New immigration laws

Couldn't find the Guad Reporter article .... have a link?

Here is the link: http://theguadalajarareporter.com/news-mainmenu-82/lake-chapala-mainmenu-84/32299-chapala-immigration-chief-answers-faqs.html

I don't have an online subscription but maybe someone who does can post the full contents?

They usually don't restrict new articles ... so I thought maybe maybe one of the older ones

sparks wrote:Couldn't find the Guad Reporter article .... have a link?

Sorry, I got it out of the paper today.

Looks like chapala is back in the fold with everyone else. Now, we just have to get the facilitators on board.

Also, I stated incorrectly on one of the boards that I knew of someone who had gone back to the states to start over because of financials. That was only partly correct. They actually had a 180 day visa and have been renewing it for years. A few of us got together and we are fixing that problem so in 6 months, they should have a permanent visa.

Folks don't forget that this is all about money. Looks like the US and Mexico are in cohotes.

What's with the non-word "cohotes?" US and Mexico are in North America. This is about Immigration not money.

SunshineyDay wrote:Folks don't forget that this is all about money. Looks like the US and Mexico are in cohotes.

Cohetes? Cahoots? Cohotes!

david, its always the bottom line: money. they raised the price of the visa, & also thought the new regs would bring in more $$. maybe attract a better "class" of people. if they wanted that they should make it like 10,000 usd a month. wouldnt out it past them, its goverment we are talking about.

It's good to know that someone knows exactly what the Mexican government is thinking. Perhaps you should read the law. BTW, we'll be sure to check with you to get the inside scoop on the EPN administration.

I think MX is trying to make it easier on people wanting to retire here. Under the new rules, if you want to retire here, you can go to a consulate, fill out everything, prove financials and get a permanent visa and you are done.

If you don't have the higher financials but do have the lower, you get a 4 year temp visa and then convert it after 4 years, no financials.

This is really simple compared to some other countries in Latin and South America.

jrm30655 wrote:I think MX is trying to make it easier on people wanting to retire here. Under the new rules, if you want to retire here, you can go to a consulate, fill out everything, prove financials and get a permanent visa and you are done.

If you don't have the higher financials but do have the lower, you get a 4 year temp visa and then convert it after 4 years, no financials.

This is really simple compared to some other countries in Latin and South America.

I agree.

Z

jrm30655 wrote:I think MX is trying to make it easier on people wanting to retire here. Under the new rules, if you want to retire here, you can go to a consulate, fill out everything, prove financials and get a permanent visa and you are done.

If you don't have the higher financials but do have the lower, you get a 4 year temp visa and then convert it after 4 years, no financials.

This is really simple compared to some other countries in Latin and South America.

Not sure the Gov. is being friendly to newbies:

Income required for a new 4 year temporaral is $1900 per month, while the average SS payment is only $1200 per month. I agree INM is protecting the 'been heres' but isn't looking to expand that base, unless the expats are much more affluent. It's still unclear whether EACH person of a married couple needs to meet the income requirement; that could rule out many.

And, for those folks still 'on the fence' about retiring here, who have been following these changes, the message is clear: Caution; things can change at any time. That's scary to many people at this time of their lives. I think expat house buying in Mexico will dry up, based on the perceived (whether true or not) roll-of-the-dice mentality of the Mexican government in how they want to treat expats.

When we moved here over 7 years ago the income requirement was $1500. Increasing it to $1900 barely keeps up with inflation.

If a person doesn't meet the financial requirements they can always go with the tourist visa and duck out of the country for 24 hours and come right back. And I think that is probably going to be a new business down here in the future, ferrying people who have reached their 180 days up to the border and bringing them right back.
I really don't know what the big deal is all about except for all the unknowns and confusion with something that is new.
Whomever thinks that the Mexican government is so stupid as to increase the requirements to keep people out must think they are stupid. Different? Maybe. Stupid, I don't think so.
If you want to see Stupid, just look at the US.

juanrey wrote: If you want to see Stupid, just look at the US.

Boy howdy!

I find the new rules to be a positive change. Being able to get permanent residence right off the bat is great. No more of this yearly cost and hassle. I think it will have little effect on those already living here with an FM2 or 3.

Sideways wrote:

jrm30655 wrote:I think MX is trying to make it easier on people wanting to retire here. Under the new rules, if you want to retire here, you can go to a consulate, fill out everything, prove financials and get a permanent visa and you are done.

If you don't have the higher financials but do have the lower, you get a 4 year temp visa and then convert it after 4 years, no financials.

This is really simple compared to some other countries in Latin and South America.

Not sure the Gov. is being friendly to newbies:

Income required for a new 4 year temporaral is $1900 per month, while the average SS payment is only $1200 per month. I agree INM is protecting the 'been heres' but isn't looking to expand that base, unless the expats are much more affluent. It's still unclear whether EACH person of a married couple needs to meet the income requirement; that could rule out many.

And, for those folks still 'on the fence' about retiring here, who have been following these changes, the message is clear: Caution; things can change at any time. That's scary to many people at this time of their lives. I think expat house buying in Mexico will dry up, based on the perceived (whether true or not) roll-of-the-dice mentality of the Mexican government in how they want to treat expats.

I'm not sure if you have to prove the $ 1,900 a month IF you have enough money "sitting" in a bank account either here or in the US. I couldn't prove putting $ 1,900 US a month into my Mexican bank account, as I receive less than $ 1,900 a month, so I gave my facilitator 3 months statements showing a fairly high amount in my US checking account. You can always use your Investment account too. I think everyone here has investments that would make them qualify for whatever INM card you needed.

Perhaps you should read the new law John. You're off-base again and just adding to the confusion.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but what I hear is that the 180 day visa can only be issued once in a year. If that's so, then the "ferrying back and forth" system would not work.

No matter what restrictions are on newcomers, the fact is they don't HAVE TO move to Mexico. Nobody is chasing them away from home. It's true that some desirable communities have become nearly impossible to remain in on a pension, but there are others more affordable. People do what they must.

As far as worrying about the power of the government, lets get real: unless we are citizens, we shouldn't expect to have the full rights of citizens of any country.

In the U.S.A., the government can glom onto your property with minimal compensation by the power of eminent domain. The building codes are so strict in some states that they can "red tag" your house and keep you from living in it.

Our perceived rights, anywhere, may be delusional. It is one thing to enjoy what you own and another to be "attached". True freedom is knowing you can get on a bus, a plane or a car (or even by foot, surreptitiously) and leave a place without your stuff, abandoning your property, never looking back and never letting your losses ruin your life.
Many of our ancestors did exactly that when they had to. Many people in other countries torn by conflict are doing so right now.
Reference material: "Fiddler on the Roof"
Meanwhile,

According to the head of the INM office in Chapala, one can exit the country and return immediately on a new tourist visa. Also, if you are here already on a No-inmigrante or Inmigrante Visa (old FM3/FM2) at the end of 4 years you AUTOMATICALLY QUALIFY for Residente Permanente and no financial or income proof is required. See the interview with him in the current issue of the Guadalajara Reporter.

gringal wrote:Correct me if I'm wrong, but what I hear is that the 180 day visa can only be issued once in a year. If that's so, then the "ferrying back and forth" system would not work.

I thought so also but some say that rule has been changed. Soooooo who know LOL.

Z

Yes, I've heard it both ways. It's a "who knows" at this point.
That interview with the INM man had a bit of dodginess in it, IMO. After some people's experiences they've recounted on TOB and here, let us hope that the law is applied even handedly across the country, even here in Chapala.
I'm not personally concerned about this since it seems that we who have 8 or 9 years on FM3 and FM2 are shoo-ins. It's the newbies who may have a problem.

David wrote:Perhaps you should read the new law John. You're off-base again and just adding to the confusion.

If I'm off base, why did I NOT have to show a monthly income of $ 1,900 US?

Really, you know that there has been so many OPINIONS posted on here that it is very, very confusing.

NO ONE has posted facts and explained in detail:
Income requirements, Income requirements if married, Income requirements if owning a house, Income requirements if Married and owning a house.

And the other confusing thing is when you go from old FM 3 to FM 2, do you get an INM Immigrado card for 1, 2, 3 or 4 years. When can you get a Resident Permanente card?

When do you get a Residente Permanente card and what are the advantages.

So, David, please explain this to me.

John:

Did you not renew your FM2?

CheenaGringo wrote:John:

Did you not renew your FM2?

I never had an FM 2, I had an FM 3 for 10 years and went to an FM 2 (old designation), so I believe it's called a Residente Temporal???