Hi all, I'm glad I stumbled upon the site and the wealth of info you've all shared! I'm a technical writer and medical transcriptionist currently living in the Washington, DC area. Both employers allow me to telework from anywhere in the world and I've decided I want to live in Cancun, part-time at first splitting time between DC and Cancun until my daughter graduates high school in 2012, then residing in Cancun on a more long-term basis. I'd like to rent an apartment/house ASAP as it's more cost effective than paying hotel fees for monthly to bimonthly trips and extended stays during my daughter's summer break. I've read the FMT/FM-2/FM-3 sticky and am not sure if I fall under FM-3/rentista category - I have income that will be generated outside Mexico (my jobs, alimony, child support) but references to rentista status seem to point to retirement/investment-related income. In my situation, do I use letter(s) from my employers stating the telework nature of my work and that I will remain on as an employee? I plan on filing FM-3 paperwork here in DC at the consulate. Thanks in advance, and nice to meet you all Kim
It's doable. If you stay less than 180 days at a time, you could get by just fine without anything more than an FMT, but some landlords would not rent to you if that's all you had, and others might insist on payment of significant amounts of rent, in advance, to secure the deal. I was asked to pay as much as three months' rent in advance, by some, when living here without a visa. Below, is a description of the Rentista Visa, and how you qualify for it. It is better understood as a visa based on financial self-sufficiency, rather than a retirement visa, because it's not limited in any way by age, or retirement status, that I'm aware of. Although it grants permission to live in Mexico, it does not grant permission to work. Any mention of your intention to work- while physically present in Mexico- and earnings derived from that work, would be risky. Lots of people do exactly what you're talking about doing, here in Mexico, but they don't go around advertising it to the government, in part because it raises complex tax issues best avoided altogether, if possible. Should you later change your plans, and wish to establish yourself here, there are other threads which speak of some of the issues which arise, and you could consider it, later, if things develop in that direction. In what follows you will see mention of an "income stream" which must be reflected in your bank statements, if you rely on an income stream, rather than sums on deposit to prove financial self-sufficiency. To make this as clear and clean as possible, you should have any money you receive as a stream, in fixed amounts each month, directed into an account established for the purpose of receiving that income stream. If, at any point, you should feel a need for the assistance or advice of a lawyer knowledgeable on these subjects, many of us have used, and continue to recommend, Mauricio Mendoza, whose contact details appear in the threads mentioned, below. He's English speaking, very approachable, and would be happy, I'm sure, to meet with you anytime you're here in Cancun. FM3, VISITANTE RENTISTA If you are interested in living in Mexico, and wish to have official permission to do so, one of the ways to do this is with an FM3 Visitante Rentista. Rentista means wealthy, but in practice that just means you have financial resources sufficient to live in Mexico, without working, for a period of one year. The resources required may be in the form of an income stream from abroad, or cash in the bank from which you can draw; and, if based on an income stream, then the equivalent of $13,250 pesos per month. If based on money in the bank, there is no clear guidance on this in the law, but a sum the equivalent of 15 times $13,250 pesos should suffice, as it would be more than the total of 12 months of the required income stream. (The law also states that you only need half these sums, if you own your own residence, in Mexico.) If relying on money on deposit in the bank, more is better, up to a point, so no doubt is left about your ability to support yourself for one year. If you intend to rely on an income stream, then it must be reflected as a regular deposit to your bank account in your monthly statements. As with anything, knowing what you'll need, and preparing ahead of time may make the difference between success and failure. Now, as to what you'll need to have, in order to apply. a) the original, and a copy, of the application, itself; b) your passport, and a copy of each and every page of it, whether blank, or not; c) the original, and a copy of the document given you when you entered Mexico: for many of you this will be an FMT; d) a letter in Spanish, signed by yourself and addressed to the National Institute of Migration, in which you request a change of your status in the country to that of non-immigrant, Visitante Rentista, to live in Mexico at your own expense, relying on resources from outside the country; e) the last three monthly statements (originals) from a bank account standing in your name, which either reflect the required income stream, or the balance on deposit, if you're relying on a sum on deposit, rather than an income stream (you will have brought these bank statements with you when you entered Mexico, so you are ready to begin this process), and a copy of each statement; f) official translations of the three bank statements (easily obtained in Cancun, after you arrive), and copy of each translation; g) proof that you've paid the initial fee required of you with the application, consisting of the receipt you will be given when you pay the required fee at any bank in Mexico, and three copies of same; h) proof of your actual residence in Mexico, which can be a paid utility bill, bearing your actual address, for a utility service which is billed in your name; or, if the utility account is in the name of another, then, in addition to the bill and a copy of it- a letter from that person, 1) signed under a declaration they are telling the truth; which 2) shows the address of the property; and, 3) names you as living there, with 4) the date on which you began living there- together with a copy of their personal identification; and, a copy of each and every one of these. These documents, submitted to the Immigration Offices, are sufficient to start the process of review. In Cancun, you may be told to come back in one week, at which time you will be told if your application has been approved. If approved, you will be given a date and time to return, and a new set of instructions to follow. You will be asked to pay an additional sum at a bank; and to have photos made of you which follow certain guidelines, both front and side views. There will be additional visits to be made before the process is complete, but if you've gotten this far, the rest should be easy. _____________________ For additional details, you could look also at the following- http://www.cancuncare.com/forum/living-cancun-riviera-maya/13653-navigating-immigration-cancun.html and- http://www.cancuncare.com/forum/living-cancun-riviera-maya/9686-what-do-i-need-fmt-fm-2-fm-3-a.html
Ahh, that's the part that was going over my head. Looks like just having a sufficient amount in savings would be the ticket for getting an FM-3. Also seems that FMT might fit the bill short term, but I'd like to open a bank account, perhaps have use of a car, and be able to rent as hassle free as possible even while I'm splitting time short-term, so I'll probably try to skip that "middle step". Thanks! Kim
Many people who get an FM3 with Rentista status ARE retired, so that's why you see references to retirement in the threads. But the Rentista status applies so long as you are getting your income from outside the country. Don't explain to INM that you will work from home, just show that you have sufficient income and/or savings to qualify for Rentista status. But you might try being here on an FMT first, just to be sure you are committed to being here. Getting an FM3 is enough of a pain in the neck that you want to be committed before you get one. One hint, if you come with an FMT first then when you enter Mexico (pass through Immigration at the airport) don't tell them you are staying. Come as a tourist and change your mind as soon as you leave the airport. Legally it's ok for you to enter as a tourist and then change your mind and apply to stay. But you put the INM agent at the airport in a sticky situation if you get off the plane, hand them an FMT (which is ONLY for tourists) and say to the agent that you plan to stay. Many of them will allow you to enter, and will just tell you to go get an FM3, but technically if you say you are planning to stay then you do not qualify to hold an FMT and so they shouldn't allow you to enter with it. Make sense? If, on the other hand, you are already committed, and will get your FM3 from a Consulate in the US then when you get here MAKE SURE the INM agent at the airport stamps the FIRST page of your FM3, this is needed to validate your FM3. The agent will ALSO place an entry stamp on one of the inner pages of the FM3. But make SURE you get that first page stamped, that's critical. And then once you are inside Mexico with your new FM3 you will need to go to the INM office here to register your address and to be added to the RNE database (Registro Nacional de Extranjeros). I think you have 30 days from entry to make that trip to INM. But, if I were you, I would come with an FMT and see how things go. You might end up with a landlord who doesn't want to rent to you without an FM3, but most will see a Gringa and think you grow dollars in your pockets and will be happy to rent to you. Your bigger problem is that they might jack up the price of the rental when they see you coming.
You mentioned that you might like to have a bank account, in Mexico. Without a specific need for one, I'd recommend against it, as unnecessarily complicating your life. Your needs for cash, here, if that's all it is, can easily be met through the use of ATM cards which access your U.S. bank accounts, including the one on which you based your visa request: for relatively small fees you can get cash easily, all over town, through the use of these machines. My wife and I have lived here a year with no more access to money than that, until recently, when I started working, and earning pesos. Should you have a need for US dollars, in addition to pesos, these machines can also provide you dollars, in many locations.
Rivergirl, do you know if it is necessary to present the documentation on which the issuance of the FM3 abroad was based, along with the FM3, at the time of your first entry and contact with INM, in country? I'm under a general impression that it is, but that may vary from one jurisdiction to the next, and I've never heard with regard to Quintana Roo.
I don't think so, but will ask the man when I can. When you get your FM3/2 they issue a one page signed and stamped letter which is an official document. If it were me I would have that doc with me when I hand my brand-new FM3 to the agent in the airport, and as it's just one page that's not a cumbersome task. I seriously doubt you would need more than that one letter and the FM3. Though I think you only need the FM3. I will find out for sure though, and will post again.
V - Here's the word on your previous question. Someone entering Mexico with an FM3 issued outside Mexico needs to present the following to the INM agent: - The new FM3, which will get stamped on that first page, and also with an entrance stamp inside. - A valid passport from country of nationality. - The red salida/entrada form, the same one we FM2/3 holders need when we leave Mexico and then come back. The Consulate that issues the FM3 will usually provide that form, though sometimes airlines have it. And if no one provides then INM can provide it here when the pax arrives. No other paperwork is needed. The FM3 itself is proof that the immigrant has met the needed reqs.
I work via internet and qualify for the FM3 Rentista because my business is registered and taxed in the U.S. so I'm not technically working in Mexico. There is a minimum monthly income requirement you have to meet (or the equivalent in savings to support yourself at that level for a year), which I believe is around $1,000 USD per month for one person.
