It forever amazes me the way people push the limits in matters like this. On the otherhand, it wouldn't amaze me if INM is generous and gives them an FMT allowing them to stay until the time they wished to leave, in spite of everything. Well, waiting until after it expires to go to INM would not be the way to do it, for sure. The approach that I mentioned a few posts back is the closest thing to a tried and true method I know about.
fm3 V I just got off the phone with my canadian friends. They told me that they waited until their fm3's expired hoping immigration here in Playa would allow them to just surrender and they would get an FMM. Immigration told them, they had to leave the country-turn in their fm3s and come back on an fmm. They explained that they had not planned on leaving until the end of May. Thus the reason why they decided to go ahead and renew their fm3s only to be told that they could not. They would need to go to an fm2. Thats when immigration told them they needed to meet with the legal department on March 15th for a ruling. I also suspect they will be given an fmm. As for the surrender issue. I got my first fm3 here in Playa. Apparently back then, the first one was good for only six months if you received it here in Playa. I was not told that and the day it expired-was the same day I was leaving the country. Needless to say that I was really surprised and rather upset when immigration informed me, I had no choice but to surrender my fm3 right then and there. I actually had to sign paper stating that I was surrendering it.
If you have an FM3 application for a new or renewal, your status with INM is extended pending the outcome of the application. In case you want to leave the country while the app is pending, there is a process for that. They basically give you a form letter authorizing you to leave. When you return, the letter is stamped in lieu of getting a new FMM or in lieu of having your FM3 stamped. You then have 48 hours to turn in the stamped letter at INM downtown. Hint: Make a copy of the stamped letter and have it time and date stamped as a safeguard against you being told that you did not turn it in on time or not at all. I am in my 6th year of the Rentista FM3, BUT a couple of years ago mine had so many stamps that there was no place left to stamp it. Yep, lots of trips. I got a new FM3 booklet with a new FM3 number, that I know is linked to my old number. I have not been told that I HAD to get an FM2. I have friends who were at the 5 year mark and their atty told them to go to Belize while the FM3 was valid, stay until it was expired, one overnight in this case, return on an FMM, and then apply for their FM3's, all of which they did and they now have new FM3's with new numbers. Go figure.
For those who speak Spanish: Por Esto! | Yucatán and Destituyen a delegado de Migración en Quintana Roo - Cancún Big unsuspected personnel changes in INM in Cancun and Playa. The guy that is in Playa comes to Cancun to be in charge here too.
And another INM note, the Navy has "custody" of the INM office in Chetumal while all managers are in Mexico City being investigated for "control and confidence". (Copied from google translate) "The Navy guards the offices of the National Migration Institute in Quintana Roo, while local managers remain in Mexico City on tests of control and confidence. From 18:00 hours on Tuesday, staff of the Naval District 11 state protects the immigration station located on Calzada Chetumal Centennial and do not know how long it will be in place, said one marine. We are only guarding the building because the INM asked for support, but do not know what and who is inside the station or how long we will be here, he said. A source at the institution reported that all managers of Quintana Roo, specifically, local delegates of the places of Chetumal, Cozumel, Cancun and Playa del Carmen are in the headquarters in Mexico City to conduct tests of control and confidence. While Antonio Ramirez Acevedo, regional delegate of the National Migration Institute, based in Cancun, was removed from office and sent to the delegation of the Federal District. As Oscar Ruiz stayed on as manager." Original story.... Marina custodia oficinas del INM en Quintana Roo - El Universal - Los Estados
I saw that too, CC. Of course I immediately wanted to assume that all of them are going through this procedure and the Cancun/QRoo Delegate failed and that is why he disappeared overnight. But then who knows.
Whatever may come of this, I'm glad I'm not trying to get any paperwork done there, at the moment, aside from a notice of change of address. The routine delays at INM, Cancun, which seem to average about five weeks, can only get longer- at least in the short run.
