IMMIGRATION PERMITS
A Brief Overview of the
immigration permits required
when visiting or moving to
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Foreign nationals are welcome to
visit Mexico as tourists and may
remain for up to 180 days using
a tourist visa (FMT.)
Requirements for
business-related visits or stays
exceeding 180 days require
special permits directly from
the Mexican Consulate.
According to Mexico's General
Law of Population, foreigners
entering Mexico are required to
have one of the following two
types of permit:
Becoming a resident of Mexico:
You are not required to
surrender your natural
citizenship in order to be
granted full residency in
Mexico.
Once granted full residency in
Mexico, you are entitled to all
rights and benefits of a Mexican
National. You may live,
work, claim state benefits.
You are also required to pay
taxes.
Once granted full residency in
Mexico, you may not vote in
Mexican elections.
Visa and Immigration Resources:
Information
on how to get a passport, visa,
or
certified copy of a birth
certificate
Immigration Lawyer
Directory-
great way to choose a lawyer
without being pressured or
hounded.
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Mexico
Tourist Visa
Overview
FMT - Tourist
Visa
An FMT is a tourist visa for people
traveling to Mexico. FMT forms
are supplied by airlines on flights,
OR they can be acquired through your
local Mexican Consulate. If entering
Mexico by car, you may request an
FMT form at the border.
The tourist visa, (FMT) is valid for
up to 180 days. If by chance
your visa is completed for 90 days,
note that this can be extended by
visiting any Mexican Immigration
Office once in Mexico for a fee of
approximately $240.00 pesos ($24
USD.)
Requirements for an FMT - Tourist
Visa
Proof of citizenship in the form of
a passport. NOTE: in the past,
a birth certificate accompanied by a
photo ID was sufficient for entry
into Mexico. This has changed-
Mexico now requires a passport
(click
here)
for entry into Mexico.
Information requested when filling
out your visa: place of birth,
destination and the reason for your
visit.
What
happens if I lose my Tourist Visa
(FMT)?
Should your tourist visa get stolen,
report it immediately to the nearest
Mexican Immigration Office. Be
sure to bring your passport and
airline ticket and the $240.00 pesos
for a new tourist visa.
Limitations of a Tourist Visa
A
tourist visa permits you to enter
Mexico as a visitor. It does
not allow you to work, register a
vehicle, vote, etc. The amount
of luggage you bring are also
limited to what would be needed for
approximately 15 to 30 days.
In other words, a moving van full of
furniture would raise issue.
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Please note
that any information supplied on
these pages are subject to change.
Consult your local embassy
and legal professional to confirm
current status of Mexico's
immigration requirements.
Immigrating to Mexico : FM2 Visa
For those
seeking to become a long term
resident of Mexico or gain Mexican
citizenship, the immigrant visa, or
FM2 must be held for a consecutive 5
year period.
If you
currently hold an FM3, it is
suggested you apply for the FM2 as
soon as possible since time accrued
holding the FM3 does not count
toward the 5 year period required
under the FM2.
An FM3 is
not required prior to applying for
an FM2.
You may
apply for an FM2 directly from any
Mexican consulate, or in Mexico at
any local immigration office.
Once the
required five year qualification
period has completed, you will be
permitted to apply for full resident
status. Once granted, full
resident status in Mexico entitles
you to all rights and benefits of a
Mexican citizen with the exception
of voting. Once granted full
resident status, you may also
initiate your application for
Mexican citizenship.
Once
granted permanent resident status,
you will lose this status if absent
from Mexico for longer than 2 years,
or for 5 years in any 10 year period
and be required to begin the process
again.
Requirements for applying for an
FM2 Visa:
Any of the
following may apply for an FM2 Visa
and become permanent residents of
Mexico.
Retirees
To qualify
for a Retiree Immigration Permit:
Must be over 50 years of age and
intend to engage in
"non-remunerative activities."
Must be receiving funds from abroad
(pension, investments or fixed
income) at least to the value of 400
times the daily minimum daily wage
per month, and a further 200 times
daily minimum wage per month for
each dependent (i.e. spouse,
children.)
Investors
To qualify
for an immigration permit under this
category, you must be willing to
invest industry or service capital
in Mexico equalling a minimum of
26,000 times the minimum daily wage
in Mexico City.
Professionals
Must be
sponsored by a company who must
satisfy the authorities in their
statement that you are essential to
their operative requirements.
Your certificates must be validated
by the Mexican consulate. You may
then apply for an immigration visa
to live in Mexico and seek permanent
residence.
Technical
or Scientific Professions
Under
sponsorship of a foreign company,
qualified technicians and scientists
may apply for permanent resident
status in Mexico.
Artists
and Sports People
Artists or
athletes seeking permanent resident
status may apply for an FM2 visa,
however each case is considered on a
case by case basis and entry is at
the Interior Ministry's discretion.
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