Getting an FM3

Getting your FM3

So, you decided like me to get an FM3, which allows you to stay for more than 6 months, and keep your car in the country if you brought a foreign car in. The following information will hopefully save you hours of frustration. The following applies to a non-working FM3. You can hire someone who will do all of this for you (prices vary from $80 to $150 + fees per application), but it won't necessarily mean it will get done faster. These agents usually wait till they have a bunch of apps and then go. You will figure out who they are, because they will be at the counter for quite a while with a huge stack of papers...or they might slip into the back door. Many of these agents were once employees, so they use their connections. If you choose to go that route, pick your agent from a recommendation. Some use shortcuts that might make renewal difficult (such as putting in the wrong address).

TIP: If you want to get your FM3 BEFORE you enter Mexico, you can from your local consulate such as in Montreal.

Preparing for your first visit:

TIP: If you are applying for kids, they don't need to be there on the first visit.

You will find some information on the official site www.inami.gob.mx. I found that one of the links to the documents did not work, so if you click here, you will find everything. Photocopy your passport (all pages including blank ones!) and bring the original with you (to compare). Bring your exit visa (they will keep it while you go through the process). You need proof of residency which would consist a photocopy of a rental contract. You will need a photocopy of a utility bill (electric or phone). You must supply them 3-4 months of your bank statements (copies-but must have your name on it) and any investments you have...to prove you have income coming into the country. They are typically looking for about $1,200.00 per month for 2 people. For my renewal, they asked for a copy of my marriage certificate so they may need that now. Now the fun part...

Puerto Vallarta Migration is next to the PEMEX where the cruise ships come in. You can park on the street next to the Soriana. In Bucerias, the office is on the road that leads to the Royal Decameron.

Some arrive super early, because it's all about the "ficha" or ticket number you get. Most of the first tickets go to the agents, and their friends. Either way, you will have to wait, so I would normally go at 10h00 and get my ticket. Once you have your ticket, you can go out and do some of the paperwork or shopping.

TIP: Get there early (it opens at 9h00 AM) and get a ticket. Wait in line till the guy/girl comes out and try to get the forms you need to sign and ask for the bill that you have to pay at the bank. You can do this instead of waiting, the bank is towards Vallarta (where the Starbucks is) a couple of blocks down...walkable.

For the first visit, get your ticket and ask for the forms you will need (such as the fee you need to pay at the bank). You will need the application (download here, fill it out beforehand and bring it). Get the form that you need to pay at a bank (looks like this). The price was $444 Pesos per person (for 2009 it's now $491 Pesos). Now that you have your number, walk towards PV and you will soon see a sort of shopping area with restaurants and a Starbucks. Pick the bank you want, pay the fee. On your way back, stop by Soriana and get 3 copies of the receipt (it will have your name on it).

TIP: Don't get photocopies done at the bank (they quoted me $8 USD for 2 copies of all 4 receipts), Gigante will do it for $0.40!

You can now go back every now and again and check your number, go shopping at the tourist traps around the cruise ships...etc. I find that the numbers will not move for quite some time (agents taking up too much time), but then after 12h00, or more like around 13h00, they might jump ahead 5-10 numbers, as people have left, cut in line and got what they needed, etc. This step will begin your process and you will get a letter with a date to return to see if you can continue.

Second visit

For your second visit, you will again repeat the process of getting a number. They will tell you how to proceed if you are allowed to (most likely). If you want, you can bring the following to speed things up (and save you one full day of waiting):

Photocopy of the page of your passport with your picture and expiration date (along with your original passport). You will need passport photos (front & side view). I got mine at Plaza Caracol at the Kodak place. It was $160 Pesos per person, and you get it in about 15-30 minutes. Write your name behind each picture either with a pencil or with a fine felt tip marker. By the Migration office, if you walk towards all the little shops, you will see a courtyard and you will see blue steps. This is an Internet cafe, and they do the pictures, they type out the FM forms for you, and make photocopies. Very handy to have near. Fill out the FM1 form (here). This is where you put your pictures. This form has no English, so I went to the little Internet cafe and they typed it all out for me, glued the pictures, and took our fingerprints. You also need to fill out the application form (download here) again.

So, during your second visit, you will get another one of those bank forms ($1,294 pesos for 2009) and a list of things to bring on your next visit. Well...you have everything (FM1 + pictures, photocopy of passport page + application form) and you can probably ask them if you can pay at the nearest bank, return right away and give them the original + 3 copies. This alone will save you one full day of waiting in line! If they do allow you to do it right away, ask for their name, get it done, and see them again when you return (You might have to remember the name if they locked the door after 13h00. Simply tell them so-and-so said to pay the fee and come right back).

Third Visit

If you managed to finish everything, you would have been given a letter with a date to return to pick up your FM3. This visit should be a short one. We were able to bypass the wait and simply get them to find our files and get us our books. Sign everything and you are done!

TIP: It is a good idea to call before going for your final visit to pick up your FM3...it might not be ready. We wasted part of the day to go there simply to be told it would be another day or two!

FM3 Renewal

Renewal is much easier. Again you need to photocopy all pages (including blank ones) of both your FM3 and Passport. You need to fill out the FM1 (here) form again. They asked me for my marriage license this time. If you changed addresses, you should make sure they do a change of address at the same time (you would then need a utility bill in your name or renal agreement). Bring 3 copies of you bank statement (3 months) with your name on it to prove income. Renewal was $1,294 pesos.

FM3 Change of Activity

To open up a business in Mexico, the first step is to perform a change of activity on your FM3. The fee for this is $2,042.00 pesos (payable at the bank). You will need to photocopy all pages (including blank ones) of both your FM3 and Passport. You will need a letter in Spanish requesting the change of activity on Company letterhead (the company you plan to start up). You need to fill out the FM1 (here) form again. It's pretty simple although I did need help with the letter. It was a slow day at immigration so they wrote down what I should put on the letter and I went home, put in on letterhead (easy to do in Word if you have a logo) and was able to return.