In my first post I talked about the circumstances that my husband and I were facing after returning to the U.S., and I was considering the possibility of returning to Mexico. I went back and forth on the issue for a while, and again I'm considering it as an option for my family in the future, probably in a couple of years. My question is: as the spouse of a Mexican (with children who are American AND Mexican), I believe there is some kind of income limit that we must meet in order for me to qualify for an FM2. I know that it's up to the INM's discretion as far as how much they should make, and I have the suspicion that we're not going to be making enough, unless my husband finds a fantastic job. I'm a stay at home mom and a grant writer, which isn't exactly a secure/steady job, so I have to assume that I won't be continuing this activity in Mexico. Is that how it works, for me to be "ama de casa" or have my FM2 based on my relationship to him, he has to make a certain amount? I'm also wondering if I should just save up money over the next 3 years and try for a rentista FM2. I guess my problem is that I'm not entirely clear on exactly how I can or should do this, assuming that we won't be making a great deal of money in Mexico. I would like to prepare in advance for this as much as possible. If anyone knows how this works, I'm curious to find out! Thanks! :xyxthumbs:
Some others who've actually faced these questions may weigh in on this, but regardless of the immigration issues, you will need to be able to earn enough, as a couple, to support yourselves and your children, anywhere you live. If your work is such as to be done via the internet, you may find it "travels well", and you can count that income towards this practical/legal requirement. You will be able to show that you have income from your self employment if you routinely deposit it to your bank account- starting now, if you haven't been doing this- as a way to create a permanent record which could be used later, in Mexico, to establish that you have income from this work, even if intermittent. Additionally, anything you manage to save, and deposit to a bank account before coming to Mexico, will be available to be used to demonstrate your financial where-with-all. Many Mexican families get by just fine on 10,000 pesos/month combined income, so the imposition of any means test on your immigration application cannot pose too great a hurdle, it seems to me, when you will have your income, any income your husband can earn here, and your savings to show your family's self-sufficiency, in Mexico. There are other issues, as you know: your husband living long-term in another country will cause him the loss of his permanent residency status in the U.S.: this can be most easily managed by his becoming a U.S. citizen, prior to your move to Mexico. A minor but essential point, you will need apostilled, certified copies of your marriage certificate, your birth certificate, and the birth certificate of any child born in the U.S., among other things, to complete the immigration process in Mexico. There are complications in the plans you are considering; but then, when are there not, eh?
Thanks, V, very informative! I figured there was an income requirement. We're still deciding what to do at this juncture; anything we do will have to wait until my husband is a citizen. That should give us plenty of time to research, save, and plan how we'll do it. I do want to make sure it's all done correctly, but then again, with the INM even the best preparation doesn't always cut it.
All you really need is 1 month of living expenses that you have to show to INM. If you can save 1 month (around (very roughly) $1000USD/FM3/2) you can simply transfer that $1000ishUSD each month into the back account you will be using to prove solvency and then transfer it back out to another account for 3 months. Once you have that, get the bank statements translated officially and you're good until your prorroga when you dance the dance once again.
Kathy, That doesn't sound difficult at all. Do you have to prove you have some kind of job or something that is providing that income, or don't they care? My kids are also Mexican (well, technically, right now only my son is, but we're going to register my daughter's birth at the Mexican consulate here soon), and because they're dependents, will I also have to set aside more money?
Limejello, unless I'm mistaken, Kathy is suggesting a way to give the appearance of having adequate resources for you to qualify for an FM3 Visitante Rentista; and, I suspect she would agree, doing as she suggested involves an element of deception (which is about as gently as I can say it). While it may be a way to get permission to live here, the appearance of resources will not pay the bills: actually having the resources to live will be a problem that would remain for you and your husband to work out. My earlier comments were made assuming you'd be asking for permission to live here as a dependent of your husband: the more resources you have available, in that case, the less income he would need to demonstrate, as a practical matter. If you can maintain income from your clients in the U.S., while living in Mexico; manage to save some money before you come; and, your husband find a bona fide full time position here, I can't imagine immigration denying you permission to live here with your Mexican husband, and your Mexican child, on the basis of inadequate income and other resources. _______________________ You've inquired before about the possibility of working as an English teacher, here. That is a possibility, but probably should be considered no more than a way of supplementing your income. Native speakers at my university are paid a mere 120 pesos per hour of instruction, and most are offered just four hours per week of work. Even these low paying jobs require a university degree as a minimum qualification. In spite of all that, these jobs are in demand and the turnover low. _______________________
V, I understand and agree, transferring the money to/from a bank account will just take care of the immigration part, and we'll have to ensure adequate funds either through employment, savings, or a combination of both. I'm interested in researching employment possibilities, and having had experience with working in Mexico and living various places, I'm not laboring under the illusion that somehow I'm going to live a life of luxury in Mexico . I mentioned this in an earlier post: I'm quite content living a simple life with only the necessities. So I guess if my husband was making a regular wage, I wouldn't be opposed to supplementing my income by teaching a few hours a week (if that's possible on a rentista visa). I have my bachelors, and a TEFL certificate, but no teaching experience. I'm going to be working on my masters in community and economic development (it would be ideal to find a job in this field!). Again, thank you, v, for your input and suggestions! It gets me thinking about possibilities/issues that may arise.
Teaching English These are good, entry level qualifications. If you also speak Spanish, I have no doubt you could supplement your income by teaching English, though with jobs scarce, it could take some time to get things rolling. [Though you'd be teaching English, breaking into the market would be facilitated by your being able to speak Spanish.] ______________________
International Development work I know it's completely off the subject, but your mention of your degree plan made me think of it: with a Master's in Community and Economic Development, you could consider launching yourself on an international development career. Jobs in that field pay well, with the first $100,000 or so USD you earn each year income tax free; you get free housing of your choice; free education for your children in international schools, with classes taught in English by professional teachers from developed parts of the world; up to eight weeks per year of holidays and paid vacation; free RT tickets for you and your family for R&R every two years and, in alternate years, free airfare for you and your family to make a trip back to the U.S. (mandatory). If you'd like to have a look at these types of jobs, see- Devex - International Development Jobs, Business, News & More What you will find advertised there are mostly high level technical and supervisory positions: working within each office are also those who entered the field, recently. The same companies that advertise the high level positions also hire at entry level.
This is great stuff, V! I just checked and at the moment, there's only one entry-level (recent graduate) position available in Latin America/Caribbean area, and that's in Haiti. One of the requirements is that the person needs to be single, or married with no dependent children. That's just what's available at the moment, so who's to say what'll be available in a couple years' time. I'm certain that there won't be too much of a problem finding something.
