I'm moving to Mexico.?

Question

I was hoping that you might be able to help me a little bit. I have looked and looked on the Internet for some info. about Americans moving to Mexico, but however I put in a search, it always comes back with Mexicans moving here. There's a man at my work whose brother is going to be living in Mexico. He doesn't talk to his brother very often, but he found out some information for me. He said that I can go with a passport and stay for 30 days. In that 30 days, I apply for a passport extension, and in the 6 months, then I do the major paperwork and things to be able to stay for longer and work legally and things. I also would like to bring my car with me if possible, but some of my friends said that might now work either. They said that certain years of cars are illegal in Mexico, but that doesn't really make sense to me. I'm pretty sure that as long as I register my car in Mexico and get Mexican plates that it will be fine. So I have no idea how to register my car in mexico

Answer 1

A lot of misinformation here and only the last two answers are correct.

This is what you must do. When you drive over the border, go FIRST to the "migracion" station and get your FMT visa. If you can't find it, ask and someone will direct you. You will be given a form to fill out. It is in both English and Spanish and not difficult. After you have filled it out, take it to the window with your passport. Tell them you plan to travel in Mexico for 6 MONTHS and they will usually give you the full 180 days maximum on the visa. Take the form to the bank window (which may or may not be in a separate building) and pay the fee-- 230 pesos or $US 23 when I was there in May. Once it is stamped, do NOT lose your FMT visa.

Your next stop is the car registration area. It can sometimes be hard to find. Ask someone. Go in with all your current paperwork for the car--registration, pink slip or notarized letter from your bank or loan holder giving permission to take the car out of the country, your drivers license. Take multiple copies of everything (twice as many as you think you could possibly need). Stand in line. Once all your paperwork has been gone over and rubber stamped numerous times, go to the Banjercito window and pay the fee WITH AN INTERNATIONAL CREDIT/DEBIT CARD. They will NOT accept cash. If you don't have a credit card, you will have to post a bond of several hundred dollars (which you will get back when you take the car out of the country within the 6 month time limit). When all that is done, they will put a silvery sticker on your windshield. LEAVE IT THERE.

You're on your way.

Re: insurance. Your US car insurance will be dead in the water the minute you cross the border. It simply does not cover you in Mexico. You will need to cancel that policy and take out one that covers you in Mexico. You can buy it in several places at the border. You can get it in advance from Sanborns. There are several other options, too. Try googling "Mexican insurance for US cars."

Do NOT assume you will be able to register your car in Mexico and get Mexican plates. There are very specific restrictions on what cars can be registered -- and sometimes limited timeframes as well. Your car sticker from the border is good as long as you are in the country legally. If you don't get 180 days on your visa, then go to the immigration office in Mexico to get an extension. You car will be legal as long as you are. If you do not apply for and receive an FM3 residence permit within the 6 month time frame, you MUST take the car back to the border, turn in the papers and have the sticker removed.

If you apply for an FM3 legal residence permit while there, you will need to show proof of a minimum income level. The amount varies from state to state. In San Miguel de Allende, it is currently about $1200/month. You must show bank statements for three months proving this amount has been deposited or give other proof of income.

Do NOT assume you will easily get a work permit. It is a difficult process. Any company hiring you must show proof that there is no Mexican available to do the job. And there are limits on the percentage of their employees who can be foreigners. The best way to get permission to work is to start your own business. It is especially easy if you can show the likelihood that you will be creating one or more jobs for a Mexican worker.

Despite the misinformation above, you most certainly CAN own property in Mexico--EXCEPT for beach property or land within a certain distance from the border. In those situations, someone (usually a bank) will own the land in trust for you. In the interior, you can buy and sell just as you would in the States. If you do buy property, the minimum income requirement for an FM3 is lower.

It sounds like you need to do a LOT more research before you will be ready for this move. I suggest you join the forums at mexconnect.com. you will find lots of info and have a chance to get your specific questions answered by people who have been there and done that. Another really useful site to check out is rollybrook.com. It is packed with the answers you need.

You haven't said where In Mexico you plan to move. One possibility is San Miguel de Allende. For more on the town, check out the website below.

Answer 2

I live in Mexico and have for 2 1/2 years now. When i first got here, more or less to check it out, I got a six months visa just for the asking, but do tell them you want 6 months or they will just give you 30 days. Within the 6 months, apply for an fm3, that's good for 3 years but you must renew every year, they keep track of you here. After 3 years you apply for an fm2, that's good for 2 years, renewable every year. then after that you can apply for citizenship if you wish. You must prove income, around 800 $ a month to qualify. Good luck on the job thing, you are not allowed to work here unless you do something no other Mexican can do, kiss your elbow maybe? It's a wonderful place to retire though, I like it.
On the car thing, if your willing to take it back, drive over the border then bring it back ever 6 months, you can have anything you want here. If you plan to get Mexican plates on it that is a different matter, it must fit their criteria. I don't have one, taxis and buses are so cheap you don't need one. If you really need a car, make it a vw or Nissan, they can service them , most cars from the USA or Europe are difficult at best to get worked on here, and the price goes wayyyy up.
good luck to you.
ps. Live where the Mexicans live not the "gated communities" that most "gringos" live in or you'll not be living in Mexico

Answer 3

The above answer by RogerGuile is correct, and I wish to add: I also have retired, and moved to Mexico, over 3 years ago. 1St. Take your USA passport( soon to be required to reinter USA, by USCIS), 2. If your car is not paid for, you will have to have a notorized letter from the bank, holding the lein, stating that you have their permission to take that car into Mexico. 3. When you cross the border, usually about 30 miles inland, (at some crossings,immediatly at the border, check at that border) there will be the Mexico Authorities, AND MAKE SURE YOU ASK FOR THE 6 MONTH TOURIST VISA!!! There will be a small charge for the paper work and auto insurance (U.S. auto insurance is no good in Mexico), AND THEY ONLY ACCEPT A GOOD DEBIT / CHARGE CARD, IN WHICH TO PAY!!!!!!!!!
IF they ask where you intend to go, have in mind the very southern area you might visit!!! HOWEVER, AMERICANS ARE NOT WELCOMED IN SOME OF THE SAOUTHERN MOST AREAS OF MEXICO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I live in a town of 8,000 to 9,000 population, about 200 miles south of Eagle Pass, Texas, ABSOLUTELY NO PROBLEMS, AND ABOUT THE MOST COURTIEST PEOPLE I HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED IN MY TRAVELING INTO 52 FOREIGN COUNTRIES!!!
Auto's: The more common low to middle priced Chevies, Fords, Nissons, V.W.'s and some Chrysler products are produced at Saltillo, Coahula, at the companies plants !!!
IF you are not given to a lot of boozing, Rogerguile's advise is good as you might as well stay in the USA, as to live in the AMERICANOS CUIDADES, and join the "Tequila Sunset Club" crowd !!!!
I live VERY NICELY ON ABOUT $1200 a month, and know several other Americans, living in other towns, living nicely on less than $800 a month.
Go to www.coahuila.gob.mx and link from there, the State of Coahuila, to other states / areas.
Also, the Dallas Morning News, march 25, 2005, pages 1a & 14a has a fair article about living in Mexico, how ever, my impression of those interviewed was they were a bunch of barrachos / sots/ drunks, and lived in the AMERICANOS CUIDADES ( American Communities). Click on my avatar & read my profile.
As a Native Texan, and haven driven over 40,000 miles in the interior of Mexico, I will advise you to know the area, before venturing out, a long distance, by your lonesome.
GOOOOD LUUUUCK,
Uncle Wil

Answer 4

The deal with the cars is this: They won't allow newer cars there. (only governmental officials will be driving around in new Escalades- LOL). I don't recall exactly, but, it has to be 4-5 years old. The poster above me was correct, you should speak with a mexican consulate about the technicalities. Good luck!

Answer 5

Try to locate the nearest Mexican consulate in your area; they should have some information for you. The official Mexican Government websites probably will, as well.

Answer 6

Try contacting the Mexican Embassy? There's quite a few of them in the U.S.

Answer 7

Be careful. Check your information thoroughly before you make any decision. You can't own property there, and if you do they can take it away any time they like. All I can say, if you are serious, be careful and get all info pertaining to your situation.

Answer 8

I would love to move to Mexico..I'm retired and I would love it..problem is my wife won't let me

Answer 9

Went there for yrs no more they don't like USA citizens much, as your car they don't want cars that if stolen they can't use for parts.Or get parts for.

Answer 10

if your car has American plates you wont have a problem.