Anyone Applying for MX Citizenship?------------

[ElvisP]

I read the nightmares every expat seems to go through with INM. How many of you have applied or are planning to apply for MX citizenship? If not planning on doing that, why?

[ele]

a big thing not to forget is that some countries don't allow dual citizenship. to apply to become a mexican citizen, someone from holland, for example, would have to give up thier dutch citizenship.

[ElvisP]

Hmm...could they get it back if they ever go back to Holland?

That makes sense, but what about everyone else who can get dual citizenship?

I know Mexico, the U.S., Canada and the U.K. can get it.

[Seakony]

I am happy and priveledged with just being an American.

[Babaloo]

Originally Posted by ElvisP

I read the nightmares every expat seems to go through with INM. How many of you have applied or are planning to apply for MX citizenship? If not planning on doing that, why?

In 6 years, I might
I have no idea what kind of hassle it may be
In 6 years there will be different hassles than there are now, i'm sure.
Or in 6 years, i won't be here

Hell...nevermind
I have no idea what i'm doing in 6 years.

[ElvisP]

Originally Posted by Seakony

I am happy and priveledged with just being an American.

Me too...even happier being able to travel or move to Mex any time I want and come back when I get hungry. I can even travel to Cuba with no hassles.
Lots of people seem to be ok drinking only one kind of tequila tho..

[Seakony]

I can apply for Italian citizenship, get an Italian passport and not even have to go to Italy. ....and go to cuba. But I have no desire to go to cuba. I figured if My grandparents wanted me to have Italian citizenship they would have gone back to Sicily. But I guess if you want to live in Mexico, then it's a good thing to have. Just alot of hassle to become a Mexican when it's not neccessary...they don't make all the retirees that move there become Mexicans do they?

[Heather]

Originally Posted by Seakony

But I guess if you want to live in Mexico, then it's a good thing to have. Just alot of hassle to become a Mexican when it's not neccessary...they don't make all the retirees that move there become Mexicans do they?

I disagree that it's a lot of hassle; to me, a hassle is having to submit stacks of paperwork every year for your FM-3 and cross your fingers and hope and pray they don't arbitrarily turn you down. I've been here only 3 years and just saw my immigration file: it's at least 6 inches thick already. You can bet I'll be applying for my citizenship just as soon as they'll let me, and I'd be damned proud to carry dual citizenship.

Retirees don't have to apply for citizenship, they can get an FM-2 that allows them to be a legal, non-working resident. I believe this has to be renewed every year, too. I suspect that many retirees would never consider Mexican citizenship because that would require them to, oh, I don't know, learn Spanish or invest themselves in Mexican culture. I'm generalizing here, not everyone is like that.

[ElvisP]

Originally Posted by Seakony

I can apply for Italian citizenship, get an Italian passport and not even have to go to Italy. ....and go to cuba. But I have no desire to go to cuba. I figured if My grandparents wanted me to have Italian citizenship they would have gone back to Sicily. But I guess if you want to live in Mexico, then it's a good thing to have. Just alot of hassle to become a Mexican when it's not neccessary...they don't make all the retirees that move there become Mexicans do they?

No, they don't. I don't know of a country who forces it's immigrants to get citizenship. I do think, however, that the painful process of renewing FM3's is way worse than obtaining citizenship, not to mention cheaper for those who qualify. Specially those who work or own businesses.

Nothing wrong with not wanting it, it just seems more practical.

[ryberg]

Actually it does not seem very difficult at all to apply for Mexican naturalization, as far as I can see. There are multiple routes with different requirements to do so. I qualified under 3, I believe: having lived and worked here on a visa for 5 years, being married to a Mexican (not sure how many years involved in that one), and having children who are Mexican (2 years, I believe). Basically you get all your papers together, pay the fees, perhaps pay someone to help you through the process and monitor things, and wait maybe a year for it all to be processed.

It's very surprising to me, given what I've heard in general on this topic and have learned about it here and there, to hear that the Netherlands would not allow dual citizenship. The US seems to have been among the most conservative along these lines, and yet changed tack many years ago to be much more accepting of it.

For me it would be a big advantage as we'd never have to worry about immigration and visas and travel papers (beyond a regular passport, I mean) and all that stuff again.

James certainly knows more about it than I do, if he cares to comment.

Steve

[Seakony]

Originally Posted by Heather

I disagree that it's a lot of hassle; to me, a hassle is having to submit stacks of paperwork every year for your FM-3 and cross your fingers and hope and pray they don't arbitrarily turn you down. I've been here only 3 years and just saw my immigration file: it's at least 6 inches thick already. You can bet I'll be applying for my citizenship just as soon as they'll let me, and I'd be damned proud to carry dual citizenship.

Well looking at it at that angle...you'er right.
Just getting a passport was a hassle for me. I hate filling out any type of paperwork....Thank god for ATM cards...I even leave the bills for Slim to do. Works great. I create the bills, he writes the check.
My real estate license is up for renewal....and I just dread having to write a check and send it in. Slim won't do it...since I am not working...but I took too many classes and put too many hours getting that license and I will be damned before I let it go. There is no way I will take that test again. And someday... I might get back into it. Naaaaaa...Too much hassle.

[laurab]

I applied for Mexican citizenship in October, was told to call after 6 months, then 7, then 8..... no news yet. I haven't made the second payment yet, meaning they haven't accepted me as Mexican yet . I didn't go through any lawyer, am in no hurry. I just showed up at Relaciones Exteriores in Cancun and gave all papers.
In the meantime, my FM2 expired and I can't renew it again as after 5 years you have to become and immigrant (don't know the name of the document, we just call it Tarjeton ). No news on that either.
So now, if I want to leave, I have to go to immigration the day before I leave, show them my plane tickets and get permission to leave. I FELL GROUNDED.

[Heather]

Originally Posted by laurab

So now, if I want to leave, I have to go to immigration the day before I leave, show them my plane tickets and get permission to leave. I FELL GROUNDED.

LauraB, if you want to leave without documentation, you have to go at least 3 business days before your flight, not one day! I went a week in advance and was too early; it has to be at least 3 working days but no more than 5. They accepted my application and all the paperwork (which took 2 visits to get right), but I had to make my fee payment at the bank within the 3-5 day window. I also had to make the bank payment on the SAME day I was going to pickup the letter of permiso. I just went through all this, so if you have any questions let me know. I think I still have the list of documentation and requirements, so if you need it, I'm happy to share.

[james]

it was super easy. my consultant handled everything, I just signed my name.

hire a pro. there is no other way to go.

[Sukidog]

Originally Posted by james

it was super easy. my consultant handled everything, I just signed my name.

hire a pro. there is no other way to go.

It can't be any easier than that, now could it???