MOVING TO MEXICO
Menaje de casa Specialist
We work closely with the rules and regulations of the Mexican Consulate to ensure a smooth, safe and speedy move for you
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We are México’s premier full service moving company. Long distance and local moves are our specialty. We can move you to any part of the country as well as return moves to the United States. Moving pianos and automobile transport is no problem either. Full service moving companies are capable of treating your household goods in ways that other movers simply cannot. Our moving and storage company have fully equipped trucks and trailers and can provide premium white glove service. We will protect your house or your apartment. This dedication makes Mexico Transport and Moving the best mover you could ask for the next time you are moving locally, intrastate or long distance.
Most important in an international move to Mexico is that you have your documentation in order and that you are researched as to what to expect and what to avoid in the move and in Mexico on this site we hope that you find some helpful tips and information. If you have any questions feel free to call or email for a prompt response.
Make sure your moving company regularly moves across the Mexico Border this will ensure you that their relationship with Aduana will prevent you from additional cost and long delays. Mexico Transport and Moving have been doing this for over 8 years and have the experience and connections you want.
Get a free moving estimate today to find out.
Meet the most amazing beaches in Mexico, along with the warmest people which you can only find in Baja California, México
Baja California has a lot of places for young people to grow up safely and with a smile in their faces, but it also has many places for retired people to enjoy each and every day in a calm safe way.
VISAS
There are three kinds of visas – FMM, FM3 and FM2 (actually there are more, but these three are all we are interested in.) The INM 2010 manual can be read in Spanish here.
FMM is the common tourist visa that is issued as you enter the country and which you must turn in as you exit the country. It is the new replacement for the FMT. The FMM, like the old FMT, is good for a maximum of 180 days. It cannot be renewed. If you wish to stay more than 180 days, you will have to return to the border, turn in your expiring FMM and get a new one. The is a persistent myth that you cannot do that -- only one FMM per year. That is bunk.
If you fly into México, you will be given the simple FMM visa form on the plane where you can fill it out between bumps, so you’ll have it ready for immigration when you get off the plane. The cost is included in the price of your ticket. If you walk, drive or boat into México, you will be given the FMM form at the immigration office. You will have to pay a charge of about US$20. You'll have to pay at a bank. Some border offices have a bank near-by, most don't. If your stay is no more than 7 days, you do not need to pay.
In addition the the tourist form of the FMM, there many other versions for business, transit, etc. At the border or airport, the INM agent will ask the purpose of your visit and give you the appropriate FMM. This is a tremendous simplification of the old procedures for business people.
Everyone entering the country must fill out an FMM even if you have an FM3 or FM2 for whom it's for statistical purposes. You should keep your part of the form to turn in next time you leave the country.
Here is a picture of the front of an actual tourist's FMM.
FM3: If you plan to stay in México for something more than 180 days up to the rest of your life, you want an FM3. It’s a little harder to come by and costs more than an FMM, but it is good more or less forever – renewed each year in the city where you live with a small amount of paperwork. You will be issued a little plastic ID card. Useful in opening a bank account, signing up for utility services, etc.
Applying at a Consulate: In the past FM3s were issued by the Mexican consulate serving the area where you lived in your home country and at INM offices in México. This has changed. Now, FM3s are issued only in México by the INM office serving the city where you will be living.
You may still apply for an FM3 at a Mexican consulate, but the actual card will not be issued at that time. You will get the card from the INM office after you arrive in your new home. After receiving your application and fee payment, the consulate will attach a special form to your passport. With this attachment, you will have 180 days to make your move to México. Once you arrive in México, you will have only 30 days to go to the INM office in your city to complete the application for your FM3.
When you enter México, be sure to get an FMM which you will need to turn in to the INM office when you complete your visa application. If you fail to have an FMM to turn in, you will face a fine of $1,196 pesos.
When you present your documents at the INM office, they will want you to fill out a Formato Básico and give them some pictures for the form and for you new FM3 card. They will want 2 front and 2 right side infantile size color pictures with no jewelry. They will also want proof of address, usually a utility bill or letter from your landlord.
Getting the paperwork done at the consulate makes it easier for you to round up any extra paperwork you might need.
Applying in México: If you apply in México, you will need to use the INM webpage where you will create a personal account that will begin the process. This is not optional, you must apply online. Before you begin, turn off any pop-up blockers you may have because the ID number of your application will appear in a pop-up.
The old name FM3 has been discontinued (although I will still use it in these pages). It is now called No Inmigrante. The procedure is described step-by-step here.
After you save and print your application, take it and the file number to the local INM office where you will be asked to fill out a Formato Básico which you can download and fill out before you go if you wish. Unlike the application form, this one can be filled out by hand in black ink.
They will tell you if anything more is required in addition to these items: Your FMM.
The original and a copy of your passport.
2 front and 2 right side infantile size color pictures with no jewelry.
Proof of your residency address. This can be a utility bill showing the address or a letter from your landlord. Proof of income, usually your last three monthly bank statements.
Some offices require a letter in Spanish requesting the FM3.
The income requirement is a monthly income from outside México equal to 250 times the basic minimum wage in México City. Each dependent will increase the basic amount by 50%. For 2012 the min wage is $62.33 pesos. (It goes up a little each January.) So the min monthly income requirement for a single person in 2012 is $15,583 pesos.
If you are married, you should bring your marriage certificate. If you have minor children, you should bring their birth certificates. These documents will need an apostille. You will need to make a separate online application and Formato Básico for each dependent including children. Again, be sure to save the file numbers! Each dependent will increase the basic income requirement by 50%.
Paying the application fee: The INM office will give you a form to take to a bank to pay. The fee in 2012 is $1,145 pesos. In addition there is a $550 peso fee for changing from FMM to FM3.
Checking on the progress of your application can done from this website. The Pieza is your application ID number. The INM office will give you the Contraseña (password) and the NUT numbers when they accept your papers. After you enter the Pieza and Contraseña, click on Buscar, and a new page will come up asking you to select the NUT -- probably only one choice. Then all the particulars of your application will appear.
Leaving the country while an application is pending: The new application procedure is much faster than the old one, but there still could be a situation requiring you to leave the country while your FM3/2 application is pending. There is a procedure to take care of that. It's called Permiso de Salida y Regreso. The instructions are in Spanish which a translator such as Google's can take care of for you. This page will lead you to an application form which you can download, fill out, and take to INM. They will sell you a permit that you can use to exit and reenter the country.
FM2 is the visa type that leads to permanent residency status (inmigrado) and citizenship. You must apply using the INM website just as with the FM3. The old name FM2 has been discontinued (although I will still use it in these pages). It is now called Inmigrante.
I think there are only two reasons for wanting an FM2:
1) It's the path to citizenship
2) It's the path to permanent residency status.
Either of the two may be pursued after five years with an FM2. An FM2 cannot be renewed after the fourth renewal runs out. At that time you must apply for inmigrado or citizenship or revert back to an FM3.
There is an odd way to continue with an FM2. Leave the country, return with an FMM, and apply for a new FM2. This way may be of interest to someone who has failed the citizenship test or has been denied inmigrado status.
The procedure for applying for an FM2 is the same as applying for an FM3. The monthly income requirement is 400 times the min wage. For 2012 that would be $24,932 pesos. The fee for the visa is $3,140 pesos. In addition, there is a one time $750 peso fee for registering you in the National Register of Foreigners.
An FM3 has no restriction on the amount of time one may be outside México. This is not the case with an FM2 which has a limit of 18 months total time out of country during the five years of the FM2's life.
You will need to give up your foreign-plated car after you achieve one of the two options (citizenship or inmigrado). If you achieve either option, you will never have to deal with INM again, but your car must go away.
Your car cannot stay if you have an FM2 with a working permit. (That is not an issue with an FM3 working permit.) The only flavor of FM2 that allows you to have a foreign-plated vehicle is called Inmigrante - Rentista. (Rentista means a person who lives on his own funds. It does not mean renter although it looks like it might).
Inmigrado status gives one all the privileges of citizenship except the right to vote or to hold political office or to own property in the restricted zones.
Menaje de Casa
The old menaje de casa is a thing of the past except for returning Mexican nationals. The menaje de casa was paperwork issued by your area Mexican consulate allowing you to bring your household belonging without paying an import duty.
While the menaje is gone, it is still sometime useful to prepare a menaje-like list for use with the customs (Aduana) folks at the border. Aduana wants to know what you are bringing into the country and the simplest way to cross the border is to have an accurate inventory of all your effects. Most important are the electronics each one should be listed by make model and serial number. The boxes numbered and marked, this makes crossing generally easy as they check one or two boxes and see all is in order then they pass you…if every box is a surprise they will want to see each one. Having the menaje de casa or similar list certainly will save you /your movers time and money at the border. Experienced Movers to mexico will have a relationship and some measure of trust with their aduana agents making your move easier.
Shopping in Mexico
There are some American stores in Mexico i.e..Wal-Mart, Sam’s .Costco ,OfficeMax HEB etc….however these stores charge basically the same price as in the states only the currency is changed to Mexican. You can purchase most American products there. Electronics products such as TVs stereos etc. cost in Mexico approximately twice the price in the states. It is advisable to bring with you the things that you need and already have that provide comfort unless spending is no object. There is always a fee to change American cash to Mexican and very few stores accept American money.
BANKS
ACTIVITIES
Mexican food is awesome and they have every type of eatery from taco stands to 5 star restaurants and buffets, they modern night clubs are sometimes even more advanced than the best ones in the states, In some clubs you buy an arm band and your drinks are free all night(all inclusive).
Beaches, Lakes and Lagoons are all over Mexico and provide quiet and fun family time. Concerts, Public events and rallies are common throughout Mexico all year and always provide entertainment and enjoyable times. Art Expositions and shows are always entertaining and its fun to shop the artesian wares everywhere.
In all the coastal cities and towns dep sea fishing is year around. Places like Cancun have jungle tours and booze cruises. All over Mexico are Archeological sites pyramids etc… the Mexican culture is rich in heritage and much is recently discovered from the Aztec, Mayan, Olmec and many more ancient tribes.
MEDICAL
Health Emergencies in Mexico
When you move to Mexico, you should acquaint yourself with the local medical and health facilities available in your local area. Find out where your nearest hospitals and clinics are, as well doctors, dentists and opticians and keep their telephone contact numbers at hand.
You can find this information out from neighbors, friends, work colleagues or contact your local consulate who may be able to provide you with a list of local health facilities in the city or town where you live.
Although Mexico has a number of universal emergency numbers, numbers for specific emergency services vary by state and locality, so inquire about the numbers for the local police, ambulance and fire station and keep these handy by the home and office phone (and save them in your mobile phone).The equivalent of 911 (or in Europe 112, 999) is 060 in Mexico. You can ask for the police, an ambulance or the fire brigade on this number.
Doctors in Mexico
Mexico has many fine doctors and many also speak good English. If you are in need of an English-speaking doctor in Mexico you may contact your local consulate as they usually keep a list of local doctors at hand Also asks friends, neighbors and work colleagues for recommendations of good local doctors. Your insurance company may also provide a list of doctors and, even, may have a list of approved doctors you may contact as part of your insurance cover.
In an emergency, if you need the name of an English-speaking doctor, contact your nearest decent hotel; they will have the contact details of a local English-speaking doctor that they will have on hand for their guests.
Dentists in Mexico
Mexico appears to have no shortage of dentists: simply ask a neighbor and they probably have or know a friend who has a dentist somewhere in their family tree. A large number of Americans travel south of the border every year to have dentistry work undertaken. If you can find a good dentist in Mexico, you can have excellent work done for a fraction of the cost as the same work would cost to have done in the USA or the UK, for example. As with doctors and other professionals, word-of-mouth recommendations are ideal: ask friends, neighbors or work colleagues if they know of a good dentist locally. If youareinsured for dental treatment, your insurance company may have a list of local dentists that you may contact for treatment.
Opticians in Mexico
Mexico is awash with opticians and you should have no trouble finding someone to test your eyesight in most of Mexico's larger towns and cities.Most of the opticians you'll find in Mexico are franchises which offer a complete eye-treatment service: from eye exams through to supplying glasses and contact lenses.You will also be able to find local, independent, opticians some of which have been practicing for years and have a great deal of experience.Eye Examinations: Eye exams are usually free provided that you purchase eye glasses or contact lenses, if you need them, at the same place. The quality of eye exams varies and you should try and select an optician that offers you experienced eye doctors and modern testing equipment.Eye Glasses and Frames: If you need your eye-sight corrected, you'll have an enormous choice of glasses, frames, designer frames and frame styles to choose from. Frames and glasses are relatively expensive in Mexico, especially if you want brand-name designer frames.Contact Lenses: Contact lenses are widely available in Mexico, including the monthly disposables. Daily disposables are available in fewer places and may need to be pre-ordered for later pick-up. Some of the larger Sanborns Stores stock a wide range of daily disposal lenses which they sell over-the-counter. Although contact lenses are available over the counter without a prescription, you should have 'contact lens eye test' undertaken annually when you wear contact lenses as the optician will check for infections or other issues which may arise with the use of contact lenses. Laser Treatment: Laser Eye Treatment is available in Mexico. Talk to your eye doctor or optician about this. Prices for treatment are still quite high, as they are in most places around the world.
Hospitals and Clinics in Mexico
Mexico's best hospitals and clinics are based in Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey. If you are seeking specialist hospital treatment in Mexico you will probably have to travel to one of these cities. Your insurance company may give you a list of hospitals you may make use of in Mexico or, if you have an open choice, then your local consulate will be able to provide you with a list of hospitals and clinics in the local area. Also talk with friends, colleagues or neighbors to ask them about local hospitals and clinics they may recommend. Note that private hospital and clinical treatments are expensive in Mexico. You will need to have proof of private medical insurance or present a credit card with sufficient credit to cover several thousand dollars’ worth of treatment when you are admitted. Even if you have medical insurance, the hospital may still request a credit card imprint while the insurance policy and its details are confirmed; it can take up to 24 hours for this to happen. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the investment of private clinics and hospitals in Mexico, especially in areas popular with tourists and foreign residents, particularly retirees. For example, a new medical center in Merida has been receiving extremely good reviews from retirees in the area: the center was built, in part, to provide services to the increasing number of foreign retirees living in that region. The doctors, nurses and specialist healthcare professionals working at Mexico's private hospitals are exceptionally well trained and usually have access to the latest equipment, technologies and medicines. Although wealthy individuals still travel to the USA for some types of very specialist treatments (for example, Houston Texas is renowned for its world excellence in cancer treatments), you can expect very high levels of healthcare and attention at Mexico's private hospitals and clinics.