Documents needed FM2, FM3
Depending on what you are doing following is a list of what you need to bring to the INM office. Local officials may require different documents but if you have these it will be a good start. We are all new at this since the procedures changed May 1, 2010. Updates will be made as experience is accumulated. Please share your experiences in the comment section below (no need to log in just give us an email address which we promise not to abuse
Updated February, 2011.
Your passport and two copies of the front page.
Your Tourist permit FMM or your current visa (FM2, FM3 or the new ID card). Your visa must be current if you are renewing. Your FMM must not be more than 30 days old (maybe).
A letter stating what it is you are trying to accomplish. See letter. At the Banderas Bay office in 2011 the counter staff was still happy to fill that out for your signature.
Proof that you have sufficient income to support yourself. This would be a bank statement with your name on it for the past three months showing a balance equivalent to 250 times (FM3) or 400 times (Fm2) the official minimum wage in Mexico City ( 57 pesos). About US$15,000 (FM3) and US$24,000 (FM2) annually.
Proof that you are living in Mexico i.e. a phone bill or a CFE (electric) bill with your name on it or a letter from your landlord saying that you rent the property at a given address. A letter from your lawyer saying that you are in the process of purchasing a property at a certain address may also be sufficient. In 2011 they did not bother to look at this or keep copies of it. In previous years it was very important and may still be at some locations.
Money to pay the fee about 2,100 pesos (2011).
Four passport photos in colour (infantil size) (two front and two side). In La Peñita you can get these at the Kodak store on the Avenida, on the south side almost kitty corner to the Avenida restaurant a few doors from the tianguis. They actually have a category for FM3. 60 pesos 2011. They measure very close to 25 mm by 31 mm ( 1 inch by 1.25 inches).
The on line form you printed in application procedures or at least the document number you got when you filled out the form.
All the data you need to fill out the Formato Basico.
Exceptions and notes:
If you are renewing an ID card then you will not need passport photos but if you are renewing an old booklet form of visa you will need them so they can make the new card.
It was reported that in the Leon office they accepted both the computer printed form and the Formato Basico for and FM2 to Inmigrado switch without looking at bank statement information.
Do I need a FM2 OR FM3 if I live here 6 months of year? Does my bank account statement need to be from Canada or Mexico? Do I haveto open a Mexican bank account?
No Debbie you can live her up to 6 months without an FM3 or FM2 (see information about FMM). A statement from Mexico or Canada is OK. No you do no have to open a Mexican bank account but you will probably find it useful to do so.
Thank you.
Last year when I renewed our FM3′s I knew things had “changed” but could not find the changes listed on the net so I brought the paperwork I had in the past. Some they used, some they did not but at least I had what they needed.
One item I did not bring was a form that needed to be filled in online and printed which had name, info, etc. A young INM officer sat with us at the computer in the lobby and filled it out for us. I would like to have that done this year before we go. Do you know where I can find that form?
Many thanks for this site and the great info contained here. It is VERY much appreciated.
Hi there,
It has been a year since I applied my FM3 and now it’s time to renew. Just wondering how long does it take to renew it?
Secondly, is it possible to start applying for an FM2 just right after one year of FM3? I plan to stay long term in Mexico and hoping to skip straight to 5 years of FM2 and then citizenship.
Thanks
That will work JohanD. You could have started with an FM2 and I am not aware of any restriction that would prevent you from applying for your FM2. Just remember that it is a new application rather than a renewal.
People have reported that it took them only one trip to INM to put in the application and then 2 weeks later they go and pick it up.
Thank Johan.
I will be back for the holidays and will be setting off for Spain by mid January. I hope they could get it done in time.
I have decided to postpone the FM2 application to next year as it is a new application which will be more of a hassle.
Btw, I noticed that they do have our particulars recorded in the system. So you don’t need to fill in everything again. Just type in your FM no and viola.
Thanks for your help
JohanD
I was told you need your birth cerficate but nobody mentioned this please comment/thanks/jan
This is the first time I have heard of the need for a birth certificate. Some offices seem to have a few of their own rules but generally it is not needed.
The FMM does not have be less than 30 days old. You need to apply for the FM-2 or FM-3 more than 30 days before its expiration. Also, many offices are not asking for proof of residency; in fact, in Guadalajara they gave me back the copies of my phone bill and said we don’t want this. My FM-2 took less than a week, once I had everything together and submitted the application.
That also may depend which office you attend. The rules say it must be but I have not heard of anyone being denied because their FMM is older than 30 days so for practical purposes you are probably right.
I was wondering, for the renewal of an FM2 (I’m married to a Mexican citizen)…my passport has expired (I’m from Russia and it’s juts a hassle to go to Mexico city for renewing it plus the 4 months waiting period), on the requirements says that you have to present your passport and two copies of the front page.
My question is, for anyone that may know please, does my passport has to be valid or can I present the only one I have? even if it’s expired?. I went to the regional offices and it just states the same, passport and 2 copies but it doesn’t say “valid passport”.
Thank you very much in advance.
Ekatarina – It never occurred to me that an expired passport may be acceptable. Because you are married to a Mexican it might be but I have always assumed it had to be a current passport. Please let us know when you find out.
Your question also appears on the forum here:
http://jaltembajalapeno.com/jjforum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1662
You might want to check for answers by others there.
I first got my FM3 at the Mexican consolet inHouston, Tx. I tried to renew here and was told I had to renew in Mexico. In Mexico city I was told to nenew again in the states. Now it has expired. Can one apply for a new FM 3 in a consolet in the states or does it have to be in Mexico ? Any advice ? Thanks
It has to be in Mexico and close to where your residence is.