Rentista visas, we began to realize that was the case. That this was true was also confirmed, before we prepared my wife's application, by talking with Mauricio Mendoza. We then tested it ourselves, by including only proof of a sum on deposit in a bank, rather than an income stream, and found it to be true, when they approved my wife's application.)

In any process of this type, I think it's useful to keep things as clear, simple and straight forward as possible, which we did. It's easier to do, than to talk about, as we are doing here!

The fact that immigration do not require more, also means it's possible to apply for, and obtain, a V. Rentista, without disclosing much of your total wealth, or total income, if that is your wish.

Regarding your second point, I submitted proof of residence with my application, initially: they were not satisfied with the form and quality of the proof, and asked for additional proof, which I gave them. Since I gave it to them, and they approved it, the same day, no time was lost in the process. My FM3, and that of my wife, took less than 30 days to get, from the time of the initial application.

[V]

For those who like to read the law directly, themselves, here is the Mexican Immigration Law. Just scroll through it 'till you find the parts you're most interested in.

I've reproduced only an excerpt from the section pertaining to "non-immigrants," for the sake of brevity, no kidding!.
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SECCIÓN III.- No Inmigrantes

Artículo 159.- Toda autorización para que un extranjero o extranjera sea admitido en el país como No Inmigrante debe ser concedida por acuerdo del Secretario, Subsecretario o Comisionado. Esta facultad puede ser delegada a las autoridades que determinen el Secretario, Subsecretario, o Comisionado.

Artículo 160.- TURISTAS.- La internación de turistas quedará sujeta a las siguientes disposiciones:

I. La autorización para permanecer en el país se concederá hasta por seis meses a partir de su expedición y no será susceptible de prórroga. Sólo por enfermedad que impida viajar, o por otra causa de fuerza mayor debidamente comprobada, se podrá conceder un plazo adicional para la salida del extranjero o extranjera.

En los casos de turistas que hayan sido documentados originalmente por una temporalidad menor a los seis meses, la Secretaría podrá, cuando lo estime conveniente, ampliar la temporalidad hasta completarlos, y

II. Cuando la Secretaría lo juzgue conveniente, podrá autorizar la prerrogativa de entradas y salidas múltiples al país en esta característica migratoria.

Artículo 161.- TRANSMIGRANTES.- La internación de extranjeros y extranjeras en tránsito hacia otro país, se regirá por las disposiciones siguientes:

I. La autorización de internación se concederá hasta por treinta días improrrogables contados a partir de su expedición;

II. No podrán cambiar de calidad o característica migratoria, y

III. En ningún caso se autorizará la internación como transmigrante al extranjero que carezca de permiso de admisión al país hacia donde se dirige y del permiso de tránsito en los países limítrofes de la República Mexicana comprendidos en su ruta.

Artículo 162.- VISITANTES.- A las personas a que se refiere la fracción III del artículo 42 de la Ley, se aplicarán las siguientes reglas:

I. Se les concederá el permiso para dedicarse al ejercicio de alguna actividad lucrativa o no, siempre que sea lícita y honesta, de acuerdo a los siguientes supuestos:

a) Cuando el extranjero visitante viva durante su estancia de sus recursos traídos del extranjero, de las rentas que éstos produzcan, de cualquier ingreso proveniente del exterior o de sus inversiones en el país;

b) Cuando su internación tenga como propósito conocer alternativas deinversión o para realizar éstas;

c) Cuando se dedique a actividades científicas, técnicas, de asesoría, artísticas, deportivas o similares o de observación de derechos humanos, incluyendo la de los procesos electorales;

d) Cuando pretenda ocupar cargos de confianza, y

e) Cuando pretenda asistir a asambleas y sesiones del consejo de administración de empresas.

Salvo lo dispuesto en el artículo 163, la Secretaría establecerá los requisitos que deberán acreditarse en cada uno de los supuestos mencionados, así como las modalidades en que se clasificarán las actividades que pretenda desarrollar el extranjero o extranjera;

II. El permiso se autorizará hasta por un año, y podrán concederse cuatro prórrogas, por igual temporalidad cada una.

Tratándose de los inversionistas a que se refiere la fracción I del artículo 163 de este Reglamento, el permiso se otorgará por un año, más las prórrogas que, en su caso, se concedan.

En todos los casos la temporalidad concedida permitirá entradas y salidas múltiples;

III. La Secretaría fijará a los extranjeros y extranjeras a quienes se conceda esta característica migratoria, las actividades a que podrán dedicarse, y, cuando lo estime necesario, el lugar de su residencia. Los extranjeros y extranjeras deberán acreditar la capacidad económica que les permita permanecer en el país;

IV. Los extranjeros y extranjeras podrán ser admitidos para ejercer una actividad remunerada o lucrativa, siempre que la solicitud de admisión se formule por la empresa, institución o persona que pretenda utilizar sus servicios, o por el mismo extranjero o extranjera cuando pretenda trabajar en forma independiente;

V. La empresa, institución o persona que haya hecho la solicitud, será responsable solidariamente con el extranjero o extranjera por el monto de las sanciones a que se haga acreedor y, en su caso, costeará los gastos de su repatriación. Cuando trabaje en forma independiente, los gastos correrán por su cuenta, y

VI. Las prórrogas podrán concederse siempre y cuando el extranjero o extranjera demuestre que subsisten las condiciones bajo las cuales se concedió la característica migratoria.

La Secretaría tendrá facultad discrecional para juzgar sobre el otorgamiento de las prórrogas, en el caso de que hubieren cambiado las condiciones señaladas en la autorización.

Artículo 163.- El extranjero o extranjera que solicite autorización, dentro de la característica de Visitante a que se refiere el artículo anterior, en las modalidades que específicamente se señalan, se sujetará a las siguientes reglas:

I. VISITANTE DE NEGOCIOS E INVERSIONISTA. Al extranjero o extranjera que pretenda internarse en el territorio nacional con el objeto de conocer diferentes alternativas de inversión, realizar una inversión directa o supervisarla, representar a una empresa extranjera, o realizar transacciones comerciales, se aplicará lo siguiente:

1. Para personas de negocios:

a) Será necesario presentar la carta de invitación de las cámaras de comercio o industria, asociaciones empresariales, organismos públicos o privados, o de empresas industriales, comerciales o instituciones financieras; o

b) Acreditar mediante carta bancaria que contará mensualmente durante un año con el equivalente a quinientos días el salario mínimo vigente en el Distrito Federal, o carta de solvencia económica de la empresa que representa durante el tiempo de su estanciaen el país;

2. Para inversionistas:

a) Será necesario presentar una constancia expedida por el Registro Nacional de Inversiones Extranjeras, o la documentación que acredite la inversión mínima del equivalente a veintiséis mil días el salario mínimo vigente en el Distrito Federal; o

b) Cuando la inversión consista en la adquisición de bienes inmuebles, se deberá presentar la escritura pública en que conste la compra venta o el contrato de fideicomiso por el que adquiera derechos de fideicomisario, por un monto mínimo equivalente a cuarenta mil días el salario mínimo vigente en el Distrito Federal;

3. Los representantes comerciales podrán presentar la carta de la empresa extranjera que otorgue el nombramiento correspondiente y acreditarán la solvencia económica en los términos del inciso b) del numeral 1, y

4. Los extranjeros y extranjeras que realicen transacciones comerciales, podrán presentar copia del contrato o contratos de compra venta por un monto equivalente a veintiséis mil días el salario mínimo vigente en el Distrito Federal y acreditarán solvencia económica en los términos del inciso b) del numeral 1.

II. VISITANTE TÉCNICO O CIENTÍFICO. El extranjero o extranjera cuya internación tenga como propósito la iniciación o ejecución de un proyecto de inversión específico, dar asesoría a instituciones públicas o privadas, realizar, preparar o dirigir investigaciones científicas, dar conferencias, cursos o divulgar algún tipo de conocimiento, realizar actividades técnicas en la elaboración de un proyecto de inversión, diseñar o iniciar la operación o construcción de una planta, capacitar a otros técnicos bajo contratos de prestación de servicios previamente pactados o prestar servicios contemplados en un contrato de transferencia de tecnología, patentes o marcas, deberán acreditar:

a) Solicitud formulada por institución pública o privada que pretenda utilizar los servicios manifestando la naturaleza del proyecto o actividad en que intervendrán y el tiempo estimado de su estancia, y

b) Copia de la carta invitación de la institución pública o privada de que se trate o copia del contrato de prestación de servicios profesionales o de transferencia tecnológica de patenteso marcas.

III. VISITANTE RENTISTA. El extranjero o extranjera que durante su estancia en el país viva de sus depósitos traídos del exterior, de las rentas que éstos produzcan, de cualquier ingreso también proveniente del exterior o de sus inversiones en el país, para obtener su característica migratoria, deberá:

a) Comprobar un ingreso mínimo mensual equivalente a doscientos cincuenta veces el salario mínimo general diario vigente en el Distrito Federal;

b) Si solicita la autorización para dependientes familiares, el monto mensual señalado aumentará en ciento veinticinco veces el salario mínimo vigente en el Distrito Federal, por cada persona que dependa económicamente de él, y

c) Los montos antes señalados se comprobarán con carta de la institución financiera, banco mexicano o extranjero, o de la institución fiduciaria, en donde se acredite que la persona cuenta por lo menos con el ingreso mínimo mensual señalado.

La Secretaría podrá autorizar que el extranjero o extranjera acredite hasta el equivalente al cincuenta por ciento del monto señalado en el inciso a), cuando demuestre la adquisición de un bien inmueble destinado para uso propio como casa habitación.

Para que los extranjeros o extranjeras a que se refiere esta fracción puedan realizar actividades remuneradas o lucrativas, necesitarán autorización de la Secretaría, que la otorgará cuando a su juicio lo estime conveniente.

IV. VISITANTE PROFESIONAL. El extranjero o extranjera cuya internación tenga como propósito el ejercicio de una profesión en forma independiente o mediante la prestación de servicios a empresas o instituciones públicas o privadas, deberá presentar:

a) Carta oferta de trabajo de la institución oficial o privada que requiera de los servicios o asesoría del profesionista, manifestando el domicilio donde laborará;

b) Exhibir copia del título profesional y, en su caso, de la cédula profesional respectiva, y

c) En el caso de que el extranjero o extranjera profesionista pretendan ejercer en forma independiente, deberá cumplir con lo establecido en el inciso anterior e indicar la actividad y el lugar donde pretende desempeñarla.

V. VISITANTE CARGO DE CONFIANZA. El extranjero o extranjera que pretendan internarse al país para asumir cargos de dirección, de administrador único u otros de absoluta confianza en empresas, instituciones o negociaciones establecidas en la República Mexicana, deberá presentar:

a) Carta oferta de trabajo precisando el cargo que el extranjero o extranjera vayan a desempeñar en la empresa, institución o negociación que pretenda utilizar sus servicios o el contrato de prestación de servicios manifestando el domicilio donde laborará.

En ambos documentos deberá indicarse que su vigencia se sujeta a la autorización correspondiente de la Secretaría;

b) Última declaración del pago de impuestos de la empresa, institución o negociación, según sea el caso, y

c) Atendiendo a las circunstancias del caso concreto, la Secretaría podrá solicitar al interesado que acredite su capacidad para el cargo que pretende ocupar, siempre y cuando ello se haga sin perjuicio de lo dispuesto en los tratados internacionales de los que México sea parte.

En los casos de las fracciones I, II, IV y V de este artículo el solicitante deberá presentar el acta constitutiva de la empresa o constancia expedida por notario público en que conste la denominación, objeto social y domicilio de la empresa o copia de la última declaración del pago de impuestos o constancia del Registro Nacional de Inversiones Extranjeras o de inscripción de la cámara, asociación u organismo correspondiente.

VI. VISITANTE OBSERVADOR DE DERECHOS HUMANOS. Tratándose de visitantes observadores de derechos humanos, la solicitud y el permiso respectivo se otorgarán de conformidad con las siguientes reglas:

a) El permiso de internación se autorizará exclusivamente por las oficinas centrales del Instituto;

b) Los sujetos que podrán ingresar al amparo de la presente fracción serán aquellos extranjeros y extranjeras que pretendan internarse a México para conocer la situación de los derechos humanos in situ, independientemente de que pertenezcan o no a un Organismo No Gubernamental. La solicitud de internación deberá ser presentada cuando menos con quince días de anticipación a la fecha en que pretendan internarse a territorio nacional, el Comisionado podrá autorizar la disminución de este plazo;

c) Tratándose de grupos, la autorización se realizará de manera individual en un máximo de diez individuos por organización o grupo de organizaciones. El Comisionado podrá autorizar la ampliación de ese límite;

d) La temporalidad autorizada será de diez días contados a partir de la fecha de ingreso a territorio nacional, el Comisionado podrá autorizar la ampliación de la temporalidad concedida y, en su caso, la prerrogativa de entradas y salidas múltiples;

e) El Comisionado, podrá autorizar al Directivo de mayor rango de Organizaciones No Gubernamentales Internacionales con estatus del Consejo Económico y Social de la Organización de las Naciones Unidas, estancias en nuestro país, por una temporalidad hasta de un año, mismas que pueden ser prorrogadas a su vencimiento, a solicitud del interesado;

f) Para los casos en que un observador de derechos humanos se encuentre documentado en México y pretenda visitar otra entidad federativa distinta a la autorizada, deberá solicitarlo a las oficinas centrales del Instituto o a la Delegación que corresponda, anexando el nuevo programa de trabajo a desarrollar, y

g) La solicitud de internación deberá cumplir los siguientes requisitos:

1. Anexar, en su caso, copia certificada de la escritura constitutiva o del instrumento que acredite la legal existencia de la Organización No Gubernamental, con su respectiva traducción al español; se debe acreditar que la citada organización cuenta con una antigüedad mínima de cinco años al momento de presentar la solicitud; o acreditar que cuenta con el estatus consultivo del Consejo Económico y Social de las Naciones Unidas;

2. Documento por medio del cual se acredite plenamente ser miembro de la Organización No Gubernamental;

3. Programa de trabajo en el que se señale: actividades, instituciones a visitar o entrevistar, así como las entidades federativas y localidades que pretenda visitar;

4. Documentos, registros o certificaciones que acrediten la experiencia previa del extranjero en relación con las actividades que pretende realizar;

5. Cuando la visita sea consecuencia de invitación de una Organización No Gubernamental o institución mexicana, se deberá presentar la carta invitación y la carta responsiva emitida por persona legalmente facultada para ello; en todo caso, la institución mexicana deberá acreditar los requisitos previstos en el numeral uno;

6. Cuando se trate de un observador de derechos humanos que no pertenezca a una Organización No Gubernamental deberá acreditar tener experiencia en las actividades que pretenda desarrollar, y

7. Tratándose de visitas que tengan dentro de su finalidad la de otorgar donaciones, deberá, adicionalmente, cumplir con la normatividad aplicable.

Una vez autorizada la internación del extranjero o extranjera al país, en el documento migratorio respectivo se anotará el contenido de los artículos 9, 11 y 33 de la Constitución Política de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos; así como 34 y 43 de la Ley General de Población.

VII. VISITANTE PARA CONOCER PROCESOS ELECTORALES. El extranjero o extranjera que pretenda internarse a territorio nacional para conocer las modalidades del desarrollo de procesos electorales federales o estatales en su caso, se ajustará a las siguientes reglas:

a) Toda solicitud deberá estar avalada por el organismo electoral federal o local de que se trate, según sea el proceso electoral que se pretenda cubrir;

b) El interesado deberá acreditar de manera fehaciente que pertenece a una organización, institución o asociación que tenga objetivos congruentes con las actividades que pretenda realizar, misma que deberá respaldar su solicitud y acreditar plenamente que se responsabiliza de cubrir los gastos que origine la estancia del extranjero en el país, y

c) Una vez autorizada la internación del extranjero o extranjera al país, en el documento migratorio respectivo se anotará el contenido de los artículos 9, 11 y 33 de la Constitución Política de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos; así como 34 y 43 de la Ley.

VIII. VISITANTE CONSEJERO. El extranjero o extranjera que pretenda internarse al país para asistir a asambleas o sesiones del consejo de administración de empresas, se sujetará a las siguientes reglas:

a) El permiso se autorizará por la temporalidad de un año prorrogable hasta por cuatro veces más por igual temporalidad cada una;

b) Para la autorización de esta característica migratoria solamente se requerirá la presentación de la constancia de su nombramiento por la asamblea de accionistas;

c) Dentro de la temporalidad concedida, el permiso de estancia podrá ser utilizado en entradas y salidas múltiples, y

d) Sólo en casos de enfermedad o por causa de fuerza mayor debidamente comprobada, se le otorgará un plazo especial para salir del país.

Artículo 164.- MINISTRO DE CULTO O ASOCIADO RELIGIOSO.- Para los efectos de la fracción IV del artículo 42 de la Ley, las Asociaciones Religiosas, deberán acreditar su registro con la constancia correspondiente que expida la Secretaría o cualquier otro documento fehaciente que acredite tal registro.

Igualmente, se entenderá que el extranjero o extranjera de cuyo trámite migratorio se trate, es Ministro de Culto o Asociado Religioso, con antelación a la solicitud de dicho trámite, siempre que la Secretaría lo informe por escrito.

Asimismo, se les requerirá cumplir con lo siguiente:

I. Comprobar a satisfacción de la Secretaría la percepción periódica e ininterrumpida de medios económicos para su sostenimiento;

II. Manifestar en su solicitud el tipo de actividades que desarrollará, así como el ámbito territorial en el que se desempeñarán sus funciones;

III. Al solicitar su prórroga anual, deberá comprobar que subsisten las condiciones bajo las cuales le fue otorgada esta característica, y

IV. Dada la naturaleza de esta característica migratoria, de asistencia social y filantrópica, no podrá realizar otra actividad, independientemente de que sea remunerada o no, sin la autorización previa de la Secretaría.

[Steve]

I would like to nominate V for longest cut and paste ever.

[V]

Thank you, Steve. I hope this didn't screw up the system!

[V]

The total volume of work, and individual pieces of paper, processed through INM, Cancun, is truly enormous. Keeping this flow going smoothly through the system so as to avoid a hugh "pile-up," and resulting backlog, is no easy task; yet, they seem to manage to do it. There being so many cases of a routine nature to process, and a number which are not so easy to evaluate and process, they cannot afford to do what is sometimes suggested, "to cause trouble," even if they are, individually, tempted to do so by a particularly annoying or demanding applicant for a visa.

I've found, in most areas of life, it pays to try to understand things from the other person's point of view; and, when dealing with a big bureaucracy (anybody else have trouble spelling that word? I always have), to "have all my ducks in a row", making their job as easy as possible, and giving them the least reason to need to take time to deal with omissions or errors in what I've submitted. My wife's application, for a V. Rentista, was legally much simpler, and required far less paperwork than mine did, so we didn't bother to seek legal counsel; but, with my application for a V. Professional, and permission to work "en forma independiente," it was important that it be as well prepared as possible. For this reason, I met twice, before submitting it, with legal counsel, Mauricio Mendoza, who has been mentioned earlier on this thread.

One other thing I've found useful through the years in dealing with any bureaucracy is think the best of other people: try to believe, and act on the belief, that they are well intentioned toward you and wish to do well by you, and others. Take INM, for example: it will not help you get through the process, personally, nor help speed your paperwork through the process, to imagine that they are, beneath a smiling exterior, evil/corrupt/dishonest/malevolent, or any number of other negative things you could think about them. Instead, try to imagine they are people like you- but with a more boring job- who get up in the morning wishing for nothing more than to get through their day with a minimum of hassles, and to get back home to their families.

The last thing I'd like to say is that, when communicating with those who work in an office like this, should you hear something that sounds somewhat "negative" to you, don't assume you've understood, perfectly, what they've said, and it's implications for you. It's better to remain calm, take time to listen further, and ask a mild question or two, to clarify. You may find you've simply misunderstood them. And, if what you've heard is something like, "come back in a week," assume it is for good reason, known only to them, that they have said so- smile and accept it.

Following my own advice as to how to approach this task, both mine and my wife's visa applications took less than 30 days, start to finish.

[mixz1]

We met Mauricio there yesterday. We had to appear in person because we had used up our 5 pages and needed new booklets, which meant new fingerprints and photos.

This was the first time we had gone down there in 4 years, and while it's the same poorly lit, dingy and overcrowded physucal plant, with the waiting area hard pressed up against the toilet doors, albeit with functioning air-conditioning, the attitudinal differences among the staff were apparent.

We were called within 6 minutes of our appointed time even though the place was overflowing (as usual). My wife and I were interviewed brought behind the counter, fingerprinted by two agents at adjacent desks, who consulted with each other to make sure common information was entered identically. Although we spoke Spanish with them, they were comfortable with English, and we had a fun dialog, with some jokes and Ida comparisons. All in all a 15 minute exercise. In all, it seemed as people were less harried, happier and more willing to be helpful and cooperative. Big change.

This was in stark contrast to 4 years ago, when it was visit after visit, endless hours on line in front of grim faced, truculent agents who seemed to change the rules on each subsequent visit, demanding a modification in a preroga, come back next week and then another agent saying the modification made to one of the 3 or 4 prerogas was wrong, come back again next week. After all that BS, Mauricio was a godsend (thanks RG). And the place was not airconditioned, so the effluvia from the very proximal toilets was even more intimately bound to the overall sweaty atmosphere.

We will pick up our FM3s from Mauricio 15 days after we signed the applications at his office. Bravo Mauricio. Meanwhile, one has to wonder why this grim concrete shack continues to be the face of the Mexican government that immigrants have to face. They've obviously done something to improve the attitudes of the agents. Now it's time to give them a decent place to work in, with adequate space, cooling and light, clean and distant rest rooms, a comfortable waiting area large enough to handle the average daily flow and adequate employee and client parking. As my Mexican friends say, ojala!

[CancunCanuck]

To keep up my record of never having an easy time with immigration, I've now been waiting more than two months for permission to change jobs. My FM2 had been approved in May, so this is my second run around with them this year. My new employer is taking care of the process instead of Mauricio (I practically begged them to let Mauricio do it, but they said they had their own people). I'm beyond frustrated. If I don't see some action this week, I am going to insist that Mauricio take over the process.

[V]

Cancuncanuck, sounds to me like a problem with the employer, rather than with INM, in all likelihood. With the matter in third party hands, rather than in yours or your attorney's, you can never be sure what the real problem is....

I won't speculate, beyond what I already have. I just wouldn't jump to the conclusion that the trouble lies with INM, in circumstances like these. There are too many ways an employer can screw it up, even if they are well intentioned.

I have known situations in which people made some mistakes in the way they handled something, up to a point- such as an employer- suggest that others may be to blame for problems that have arisen. I've also seen cases in which people have said they've done something- like file an application on behalf of an employee- when they haven't yet, quite gotten around to it, but don't want to admit it; or, having filed it well after they said they had, resulting in "delay," not want to admit that, either.

[RiverGirl]

The current boss in the centro office is pretty good. He's taking suggestions (they never do that) and he keeps his door open so people can drop in and talk to him without appts (they never do that either). Oh, and people like him. Expect this state of contentment to last about 15 minutes.

Seriously though, that place goes through a new big boss about every 6 months. So nothing lasts long and it's tough to make long term positive changes.

Mauricio is worth his weight in gold.

[V]

I've now been waiting more than two months for permission to change jobs.

Sorry this is happening to you, Cancuncanuck. Just proves, even the most consistently positive poster can sometimes get a little discouraged by what, or what not, is happening with their visa process. (See previous page, this thread, for details.)
________________

Some of you who read this thread may have wondered why I should suppose the problem might be with the employer: one of the reasons is that the INM seems to give themselves just one calendar week to do a "turn around" on an application for an FM3. If you drop your papers in on a Tuesday, for example, they will tell you to come back on the Tuesday following, at which time you will find out one of three things, in all probability, as follows: a) the application has been approved; b) they will require further documentation or clarification; or, c) the application has been denied, outright.

If, upon your return, at the end of the one week period, you are given an exact day and time to return to the office, you will know your application's been approved. At your next visit, you will see your new FM3, for the first time, though it will not yet be ready for you to take home with you: that will require one more visit.

If, on the other hand, you are presented a very official looking letter, it will, in all probability, contain a request for further documentation; or, announce their decision to deny the application.

In both my wife's case, applying for a V. Rentista (a rather simple case for Immigration to deal with); and, in my case, applying for a V. Profesional, with permission to work independently (presenting them with a rather more challenging matter to process), INM gave themselves just one week in which to act on the application. We knew, in both cases, at the end of the first calendar week following submission, that our visa applications had been approved (though before I got that word, on mine, I had to bring in more documentation: since I did that, the same day, I also learned, the same day, that the lawyer for INM had approved my application).

As I said earlier, the volume of paper that flows through that office requires that they have systems and procedures in place which guarantee that the cases move through the system expeditiously. This first interval, of one week which they give themselves, helps insure that things do not descend into chaos around there by having too many cases backing up in the system.

[Isla Zina]

Just got word from Mauricio Mendoza that my FM2 renewal has been approved. This is the first time since the original FM3 that a renewal has been approved and done before the active document expired! And that's seven times at bat, one hit! Truth is migracion got it a week late, giving them only three weeks to do it, my fault. Thank you Mauricio.

[V]

Those things I've written about, so far, have been largely based on my reading of Mexican Immigration Law, my first hand observations and experiences of dealing with INM, and what I've been told by Mexican Immigration Lawyers. As I pointed out earlier, unless you're dealing with it personally, or you have a reliable, honest Mexican attorney handling it for you, as Isla Zina did, you may not be in a position to know what's actually happening in connection with a matter that concerns you, before the INM.
__________________

SOME ADDITIONAL OBSERVATIONS

If you hold an FM2/3, you must be aware of the expiration date, and plan your travel- as your document nears its expiration date- with care.

The first thing that happens when you apply for an FM2/3, is that INM takes your FMT away from you. (The FMT is the entry card you got when you went through passport control: it allows you to enter, remain for the period stated, and exit, one time.) Without it, you cannot travel out of Mexico. (If you are applying for renewal of an existing FM2/3, it is my impression that they take this document away from you, as well. Those who've had some first hand experience with this may be able to shed some light on this last point.) That being the case, you must think carefully about the timing, when filing an application for an FM2/3, requesting a renewal, changing employers, or requesting any other change in your immigration status, because you can never be confident exactly how long it will be before you get it and are again free to travel.

There is a way to manage the problem, though, if you are waiting to receive an FM2/3, and find you have a need to leave the country, according to what I've been told. The INM will, upon your request, give you a document which will allow you to exit and re-enter, one time. I would like to suggest that asking for this document, rather than waiting to get the FM2/3, when you have an urgent need to travel, is the only safe option. I would personally trust no one who says, "Don't worry, it will only be a few more days before you get the FM2/3". Why suffer the agony of waiting, and possible disruption to your plans that waiting would entail should your wait prove to be in vain, when it is unnecessary.

The second observation is that you should treat the subject of renewal of an FM2/3 with the same degree of seriousness as you did the original application. The reason for this is that the issues for INM, in regard to renewal, are the same issues they faced when issuing your document, originally; and, it is your burden, once again, to convince them you're entitled to the immigration status you are requesting. Be prepared in your request for renewal to offer just as convincing a package of materials as you did, initially.

The third observation, more speculation than observation on my part, is that it may work better, when coming up for renewal, to give INM less time to deal with it, rather than more. As I haven't faced the issue, and won't for almost a year, I'm speculating. Knowing only what I know now, I'd be tempted to submit my request for renewal just ten days before the expiry date- bearing in mind that, anytime you submit documents and request a decision from INM, you will not be free to travel, without taking the action I mentioned in the fourth paragraph of this post. (There may be other posters who, having had some first hand experience with renewals, can add something that would change my mind on this "third observation.")

Finally, keep yourself fully aware of the expiry date of your passport, upon which everything depends. Let it get anywhere near its expiration date (less than one year of validity left), and you may begin to encounter problems when you try to get an FM2/3, or have an FM2/3 renewed. Don't let it happen to you.

[V]

[From previous page, Nov. 11]

To keep up my record of never having an easy time with immigration, I've now been waiting more than two months for permission to change jobs.

C.C., have you got anything new to share about how that's going?

V.

[CancunCanuck]

Hey V,
It's all straightened out after months of back and forth. My FM2 is in hand, thanks for asking.

For those who might not know, if you want to change jobs while on a visa, you must ask permission from INM. You must first show an official document stating that you have left the previous company, then basically start the app process all over again with the new company. Technically you are not allowed to work while this is happening. So you leave your old job then wait for INM to allow you to work, ahem. In my case, the process took almost three months. This time around they asked me for documents that I have never been asked for before, education records from high school and university, apostilled (or in the case of Canada which does not have apostilles, legalized and authenticated). The legalization and authentication process cost me about $500 CAD (three pages of documents).

[V]

Glad this had a happy ending, C.C. Now we can see why the process took so long, this time around, even though the new employer may have been doing everything right!
_______________

C.C. mentioned how costly it was to get up all the required documents, in her case. Perhaps the simplest application for an FM3 you can have is for the V. Rentista. Even that one can end up costing 2,500 pesos in official fees and required, official document translations.

For permission to work, the cost will vary, depending on the type of job and how many supporting documents are required. In official fees, apostilles, certificates and translations my visa application, seeking permission to work, cost me about 5,500 pesos: much of this expense is a one-time expense, though, such as getting up apostilled school records which, once you have them, can be used again. The cost of renewal of my visa will be just half the cost of the original.

[V]

How to navigate airport immigration when leaving early, as related by other posters to this forum, collected here. The comments are primarily, if not exclusively, from the posts of Rivergirl and T.J.

My wife has followed these instructions, successfully, when she had an early flight to catch. Please feel free to offer any corrections you see necessary to bring the information up to date. V.
____________

In Terminal 2, the old terminal, the Alfa office (exit office) opens at 7 am, in theory. The main INM office is in that terminal, meaning the people working the nightshift are there. So in T2 if you need to get something from INM prior to 7 am you have to go to the main INM office, which the airline will help you find (maybe, if they are in the mood, etc).

In Terminal 3 that Alfa office (exit office) is supposed to open at 5 am. This means agents working the nightshift come from T2 to T3 at 5 am. Sometimes they come late (meaning they oversleep, or are busy checking in a flight). But, in theory, that office opens at 5 am, in reality 5:30 is more realistic.

INM is located in a cave at Terminal 3. Walk from the ticket counters towards the escalators that go up, but instead of going up go right down a hall. Then take another right and INM will be on the right in a pathetic tiny windowless office with no air.

Now, there is a shift change, in both terminals at 7 am. The agents in T3 have to go to T2 to sign out. So they leave the T3 Alfa office at 6:45 am or so in order to get back to T2 so they can leave on time (remember they make no money so you can't blame them for wanting to leave on time after working a nightshift).

The next shift comes on at 7 am, but they have to stop in T2 to sign in and get orientation for the day. So they don't make it to the Alfa office in T2 or in T3 until 7:15 or 7:30. There is a gap of at least half an hour in T3 most days. And in T2 Alfa opens at 7:15 in reality, not at 7 as it should.

Advance prep suggestions:

If it is convenient you can go there before your flight and ask for some FMEs and it is no big deal. When you come into Mexico from the US or Canada you can also get them from the flight attendants when they hand out the FMTs and Customs forms. THESE FORMS HAVE RED PRINTING. Do not use the FMEs with black printing.

[CancunMole]

INM is located in a cave at Terminal 3. Walk from the ticket counters towards the escalators that go up, but instead of going up go right down a hall. Then take another right and INM will be on the right in a pathetic tiny windowless office with no air.

When I returned to the States on the 15Th, I found that INM had moved to "Counter Space" on the outside wall west of the restaurant 'Berry Hill'.

[mixz1]

Originally Posted by CancunMole

When I returned to the States on the 15Th, I found that INM had moved to "Counter Space" on the outside wall west of the restaurant 'Berry Hill'.

Ditto, it was there a couple of days ago, so I guess it's permanent (or as permanent as things get down here).

[RiverGirl]

This is true...INM's Salida office (aka Alfa) in T3 is now opposite of the airline check-in area, sorta near the bathroom.

Hours for Alfa in T3 are roughly 5:30 am to 7:30 pm with variation depending on staffing and number of scheduled flights.

[V]

Nice to have the updates on the location of Immigration in T3. Here's one other perspective on the new location, from CancunGringa.

The immigration office is now in one of the booths right in the check-in area at terminal 3, near the end of the terminal where the escalator up to security is located, and next to the hallway going to the bathrooms (directly across from the Sun Country Airlines check-in area).

[V]

Immigration Law in Mexico specifies that you report any change of address to INM within 30 days. As I understand it, some people don't bother with this, finding it too much trouble (or erroneously believing they will have to pay a fee associated with the process), but they risk a fine, if discovered.

I recently moved, and went through the process, myself. In some respects it is like applying for an FM3, originally. You will fill out the same form you did to apply for an FM3 but check the box "other", and request a change of address. You will supply copies of every page of your passport and FM2/3, and formal proof of your new address, in the same manner as you did when you got your FM2/3, but there is no fee associated with the change of address.

As I often do, when dealing with these bureaucracies, I suggest going at a time when the rush is over- in this case, late in the morning- so as to avoid a line. If there are, nevertheless, others waiting, you will ask for a number, and wait your turn to submit your documents. They will keep the copies you've provided, and your FM2/3.

You return one week later to claim your document, new address notated in it.

[V]

Can I make one practical suggestion?

For your FM2/3, take the time to get a decent photo made of yourself.

I think everybody is mainly interested, at that stage, of just getting the process over with, but a little time spent here will make you feel just a little better about yourself, every time you're asked to present your document!

[T.J.]

I have always had my fotos taken at Fotos Guillermo on Uxmal, almost across from the bus station.

Prompt and good service. If I am not mistaken they have a slightly higher price if you want to wait for you pictures.

If you tell them what document you are using the fotos for, they will give you the correct size and quantity.