FM3 or Tourist Visa?

Merlyn · 05-16-2005

OK, well who has what? FM3, FM2 or Tourist Visa and why?! My folks have FM3's and they have a B_ _ _ h of a time getting them re-done every year in Playa, this year it took 3.5 weeks, and they have to go to the border to get their car a new sticker too. Long term living in playa, what would you suggest?!

**Susie Q Roo** · 05-16-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merlyn

OK, well who has what? FM3, FM2 or Tourist Visa and why?! My folks have FM3's and they have a B_ _ _ h of a time getting them re-done every year in Playa, this year it took 3.5 weeks, and they have to go to the border to get their car a new sticker too. Long term living in playa, what would you suggest?!

I have an FM3 and just got it renewed. Yes, it took a few weeks, but that's to be expected. All in all, it was a relatively painless experience, completed in two visits.

AND, I've been told that the car sticker follows the FM3 and that new stickers aren't required. Not only that, Q Roo doesn't even require stickers, does it? Why did they have to get a new one?

Merlyn · 05-16-2005

they have to drive home to MN and cross the border again, and your sticker is only good for six months, if you get caught without a new one, your car gets taken. Perhaps this too has something to do with owning land and a business in Mexico. I'll ask again and get back to you for sure.

Ginger · 05-16-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merlyn

Long term living in playa, what would you suggest?!

Tourist Visas are only good for a max. of 180 days. We were lucky when we crossed the nice Mexican Customs woman gave us the full 180 days. A friend of mine living in Playa was only given 30 days, and so had to renew it while there (just meant standing in lines).

You can, however, just drive down to Belize, cross over, then come back in and get another 180 days. Won't work with your own car and car permit though. You only get 180 days in any one year for your car. If you then exit Mexico, you most likely wouldn't be able to return WITH your car right away, a drag to be stuck in Belize.

But, could be you could work around that somehow (money talks....

)

Sunny20 · 10-04-2005

I know this is an old thread but i didn't want to start a new one since I only have a simple question.

I've decided to go to spanish school in playa for some lenght of time.. Since I don't know how long I'm gonna be there for, (at least 3 months. Probably longer so I can learn the language better). Should I get a visa from the mexican embassy here or should I just enter the country on a tourist visa? Can you always get the full 180 days or?

**Heather** · 10-04-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ginger

You can, however, just drive down to Belize, cross over, then come back in and get another 180 days. Won't work with your own car and car permit though. You only get 180 days in any one year for your car. If you then exit Mexico, you most likely wouldn't be able to return WITH your car right away, a drag to be stuck in Belize.

But, could be you could work around that somehow (money talks....

)

Every single person I know here who has tried the Belize "trick" has been given a max of 30 days. And that was WITH the "gift" money. Looks like they're onto us!

PlayadelSoul · 10-04-2005

I would go with FM3. The wait at Immigration for rentistas is nowhere near as long as it is for those with lucrativo (work) FM3s. Compared to going to Chedraui on Sunday, a wait at Immigration is a cakewalk.

**james** · 10-04-2005

isn't there some sort of student visa? I would check with the consulate.

Sunny20 · 10-04-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by james

isn't there some sort of student visa? I would check with the consulate.

don't know.. I will check that out. Thank you

PlayadelSoul · 10-04-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by james

isn't there some sort of student visa? I would check with the consulate.

There is a student visa, and you can get it for up to 6 months, I think. It is also an FM3.

05-16-2005	#1 (permalink)
Merlyn lost on fifth Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 15	FM3 or Tourist Visa? OK, well who has what? FM3, FM2 or Tourist Visa and why?! My folks have FM3's and they have a B_ _ _ h of a time getting them re-done every year in Playa, this year it took 3.5 weeks, and they have to go to the border to get their car a new sticker too. Long term living in playa, what would you suggest?!

10-04-2005	#8 (permalink)
james beach geek admin Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: 10 year Playa resident lost in Kullavik, Sweden Posts: 9,719	isn't there some sort of student visa? I would check with the consulate. __________________ My lovely house is for sale Get your own signature countdown image!

05-16-2005	#3 (permalink)
Merlyn lost on fifth Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 15	they have to drive home to MN and cross the border again, and your sticker is only good for six months, if you get caught without a new one, your car gets taken. Perhaps this too has something to do with owning land and a business in Mexico. I'll ask again and get back to you for sure.

10-04-2005	#5 (permalink)
Sunny20 Billow Maiden Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: after 9 months in Playa del Carmen back in Iceland.. :( Posts: 2,449	I know this is an old thread but i didn't want to start a new one since I only have a simple question. I've decided to go to spanish school in playa for some lenght of time.. Since I don't know how long I'm gonna be there for, (at least 3 months. Probably longer so I can learn the language better). Should I get a visa from the mexican embassy here or should I just enter the country on a tourist visa? Can you always get the full 180 days or?

10-04-2005	#7 (permalink)
PlayadelSoul Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: We'll know when we get there, We'll find mercy Posts: 8,965	I would go with FM3. The wait at Immigration for rentistas is nowhere near as long as it is for those with lucrativo (work) FM3s. Compared to going to Chedraui on Sunday, a wait at Immigration is a cakewalk.

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