Immigration

The following information is a brief overview of the legal immigrating requirements for visiting, residency and for working in Mexico.

Do I need immigration papers while staying in Mexico?

According to the Mexican Law all your immigration papers must be in force and the information in them contained must be updated during your stay in the country. In case they expire or the information is not provided to the authorities within 30 days of the event that modifies such information, you will be liable for fines and other penalties. It is highly recommended that you keep this in mind.

Is it hard to get these documents?

You may try doing it yourself. Yet, if you are not familiar with the paper work, the Mexican governmental offices, the bureaucracy and especially the language, it would be wise to ask for our service.

How long does it take to obtain my immigration papers?

Be ready to wait for approximately 30 working days if you attend to do it yourself and be subject to make a few visits to the immigration office.

To remedy this situation and not having to wait more than 10 working days before obtaining your immigration papers (FM-2 or FM-3), use our services; we can normally obtain the initial one in within 7 continuous days and renewal as fast as 5 days. We can also process renewal without having to present yourself or be in the country by using CAN-AM-MEX professional services by contacting us at:

BY PHONE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:

IN WITHIN MEXICO:

FROM A REGULAR PHONE:  045(612) 136-7751 OR  045 (612) 348-9793

FROM A CEL PHONE:  (612) 136-7751 OR (612) 348-9793

FROM OUTSIDE MEXICO:

FROM ANY PHONE:  011 52 1 (612) 136-7751 OR 011 52 1 (612) 348-9793

BY E-MAIL:  Click on: can-am-mex-law-firm@hotmail.com 

How much does it cost to obtain my immigration papers?

Every procedure generates fees and expenses. Government fees change every six months. All or any government's fees can only be paid at a bank in Mexico. Official forms and documents must be signed and presented.  Our professional fees to process an FM-3 or FM-2 can be obtain by requesting them via an e-mail at:

can-am-mex-law-firm@hotmail.com 

How long are you planning to stay?

Once you have answered this question you then have to decide which of the following applies in your particular case please take in consideration we have only included the information to answer the most frequently asked questions about visas for Mexico.

A) Brief Stay (less than 6 months), visiting Mexico:

1. Tourist Visa for Mexico:
   
   The tourist visa (FMT) is granted to those visiting Mexico for a period of up to six months. If you are already  in the country and your visa was granted for a period shorter than six months, you can request an extension of the term. It is recommended you request this extension fifteen days prior to the expiration of your visa.
    

2. Where to get a Tourist Visa:
   
   At any Mexican Consulate, a travel agency, at the border or when traveling by plane you will be provided with one, or at any immigration offices in Mexico.
    

3. Needed information:
   
   You will be asked to provide certain information such as your full name, place and date of birth, gender, destination, reason for your visit and so on. You will not have a problem filling in these blanks.
    

4. In case you would like to request the extension of your FMT:
   
   Once in the country in the event that your FMT was issued for less than 180 days you can present yourself at any immigration office and ask of an extension.
    

5. The following are the DOCUMENTS YOU SHOULD HAVE IN HAND FOR THE PROCEDURE:

•      Your passport and a photocopy;

•      The original FMT;

•      A letter requesting the extension of the term;

•      Money to pay the government fee at the bank.

Things you should keep in mind:
 

Upon returning to your country, you will have to return the FMT to the authorities. Keep it in a safe place so you don't lose it, in case you do not have it upon exit at the airport you could be denied exit;
 

The tourist visa for Mexico does not allow you to work in the country;
 

Please note that certain nationalities have a restricted entrance to the country. In such cases you must be invited by a family member, a friend, or a business Partnership. The visa will be granted as long as all the requirements are fulfilled;
 

If you do not have the FMT upon leaving the country you will be denied exit.

Business Trip:

Please refer to the information provided herein above. In the event that you need more information please contact us:

 

BY PHONE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:

IN WITHIN MEXICO:

FROM A REGULAR PHONE:  045(612) 136-7751 OR  045 (612) 348-9793

FROM A CEL PHONE:  (612) 136-7751 OR (612) 348-9793

FROM OUTSIDE MEXICO:

FROM ANY PHONE:  011 52 1 (612) 136-7751 OR 011 52 1 (612) 348-9793

BY E-MAIL:  Click on:  can-am-mex-law-firm@hotmail.com 

B)  Staying for More than 6 Months:

What are you planning on doing in Mexico?

Resident status:

When you have decided you want to stay for extended periods of time or thinking of immigrating to Mexico you  may request from the authorities the corresponding immigration permits, which are first an FM-3 and after 5 year an FM-2.

FM-3:
As a holder of an FM-3 you are allowed to stay in the country as a NON IMMIGRANT for a period of one year. This permit may be renewed annually. After the fifth year you may be interested in acquiring the next immigration status (IMMIGRANT) or simply continue as an FM-3 holder or you can request to be obtain the Mexican nationality.

FM-2:
This document applies to the IMMIGRANTS. As an immigrant you're not a permanent resident but you are eligible to apply to become an INMIGRADO (permanent resident - for residency in Mexico) or request the Mexican nationality. 

Advantages and Disadvantages of the FM-2/FM-3:

Things you should consider:

FM-3: As a NON IMMIGRANT you don't acquire residency rights;

FM-3: You are entitled to leave and enter the country freely;

 FM-2: You must note that as an immigrant you have a restricted number of exits from the country. In the case that you leave the country for more than 18 months in a period of 5 years, you will not be able  to apply for the INMIGRADO (permanent resident) status. In case you stay outside the country for more than 2 years you will lose the immigration status of an immigrant;

In both cases (as a IMMIGRANT and a NON-IMMIGRANT) the law considers almost the same immigration qualities (Características Migratorias), being able to perform almost the same lawful activities;
    
Both have to be renewed annually. We recommend that you take all the necessary precautions for the term not to expire.

You can not request the renewal outside the ultimate 30 days before the expiration date.

NON WORKING STATUS:

Students (FM-3):

Students are admitted for periods of one year for as long as the course lasts. They may not leave the country for more than 120 days every year. Students have to prove to the authorities that they have a regular income to satisfy their needs. The status obtained when applying for the permit is that of a non-immigrant.

Retired (FM-2 OR FM-3):

If you have decided you want to live in Mexico without performing any specific activity you may acquire this immigration status as long as you can prove to the satisfaction of the Mexican authorities that you will live on the income brought from abroad or earned from Mexican-based investments which must be proven by bank or investment statements covering the previous 3 months of the request. For more information please contact us at:

BY PHONE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:

IN WITHIN MEXICO:

FROM A REGULAR PHONE:  045(612) 136-7751 OR  045 (612) 348-9793

FROM A CEL PHONE:  (612) 136-7751 OR (612) 348-9793

FROM OUTSIDE MEXICO:

FROM ANY PHONE:  011 52 1 (612) 136-7751 OR 011 52 1 (612) 348-9793

BY E-MAIL:  Click on: can-am-mex-law-firm@hotmail.com 

 

WORKING STATUS:

You will need a permit granted by the ministry of Interior (Secretaría de Gobernación). This permit is included in the FM-3 or FM-2.

To obtain one you will need to fulfill certain requirements.

According to Mexican Law, foreigners may only perform those activities expressly authorized by the immigration Institute. You are allowed to perform any activity as long as it's legal and honest. This includes the ability to work in the country. You can not do the job that an available national can do.

Both as an FM-2 or FM-3 holder, you may be authorized to perform several activities. These are the most common.
       

Business or Investor (FM-2 or FM-3):

You may have considered investing in Mexico and therefore you wish to learn about possible investment options by contacting us at :

 can-am-mex-law-firm@hotmail.com 

Or, you might just come down to invest, supervise an investment, represent a foreign company or perform certain commercial activities.

As an INVESTOR: You must note that there is a minimum investment amount as well as the obligation to demonstrate that the investment is beneficial to the country's development. For more information please contact us at:

 can-am-mex-law-firm@hotmail.com
 

Scientists and Technicians (FM-2 OR FM-3):

In these categories you will have to provide all the documentation that proves to the satisfaction of the authorities that you have the skills and knowledge to perform these activities.

Professionals (FM-2 OR FM-3):

You will have to provide the authorities with all the papers that can prove you have the knowledge and skills to perform the specific professional activities. The applicant must demonstrate that the skills are not met in the workforce in Mexico. For more information please contact us at:

 can-am-mex-law-firm@hotmail.com

High level management (FM-2 OR FM-3):

If you were appointed as a director to a company or to assume a key position you will need to obtain this immigration permit. For more information please contact us at:

 can-am-mex-law-firm@hotmail.com

Members of the board (FM-3):

When you need to attend a board meeting of one or more partnership, this is the migration status you request to the Mexican authorities. For more information please contact us at:

 can-am-mex-law-firm@hotmail.com

What about the family?

Family members (FM-2 OR FM-3):
 

Both as a non-immigrant or an immigrant, your family members may obtain the permit to enter the country as your economic dependants.

In such case you will have to provide the authorities with copies of your immigration papers, as well as information that proves your income.

Your family members may be able to work or perform any lawful and honest activity whatsoever if they obtain the corresponding permit. The immigration status would then change to any of the abovementioned ones.

Any further questions???

For more information please contact us at:

BY PHONE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:

IN WITHIN MEXICO:

FROM A REGULAR PHONE:  045(612) 136-7751 OR  045 (612) 348-9793

FROM A CEL PHONE:  (612) 136-7751 OR (612) 348-9793

FROM OUTSIDE MEXICO:

FROM ANY PHONE:  011 52 1 (612) 136-7751 OR 011 52 1 (612) 348-9793

BY E-MAIL:  Click on:  can-am-mex-law-firm@hotmail.com