Mexican Immigration’s New Procedure for North Americans
This is the second article of a series on the procedure to follow when one wants to visit or live in Mexico. The new procedures are to facilitate the application for either a visiting permit (Visa) or for applying for an FM-3 or FM-2 if one wishes to live in Mexico.
In 2009, five hundred thousand (500,000) different processes where initiated by people from 200 different nationalities at the offices of National Institute of Immigration (Instituto Nacional de Migración) [NIM] across Mexico, thus the need for a new, faster more economical system was needed.
On January 20th of 2010, new rules were published in the official Federal Gazette (Diario Official), the “Manual de Criterios y Tramites Migratorios” [MCTM] (Criteria and Migratory Procedures Manual) and these rules are to be applied starting April 30th, 2010.
This new manual reduces requirements and establishes criteria, changes the form of the documentation that a foreigner must have, creates a new document called FMM and stops the emission of FM-2 and FM-3 by Mexican Consulates anywhere in the world. The FMT will be replaced by the FMM. Also, FM3s and FM2s will no longer be in booklet form like a passport but will be plastic cards with imbedded data strips.
Basically the criteria to obtain an immigration document will be more uniformed, have less requisites, and new forms will be used in a new process via internet called Electronic System of Immigration Procedures “Sistema Electronico de Tramites Migratorios”) [SETRAM].
The new system provides officials at immigration a way to register and follow up on immigration requests. It will also provide a more efficient register and control of the administrative activities such as reception, assignation, dispatch and notification. SETRAM has specific functions such as request for Interment, To Stay, or Business; follow up of processes via internet will provide the user to fill-out and print the new immigration forms and links to all the Consulates.
Three new forms are to be used: “Solicitud de Tramites de Intenación” (Request for Interment Process), “Solicitud de Tramite de Estancia” (Request for Process to Stay) and “Solicitud de Tramite de Empresas o Personas que Tienen a su Cargo o Responsabilidad a Extranjeros” (Request for Business Process or Management of foreigner person or persons who are under their responsibility). Each form will generate a second specific form.
Once the forms are filled out, printed and signed with all the other required documents attached that the law indicates. The applicant or his legal representative must present himself to the immigration office. The receiving immigration official will provide a receipt which the applicant via internet will be able to follow and be notified to present himself / herself to the immigration office.
Once the requirements are met the, the system (SETRAM) will emit the FMM, FM-3, FM-2 and or “inmigrado” ID CARD, which the foreigner will have to carry with him at all times.
More info can be obtained by contacting me at can-am-mex-law-firm@hotmail.com
Lic. J.E. Beaulne, LL.B.
Abogado / Avocat / Attorney at Law,
Cedula profesional # 0086,
Miembro del Colegio de Abogados de B.C.S.
Member of the Lawyer's College of B.C.S.
Plaza Cerralvo, Suite 6
Alvaro Obregon #1665
La Paz, B.C.S., Mexico C.P. 23000
24 Hour Emergency Tel: 044-612-8681027
Office: 612-128-6859
Puerto Vallarta - 044-322-227-6531
Additional Information
We have provious articles on the subject of Mexican Immigration. The above is the most current information but we have left these stories posted that may clarify some items for our readers.
Mexican Citizenship 2010
Advantages to Becoming a Mexican Citizen
Moving to Mexico