FM2 Immigrant resident visa — Inmigrante
The FM2 visa allows foreigners to stay in the country. It is renewed annually. After the 4th renewal it cannot be renewed but the holder is eligible for Naturalized Mexican citizenship or Permanent Resident Alien status (Inmigrado). If you do not apply for Citizenship or permanent resident alien status after 5 years with and FM2 then you will need an FM3 if you want to continue to have residency status. For an explanation of the rights and responsibilities and a lot of other great details see comment below by Thomas.
The citizenship process only takes 2 years if a person is married to a Mexican citizen or is the parent of a Mexican child or is a citizen of a Latin American country.
New immigrant residency card and old FM2
Once completed this 5 year (or 2 year) process ends the annual need to renew your residency status required with FM3 and FM2. However your vehicle can no longer have a foreign license plate as this right is attached to your annual renewal of an FM3 or FM2.
To qualify you must be able to prove that you have an annual income of about USD$24,000. The amount depends on whether you own your home, number of dependents etc.
If you are absent more than 18 months during the 5 years you can lose your inmigrante status. It really is intended for folks who plan to live full time in Mexico.
Follow the application process here. Since it can now only be done in Mexico you must have a valid FMM form not older than 30 days, an FM2 or an FM3.
To qualify you will need to show that you have sufficient income to support yourself and a permanent address in Mexico.
hi i am from pakistan and living in guadalajara since 3 years on FM3 and nowi have a mexican child we intend to stay i want to apply for FM3 now i am working here. let me know the process.
I was born in usa and brought to mexico ehwn I was 2 weeks old, basicaly, i’ve been living here in mexico ever since, both my parents are mexicans, I already am a mexican naturalized, and in order to get paid here they are telling me that I need to get either the fm2 or fm3 is it necesary when I already have the mexican nationality, with a Mexican Birth of certificate?
Carlos with a Mexican birth certificate you are a citizen I believe and should not need either an FM2 or FM3. They are for no citizens.
Hi,
This process is not always as straight forward as one might think. I know because every year I work with many Americans and Canadians who want to live and/or work in Mexico. Some are married to Mexicans, some want to start corporations. I help them all. My business, http://www.audreyinternational.com offers personalized assistance to foreigners investing or relocating to Mexico. Please contact me for more information and to learn how my team of trusted professionals can help you avoid the many pitfalls and challenges faced in this different landscape.
I am an American and moved to Mexico to live with my fiance, who is a Mexican National. We married recently and I would like to apply for my FM2 visa. Does anyone know what the income requirement is for my husband in order for me to receive my visa? Thank you!
The following applies to foreigners who are not married to Mexicans:
To qualify you must be able to prove that you have an annual income of about USD$24,000. The amount depends on whether you own your home, number of dependents etc.
Whether it applies to someone married to a Mexican I do not know. Anyone else?
I have placed your question to the forum where it will be seen by more folks. Please check here for any responses:
http://jaltembajalapeno.com/jjforum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1464
I’m married to a Mexican citizen, we both live in Mexico and our income is very modest (12,000 pesos a month), nonetheless we were given our fm2 (mine) without delay or any problem.
I am an American and have just gone through this, we put my husband’s income at $1500/week and had no problem. 12000/month is rich around here, Ekaterina. I was informed that minimum wage is 750/wk. I don’t know anyone who has been turned down.
The addresses of the INM regional offices and ports of entry can be located on this interactive map:
http://www.inami.gob.mx/index.php/page/Oficinas_y_Horarios
David: Our coverage for your situation leaves a lot of unanswered questions so please share your experience for others to use.
Thank you Johan. I want to work here though. What will I need for that? I get so many different answers. I guess I should just go down to an immigration office. Do you know if there’s one near Condesa?
David: You will not need an FM3 before your FM2. Follow the links to the application process and you will find the documents needed. You will not need your degree or transcripts but you will need to show that you have income sufficient to sustain your self from outside the country. If you do not have the necessary income you will need to get a work permit by first finding an employer.
Hello,
I’ve come to Mexico and wish to stay. I met my girlfriend a year ago, and I’ve decided to move here to be with her. I’m a young man in my 30′s, and wish to work as well. I speak Spanish fluently, and my primary activity throughout life has been in sales.
Can I apply for an FM2 without having held an FM3? If so, will I need my degrees from Canada? What else should I be looking for in the way of documentation or processes?
Thank you in advance for your help.
I believe in my digging that one can not any longer reduce the income requirement by 50% by owning your own home for an FM-3, but you still can for FM-2.
Also, that $25,000 income seems higher than what I calculated if you mean USD. It will usually be stated, as most government financial things are, including fines, in terms of multiples of minimum wage in DF, and that information is available on Mexican government URL’s.
When I figured it out a month or two ago, it came out to a lower income requirement for FM-2 and owning the house, than FM-3 income minimum. I looked into this, because one of my worries is a economic disaster that would reduce my pension and SS income below FM-3 levels.
I can live on much less, of course, that is not an issue at all. It’s showing the income at renewal time.
You were right originally. I was confusing the two options but now I understand.
I hope I have it right now. I have added the most important distinctions above. I have also added a page for each of Naturalized Mexican Citizen and Permanent resident alien in Mexico.
The link to the constitution is also much appreciated I have included it over in the Political Primer.
If you would like to write an article we are always looking for contributors.
Your help is greatly appreciated!!!….Johan
Hi Johan,
There are a couple of options that one has after all 4 of the renewals of the FM 2.
Option1
FM2 Inmigrado status. (Permanent resident alien)
http://www.inm.gob.mx/index.php?page/GLOSARIO_TERMINOS_INMIGRADO
Es el extranjero que adquiere derechos de residencia definitiva en el país
(This is the last blue card from your graphic on the first visa page)
This should be applied for with 6 months remaining on the FM2 and is done at INM (Immigration)
Rights of an Inmigrado
• They have the individual guarantees that the Constitution grants to Mexicans, with the exception of the political guarantees that are exclusively reserved for Mexican citizens.
• They do not need to renew their inmigrado status. They can work at any legal activity, without having to request permission of the INM. Some professionals need to file their degree at the Dirección General de Profesiones. In this case you will have to check with INM if you are working under a professional designation like Engineer, Architect, etc.
• They can travel freely in and out of the country, as any Mexican citizen.
• They can acquire property, with the exception of the properties located within 50KM of the border and the beach where a Fideicomiso is required.
• Inmigrado visa holders do not need a visa in their passports.
• Inmigrados cannot vote in Mexico.
And of course inmigrado status allows them to purchase a car, allows them to receive social security (from Mexico), to open bank accounts in Mexico and also work for a Mexican company.
Obligations of an Inmigrado
• They have to uphold the responsibilities of citizens as spelled out in the Constitution.
• They have to carry their FM2 with them at all times, and have a copy of it at home.
• When leaving and entering the country they have to fill out and return to the immigration authority the FMM for statistical purposes
• They must inform the INM of any change of employment, marital status and nationality.
Option 2
Become Naturalized Citizen this is done at SRE. (www.sre.gob.mx)
If applying under residency path, must live in Mexico 5 years with FM2 if you are not from a Latin American country. If you are married to a Mexican, have Mexican born children or are from a Latin American country you can apply after only 2 years with FM2.
Benefits: you can vote, change address or jobs without having to inform the National Institute of Immigration (INM) of your every move, wait less time in immigration lines at airports, and avoid having to pay to change your immigration status and/or renew your visa each year to extend you stay in Mexico and purchase property at the beach or along the border just to name a few.
Article 32 of the Mexican Constitution states that certain political positions and jobs require that one be a natural born citizen. (like the president of the USA)
Article 35 of the Mexican Constitution gives all Mexican over 18 years of age the prerogative to vote.
Natural born Mexicans cannot be forced to give up their nationality; Naturalized Mexicans can for a variety of reasons one being living 5 continuous years or more outside of Mexico.
Copy of constitution available here. http://www.cddhcu.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/pdf/1.pdf
Options 3
Go back to FM3
Hope this helps
- Thomas
Thanks Thomas: I think I have made the changes you suggested. I am a bit confused by your comment “need to apply for Inmigrado status after the 4.5 years”. Should that not read “need to apply for citizenship status”? If I still have that wrong please explain further.
I was surprised when researching this to find a couple of sources which said the new citizen cannot vote. It made no sense so thanks again for straightening that out…Johan
Hi,
I may be mistake but I did not see any mention of applying or the need to apply for Inmigrado status after the 4.5 years with FM2……
Citizenship is one option for American or Canadian passport/ FM2 holders after Five (5) years. If married to a Mexican citizen or parent of Mexican child, one is eligible after two (2) years.
Once you are a Mexican citizen you can of course vote! It seems to me that you have confused citizenship and Inmigrado status