Visas etc.

Okay, we're getting set to come down and take up permanent residence. We're not retirees, and we don't plan to for a while yet. What do you folks think of trying to come through immigration (with cats, clothes, golf clubs, some musical instruments, and a large handful of personal belongings) on plain visitor visas? Should we be trying to get Residente Temporales instead? Will the INM office look askance at our incomes given that they are from current employment, not retirement? (We work remotely... does Immigracion officially recognise that concept?)

I'm probably asking these questions really poorly, but I'd love to trigger a conversation around folks' experiences and opinions. Thanks!

I forgot to mention that we've got half-ownership of a house, so the $102,000 / person requirement for a Temporale is easily met when we sell. Do we have to sell it and have cash in hand to make an impression on INM?

Most of your questions are answered here along with a lot of other information you need to know about.
Useful Information

You need to show an income or liquid assets, using the house thing hasn´t panned out well in practice.

Rolly, that's an awesome site! I'll delve in.

Intercasa, if the income I'm showing is due to current employment (not pension, social insurance, etc.) will that count? Or will they claim that my working remotely from Mexico for a Canadian company violates the rules?

Income you mention seems is fine for temporary visa.

We are moving from Ecuador to Lake Chapala the end of Sept. When I contacted the consulate here in Ecuador they told me to apply at the airport! That does not seem correct from the above discussions. Maybe my Spanish was not adequate. They said we could apply for a 6 month at the airport and then apply for the temp residence once we were in Mexico. I get the conversation about the spouse with the greater income applying and then the family unification. Has anyone heard of applying in country for the temp residence?

You can get a 6-month Visitante at the border, but you were misinformed about the Residente.  You must apply for your first Residente at a Mexican consulate in your home country.  You cannot do it México.

I refer you to my Useful Information link in my post above.

Thanks Rolly. Guess we better get to consulate inGuayaquil before we leave!

They are a bit dense at the consulate in Ecuador, I had other clients moving from there and had to email them the manual to show to the consulate so they would know what to do! You figure they would have learned by now

yep. heading to Panama in a few weeks so may apply there!

will be in Lake Chapala Sept 11 to look for rental. thanks for the help on visa! next step a place to live!

No one seems to answer at any of the consulates that I have called. My question is regarding the temporary visa. I understand that you have to have a pension or social security of $1500. I am confused thou by the alternative to that with $25,000 in a savings account or an investment account. As far as I know no one answers this question. Is an investment account the same as a IRA account. I don't really want to take money out to put in a savings and be penalized for doing so. But I have almost twice that much in my IRA account. Hopefully someone else has the answers for me or has gone this route themselves.

It can be in any kind of account. Just show them the last 3 (or is it 6) months of statements.

so are you saying David that if I have at least $25,000 in an IRA account I can qualify for a temporary visa.

I don't know the exact amount (and it may vary by Consulate) but if you can show investments or bank accounts that meet the requirement, then yes. BTW, the credencial from INM (Immigration) is called Residente Temporal which can be paid annualy or you can pay for up to 4 years. At the end of 4 years you MUST either become Residente Permanente or start the process over again at the consulate nearest your home NOB. Best thing to do is visit your nearest consulate and ask what is required to become RT and/or RP.

I would think that the four year plan would work out best for most then don't have the hassle of renewing each year. Then when you get the permanent you don't have to show income requirements. My problem is I am living in Ecuador right now. Actually already have my cedula here. I only go home to the states once a year. The consulate I would have to go to is 3 hours away from my home in Wisconsin. I already have birth certificate, divorce etc. all aposilled and in Spanish. Do I have to redo those since they would be the same no matter what year taken.

annabell1952 wrote:I would think that the four year plan would work out best for most then don't have the hassle of renewing each year. Then when you get the permanent you don't have to show income requirements. My problem is I am living in Ecuador right now. Actually already have my cedula here. I only go home to the states once a year. The consulate I would have to go to is 3 hours away from my home in Wisconsin. I already have birth certificate, divorce etc. all aposilled and in Spanish. Do I have to redo those since they would be the same no matter what year taken.

Talk to Spencer at Intercasa. He should be able to answer all your questions.

Thanks how do I go about doing that.

actually spencer is under "chapala law" whose link you can find at the bottom of this page

Hi, its me

Here is a link to immigration information on my web site

http://www.chapalalaw.com/immigration-2/