Residente Temporal (FM3) Visa

The FM3 is now a Residente Temporal visa.

You apply for the Residente Temporal immigration visa at a consulate in the USA or Canada. You get a temporary travel permit stamp on your passport when approved, but the FM3 is not issued until you apply at the Migracion office in your new home in Mexico. This is good for only 30 days from the day you cross the border.

You have 6 months to use the FM3. But once you present it to authorities in your new home, the clock starts ticking. You must appear at the IMN office wherever you plan to settle.

At the border, do not let the immigration official give you a tourist permit (180-day FMM permit).

If you have applied for, or already have, a validated Residente Temporal or Residente Permanente visa, that invalidates your in-process visa, and you’ll have to start all over.

Rules to Qualify for a Residente Temporal Visa

I appreciate my loyal readers who contribute to the general knowledge here. Thanks to Jose G., Greg G., and Dennis J.

First, a caveat. Rules change. Overnight. These have been in place for two years and are a good place to start. But check with a Mexican consulate for the current requirements. The dollar amount on income frequently changes.

Singles need a valid passport. Couples need passports and a marriage certificate. Everybody needs at least one passport photo (varies). Marriage certificates must be apostilled in the country where issued. It is similar to but different than notarized. You’ll find people who specialize in this for a small fee. Canada uses a different system whereby they notarize legal documents, which are accepted by the Mexican authorities.

If you own property in Mexico, the income requirement is halved. The actual dollar figure varies according to whether the officials use the Minimum Wage or Minimum Salary, whichever is less.