I just realized, I left you hanging on the outcome of my visa renewal tale.
As I noted in are your papers in order?, I intended to drive to Manzanillo to start the visa renewal process. And I did. Drive to Manzanillo,that is. And started the process.
This is my second renewal. So, I thought I had the process down. Even though the office had required different documents on my initial registration and last year's renewal. And I was partially correct.
When I arrived, there were a few people in front of me. Including my good friends Lou and Wynn Moody. They had finished the application process and were simply waiting for the date they needed to return to pick up their new card. We soon found out. 9 May.
Well, that was not going to work for me. But that was still three steps away.
The first was to get my application started. I already had a head start on that. I had applied on line, printed out my application form, and signed the request letter -- now combined with the application form. Quite impressive work Mexican Immigration has done.
The clerk patiently took each of my documents -- and asked in English whenever the Spanish term resulted in my very good impression of a clueless expatriate.
The application form. My mug shots. A copy of the first page of my passport. My old FM3 booklet.
"Do you still live at the same address?"
"Yes."
I showed her my lease. It got a quick glance. When I tried to show her my constancia de domicilio (that engendered drools last year), she waved it off. Along with the utility bill. If I had not moved, no need for the extranea.
"Do you need to see my bank statements?"
"Not this year. Only after five years."
Great. All of that could not have taken more than five minutes. Pleasant. Efficient. Professional.
I was then off to the military bank to pay my application fee. $1,294 (Mx). No line. No wait.
To and from the bank was a twenty minute walk. It was a practically perfect day.
Then came the bump in the road. The fly in the ointment. The twist in the knickers.
The clerk told me my card could be picked up on 9 May -- just like Lou and Wynn.
Well, no, I can't. On 9 May, I will be in the Atlantic Ocean -- almost to the Canary Islands. I leave on the 29th.
Supervisory huddle. Very motherly look. Just this one time, I can get my card expedited. Be back on 27 April.
And that was quite a concession. Next week is semana santa (Easter week) in Mexico. Almost everything shuts down while Mexicans celebrate the Messiah's resurrection by partying on the beach.
The 27th will be cutting matters tight. But I am certain it will work out. And, if it doesn't, Mexico allows FM3 holders to leave and return without their card. But the process for that dispensation is -- onerous.
A denouement will soon be at hand. The last step in this process will occur -- one way or other.
I am counting on the Manzanillo office. After all, they have never let me down these past two years.
Hmmm. Did I just jinx myself?
Just because you were told it will be ready on the 27th does not mean it will. It likely will not.
ReplyDeleteI think they will come through (forever the optimist) - but if they do not I think you can show your application or something from applying and explain the situation. I have done that at check points with no problem - the card is in the mill. ;-) But, again I think you will get it. Can you call on the 26th to check on it?
ReplyDeleteI am surprised that it takes that long now. The old system took 3 to 4 weeks, my experience last year was 5 days, once you have everything in order. It's not like they have to do as much processing, we saw one applicant get it in 3 or 4 days when they needed it.
ReplyDeleteNow, I hope that it will be ready for you when they said it will be....
What's interesting to me is the varying requirements and procedures according to where you apply. In all my many years with FM3 and now three years on the FM2, they have always required the bank statements. Here in Mérida, the process has never taken me (with the exception of the initial application) more than about two weeks, start to finish.
ReplyDeleteI have come to the conclusion that the regional offices are granted a lot of leeway in how they accomplish the process. I am not sure how else to explain the differences in various parts of the country.
Mexico does allow FM-3 and FM-2 holders to leave the country while the renewals are pending, and it's a very simple process. Not onerous in the least. Look up ".Permiso de salida y regreso al país" right on the INM website. You could've even asked for that permission at the time you applied for your renewal.
ReplyDeleteThen it is true that they are waiving proof of income.
ReplyDeleteWell, at least in your situation, not having one's papers in order does not lead directly to the Gestapo's office on the way to the work camp.
ReplyDeleteWe shall see. The last two years the booklet was there jusr as scheduled.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I am optimistic about it being there. I think I need to get an additional form -- besides my processing receipt -- to fly out. But we shall see. I hope I don't need to find out.
ReplyDeleteYou will be one of the first to know.
ReplyDeleteThere is no doubt that the requirements vary. An acquaintance further north was required to have his American bank statements translated into Spanish. But that may have been some good-natured hazing.
ReplyDeleteSee. This is why I need a lawyer with me at all times. Or, at least, a reminder to work on my Spanish.
ReplyDeleteNot for the initial request. And it appears some offices require it each time.
ReplyDeleteNot in my new trousers it doesn't.
ReplyDeleteYou got off cheap this time, with your in house Morelia barrister, next time it's gonna cost you.......
ReplyDeleteAnd I only have so many arms and legs.
ReplyDeleteMy Dear Friend, one can't always depend upon the kindness of new trousers.
ReplyDeleteSteve, for my FM3 renewal this year, we took it in on Friday and they said it would be ready on Monday. We couldn't go back on Monday and so went on Tuesday. We had to wait about an hour for the jeffe to sign it but I did get it on Tuesday. The process seems to be running very smoothly in SMA. It will all work out just fine for you. I have confidence. If not, you have another great subject for the blog! LOL
ReplyDeleteI am always open to most options -- if they make good post material.
ReplyDeleteOr running inside gags.
ReplyDeleteI think those folks in Manzanillo are great! I have faith, your FM3 will be ready...but just in case, bring your travel documents with you when you go to pick up your FM3. If you can show travel documents as proof that you need to leave the country you can get special permission...but it does of course cost something.
ReplyDeleteGood idea. But I think they will pull through.
ReplyDeleteGuaymas office was still requiring it when we renewed in Sept. 2010. They just turned over the printed page of requirements and added it onto the back of it lol. It is not on the printed page; but it seems they can ask for whatever they want to. We will see what happens this fall.
ReplyDeleteI was hoping uniformity would come with efficiency. I suspect some state offices think the Mexico city office simply forgot things.
ReplyDeleteWho knows. We also have to have the statements stamped with the banks stamp, we cannot just print copies off of the internet which I have heard other areas can do. I was told, when we first got our FM 3's that some American had tried to pull a fast one over on them by manipulating his internet print out statement and this is the reason we have to provide bank stamped copies from up north along with bank stamped statements from our accounts here. Whether this is an "urban legend" or not I don't know. I just know it is a pain in the butt to get the stamped copies sent from Canada.
ReplyDeleteOh well, it is still much easier for us here than for Mexicans to stay in the USA or Canada legally.