Immigration

To visit San Felipe for a few days you do not need a visa or a passport. However, you must have documents (preferably a US passport or birth certificate with picture ID such as a driving license) to return to the USA. Foreign residents of the USA will need their Green Cards and passport from their country of origin. Note that passports or passport cards are required of all persons entering the US (both citizens and non-citizens) starting in June 2009. (see more details here).

Check our Business Pages for Visa Services.

There are 3 classes of visas for visiting or living in Mexico : FMM, FM-3 and FM-2.

FMM: (Formerly this was called an FMT) Is a Tourist Visa. If you stay MORE THAN 7 days in San Felipe, or if you go to mainland Mexico, you need a Tourist Visa. The cost is approximately $20 dollars and is valid for 6 months. You will need a valid U.S. (or other country) passport and picture I.D. to apply. This visa must be picked up at Immigration office as you enter Mexico. (If you cross the border from downtown Calexico to Mexicali, the Mexican immigration office is immediately on the right before you go through the automatic checkpoint lanes.) You may no longer purchase a tourist visa in San Felipe.

FM-3: is a Visa for temporary residents who live 180 days or less per year in Mexico i.e you are technically in Mexico on a part-time basis and you return to your mother country periodically. The visa is renewable yearly for up to 5 years and a new FM-3 can be obtained when the old one expires if desired. You must have an FM3 to enter into any binding legal contract in Mexico - for example to sign a contract to buy a house or to lease property. 

FM-2: is a Visa for permanent residents. Requirements for FM2 - you must live in Mexico full time and have had an FM3 for at least 5 years . Note that if you have an FM-2, you are supposed to “log out” of Mexico when you leave the country and “log in” when you return so that they can keep track of your residency in the remote event that you later need to become nationalized. You are also supposed to import and register your vehicles in Mexico!

For information or compliments on the immigration process, please contact the San Felipe immigration office located at the Glorietta (traffic circle) on the right-hand side of the street as you are heading out of town. The phone number of the office is (686) 577-1083 They are open Monday – Friday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

WHAT’S REQUIRED FOR AN FM-3 

For those of you who either lease lots, rent houses, or have purchased property through a Fideicomiso Irrevocable, you must have an FM-3 to be legal in Mexico. Once you have signed any sort of contract, you are no longer a tourist. If you do not have an FM-3 and you find yourself in a property dispute or other entanglement which puts you in the arms of juris prudence, you literally have no rights as an “illegal alien.” This means your property, bank accounts, vehicles and personal belongings, are in jeopardy. The very minimum you need for owning or leasing property is the FM-3 which is renewable every year for 5 years. The following is a list of items you will need to obtain your FM-3:

1. Demonstrated monthly income of $1,200.00 dollars with an additional $500.00 dollars per month for each person who will be accompanying you (these figures can and do change!). The money must be deposited into either a Mexican or American bank account. If the money is in an American, or other foreign bank, you must obtain a letter from your bank, translated into Spanish stating you have funds available in that bank. This letter must have an apostille from the Secretary of State’s office in your State. This is not the same thing as a notary seal. See sample below. The letter should be signed and sealed from a valid notary of your state. If you prove that you have purchased a house or similar real estate for your own use, the authorities may reduce your monthly income requirements by up to 50% from the figures above. 
2. A letter written in Spanish from you requesting the change of characteristic (from tourist to resident).
3. An FMM typewritten, which you must obtain from the border Immigration Office.
4. Photos – three front and two of the side, in black and white. You can get these photos taken for around $20 dollars at Copycentro in San Felipe which is the two story pink building across the street (katty corner) from the Red Lobster, and the cost is nominal.
5. The necessary “Form #5″ (which can be purchased in any stationery store or also at Copycentro). You need three (3) originals.
6. A current passport.
7. FM1 – a form which goes with your application for FM3 or FM2 , which you can pick up at the Immigration office

Take all these to the Immigration office. The administrator speaks excellent English and can help you with your papers. Upon completion of your file, you will be asked to take the “Form #5″ to the bank where fees are paid and receipted. They will keep a copy, and you will return the rest to the Immigration office. Now you’re finished. It will take a Mexican month for your file to go to Mexicali and be returned with your new FM-3.

You can do all the paperwork and running around yourself; or you can contact Yolanda at YetMail 577-1253, or Lupita Foudy-Mora (see accountants in Business Pages) for assistance in filling out required paperwork. (We would STRONGLY recommend you seek help from people such as these as you may find that they can get you a better deal on the monthly income reporting business!)

Example Application letter:

San Felipe B.C. 19 de Abril, 2009

Lic. (insert name of current administrator here)
Subdelegada San Felipe 
Instituto Nacional de migración
San Felipe, Baja California.

Presente:

Por medio de la presente, solicito muy atentamente prorroga por un ano mas para radicar en el puerto de San Felipe, B.C., y depender economicamente de mis rentas que recibo de los [Estados Unidos de Norteamerica: name of country here], Pais de el que procedo.

Esperando verme favoredico con me peticion, me despido no sin antesenvirarle un cordial saludo.

FM3 1st time: CAMBIO DE CARACTERISTICA
FM3 RENEWAL: Use the example application letter above
New Book FM3: NUEVA PERMANENCIA POR CONCLUSION DE PRORROGA 
FM2 1st time: CAMBIO DE CALIDAD
FM2 RENEWAL: REFRENDO

Atentamente,

Applicant’s Name

REQUIREMENTS TO IMPORT HOUSEHOLD GOODS INTO MEXICO(HOUSEHOLD-VISA) SUBJECT TO CHANGE!!!

1. Valid passport and 4 photocopies (page containing the holder’s name).
2. Valid FM2 OR FM3 and 4 photocopies (page containing the holder’s name).
3. Original and 3 photocopies of the household goods inventory in Spanish and typewritten. Electronic items must include model, serial number and brand.
4. Proof of residency in Mexico (any utility bill such as water service, electricity, gas or telephone) and 4 photocopies.
5. Proof of residency abroad (any utility bill such as water service, electricity, gas or telephone) and 4 photocopies.
6. Fill out the application form and attach the documents listed (1 to 5).
7. Consular fee (US$ 122 dollars) can be paid in cash, money order or cashier’s check payable to Consulate of Mexico.

NOTICE:
Documents are subject to revision, must be in good condition without deletions, additions, crossing outs, or any other correction of peculiarities. Additional information could be required in some cases. The importation of household goods is made just once; later imports must obtain an authorization of the Mexican Customs office. In both cases applicant must contact a customs broker. You can contact the Customs Brokers Association in Mexicali at (686) 565-2700 or email at aamxlac@telnor.net.

The furnishings import does not include weapons or explosives,alcohol, beverages, medicines, food, spices, motorcycles, trucks and cars. For motorcycles and vehicles, applicant must contact a customs broker. Business hours: from 8:00 – 13:00, Monday to Friday 408 Heber Avenue, Calexico, California 92231-2811.

Revised April 2012