This is a simple piece of paper you fill out and keep while you're in Mexico (whether you are flying or driving into Mexico). (Note! You will be asked to surrender your tourist visa when you leave the country – do not throw it away). There is a small cost and it is good for up to six months. Often they will stamp it for a lesser period of time, especially if you are flying - to coincide with your departure date. However, coming into the Guadalajara airport in Jalisco, or when you drive through the Mexican border crossing, you can ask for it to be for the full 180 days. You never know...you may want to stay here longer than you thought. It has happened many times during our programs!

The FM3 and FM2 are the most common Visas for people who live in Mexico, part or full time and there are different benefits attached to each, depending on your own situation.

FM3 (Visitante Rentista Visa)

The FM3 is designed for someone who wants to live in Mexico at least part time. You must make a formal application for this visa and, once approved, you will receive a little green visa book similar to your passport book. It is much easier to apply for within Mexico (see Different Rules for North of the Border), and you can do so while being here on your tourist visa. There are qualifications and income requirements.

Although you can obtain your FM3 or FM2 visas by yourself, if you don’t know the language or don’t have the patience, it may well be worth the cost to hire an expeditor to process the documentation for you, especially the first time.  Apply with Us.

FM2 (Immigrante Rentista)

The FM2 is designed for those who intend to reside permanently in Mexico. Again, you must make a formal application for this visa and, once approved, you will receive a little grey visa book similar to your passport book. The criteria, qualifications, income requirements and restrictions are more strenuous to obtain an FM2. After five years of having your FM2, you may become eligible to apply for Inmigrado status. As an Inmigrado, you may no longer drive your foreign-plated vehicle in Mexico. On the upside, however, there are numerous benefits to having Inmigrado status.

Apostilles

There are different ways to go about the business of getting a visa. The most recommended way, and one which Focus on Mexico endorses, is to get a tourist visa (FMT) and then go through the process of getting your FM2 or FM3 in country with the help of an expert who knows the ins and outs of the whole immigration process. We sincerely believe that what money you spend will be worth the time and hassle you’ll save. 

You will also need to know what documents you need to get an apostille for. For any legal action in Mexico (including getting a visa), you must have a certified or notarized document. The most common documents are birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates and divorce decrees. Using a professional, experienced apostille service will save you much time, headaches and red tape. It will relieve any concerns you might have about your international move.

Capital Gains Exempt

Our Immigration Specialist will discuss in detail the various different types, the requirements for each as well as the limitations and costs involved. You’ll find out which Visa will exempt you from having to pay Capital Gains if you buy and then sell a house in Mexico. 

You will also discover how you can attach working papers to any form of Visa.

One of the most confusing things about retiring to Mexico is the fact that the information on the rules that you will receive from Mexican consulates in Canada and the United States can be entirely different from what the Immigration people will tell you once you are in Mexico. In fact, the rules may vary from one consulate to the next. They basically set their own rules!

I know this is hard to believe, but it is absolutely true. For instance, compare the contradictions in these rules:

When applying through a Consulate north of the border, these are the rules:

• Applicant must be 55 years of age to be eligible
• Certificate of non-criminal records for applicant and spouse
• Health Certificate issued by local physician (back home) attesting the general good health of the applicant

When applying from within Mexico, these are the rules:

• You can move to Mexico on a FMT (tourist visa) or FM3 at any age. The applicant needs to be 55 years of age (or older) to be eligible ONLY to get the FM2. By the way, if husband is 55 and his wife is younger, they can both get FM2 status as a couple.
• Certificate of non-criminal records is NEVER asked for when applying from within Mexico.
• Health Certificate—This is never asked for when applying from within Mexico

You can see why it is easy to understand why people don’t know who or what to believe.