Quoting from Cancunmole's post above: This is the solution I had in mind when I suggested letting the FM3 lapse when it could no longer be renewed- rather than proceeding to an FM2: my comment can be found on the thread- http://www.cancuncare.com/forum/liv...-entry-fmm-after-180-days-fmt.html#post331136 Quoting me: ____________________
fm3 I have been hearing this one alot-makes sense I guess. Can I assume then that I would be required to surrender my fm3-when my five years are up-leave the country-come back on a fmm and then start the process all over again? I dont think its a good idea to just ignore the fm3 and let it expire regardless of having to go to an fm2 or not wanting to go to an fm2 By the way, sorry to bother everyone and I am such a pain. My husband told me I was driving him crazy over this and if I didnt stop-I wont have to worry about any of this cause he will deport me-LOL!
If it were me and I were trying to do it myself I would first try applying for regularization of my status just before the old FM3 expired- pointing out that it was about to expire and I'd like a new one (regularization appears to be a procedure available to cure problems with one's status in country): if that were denied I'd leave- then reenter and apply for a new one [I'm "thinking out loud" here because there's nothing I've done with immigration that I didn't consult with a lawyer first before proceeding: it's just that he's agreed with me each time!] If you've been happy with the results you've had from holding an FM3 I'd continue to try to maintain that status: nothing I've seen yet appears to pose an absolute barrier to your doing that and on this Cancunmole and I are both on the same page it seems to me!
The "Law" Kathy I respect your opinion but this is way too simplistic for me and I won't pay bribes so that question never comes up If an applicant and the application fit comfortably within the parameters established by law the process should go smoothly in most cases __________________
I have some friends at the end of their 5 years of a Rentista FM3, were advised by their lawyer, not Mauricio or Jenny, to leave Mexico one day before their FM3 expired, let it expire therefore and return in a couple of days as tourists. Then they applied for new FM3's and it all went without a hitch. They spent one night in Corazol.
I don't know why any of you all who plan on being here more than 5 years, don't go ahead and get FM-2's. The original visa is 3400 pesos, and annual renewals are in the order of 800 pesos and change more than an FM-3....BUT!!! after having an FM-2 for 5 years (2 years if you are married to a Mexican National) you can apply for permanent residency, and then you're done!! No more Migracion! I just got my first FM-2 this past Spring, and wish I had done it sooner. I did the math at the time, and you realize the extra cost of the FM-2 over the FM-3, in about 2 years of paying nothing as a permanent resident. Y'all do what you want, but an FM-2 just makes sense to me.
fm3 The cost isnt the problem. If you had read all my postings here. you would have read that I cannot go to an fm2. I am out of the country more than in and so the fm2 would not work for me. And I wasnt sure an fmm would either. By the way after much discussion with the person that does my fm3-I can in fact start over with a new fm3 after five years. He did not metion having to leave the country before applying for a new one but then that isnt a problem for me-as I usually leave around the time my fm3 is renewed.
