Moving to Mexico; FM-T, FM3, Vehicle importation & insurance. - Page 3

emptyhandedtraveler · #21 (**permalink**) 5th July 2009, 06:51 PM

I was in Mexico for the month of March, getting an FMT at the border. I would like to go back before the FMT ends (August), but if I do not make it by then, how do I get back into Mexico? How often can I enter with an FMT? I originally planned to be moved out of the Florida house before August, enter MX again, then apply for an FM3, and then bring the household goods down. But if I do not make it back there until say, September, are they going to allow me to enter? And, if so, what type of visa will I need? Thanks for any help.

Martha

AdePuebla · #22 (**permalink**) 5th July 2009, 07:54 PM

Well you are supposed to turn your FMT in when you leave Mexico. When you come back to Mexico, they give you a new FMT. You can come into Mexico as many times as you want, getting a new FMT every time.
I brought in a truck full of household goods on an FMT. i've been here for over a year and a half on FMTs (leaving every six months for a couple weeks then coming back to get a new FMT)

RVGRINGO · #23 (**permalink**) 5th July 2009, 08:13 PM

The FMT is a single entry document and when you leave Mexico, it becomes invalid. AdePuebla is correct; you get a new one when you re-enter. Technically, you are permitted up to 180 days per year but enforcement is lax, although it has been used to keep out 'questionable people'. If you are actually going to stay in Mexico, there are advantages to getting an FM3.

emptyhandedtraveler · #24 (**permalink**) 5th July 2009, 08:40 PM

Thank you both for your able help. I was reading about the other visas and got confused for a moment. Thanks for straightening that up for me. I cannot wait to get finished with organizing and packing, and return to beautiful Mexico. I am probably going to be staying at the west end of Lake Chapala in an RV park. I hope to find some vacant land after I get there. I have a big yellow labrador who loves to run, and it would be nice to grow things, also.

I love it when you talk about the weather. In the last 2-3 weeks, we have had some record-breaking temperatures (over 100!) plus it is very humid. I am looking forward very much to my return.

Thanks again,
Martha

RVGRINGO · #25 (**permalink**) 5th July 2009, 08:50 PM

The weather can be described easily: Perfect!

HolyMole · #26 (**permalink**) 5th July 2009, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdePuebla

Well you are supposed to turn your FMT in when you leave Mexico. When you come back to Mexico, they give you a new FMT. You can come into Mexico as many times as you want, getting a new FMT every time.
I brought in a truck full of household goods on an FMT. i've been here for over a year and a half on FMTs (leaving every six months for a couple weeks then coming back to get a new FMT)

You are describing a way of life that was typical for expats residing in Mexico a decade and more ago, but a lifestyle that computerization in Mexico was supposed to eliminate.

"Good on you", I say, if you can get away with it. I'm sure that Mexican Immigration would consider it an abuse of the purpose of a tourist card.

Personally I consider the FM3 an unnecessarily complicated process designed primarily to bring in more dollars to the Mexican treasury. One would think that Mexico would be doing everything it can to make it as easy as possible for retiree expats, rather than the other way 'round. You only have to look at the tremendous increase in the number of expats choosing Panama and Costa Rica, both of which make it easier for expat retirees than does Mexico. Given Mexico's bad press due to the incredible levels of crime associated with the drug trade, there's another reason for Mexico to reach out to expat retirees.

My wife and I would try the "perpetual FMT" route for permanent residence in Mexico if it weren't for the possibility that we would get caught and asked to leave the country. If, in the meantime, we had sold our Canadian residence, that's a recipe for disaster.

RVGRINGO · #27 (**permalink**) 5th July 2009, 09:59 PM

An FMT is really for the visiting tourist or the 'snowbird', etc. To really live in Mexico and be able to buy a home, a car, get utilities, have IMSS medical, start the clock for 'inmigrado' or naturalization, etc., you need an FM3 or FM2.

floridagal · #28 (**permalink**) 5th July 2009, 10:43 PM

With the FM-T, don't you have to go back to the border every six months? That alone would be a good reason to get the FM3 or FM2, but the tourist one is great to 'test the waters' and see if it's really a viable place to retire.

Very soon, it will be a reality for me - I wish I knew if anyone was caravaning back to Chapala around the end of July... but I am just trusting God that all will be well, regardless, and the journey will be a beautiful chapter in my life.

Can't wait to meet all the people in here that live in 'lakeside' so I can put faces to all the fantastic personalities.

See you all SOON,
Donna

Turk · #29 (**permalink**) 5th July 2009, 11:16 PM

Floridagal where are you crossing the border and what day? My wife and are crossing at Laredo our target is 29th or 30th July. If everything works out here in Missouri. We are headed Lakeside.

floridagal · #30 (**permalink**) 6th July 2009, 12:39 AM

Sooo close yet so far away - I can't leave FL until the 29th and doubt I can make that 1100 mile drive in one day, even with a driving companion that would be too grueling - so we'll miss one another by two days... DRAT!

I spent 31 years of my life in Kansas so can relate to your beautiful Missouri....

It would sure feel safer to have others to travel with. I got a great tip from a gal who does it frequently and she said to stay at the hotels that are considered houses of ill repute (to put it more delicately than she did) because they have secure garages to park inside of that lock down at night. Cool tip, huh?

Donna