Well, it’s that time of year again. Time to renew the residence visa, called an FM3 No Inmigrante Visitante by the Mexican Government.
You’ve probably heard all kinds of horror stories: long lines in the hot sun and longer waits in chilly, air conditioned rooms packed with total strangers who don’t speak your language, an endless list of invasive questions about your family, medical history and possible criminal past, body searches for distinguishing scars and tattoos, notarized copies of nearly every legal document you own, and countless small humiliations at the hands of insensitive bureaucrats whose only interest seems to be intimidating you until you give up and go back to where you came from…
But all those stories are about foreigners trying to live in the United States. The process in Mexico is much easier and humane. Mexico actually encourages immigration and has been doing so for many years. Over the past few years here in Merida, the process has been streamlined and computerized. Once you know what is required, you can expect a relatively simple and painless experience.
Depending on the special conditions of your residence visa, you may legally do several things that Mexican citizens do but tourists can’t:
- Live in Mexico for more than six months
- Open a bank account
- Work for a Mexican business
- Start a Mexican business entity, such as a corporation
First, some background on Mexican visas: People entering Mexico by car at the northern border with the United States may do so without any type of visa if they remain within roughly 20 miles of the border. This is the so-called Border Zone established under NAFTA.
Beyond this area, on every major southern route into Mexico, there are checkpoints where you must apply for a tourist visa, called an FMT. The last time we checked, these cost less than $18 USD. You will need a passport or birth certificate to obtain one. (Temporarily importing your CAR into Mexico is a much more strenuous affair, which is beyond the scope of this article. Ugh.) If you are flying into Mexico, most airlines issue an FMT automatically. The FMT visa allows you to travel freely around Mexico until it expires, which is usually 30 days, but this period can be extended up to 180 days. When you receive your FMT, fill it out. An immigration official will scribble on it and stamp it with his or her sello (official seal). It’s all very simple and routine. The official will keep the larger part of the form, and give you the smaller part. Don’t lose it! You will need to give it to another immigration official as you leave the country. Or if you want to extend your stay, you will need that little slip of paper.
If you want to live full-time in Mexico and legally do the things listed above, then you need to apply for a residence visa. There are several types, but the FM2 and FM3 are the most common. We’ve heard some odd rumors about the FM2 visa. Some say you must apply for one before you can receive an FM3. Others say you need to hold an FM2 before you can apply for Mexican citizenship. Both rumors are wrong. In fact, nobody has been able to explain to us why anyone would want an FM2 visa, as it seems to carry more restrictions than an FM3. An FM3 visa may be renewed annually, until forever, or until you apply for citizenship, or until you leave the country for good.
Most people who obtain an FM3 visa for the first time generally go to the Mexican consulate in their own country or use an intermediary in Mexico, such as an immigration lawyer or advocate. This is mainly due to the language and cultural barriers. The folks down at the immigration office in Merida speak some English and are willing to help you through the confusion. The services of a lawyer can cost upwards of several hundred dollars above and beyond the cost of the visa. So it’s possible to do it on your own or to hire a third-party to help out. It’s a very personal decision.
When we first moved to Yucatan, we hired a lawyer and accountant to set up a Mexican corporation, so naturally we worked through them to obtain Working Gringo’s visa. The total cost of this business start-up was less than $2,500 USD. To operate your own business in Mexico, you must obtain an FM3 that names you as the Administrador Unico (Chief Administrator) or other principle of the company named in the Constitucion (essentially, the articles of incorporation).
Another way to work in Mexico under an FM3 is to locate an employer who will write a carta (letter) explaining why you are uniquely qualified to hold the position and why a Mexican national isn’t available to do the job. English language teachers, people with specialized technical skills, and relatives of a business owner usually qualify, but be aware that Mexico protects its job market on behalf of Mexicans. They prefer that foreigners come to Mexico and start businesses to create jobs, not take away existing ones.
Most people obtain an FM3 simply to live in Mexico full time and have a bank account here. These folks are commonly called rentistas. The main qualification is the ability to show income from a foreign source of at least $1,000 USD per month. This income can be in any form, including a bank statement with an account holding $12,000 USD, representing one year of income.
Yet another way to obtain an FM3 is to be married to somebody who already has one. To prove it, you will need a special notarized version of your marriage certificate, called an apostille. This document can be obtained for a small fee from whoever is in charge of your state’s or provence’s public records.
So what’s the procedure for getting your visa? Take a look at the lovely colonial building shown here. That’s the new offices of the Instituto Nacional de Migration (National Immigration Institute) in Merida, which was moved last year from their crowded little office downtown. It is located on the corner of Avenida Colon and Calle 8 in the “old money” neighborhood called Colonia Garcia Gineres. To get there, take a taxi and tell the cabby where you want to go. Or, if you have your own wheels, drive north from Colonia Centro on Calle 64 until you merge into Reforma. Take the next left at the Plaza de Toros (Bullfighting Ring) and drive down to Calle 10 and turn right. Drive two more blocks to Avenida Colon and turn right again. Continue to Calle 8, turn right and park. The offices are behind you, across the street. They open their doors at 9:00 AM, and we suggest you try to be first in line.
You will probably make four visits to this office to obtain or renew your visa. During each visit, you will stop at the security desk outside the front door and sign in to receive a visitor’s badge. As you enter the building, you will see a reception desk in front of you and a nondescript brown door to the left. Tell the receptionist what you are trying to accomplish and she will hand you a small yellow or pink ficha (card) with a number on it and direct you to the brown door. Inside are two rooms with booths, desks and chairs. The booths in the first room are for yellow activities and the desks in the second room are for pink activities. The number on your ficha tells you where you are in the waiting queue. Sit in one of the chairs until your number is called.
STEP ONE: Document Requirements. Whether you are trying to obtain a visa for the first time or requesting a prorroga (renewal), the first step is always to ask for a list of required documents, called Requisitos Para Tramites Migratorios (Requirements for the Migration Process). The attendant will present you with a typed list of the many possible required documents, and check off those that apply to your situation. At a minimum, you will be required to present the following documents when you return for your next visit:
- Solicitud Formulada por el Extranjero – This is a short letter, in Spanish, formally requesting the type of visa desired and stating the conditions of the request, i.e. if you are requesting a visa as a business owner, an employee, a spouse or a rentista, etc. We just heard that the Merida English Library has a sample letter on file that you can copy.
- Copia de Pasaporte Vigente – A copy of your passport. You should also bring the original so they can check it against the copy.
- Carta de Solvencia Economica – This is how you prove that you are making a living without mooching off the Mexican people. In most cases, the last three months of your bank statements will satisfy these requirements. If you are a business owner, you should bring the bank statements from your company.
- Copia de Comprobante de Domicilio – This is a receipt from the electric company (CFE), the water company (JAPAY) or the telephone company (TELMEX) that shows the address where you live in Mexico. Surprisingly, it does not have to be in your name. They only use it to correctly format and record the rather complicated address.
- Referencias Personales - If this is the first time you have applied for a visa, you will need a list of two Mexican citizens (full name and address), who will likely say that you’re not so bad.
- Fotografías – If this is your first visa, you will need to provide five black and white mugshots of yourself, four centimeters square. Three of these must be a front view and two must be of your right side. You cannot wear glasses or jewelry and your ears must be uncovered. Polaroids are not acceptable.
- If this is a renewal, then you must bring the original and a complete copy of your current visa.
Depending on your situation, you may be asked to bring other documents, such as your company’s constitucion, an apostille or your last Mexican tax payment. Always bring the originals along with the number of copies requested, just in case there’s a question of authenticity.
You may be tempted to skip this step and just bring all your documents on the first visit, but the fact is the official list of requirements seems to change from year to year and the items they may check off in your case may be different each time you renew your visa. Since this step usually takes less than 15 minutes, there’s really no reason to blow it off.
STEP TWO: Document Delivery. After your papers are copied and double-checked, take them all to the immigration office, receive a ficha from the receptionist and wait in the pink room until your number comes up. If you arrived early, the wait will probably only be a few minutes. The attendant will look over your documents, compare them to originals and type information about you into a computer. You may be asked a few clarifying questions. If you have satisfied the document scavenger hunt, you will be given a Solicitud de Tramite Migratorio (Request for Migration Process). Don’t lose this piece of paper or you may have to start the process over again. You will be told when to return for the next step, which is usually about a week later.
STEP THREE: Fee Payment. Upon your return to the office, one of two things will happen. Either you checked out with the authorities OR there are more questions and documents to produce. Assuming that you are a decent and honest sort, chances are everything went smoothly.
If this is your first visa, now is when they take receipt of your photos and personal references. You will sit down with a gentleman in a back room who will ask you penetrating questions like, “where were you born?” and “how tall are you in centimeters?” as he fills out the personal information that goes in your visa. He will then paste your photos into some immigration forms and tell you to come back in five business days after you have paid the fees.
In order to pay your fees, they will give you three copies of the Declaracion General de Pago de Derechos (General Declaration of Rights Payment), which you take to any bank. This year, the fee was $1,686 pesos. At the bank, sign all three forms and hand over the money. They will stamp all three forms and give you back two.
STEP FOUR: Receipt of Visa. Return to the office with your original Solicitud and the two copies of the Pago de Derechos and they’ll hand you a little green book with your picture in it that says: “Hey, you’re practically a Mexican!”
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wow–what an excellent rundown on the process! i only wish it were as convenient in d.f. as it seems in merida. patricio and i are getting ready to begin my visa renewal process, and dreading the long lines, waits, and general sense of confusion that reigns here in the capital’s offices. but i’m encouraged–reading such a straightforward and thorough explanation is making me feel less stressed about it. thanks!
Thanks for the info–it makes it not so scary.
Great info…luckily I have made friends who live there already & have offered to help me through the process. I had wanted to ask them more of the details, but now, thanks to you, I don’t have to.
The advantage of an FM-2 is that after 5 years you never have to renew it again. You obtain the status of INMIGRADO and have the right to work.
Correct us if were wrong, but our understanding is you have to apply for INMIGRADO status. It isn’t automatic. And until the five years have passed, you can’t legally work under an FM-2.
Here’s a question that roughly pertains and is starting to be a source of frustration in my life. What, exactly, is a “recibo de honorarios”?? I’ve been given numerous explanations in Spanish, each one vague and differing at least mildy, and sometimes greatly, from previous responses. Can you receive this “recibo de honorarios” without holding an FM3? Must you be employed by a Mexican company in order to get one? What information’s contained on the thing? My Spanish is not great, but it’s generally good enough for understanding; this seems to be an occassion where it’s not. I’d love to hear even a general response from anyone who could shed some light. Thanks!
Andy,
We could and probably should write an article on this subject, but the short answer is that the Mexican tax authority (La Hacienda) requires that you claim income or write off an expense using a formal receipt or invoice of the transaction. This is called a factura in the case of a corporation or limited liability company, or a recibo de honorarios for free-lance or private contractors. If you need to claim a transation for Mexican tax purposes, then you’ll need to get one of these formal receipts. However, in either case, a value added tax (called Impuesto Valor Agregado or IVA) will be added to the transaction. In the case of honorarios an additional income tax is also added. We’re not sure if this fully answers your question, but it should be a good start.
Working Gringos, thanks for your reply, and apologies on the lag in acknowledging it! Yup, the information helps greatly, mainly because it provides a definition of something that has been, up to this point, an amorphously ambiguous pain-in-the-rear. I’ve also taken from your explanation that there’s really no way around a FM3, so I’ll be starting THAT process Monday. Thanks for your help! Wish me luck!
Does every person that is coming to mexico need a separate FM3 visa? I am looking to move to Merida for one year with my wife an two kids, would I need 4 FM3 visas?
Thanks,
Dear Joshua,
Our research says “yes”, every member of the family needs to be registered with immigration, and this usually involves some kind of residence visa, although it does not have to be an FM-3 if they don’t intend to work. If your wife and children will be visiting outside Mexico during your stay, they can probably travel on a six month FM-T (tourist) visa and have it renewed when they return. If they will be here for the entire year, they will need residence visas, probably FM-2, but the documents you need for them will be different. Your wife can live in Mexico, supported as your spouse, but you’ll need a letter stating this and a special international marriage certificate, called an apostille, that you can obtain from your state’s records office. You’ll need your children’s birth certificates as well, to show they are yours and are supported by you. Check with your local Mexican consulate for more complete (and perhaps more current) information.
thanks for the helpful information. We are actually from Canada, but we were married in Hawaii. I spoke to our Mexican Consulate and they told us to just go to Merida and start the process there. We are hoping to arrive sometime in early July
Thanks for your great website and all the helpful information, it has been a real motivator in our decision to move there.
We used your article as a guide after we got to Progreso. 4 visits to Merida exactly and we had FM3’s in hand. We were treated with courtesy throughout the process. When we tried to do this at the consuate in Seattle prior to our move we were met with nothing but roadblocks and attitudes. Go figure. Thanks for the great article.
I purchased property in Mexico several years ago using a Tourist visa and the other assorted documents required. Now it is time to sell. Is there a capitol gains tax. I hear something about a Rentista tax, is that the same thing, how much should I expect to pay? I have utility reciepts, and predial receipts - but the FM-3 that I have used for a couple years has now expired. What can you tell me.
We’re pretty sure that if your visa has expired, you won’t have a prayer claiming that you’ve been living in the property, so you will have to pay capital gains tax.
Your best bet is to locate a good lawyer and ask him or her.
We can suggest Enna or Alvaro Baqueiro 926-6668.
I wonder if some one can help me. I am sure this is not the first time that soemone has lost their FMT, but what do I need to do to get another one.
Many thanks
Alan
No, Alan, you aren’t the first one to do this, rest assured!
You need to take your ticket (hopefully you still have that?) and your passport and get yourself over to an Immigration office. (If you are in Merida, see above for address and directions. If not, ask someone at your hotel to help you). Tell them you have lost your FMT and they will make you jump through some hoops and will finally give you a replacement. It may cost another $180 pesos to replace it.
Buena suerte!
I have obtained my FM3 from the Mexican Consulate in Colorado. I understand the registration in Mexico requirements and I understand the renewal requirement after one year. But, I am unable to find out whether the one year periods ends on the anniversary date of the FM3 or the registration date, which can be up to 90 days after the issue date. Anyone know for sure?
Edward, the answer to your question is in the FM3 visa itself. The visa says when it expires, which is a year after the date of issue. It is located on a rather wordy page above the approval signature.
One final question. We know that the FM3 entitles us to bring in used household goods as well as a car. But, can these items be brought in via mulitiple trips? Or, does that have to happen at one time? Thanks.
Edward, It depends on what you’re bringing into the country and how. If you have your FM3 in hand and anything with a license plate has been properly imported, then you shouldn’t have any trouble bringing in various personal items during several trips.
We once drove back to the States to pick up a small boat and load it and our SUV with all kinds of weird stuff from our storage unit. There were no questions asked when we came back into Mexico, except about the boat trailer, which we had to import. Our load included clothes, books, marble tile, movie posters, a computer monitor and laptop, a retail store manikin, photography equipment, art supplies, camping equipment, etc.
Big ticket items, like sofas, multiple computers and large appliances are probably best brought in at the same time, as la aduana can require you to produce a list of these items complete with serial numbers, date of purchase and purchase price.
And we don’t have to tell you not to bring guns or anything else the Mexican Government thinks is contraband.
Thanks for the info. Sorry, but one more question. You brought in a trailer that you “had to import”. What’s that mean? How is it accomplished? I was thinking of loading a small trailer, titled, registered in my state, with my states license plate. Same as the car I plan to bring down. I’d probably leave the car and trailer, but might drive them back for a second load. Thanks.
Edward, Once you drive 30 miles or so into Mexico, you’ll be beyond the NAFTA Free Trade Zone and will come to a Customs and Immigration checkpoint. You’ll need to follow the procedures found here for any motor vehicle, which includes trailers.
Thanks Working Gringos for the information on replacing my tourist documents. My company have got a letter from their Lawyer to help me out.
All, I need to do now is find a job for the New Year in Merida or look at business opportunites.
Anyone got any ideas on this, i would love to hear from them.
Gracias
Alan
The last time we renewed our FM3s, Immigration wanted a copy of every page of our passports and FM3s, the first time they didn’t. The staff is very nice and friendly and we’ve always been treated with politeness and respect. When our son left Mexico in April (permanently) we had to cancel his FM-3, that meant writing a request to cancel, stating an approximate date and place where he was leaving the country. They then took his FM-3 and gave him a form to turn in at the border.
Theresa
Great job.
HELP!
I need advise a.s.a.p. I just purchased a home in Cozumel Mexico. (I actually close on it some time in February). I am a scuba diver and will be renting the home out to other divers and putting some trips together using a local Cozumel dive operation.
I need an FM3 so that I can open a bank account and also pay staff.
I spoke with a local accountant there who wants to charge me upwards of $3,500 dollars to set up the FM3, and also set up a Mexican corporation and then charge me an additional $200 a month to handle the paperwork.
Does anyone know of a reputable lawyer or accountant in Cozumel (who speaks English) or Playa del Camen that could help me?
Really appreciate any advice or info.
THANKS!
Jenni,
You don’t have to get your FM3 in Cozumel. You don’t even have to get it in Mexico. Our local lawyer charges about $1500 PESOS (about $150 US) to do it for you. Or you can go directly to the Mexican Consulate near you and do it. Usually they speak English.
Also, you don’t NEED a Mexican corporation to buy the house. But if you are going to set one up anyway, you may want to buy your house in your corporation. The charge of $3500 is probably mostly for setting up your corporation, but you might be able to do it more cheaply somewhere other than the island. Our accountant here charges about the same monthly fee to do bookkeeping and accounting for a four-person company. Given that things are probably more expensive in Cozumel, that monthly figure is probably about right.
We’ve heard it’s a little bit harder to find trustworthy professionals along the coast (versus here in Merida), so just be sure that you get English-speaking references and actually talk to a few of them. Perhaps our readers will be able to refer you to some…
A small correction. You DO NEEED a Mexican corporation if you are buying a house that you are going to rent. If you are buying a house ONLY for your personal use, then you don’t need to set up a corporation.
Raul.
Care to elaborate? I was told that a corporation would not be necessary in the beginning…and yes, I do plan on renting, some.
I am not buying the home in the corporation’s name as that would change the terms of my loan (financing) and make it much more expensive.
Any information you could provide me would be greatly appreciated.
I leave for Cozumel next week. Jan 22.
Thank you and thank you, Working Gringos for the update!!
This is not a black and white issue. If you buy a house for yourself, and rent it to friends occasionally, you probably don’t need a corporation. If you plan to make a business of buying and renting houses, then legally you do need a corporation. If you aren’t sure and are just buying your first home here, you probably don’t need a corporation right away. In any case, it is a subject that you should talk to your lawyer about.
As guests in this country, we think it is important to abide by the laws. If you are earning income in this country, then legally, you owe taxes. Thus, the corporation. But there are different kinds of corporations. Some are much more expensive and difficult to create than others. Again, it is something you should have a local English-speaking lawyer explain to you and advise you based on your personal circumstances.
Hi,
Great articles. Now for a real teaser. I bought land in Mexico, and plan to improve on it. To do this, I need to buy a tractor, a rather large beast called a Bobcat, which must be placed on its own trailer to be brought in. It weighs roughly 6 tons, but I can tow it with my Dodge Ram 2500 truck. In reading your messages and articles, I need to get an FM3 visa (a national bought the property for me - great shortcut if you know a trustworthy soul!), get a temporary import for the truck and the trailer, no problem - but what about the tractor? By the way, tractors only come with bill-of-sale, not pink slip, as even though they are vehicles, they are not automobiles, and even new don’t come with pink slips. What do I need to do to import this beast? I plan on spending only $5k to $10k on the tractor, but it is still above the limit. It is not restricted under NAFTA, and not going to a restricted site. Once that question is answered, what about other goods such as large water tanks (which can’t be bought down there), water pumps (prefer an American brand), barbed-wire-fence products (need to close about 1500 meters so that will be about 2.5 tones of fence material about $5k worth of metal? If I try to buy this stuff there, it is believe it or not, quite a bit more expensive. Nobody sells tractors of any sort for under $20k.
Thanks!
Coca,
You don’t need a website, you need a customs broker! The Working Gringos (and me) work, but they may not be experienced in importing construction equipment or materials. Well, maybe they will surprise me. They both seem pretty sharp!
Yes, I have contacted customs brokers, but in general, they are not much interested because my shipments are small and one time. Those that are, are quite expensive. I don’t believe that this is very hard, probably similar to the temporary auto import - but I don’t know exactly what documents need to be filed. Any serious help would be greatly appreciated.
Regards!
Thanks a million for the great information. My husband and I are headed to Merida as soon as the last stick of furniture is sold or at Goodwill! We are bringing one pet - a tiny pom - and are working like crazy to get him friendly to others!!
The information on this entire website is extremely helpful - even the information on bugs is priceless. I hate scorpions with a passion so will be doubly careful!
We are going to the Mexican consulate here in Colorado next week to see about our FM3.
Thanks again for this information. Both of us are impresses with the quality of information and the fact that there is really no “hype” - just good, usable information.
Jimmie Berg
Gary Ebendorf
Akron, CO
hi.. first of all,, very usefull post!!
i have one question,, I readed all, but some stuff isnt’ very cleared..
i have my FM3 from march 2008. I’m registered like employer in one company in DF, but I don’t work there all time, more like few jobs monthly, and they pay me in cash. so, can I go to Hacienda and tell them that I want to work like idepended, like freelancer, because until now, i haven’t got nothing payed taxes, so I’m afraid to have some troubles later.
how hard is process in “hacienda” to ask to work “solo”, or something?
I’m not from USA.
thank you very much
davor
Hi. I have FM3 since 2002, and each year I got “prorroga” so it is renewed. I got to hear now that I need to have an FM2 for two years at least to be able to become a mexican, and that FM3 is not valid in any counting. I married a mexican 2002 and we have 3 children that are born here in Mexico, but they are telling me that doesnt matter. And theyre saying that the rules changed in october last year, so that FM3 isnt valid for naturalisation. Do you know if they are right?
I have been thinking of using the FMT for awhile before getting a FM-3. I know it is only good for 30 days but I hear it can be good for as much as 180 days. What do you have to do to get a 180 day one? Rather than going through the hassle of going back to the states would it be easier to go to Guatemala or Belize and return to Mexico that way?
Does the FM3 renewal needs to be personal? if not, what do I need to do to have someone else do it for me?
Thanks
Thanks so much for the great info. We are a young family and we own a house in Telchac, and we plan to live there more than 6 months per year. I am wondering - I read somewhere that the income requirements for FM3 apply only to kids if they are a certain age or older… I can’t remember what exactly age it was, I only remember that my kids are part of this ‘proof of income’ exemption. My children are all under age 6. Can you update me on the income requirements? Thanks!
“But all those stories are about foreigners trying to live in the United States. The process in Mexico is much easier and humane. Mexico actually encourages immigration and has been doing so for many years.”
Nothing could be farther from my experiences. I am married to a Mexican citizen, my wife got her green card to the US in 9 months with only 1 interview. After two years it will be renewed for a 10 year period. She can work anywhere in the US and even got a welcoming kit that explained how to live in the US.
I on the other hand have the displeasure of going through a lengthy process every year trying to get my FM3 with lucrative activities, I have paid more “fines” than actual fees. I can only work for my employer and every year the Mexican government determines if I am taking a job away from a capable Mexican, if so, I get denied. I applied for my one year renewal in February, and I am still waiting (it is now July 28). I cannot leave the county while my visa is in tramite which is a major strain since I need to travel for work. I use one of the better lawyers in Mexico and still I wait and pay fines. On top of all that, I just found out that my FM3 was lost or stolen inside immigration so the process must be started all over again.
As far as xenophobia, the Chinese and Koreans have an even worse time than the Americans and Europeans getting work visas in Mexico. On the other hand, the 3 people in my office that have a Spanish name and are from Spain seem to have a much easier time with Mexican immigration and much less “fines”.
These are my experience over the last 6 years dealing with Mexican immigration, they will not be the same for everyone, but it is what I have lived and I have gone through both the US and Mexican immigration systems.
Hi there,
I have only recently found your wonderful site…don’t know how I have missed it for so long!
My husband & myself are very keen to move to Mexico, somewhere in the Yucatan (we are both new Zealand Citizens). We have read so much info on numerous sites & mostly it differs from site to site. We have no real idea what we would like to do or would be able to do work/business wise? Orginally we had the idea to buy a bar or something simliar, but I now read that we may not be able to actively work in a business like that??? Any suggestions?
We will be coming for a month from the 31st Aug, can you shed any light on what we should be doing & looking for once we arrive? We have allowed 5 days in Playa del Carmen & 6 days in Merida to investigate things.
Any advice would be great appreciated!
Many thanks in advance,
Regi
Regi,
If you can invest money in a business that will employ Mexicans, it is very likely that you will be able to obtain the correct FM-3 visa for living in Mexico. The difference in obtaining your visa is mainly whether you want to be employed by Mexicans (generally speaking, “no visa for you!”) or if you want to open/run/operate a business that employs Mexicans (generally speaking, “welcome to our country!”)
Bars have their own special set of challenges, as alcohol (sales) are strictly regulated. Even locals sometimes have trouble getting their sales permissions. Also, there are different types of bars, and you’d need to consult a lawyer to know the precise rules. Some must close at either 8 pm or 10 pm (although it is widely expected the recent relaxation to 10 pm may become permanent). Even with all this regulation, alcoholism is a big issue and there are educational campaigns against it.
Six days isn’t much time. I swear days fly by like hours here.
Best wishes! I could use a new place to have a drink, with smiling, fast, accurate service. Come on down! (or is it up, from New Zealand?)
Another question…if you were to buy property is it easier to get a visa that way? if so what sort of visa would you get & would that entiltle you to work for someone else, or do you always need to get sponsored to work for someone else?
I guess we just want to know if we come…which is by the way a VERY long way (takes about 24hrs & really expensive) to come, that we would be able to find a way to stay & also support ourselves. Can anyone suggest any business opportunities that may be worth looking at while we are there on holiday?
Cheers,
Regi
The thing that crosses my mind is this: If someone is not passionate and knowledgeable about opening and operating their own business, they are not very likely to make a go of it. A large percentage of new businesses fail anywhere. Many of the failures are due to lack of capital and other solid business-foundation reasons. If opening / running a business on a lark seems like the thing to do, it’s probably not going to work. But stranger things have happened.
That said, there are specific visas. People don’t happen to have “a” visa and then end up being in Mexico for some other reason. (i.e., faking the reason for entering the country and/or applying for a visa.) Oh, well, it could happen. And people could end up in trouble with the law or deported too.
So: There are many different types of FM-3 visas. You must apply for one for which you meet the qualifications: Retirement (prove your retirement income); working for someone else; student at a real educational institution; artist/musician putting on a series of shows; investor opening your own business; etc. You must provide real documentation fitting the one visa you are applying for (see an attorney for precise rules on all of these), not simply state: “I’d like to live in Mexico, please.”
If you own a house, the property ownership helps with one type of visa: the income requirement on a Retirement FM-3 Visa is cut in half. It doesn’t help with the others, sorry, except possibly being part of the “investment” as in “investor” opening your own business. Again, consult with a knowledgeable attorney.