Ok, so we got our FM2 Visa’s and the process was really quite simple. Progreso´s Immigration office is located at Calle 80 x 39 # 176 (right next to SMAPAP) Phone number: (969) 935-0022 (located by the water tower). We were greeted by a friendly gent who opened the door for us and directed us to the sign in sheet. This was a pretty simple step and our reason for being there today was to gather information on how to apply for a visa. We were the only people waiting to see the lady and as soon as she was done with the person she was talking to it was our turn.

She proved to be very helpful and informative and spoke English which was very helpful to us. She informed us on the differences between the FM2 and the FM3 visa, the costs involved with each, and what each meant. She then gave us a couple of lists we needed to complete before we came back. One item was to go online and complete the online forms for the application. This can be found at: http://www.inm.gob.mx/. From there your menu selections are:

• Tramites y Servicios
• Migrantes,
• then select Estancia from the page

Then answer the questions and double check all your data to match passports exactly. When you complete the form, you will be given a number and a password. WRITE both of these down as this is what the lady at INM requires to retrieve your information (she doesn’t need the password and I never used it again but write it down anyways!). As my Spanish is very limited I used Google Chrome to translate the page from Spanish to English and entered the correct information into the form in FireFox. Chrome translated a couple of items incorrectly so when we took the forms in to see the immigration officer we had errors which had to be corrected by us online and then we needed to visit the office again.

So, we completed the form and were ready to go to the office again. This is our third visit and really we have never waited more than 5 minutes to see her. At this point she double checked all of our application information and ensured it matched our passports 100%. Then we gave her all the documents we had collected from the list we had (she did not need all the documents).

FM3 VISA FOR NON PROFIT PURPOSES

Checklist of documents:

• Copy of your passport.
• Tourist visa (FMM) given to you at the port of entry in Mexico.
• Copy of proof of your legal address in Yucatan (electricity, water or phone bill not older than 2 months). It does not have to be under your name.
• Copy of your last 3 bank account statements reflecting that you have enough income to live in Mexico: at least 1,200-1,300 dollars in each month.
• For each economic dependant add 650 dollars per month on top of the 1,200-1,300 dollars.
• You should also bring for your 2 kids, their birth certificate to show the relation between you, since they will depend economically of you. The birth certificate should have the apostille stamp of the State where it was issued or must be legalized; also it should be translated to Spanish (this last part can be done here in Merida when you come next time).

Pictures

Five color photos with white background, infant size (2.5 x 3 cm).

• Three photos taken from the front.
• Two photos taken from the right, showing the right profile.
• Applicant must not be wearing glasses in the photo and hair must be behind the ears.
• Pictures should be taken in a specialized photography studio. Polaroid or cellular phone pictures will not be accepted.

Dues to Immigration

• Change from tourist visa to any other category: $491 pesos (onetime payment).
• FM3: $1,294 pesos
• TOTAL PER VISA: 1,785 PESOS.

We had decided to apply for the FM2 Visa. A major difference as we understood it was that after five years the FM2 visa could be turned into full residency, whereas with an FM3 Visa you never achieve full residency. With an FM2 visa you can only leave the country for a maximum of 18 months in the first five years where with a FM3 visa you can only be out of the country for 6 months per year of the visa. Both visa’s need to be renewed yearly, but the FM2 only has to be renewed 4 times and the FM3 can be renewed indefinitely. Neither Visa at its basic stage can be used for employment in Mexico. You must follow the proper steps to get a working visa amended to your visa. You can however, continue to make foreign money with either Visa. If you want to work in Mexico you must form a corporation and have an accountant look after everything for you.

After reviewing all of our documents, by reviewing I mean she checked to make sure our names matched our passports and told us to return the following Wednesday at 10am for our appointment. So on Wednesday we arrived at about 9:30 am and waited about 3 minutes before she could see us for the appointment. We were anticipating a big interview and thorough review of all the documents. But she surprised us and had the forms printed and ready to sign. Then she took the photographs we had taken (at Walmart) and put them on our Visa’s. A quick thumbprint and signature and we had our FM2 Visa’s! We did have to return the next day for a couple of minutes because we did not have the children with us and they needed to give a thumbprint also. She quickly laminated their visa’s and we were good to go.

I believe anyone can apply for their own Visa in Progreso, Merida may be a little more difficult as the office there is much bigger and could be intimidating and you may have to wait longer to get help. If you live on the coast, Progreso office is the best option for you.

Be sure to find out which visa is best for you!