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FMT – Tourist Visa

This is a simple piece of paper you fill out and keep while you're in Mexico (whether you are flying or driving into Mexico). (Note! You will be asked to surrender your tourist visa when you leave the country – do not throw it away). There is a small cost and it is good for up to six months. Often they will stamp it for a lesser period of time, especially if you are flying - to coincide with your departure date. However, coming into the Guadalajara airport in Jalisco, or when you drive through the Mexican border crossing, you can ask for it to be for the full 180 days. You never know...you may want to stay here longer than you thought. It has happened many times during our programs!

The FM3 and FM2 are the most common Visas for people who live in Mexico, part or full time and there are different benefits attached to each, depending on your own situation. 

FM3 (Visitante Rentista Visa)

The FM3 is designed for someone who wants to live in Mexico at least part time. You must make a formal application for this visa and, once approved, you will receive a little green visa book similar to your passport book. It is much easier to apply for within Mexico (see Different Rules for North of the Border), and you can do so while being here on your tourist visa. There are qualifications and income requirements, and you will learn all about these during your “8-Day Focus on Mexico Program.” 

Although you can obtain your FM3 or FM2 visas by yourself, if you don’t know the language or don’t have the patience, it may well be worth the cost to hire an expeditor to process the documentation for you, especially the first time.

FM2 (Immigrante Rentista)

The FM2 is designed for those who intend to reside permanently in Mexico. Again, you must make a formal application for this visa and, once approved, you will receive a little grey visa book similar to your passport book. The criteria, qualifications, income requirements and restrictions are more strenuous to obtain an FM2 and again, you will receive all the details during your “8-Day Focus on Mexico Program.” After five years of having your FM2, you may become eligible to apply for Inmigrado status. As an Inmigrado, you may no longer drive your foreign-plated vehicle in Mexico. On the upside, however, there are numerous benefits to having Inmigrado status, all of which you will learn on a Focus program.

Apostilles

There are different ways to go about the business of getting a visa. The most recommended way, and one which Focus on Mexico endorses, is to get a tourist visa (FMT) and then go through the process of getting your FM2 or FM3 in country with the help of an expert who knows the ins and outs of the whole immigration process. We sincerely believe that what money you spend will be worth the time and hassle you’ll save.

You will also need to know what documents you need to get an apostille for. For any legal action in Mexico (including getting a visa), you must have a certified or notarized document. The most common documents are birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates and divorce decrees. Using a professional, experienced apostille service will save you much time, headaches and red tape. It will relieve any concerns you might have about your international move.

Capital Gains Exempt

During a Focus on Mexico Program, our Immigration Specialist will discuss in detail the various different types, the requirements for each as well as the limitations and costs involved. You’ll find out which Visa will exempt you from having to pay Capital Gains if you buy and then sell a house in Mexico. 

You will also discover how you can attach working papers to any form of Visa. 

Participants in our Focus Programs tell us time and again that they could never have gathered all the ‘correct’ information nor had such a positive experience without attending our program.