Mexico has made a decision to simplify its immigration laws in recognition of human rights, the dignity of the immigrants, and the cultural richness that they bring to the country.
Many of over five million foreigners currently living in Mexico will soon have a chance to apply for permanent residency. According to the official announcement by the Commissioner of the Mexican National Migration Institute (INM), Cecilia Romero, all those who came to Mexico before January 1, 1995, and satisfy the requirements, will be able to apply for an FM2 visa, a document that grants legal residency in Mexico.
Until now, one had to maintain a temporary resident status (any FM3 variety) for 5 years before becoming eligible to upgrade the status to permanent.
So if you have been in Mexico for about two and a half years and would like to stay there indefinitely, you can apply for an FM2 if you:
• are related by blood or marriage to a Mexican national;
• are employed;
• are engaged in a profitable business activity benefiting the country;
• can prove monthly passive income of 400 times minimum daily regional wage (currently US $1,900-$2,000 a month) or half that amount if you own your home in Mexico.
For more information please DO NOT contact a Mexican Consulate near you. Call at least five of them, and you will likely receive five different sets of FM2 requirements.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Thursday, May 10, 2007
ADVENTURES IN SHOPPING
What I love about Mexico is the multitude of tiny mom and pop stores (tiendas) located on every corner and popping out of every crevice. They are usually open from 8 am until 10 pm, even on major holidays. So if you run out of milk, eggs, coffee or other basic product, no problem. There’s no need to get in a car and drive to a supermarket. Help is around the corner…literally.
Just remember to have plenty of coins or small bills, otherwise you may find yourself forced to buying much more than you need, or walking from store to store until you find one that has enough money to give you change. Also, tiendas tend to have the shelves filled mostly with junk foods and sweets, so they are not likely to fulfill all your grocery needs.
In any case, don’t get too comfortable, and don’t even try to figure out the Mexican way of doing business. As soon you get used to a particular brand, the store will switch to another. As soon as you find a store carrying your favorite product, they will discontinue it. When you have a shopping emergency, all the stores will likely be out of whatever you need. And when you finally give up, go to the local supermarket, and fill your shopping cart to the brim…you may learn that the supply of plastic bags did not arrive that day.
So, next time you go shopping, keep a spare plastic bag in your pocket, and keep smiling.
Just remember to have plenty of coins or small bills, otherwise you may find yourself forced to buying much more than you need, or walking from store to store until you find one that has enough money to give you change. Also, tiendas tend to have the shelves filled mostly with junk foods and sweets, so they are not likely to fulfill all your grocery needs.
In any case, don’t get too comfortable, and don’t even try to figure out the Mexican way of doing business. As soon you get used to a particular brand, the store will switch to another. As soon as you find a store carrying your favorite product, they will discontinue it. When you have a shopping emergency, all the stores will likely be out of whatever you need. And when you finally give up, go to the local supermarket, and fill your shopping cart to the brim…you may learn that the supply of plastic bags did not arrive that day.
So, next time you go shopping, keep a spare plastic bag in your pocket, and keep smiling.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
17 MONTHS AND COUNTING…
In early August 2005, I packed my suitcases and flew into Guadalajara. I was to spend a year there, studying Spanish language and literature at La Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara (UAG). This was my first trip to Mexico, and I didn’t know what to expect.
I’d heard horror stories about kidnappings, police corruption, extreme poverty, contaminated food and water, the Montezuma’s revenge… But there were also other things I had heard about: the rich culture, the unique combination of the traditional and the modern in all aspects of life and art, the natural beauty and geographical diversity of the land, the colonial towns brimming with history…
I still felt a little uneasy moving to Guadalajara with its population of six million, imagining it to be much more dangerous than Toledo, OH, where I lived at the time. I didn’t know how I was going to find a place to live, which parts of the city to avoid, or even if it was safe to walk the streets.
After just a few days, all my fears proved to be completely groundless. I found myself in a place where I immediately felt at home. It was love at first sight, and the idea of moving to Mexico permanently began stirring in my mind.
Six months later I was in San Miguel de Allende working for International Living as their Mexico country consultant.
It was only a ten-month fling, yet through answering all emails with questions regarding Mexico, traveling, and endless conversations with my Mexican and Gringo friends, I became quite educated about almost any aspect of this wonderful country. Also, I realized how much confusion there still existed, especially in the areas of immigration and real estate.
This blog is devoted to sharing my knowledge, experiences, and fascination with Mexico, and especially with San Miguel de Allende. Its role is to provide solid information, as well as my personal impressions, as I keep discovering more reasons to staying in love with Mexico.
I’d heard horror stories about kidnappings, police corruption, extreme poverty, contaminated food and water, the Montezuma’s revenge… But there were also other things I had heard about: the rich culture, the unique combination of the traditional and the modern in all aspects of life and art, the natural beauty and geographical diversity of the land, the colonial towns brimming with history…
I still felt a little uneasy moving to Guadalajara with its population of six million, imagining it to be much more dangerous than Toledo, OH, where I lived at the time. I didn’t know how I was going to find a place to live, which parts of the city to avoid, or even if it was safe to walk the streets.
After just a few days, all my fears proved to be completely groundless. I found myself in a place where I immediately felt at home. It was love at first sight, and the idea of moving to Mexico permanently began stirring in my mind.
Six months later I was in San Miguel de Allende working for International Living as their Mexico country consultant.
It was only a ten-month fling, yet through answering all emails with questions regarding Mexico, traveling, and endless conversations with my Mexican and Gringo friends, I became quite educated about almost any aspect of this wonderful country. Also, I realized how much confusion there still existed, especially in the areas of immigration and real estate.
This blog is devoted to sharing my knowledge, experiences, and fascination with Mexico, and especially with San Miguel de Allende. Its role is to provide solid information, as well as my personal impressions, as I keep discovering more reasons to staying in love with Mexico.
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