8 replies to this topic

[Daniel]

It got my FM3 visa (which allows me to live as a permanent resident in Mexico) and my Mexican drivers license several years ago, so I’ve probably forgotten something important. Also, I had a local helping me, which is another reason I’ve probably forgotten something. There was more “paper work” than I care to remember. It wasn’t hard so much as every time I turned around it seemed there was something more they wanted and hadn’t told me was needed. I had to make several trips before I finally had all the required documents. If I had it to do again I’d consider using a Mexican attorney instead of asking a friend to help.


FM3 Visa

To get my FM3 visa I went to the:
Mexican Consulate in San Diego
1549 India St, San Diego, CA, 92101
http://www.consulmex...clasic/english/

What I remember needing is:
US Passport
2 passport size pictures
Six months bank statements or a letter from my bank stating I had a minimum balance of X dollars for the past six months.
Copies of everything.
Completed Application (application obtained from the consulate)
Fee was about $150.00
Hint: If you have an address in Mexico have the consulate enter it on the FM3 visa as it will save some headaches in the long run. (If you are going to live in Tijuana I recommend renting the a place first.)

It took 24 hours to get the visa. When I went to the consulate in San Diego there was a long line of Mexicans waiting to get in. When the guy at the door learned I was a US citizen applying for a visa I got to go to the head of the line. There was a special line for visa applications and the whole thing took maybe 10 minutes. It was much easier than dealing with the California DMV. (Dealing with the Mexican government inside Mexico is a whole different story and I then wished I were dealing with the DMV.) Remember, to get the visa stamped by Mexican immigration within 90 days or it becomes void.


Mexican Drivers License

Getting a Mexican drivers license was a lot more involved. The next step for me was to register with the equivalent of the Mexican INS and obtain a letter stating I was a registered foreigner living in Mexico. The office is located at the border on the bridge that one uses to cross the highway from the yellow cab parking lot to US customs. I think it is called the “Instituto Nacional de Migracion.” The letter I received from them is called “Anotacion de Domicilio.”

This is one of the places my memory is a little fuzzy. I remember thinking that if I’d had the Mexican consulate enter my Mexican address on my FM3 I could have skipped this step and gone directly to the TJ Municipal office for the carta de residencia.

I don’t remember all of what the Instituto Nacional de Migracion wanted, but I believe it included:
US Passport
Mexican FM3 visa
6 months rent receipts
6 months utility bills (gas, water, and telephone if possible. I think I just had the gas/light bill and rent receipts. They’ve figured out everybody has forged rent receipts so they also want utility bills.)
Completed application form (they give you the application form and a list of what you need)
Copies of everything
I don’t remember if I even paid a fee, if so it was probably around twenty bucks.
If a twenty-dollar bill accidentally gets mixed into you paper work you will probably get better service.

Note: The application form must be completed using a typewriter. There is a little trailer that looks like the trailer at a construction site at the back of the yellow cab parking lot. They will complete (type) forms for you and make copies. They seemed to know exactly what was needed.

Take everything you took to the Instituto Nacional de Migracion (Mexican INS) and everything you received from the Instituto Nacional de Migracion (Mexican INS) to the Tijuana Municipality. You need a letter from the municipality of Tijuana stating you reside in Tijuana. The TJ Muncipal office is located in the building at the corner of Ave. Independencia and Centenario. (Sort of near the linea sentry.) What letter you need from them is a carta de residencia. (Also called a constancia de domicilio and comprobante de residencia.)

Again, I don’t remember how much fee was, but it wasn’t much. Also, if you mix a twenty into the paper work things will probably go quicker. (That means you will have what you need in a week, instead of making a trip every week for the next month.)

The next thing is to go the Mexican DMV. I don’t remember where it is located because my friend drove me there. (Ask a cab driver how to find the place.) Again, I don’t remember the fee, but it wasn't much. You will have to stand in a lot of lines, don’t try giving everyone a twenty as it will cause you problems instead of helping you.

You will need at least:
FM3 Visa
Carta de residencia (contancia de domicilio) from the Tijuana municipality
Copies of everything

You will stand in different lines to get the forms, pay your money, take your written test, take your driving test, etc. Unlike California, you get your license on the spot. (They probably figure mailing it to you is a waste of postage.)

I speak Spanish fairly well, but my Spanish was inadequate for the written test. (In Spanish speaking countries there is a tendency to use “big words” words instead of conversation vocabulary in written documents. Alcoholic beverages become something like intoxicating spirits and a bathroom is a sanitary station.) There didn’t seem to have a provision for English speakers to take the test. I told the guy I needed some help understanding the questions and slipped him twenty. He explained the questions to me and put his finger next to the correct answer. I got 100% right!

You will have to take an eye exam. Don’t slip the person money. (Those over 55 also need a medical exam. Since I hadn’t yet hit 55 I don’t know what the procedure is for the exam.)

You will also have to take a behind the wheel driving exam. I used my friend’s car; however, I think you can use a car with US plates. I left a twenty on the passenger’s seat of the car. My driving test ended after about 100 feet when I reached the end of the building. (I also had to shit into reverse as well. I suppose it was to prove I could drive a clutch.)

Notes:
Copies of everything is required everywhere you go. You have to provide the copies. The prudent man makes half a dozen copies of everything before going to any Mexican governmental office. (It is also a good idea to keep a copy of everything at home, just in case something goes wrong.)

Make sure to keep a Xerox copy of your Mexican driver’s license at home because if it gets lost or stolen you will appreciate having a copy when you try getting it replaced. Trust me.

I haven't tried using my California driver's license with a Mexican address to cross the border. I have a California ID card with a California address and US passport that I use to cross the border.

Never directly hand anybody money for a bride. Never let a co-worker or somebody else in line see money change hands. Never mention the money. Simply put the money on the bottom of the forms or in between a couple of pages that the clerk must see. You want the clerk (and only the clerk) to discover the money in your presence. If you aren’t discrete enough the clerk will return the money and tell you that is allowed. (The clerk will also be pissed off as he/she wants the money.) Strangely, most Mexicans will return countless times and the clerks don’t seem awash in under-the-table money.

After obtaining my Mexican drivers license I found I didn’t really need it. Within the border zone Mexico will accept a US driver’s license and you can keep your US plates. (Although driving a car with US plates in TJ is a cop magnet.)

I did some checking with the California DMV. I was surprised to learn you can live in Mexico and still have a California driver’s license. In fact the DMV will even put your Mexican address on you California driver's license. (Which is exactly what I did.) You can also arrange for a one-time mailing in which your California Driver’s license will be sent to an address you designate instead of the address that appears on the license. (Or in theory that is how it works. Once the DMV did it correctly and once they mailed my license to my Mexican address. To my surprise, it wasn’t stolen in the mail and I got it.)

Technically, a Mexican driver’s license can only be used in California to drive cars with Mexican license plates. You cannot legally drive a car with California license plates using a Mexican driver's license.

If you import your car into Mexico you will get a Mexican title for the car. (The DMV may hassle you if you try bring it back to the US.) You can, however, have both Mexican and California license plates for the car. Go to the DMV, they have a special registration form and procedure for dual plates. (I ended up keeping my California plates as I didn’t want to pay the importation fee. The fee that in theory you don’t have to pay because you have an FM3 visa. Funny, when I tried to import my car without paying a fee nobody had ever heard of the law allowing a FM3 visa holder to bring his stuff into Mexico duty free. Rather than argue, I told them to forget it and kept my California plates.)

Here’s a web site with information about driving in Mexico, such as using an RV in Mexico.
http://www.mexonline.com/drivemex.htm

While it’s a little off the topic, here’s a bit of information about having a Mexican post office box. There is a Mexican post office at 11th and Negrete. A US resident can easily obtain a Mexican post office box. I did for about $25.00 using my California drivers license and US utility bill. (My California driver’s license had a US address.)

[Gary]

Thanks Daniel for the info.
I plan on moving to TJ this Dec. when my present lease expires. Having never lived in another country hope I’m not taking on more then I bargained for.

Now for the questions. Why is it necessary to get a Mexican visa seems no one is keeping track of my comings and goings across the border.
What would be the best way to find and rent an apartment in TJ. If it’s a real-estate company does anyone have recommendations and a way I can make contact. If there are additional sources it would be helpful also what is required to sign a lease.

I’ve always heard it’s best not to drive your personal car in Mexico TJ specifically.
I have a year old full size pick up. I understand I will need Mexican insurance if I due drive across the border any suggestions or thoughts on the subject.

Thanks Gary

[Daniel]

Many Americans live in Tijuana without a visa. So obviously it can be done. There are, however, so advantages to having a visa and times it is helpful.

A visa gives you legal right. Suppose you have a landlord tennet dispute, you are in an auto accident, etc. Without a visa you can't go to court.
Also, you may need it for things like connecting utilities. Also, the visa allows you to travel more than 75 miles into Mexico. You'll need it at the checkpoints. Again, if you want to travel on down into Baja you need a visa. (It can be a 90 day tourist visa, instead of the resident visa.)

Regarding your car: you will probably want to drive it in TJ. The road "customs" are different, but driving in Mexico isn't something to fear. Of course, you difenately want insurance.

Auto insurance can be purchased from many companies. Your US coverage may be adequate for things like theft, but the liablity portion isn't valid in Mexico. Liabiltiy coverage is what I call "stay out of jail" insurance. AAA is one of many companies that sell it; however, AAA has a full time liason person with the Mexican compnay, which might prove helpful.

[vagabundo]

Now for the questions. Why is it necessary to get a Mexican visa seems no one is keeping track of my comings and goings across the border.

It's true you most likely will not have a problem living without a FM3 visa in TJ but you never know. I had lived here for almost 2 years without one but recently I decided to get one, more for peace of mind than anything else. The policia and military do setup random checkpoints in TJ. Once when I lived in Playas, my MN girlfriend and I were stopped by the police early in the morning at a checkpoint as we entered Playas. They searched my car and I was asked for my papers. I showed the cop an FMT that had expired the month before and he let me go but told me I needed to get a new one soon. It might have been different if my GF had not been with me at the time. I probably would have been extorted for a mordida. Another time while staying at a hotel near 7th and Rev our room was searched by Migra. Complete with a couple of Mexican soldiers packing M-16's. It was a good that I had a valid FMT with me at that time. In TJ as in any foreign city you never know what could happen so it's just best to to be living there legally.

What would be the best way to find and rent an apartment in TJ. If it’s a real-estate company does anyone have recommendations and a way I can make contact. If there are additional sources it would be helpful also what is required to sign a lease.

Best advice is to drive around the area where you are interested in living and look for rental postings. Usually rentals that are advertised are more expensive than those that are not. If you are a gringo like me and maybe want to test the waters before jumping all the way in then a good area to start off living might be Playas. Except for the gold coast where there are a many American retiree's, it's problably the most comparable location to the US than any other in TJ. There are some rough areas in Playas and it's generally safer to live closer to the Ocean and farther North.

I’ve always heard it’s best not to drive your personal car in Mexico TJ specifically.
I have a year old full size pick up. I understand I will need Mexican insurance if I due drive across the border any suggestions or thoughts on the subject.

IMO the nicer the vehicle you drive in TJ the more the you tend to stand out in the crowd which isn't a good thing.

[Chino1]

Very very good inf. Daniel we all thank you. :wink:

Don't you have to show the proof of income $ 1000.00 per person as I have read from their website.

[andy]

Yes, they will request some type of income verification or proof that you have enough savings. In my case they asked for the last month's bank statement. Others have stated that they asked for 6 months of bank statements.

Another comment. It is legal to be in Tijuana for up to 72 hours without any type of visa. If you go further into Mexico (75 miles according to a poster in this thread) or stay longer than 72 hours, you need a visa.

So in cases with a check point, you should not have any problem if you are in TJ less than 72 hours and are not violating any laws. (They should take your word for it since they have no way to verify how long you have been there without returning to the United States)

But if you are living in Mexico, you should have the proper visa. The United States goes crazy talking about illegal aliens without the proper paperwork so we as US citizens should take the proper steps to be legal when living in Mexico. Just because it is not 'our' country doesn't mean we have a right to ignore all of the laws. Be a good citizen

[LAREYNA]

I VE LIVED IN MEXICO FOR A MONTH NOW AND HAVE HAD TO USE MY TEMPOARY 180 DAY TURIST CARD, WHICH IS A LONG PIECE OF PAPER THAT IS ALREADY FALLING APART, I AM GETTING MARRIED AND HAVE TO GET PREMISSION FROM THE SAME PART OF TH GOVERMENT, IT TAKES ABOUT A WEEK TO GET THAT AND COST 2180 PESOS, AM I GONNA HAVE TO GET A DIFFERENT TYPE OF TOURIST CARD, SINCE I AM NOT A TOURIST SINCE I AM MARRING A MEXICAN NATIONAL, ANYONE KNOW WHAT I AM SUPPOSE TO DO???? ALSO MY 10 YEAR OLD DOSENT HAVE A TOURIST CARD AND HALF THE PEOPLE I TALK TO SAY YEA AND THE OTHER SAY NA, AND ITS THE SAME AT THE GOVERMENT OFFICE. WE PLAN TO STAY HERE PERMENTLY BECAUSE MY FINCEE CAN NOT CROSS TO THE US ANYMORE, WHAT KIND OF PAPERWORK WILL I NEED?? THANKS ALL.

ON FINDING A PLACE TO LIVE IT WAS EASY FOR ME I HAD LIKE 5 OFFERS BEFORE I CAME TO TIJUANA, I WENT ONLINE TO THE WEB SITE craigslist.org YOU CAN FIND A JOB A HOUSE AN APARTMENT ANY THING IN TJ. THE OTHER SOURCES I USED WERE THE LOCAL PAPERS ARE GREAT, BUT LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT MY LITTLE AREA, I PAY 3000 PESOS A MONTH, FOR A TWO BEDROOM, USTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS WITH A LOFT AND A MEDIUM SIZD YARD AND A SMALL SIDE WAS AREA. THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS BETTER THAN A FEW I VE LIVED IN BEFORE. THE WATER BILL IS 4 BUCKS A MONTH, THE ONLY THING IS YOU NEED A FRIDGE AND STOVE MOST APARTMENTS DONT HAVE THEM) IT WAS SO EASY TO MOVE IN, I PAID A DEPOSI OF 3000 PESOS BECAUSE I HAD A SIGNER FROM TIJUANA, IF I DIDNT I WOULD HAVE HAD TO PAY AN EXTRA FOR BEING AMERCAN, AND I OAID THE FIRST MONTH RENT OF 3000 PESOS, HE HAD ME FILL OUT AN APPLICATION THAT WAS SO EASY, WE WERE APPROVED B4 HE HAD ALL THE INFO, I MOVED IN THE NEXT DAY WITH FREE RENT FOR A LTTLE OVER A WEEK. OH BY THE WAY IF YOU DIDNT KNOW YOU NEED THE GAS BROUGH BY PROPANE TANK TO YOUR HOUSE .

[Pieancho]

Get a FM-3 visa now for you and your son. After you are married, have it upgraded to the FM-2 as a spouse. It is more expensive but as a spouse, it is easier to get. I am married to a Mexican and chose the FM-3 visa because I do not intend to work in Mexico and with the FM-3 I can keep a car in Mexico with American plates eventough the tags are expired. I don't need up date the car permit as long as my FM-3 visa is good. If I switch to the FM-2 visa, I can eventually get Mexican citizenship and work, but I would not be able to keep my 4Runner in the interior of Mexico. If I can get Mexican plates on it, I will probably switch to the FM-2 visa.

Probably the easiest place to get it is at the Mexican counsulate on India St., in San Diego. The ladies there were very helpful when I got my visa and had my kids get their dual citizenship and Mexican passports.

[nokomisjeff]

Is it easy to get past all of the bullshit and just slip a few dollars to whomever, and get a drivers license?

It used to work in Chicago back in the 70's all of the time.

Cheers,

Jeff