Visas for Gringos Traveling to Mexico Driving in Mexico, Car
Permits, Insurance and Travel Tips
Mexico
has become the number one
destination for Bohemian Gringos
like me wanting to live abroad.
Baby Boomers are looking to
retire abroad or take an early
"semi-retirement" on foreign
soil in record numbers, with as
many as one million living in
Mexico today according to US
State Department estimates. The
technological link that high
speed internet access offers to
stay connected from afar allows
many like yours truly to work
from home on a northern Baja
beach and stay connected with
the office and clients north of
the border. Low cost of living,
affordable beach
front housing,
reasonably priced health care
and
year round mild climate are only
a few of the reasons that Mexico
is such a hot market. A rich
history and culture with
topographical diversity served
up on a warm plate of classic
Mexican hospitality are all well
branded parts of the Mexican
trademark. Wonderful golf
courses, sport fishing, wine
tasting, shopping, fine dining,
adventure and a complete active
adult lifestyle made my decision
to move here an easy one.
Here a few tips for those
of you thinking about moving to
Mexico and guide to help you
make this next important next
step in life. It is an adventure
and with some research,
planning, flexibility and
patience it may become a great
story as well. So let's get
started...
You will need a visa for
Mexico, no matter how
you enter – air, sea,
bus or driving by car.
The only exception to
this is along the border
zone (20-30 miles along
the northern border
Mexico shares with the
USA)
AND
if your stay is less
than 72 hours. In Baja
the border zone extends
to Ensenada.
Requirements change, so
check with your Mexican
Consulate or immigration
office.
FM-T Tourist Visa
The FM-T visa is
for visitors and valid
anywhere from 30 to 180
days. If you plan to be
in Mexico for six
months, ask the officer
at immigration to give
you the 180-day visa so
that you don’t have to
worry about renewal. You
will need proof of
citizenship - either a
passport or a certified
copy of your birth
certificate accompanied
by a photo ID. You can
obtain a blank FM-T form
at any Mexican
consulate, the travel
agency issuing your
ticket, at the airline
counter, or even on the
plane while en route. If
you come across the
border by car or bus,
you can obtain one at
the border office. A
tourist visa is just a
permit to enter the
country as a visitor.
While you are in Mexico
you cannot work, and the
amount of personal
belongings you can bring
with you is limited.
FM-3 Resident Visa
If you plan to live in
Mexico as a resident
immigrant longer than
six months, you should
apply for an FM-3 visa.
It is needed to open a
bank account and set up
utilities. It is
renewable each year in
the city in which you
are residing. It does
not permit you to work.
You must apply in person
for an FM-3 visa from a
Mexican consulate in one
of several U.S. cities
or at a city in Mexico.
Get a list outlining
what you need to receive
an FM-3 visa from the
immigration office or
consulate. Requirements
include proof of minimum
income.
FM-2 Immigrant Visa
An FM-2 visa is for
people who wish to make
Mexico their permanent
home. It is best to find
a good Mexican attorney
to help you through the
process. After renewing
an FM-2 consecutively
for five years, you
become eligible for
permanent residency.
Once approved, you have
most, but not all of the rights of a
Mexican citizen.
Here is an
example guideline and
timetable that should
help you to plan for
your move:
MOVING CALENDAR &
PLANNER
The big day is
getting closer! Before
you leave, many things
need taking care of.
You're worried about
forgetting something?
Well, Don't worry! For
your serenity and peace
of mind, here is a
detailed checklist. This
checklist will help you
plan all that you need
to take care of whilst
preparing your departure
MOVING MINUS 90 DAYS
Begin
consular procedures
Begin consular
procedures, request
information on how
to obtain your visa,
residency and work
permits before you
leave. These
procedures take
time, sometimes many
weeks - even months.
Begin as soon as
possible.
Check the
documents required
for the exportation
of your goods from
your country of
origin and for their
importation into the
country of
destination. Your
status may enable
you to benefit from
certain advantages,
such as the
obtaining of an "Exemption".
This will let you
avoid paying duties
and taxes upon
importing your used
personal effects.
Consider
renewing your
passport and those
of all accompanying
family members.
These should be
valid, at least,
until your next
return to your
country.
Establish
international
driving licenses.
Most countries
require residents to
obtain a local
driving license,
which may or may not
include passing a
practical
/theoretical driving
test. In all cases,
keep your actual
driving license with
you. It may be
requested by the
local authorities in
order for you to
avoid having to pass
a test.
Educating yourself about
your new country
Start informing
yourself about
Mexico by surfing on
the net -
BajaGringo.com
being the obvious
place to start - or
by obtaining guides,
brochures, video
tapes and CD ROMs,
to be read and
watched by all
family members.
Check the
electrical supply
available in Mexico.
Ask your local
electrician if your
electrical
appliances will
function with the
use of adapters
and/or transformers.
TV systems will need
be compatible too,
so don't forget to
check this point.
Mexico uses the same
standard plugs,
voltage and cycles
as the USA.
Familiarize
yourself with
Mexican currency,
some currency
converters are
available via
Internet.
Assess your
abilities in
Spanish. Maybe you
require some
language tuition.
The good news is
that in Baja
California you will
find that English is
spoken almost
everywhere.
A Cross-Cultural
program will be
useful for you and
your family. There
are seminars
available to prepare
for international
relocation, these
are designed to help
expatriates
communicate and do
business
successfully.
Searching your new home
Obtain
information about
the
real estate market
in Mexico.
Visit web sites and
online newspapers to
get an idea of
current prices.
Sometimes, there are
expatriate
neighborhoods (not
far from
international
schools); a good
realtor will provide
you with this
information. A home
search trip should
be arranged if at
all possible.
In some
countries appliances
are included; in
others, it is not
easy to find a house
without furniture.
The type of
accommodation on
offer in Mexico will
influence the final
cost (moving
furniture or just
personal goods or
storage for several
years, etc.)
Relocation
services exist to
help expatriates in
moving and settling.
If yours is a
corporate
relocation, your
employer may pay for
these services,
because expatriates
will be expected to
become productive as
soon as possible
after their arrival,
with no concerns
about housing. The
relocation companies
will help you with
the inventory of
fixtures before
moving in, including
all of your
contracts such as
gas, electricity,
water, telephone,
insurance, etc..
They may help you to
discover your new
country (city tour,
open a bank account,
etc.) even assist
with obtaining
visas.
For
parents
Now is time for you
to search a school
for your children.
Some international
organizations
monitor
international
schools and give
accreditation of the
curriculum and
educational levels
in comparison to
schools in your
county of origin.
Your
health
Search the
health information
available about
Mexico. Check for
hospitals and how
healthcare is
structured. On the
internet you will
find the latest
information for
travelers, with
health information
on specific
destinations. Take
out an international
health insurance
policy to cover you
and your family in
any case Don't
forget vaccination
requirements for
travelers of all
ages. Some vaccines
must be given
several weeks before
leave, ask your GP
to schedule this.
Ask your GP,
dentist,
ophthalmologist and
any other
specialists to renew
all your
prescriptions so
that you can
continue your
treatment in Mexico.
Do not forget to ask
for your medical
files.
MOVING DAY MINUS 60
Your
Move
Begin making
your list of all
household goods and
personal effects
being moved. If you
plan on using a
professional
cross-border moving
company, contact at
least two moving
companies. Arrange
for an appointment
for a pre-move
survey. This would
be a good time to
start your moving
cost comparisons.
A pre-move
survey is the key to
a successful move.
During this visit
don't hesitate to
ask about the period
of time required for
delivery, the means
of transportation
that will be used.
Discuss all the
human and technical
issues concerning
packing and
unpacking,
anticipation of
additional services
(external elevator,
difficult access,
disassembling and
reassembling of
furniture, packing
of heavy or large
items, etc.) Is the
reassembling of the
furniture included
in the quote? Is
additional insurance
coverage necessary?
What documents have
to be submitted to
customs? If your
goods share the same
container will this
be cheaper or will
direct transport be
faster?
If you have a
pet, ask if they can
transport it and be
in charge of customs
regulations (you are
responsible for
medical documents
and vaccines)
Compare quotes
(price, services,
volumes/weight
estimate). Following
these procedures,
choose your mover
and determine the
date for packing
operations.
Trip
organization
Make airline or
rail reservations.
Be sure to keep your
tickets after
arrival. These could
eventually be
requested at your
destination for
Customs Clearance
purposes.
Make a car
rental reservation
if necessary.
Make eventual
plans for temporary
accommodation for
the post-packing
period. The same
should be done at
destination, whilst
you are waiting for
the final delivery
of your goods.
Change of address
Inform your
local authorities
(Condominium
Association etc.) of
your forthcoming
departure.
Inform the
various
organizations of
your forthcoming
change of address.
Transfer your
subscriptions or
cancel your
contracts.
Where possible,
it's recommended to
shut off water,
light and telephone
24 hours after your
moving date, in case
moving day falls
behind schedule.
Make the same
arrangement at your
destination,
everything must be
installed 24 hours
before you move in,
this will help you
avoid any unpleasant
surprises.
MOVING DAY MINUS 30
Start
cleaning
Have your house
linen, curtains and
carpets cleaned
Sort out your
goods and store or
dispose of those you
will not be using
anymore.
Contact all
benevolent
associations to whom
you've decided to
donate all effects
that you will not be
moving. Set up an
appointment so that
these can be picked
up from your home.
MOVING DAY MINUS 7
Continue cleaning
Clean your
bicycles, garden
tools and furniture
and empty the tanks
of all combustible
items.
Now is the time
to sell or donate
all unwanted
effects. Do not
forget to return
things that you had
borrowed from family
or friends.
Provide your new contact
details
Give your new
contact details to
your circle of
family and friends.
Make sure that the
moving company have
both your addresses,
at origin and
destination. Any
intermediate contact
numbers should also
be transmitted
(parents, hotel,
etc.).
Reconfirm your
moving dates to your
moving company. Make
sure you have their
addresses at origin
and destination.
Preparing packing
Arrange to have
your children looked
after during the
packing and loading
operations.
Add appropriate
electrical adapters
and/or transformers
to your shipment.
Your U. S. or
Canadian appliances
will work in Mexico.
However, current
modulators and surge
protectors are
vital, as the
Mexican electrical
system is more
subject to variable
current than you are
used to. These are
necessary for the
operation of your
electrical
appliances at
destination. You
will also be able to
purchase them before
the delivery of your
effects in your new
residence.
Finish your
"Valued Inventory
List" of all
household goods and
personal effects
being moved. Fill
the inventory in
while being as
precise as possible.
You will need model
numbers and serial
numbers of
electrical items.
This will be for
your "menaje de
casa".
MOVING DAY MINUS 2
Last
details
Prepare your
luggage: consider
the season and
likely weather
conditions on your
arrival.
Use destination
stickers to sort out
your goods by
destination or
method of
transportation (by
sea, by air, etc),
if more than one
destination
(storage, cottage,
etc) or method.
Start
dismantling your
furniture, removing
curtains, pictures
and light fixtures,
unless the moving
company is
contracted to
provide this
service.
Clean and let
dry all kitchen
appliances to avoid
the appearance of
mildew during
shipping. Disconnect
all electrical
appliances and cover
bare wires where
necessary.
If at all
possible, reserve a
parking spot for the
removal van or
container as close
as possible to your
residence. Loading
operations will
become much easier.
Put aside a few
soft drinks and some
snacks for the
packing crew in
order to optimize
their working
conditions.
MOVING DAY!
Put away all
important documents
and articles of
value (passports,
airline tickets,
cash, travel
addresses,
destination country
contact details,
portable computers,
phones, keys etc.)
that you wish to
carry personally.
This will avoid
having them packed
accidentally.
Upon the arrival
of the packing crew,
you should go round
your home with the
crew foreman and
point out all that
needs to be packed.
If you have any
special requests;
i.e. packing of your
beds last, now is
the right time to
mention them.
Before the truck
or container
departure, you
should go round your
home with crew
foreman if some
goods were left
behind.
Now, catch your
breath and breathe a
sigh of relief knowing
that you have done
everything that you can
to best prepare for your
exciting move. Any major
endeavor in life such as
moving abroad is bound
to encounter a bump or
two along the road but
with a little patience
and a sense of humor you
can overcome whatever
curveball comes your
way.
To drive in Mexico you
will need to be aware of
a few things based on
how far into Mexico you
wish to travel. Following these
rules, you will be
making sure that you can
legally take your trip
to Mexico by car.
If your travel is within
the Border Zone (usually
up to 20 kilometers
south of the USA -
Mexico Border) or the
Free Trade Zone which
includes the entire Baja
California Peninsula and
the Sonora Free Trade
Zone there are no
procedures to comply
with. Just make sure you
have current vehicle
registration and a valid
drivers license from
your home state.
Outside of these zones,
the following procedures
will apply. You must
apply for and secure a
permit by following the
next few steps:
Applying at the
Mexico Border
Step One
To acquire a permit,
simply drive your
vehicle (including RVs)
to a Mexican customs
office at the border and
present an original plus
two (2) copies of the
following documents:
Valid proof of
citizenship (passport or
birth certificate) In
the case of dual
citizenship, the
solicitant must present
his or her Mexican
passport or proof of
Mexican nationality.
The appropriate
immigration form (FMT or
"tourist card") The
valid vehicle
registration
certificate, or a
document, such as the
original title that
certifies the legal
ownership of the
vehicle. It must be in
the driver's name. The
leasing contract (if the
vehicle is leased or
rented), which must be
in the name of the
person importing the
car. If the vehicle
belongs to a company,
present the document
that certifies the
employee works for the
company.
A valid driver's
license, issued outside
Mexico. If the
documentation shows the
vehicle is registered in
the name of the spouse,
the importation can be
done as long as the
marriage certificate
(and one copy) is
presented.
An international credit
or debit card, also
issued outside Mexico
(American Express,
Mastercard or Visa), in
the name of the driver
of the vehicle. Note: If
you do not possess an
international credit
card, you will be asked
to post a bond, payable
to the Federal Treasury,
issued by an authorized
bonding company in
Mexico. As an
alternative to posting a
bond, you may make a
cash deposit at Banco
del Ejército in an
amount equal to the
value of your vehicle
according to the "Table
of Vehicle Values for
Bonding Companies" (see
table at bottom of the
page for an idea of the
cost). Banco del
Ejército now has a
website wherein you can
obtain the most recent
rates and regulations.
In addition you may now
apply in advance via
Internet.
Step Two
Once you have the
originals and
photocopies of these
documents, present them
to the Vehicular Control
Module located in
Customs to process the
importation permit. All
documents and the credit
card must be in the name
of the owner, who must
also be in the vehicle
when crossing the
border.
Step Three
Your international
credit card will be
charged an amount in
national currency
equivalent to US $27.00
USD at the Banco del
Ejército. If you do not
have an international
credit card or debit
card, Banco del Ejército
will accept a cash
deposit in an amount
equal to the value of
your vehicle (see
table). Your deposit
plus any interest it may
earn will be returned to
you when you leave
Mexico. Or, you may
choose to obtain a bond
through an authorized
Mexican bonding company
located at all the
border crossings. The
authorized bonding
companies will require a
refundable deposit equal
to the value of the
vehicle, according to
the table below. The
bonding company will
also assess taxes and
processing costs for
this service.
Step Four
Upon your departure from
Mexico, and if the
vehicle is not going to
be driven back into
Mexico, the permit for
temporary importation
must be cancelled at
Customs. That's all
there is to it. Follow
these simple steps and
you shouldn't have any
problems. However,
please remember, if your
car is found in Mexico
beyond the authorized
time limit, or without
the appropriate
documents, it will be
immediately confiscated.
Amount of Bond in U.S.
Dollars Based on Car
Year
2001-2008 $400.00
1996-2000 $300.00
1996 and older models
$200.00
The car permit can be
requested at the
following border
crossing points
Arizona Border Points
Agua Prieta
Naco
Nogales
San Luis Rio Colorado
Sonoyta
California Border Points
Mexicali
Otay Mesa
Tecate
Tijuana
Texas Border Points
Ciudad Acuña
Ciudad Juarez
Ciudad Miguel Alemán
Columbia
General Rodrigo M.
Quevedo
Matamoros
Nuevo Laredo
Ojinaga
Piedras Negras
Reynosa
Requesting Car Import
Permits in Advance and
Via Internet
If you wish, you can
apply for the import
permits up to 6 months
before the vehicle
enters Mexico. This can
be done through any of
the Mexican consulates
in the United States:
By presenting all the
documentation and
requesting the import
permit from Banjercito
you will then be charged
the equivalent of $36.00
USD plus tax (I.V.A.
15%), and this will need
to be billed to an
international
credit/debit card issued
inside the U.S.
Insurance
U.S. & Canadian auto
insurance is not valid
in Mexico. Mexican auto
insurance is mandatory
in many states and
cities and you should
NOT drive without it. If
you are in an accident
or other vehicle-related
problems and you do not
have insurance, you
could be arrested and
your vehicle impounded
until the authorities
can figure out the
situation. Here are some
insurance companies that
allow you to buy
insurance over the
phone, fax or Internet.
Answers To Commonly
Asked Questions
1) The temporary
authorization for the
importation of vehicles
is valid for any type of
vehicle weighing under
three tons for periods
up to six months (180
days).
2) The temporarily
imported vehicle may be
driven across the border
multiple times during
the authorized period.
3) Always carry with you
the importation permit
when driving your car in
Mexico. Do not leave
this document in the
vehicle; it is
indispensible in the
case of damage, theft,
or accident.
4) The sale,
abandonment, or use of
the vehicle for
financial gain will
result in its
confiscation.
5) The vehicle
temporarily imported by
the owner may be driven
in Mexico by the spouse
or adult children, as
long as they have the
same immigration status.
Other persons may drive
the vehicle as long as
the owner is in the
vehicle.
