How I got my Mexican Residency Card in Cozumel in 3 days (2023)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ก.ค. 2024
- After getting my Temporary Resident Visa at the Austin Consulate, I arrive in Cozumel, Mexico to complete the immigration process (canje) at INM to get my temporary residency card.
Channels that helped me
/ @qroo
/ @backpackingbrunette
00:00 Intro
01:37 The immigration process (in Mexico)
02:10 Visit 1 - Paperwork and payment
03:44 Visit 1 - afterwards
06:36 Visit 2 - Schedule the biometrics appointment
08:27 Visit 2 - Biometrics scheduled!
10:11 Visit 3 - Fingerprints and photos
13:26 Visit 4 - Card pickup!
The INM offices are like their counterparts, the consulates - each one does things a little differently. I'm in Mazatlán and our INM office usually (unless their equipment isn't working) will process your paperwork, take your fingerprints and photo and then give you the card later that day or the next. I got my temporary residency before this expedited process, and it was WEEKS before I had my card in hand. I recently converted to permanent and it was a two visit process. They took my paperwork, payment, fingerprints, and photo. Machine was broken so I had to wait a few days before going back to pick up the card, but MUCH easier than before! ¡Felicidades y bienvenidos a México!
Amazing. Thank you for sharing your experience!
Hi Brett,
For the temporary residency completion in Mazatlán, is there any other documentation they want other than the Basico form, and copies of Temporary Mexican Visa and passport ?
Is it first come first serve appointments at the Mazatlán IMM and is Mazatlán airport still paper form FMM ? I'm finishing my process in Mazatlán.
Thanks
@@elsee7773 They usually want the declaration letter as well - it's supposed to be a letter that describes the process you want to complete, but they made me get something specific. For $500 ($550?) pesos, go a half block down the street to see Hogla (yes, that's how she spells it) - there's a red coca-cola awning above her place. She makes sure your paperwork is all in order - it's a small price to pay to avoid having to re-do everything and go back. Yes, it's first come, first served and the INM offices open at 9:00 am. There's often a short line, so you may want to come at 8:00 am or 8:30 am. I believe the airport has changed over to the digital process - so you'll need to print out the FMM. QRoo Paul & Linda have a youtube video about how to complete your mexican residency that gives you instructions on how to do this. You will need it, and I'm not sure if Hogla prints that as well (she probably can).
@@bjones9942 Thank You
Did you have to show financials for the permanent residency card. I have the temporary 4 year and I don’t want to wait 4 years for the permanent card. Thanks
This was very helpful. I really appreciate this.
That is great information, thank you so much for sharing.
Same day in card issuance in Oaxaca (4 hours start to finish)...no appointment needed. Basically no lines. Nice folks. No issues. Congratulations. It's a good feeling!!
Thanks for sharing
Happy for you from Queretaro.
Best immigration video, you are correct how easy the Cozumel office is. Was awesome running into you and thank you for the Mundaca Coffee recommendation.
I'm hoping to get my residency card later this year, thanks for the video, you have a new subscriber 🙂
Please feel welcome to share your experience. Good luck. I need to renew in December.
I got my perm residency in a few months. If you qualify and follow instructions it is rather simple.
How is the Spanish to English translation? In America well California specifically we offer everything in Spanish AND English. I just want to se if the other countries are being just as welcoming.. ? Probably not at all… everyone is leaving there and coming to America..
Congrats!! I live in Austin as well and I was able to get an appointment in McAllen. I’ll be there this Wednesday to hopefully get my visa then I’ll be in Mexico in April to complete the process. I’m looking forward to it :) thanks for the video.
Awesome! Feel free to report back. Data points are helpful.
@@caminoriconomad I had my apt today in McAllen, TX, and received my permanent visa. It was super easy, was in and out in about 45 min.
Thank you very much for the video! Big help, very detailed. We did canje in June 2023. Everything worked as described. We had a hiccup with the confirmation email - I would recommend checking a file status of the application. INM office provides you with a link, username and password when applying. Thanks again, all the best.
Awesome! Bienvenidos!
Exelent
Wow! Some people wait up to 20 years for a US perm resident card.
Man! It took me 12 years to get my US Green Card!
It looks like each INM offices does things differently, i got my card in Guadalajara in 2022, but had, photo, interview, biometrics and paid on the same day, from 9am to 2 pm came out with my card. Only one trip to make the booking and one trip to complete the whole thing.
In merida you can get it in one morning.
Even faster!
Did you do it in Cozumel because you are planning to live there too? I'm intrigued! I guess in that atmosphere of relaxation you can manage to drag out the process for four separate visits with no frustration. I guess if I lived there I'd be happy to do it that way myself!
Cozumel was chosen for multiple reasons: I have visited many times before, it's a non-stop flight, it is a smaller town so it seemed to be less bureaucratic (compared to Cancun or CDMX), and yes, the sunsets are amazing.
"Dragging out" a process was a very small price to pay for residency in another country. Compared to any other residency process I have researched, it is by far the fastest. Many processes in other countries take months to complete once you arrive - leaving you stuck in that country until your residency is finalized.
Remember, you could hire someone to assist with the process, but you will still need at least two visits to immigration.
@@caminoriconomad Does this mean that it's preferable to doing it with a facilitator in Guadalajara or even Playa del Carmen?
I would look for an expat Facebook group for either of those towns and see what the experience was like for others. Each town can be very different. You will also find recommendations for facilitators in those groups. For me, I had the luxury of time and I wanted to understand the experience so I could share it. I also leveraged Facebook groups for judging the difficulty.
Very nice summary of the process. I'll be doing it in San Jose del Cabo later this year. Nice to know what to expect. So how many "days" did it take you? I don't mean individual days, but from the day you first with ti the INM to the day you got the physical card? Thanks. Need to know how long the time in Mexico needs to be and the travel time since I think I have to go to Cabo San Lucas (another city) to do all this.
Awesome! Feel free to share how your experience went. It truly was three days in a row for me, I went in on a Tuesday. YMMV. I was expecting it to be a longer process. Sometimes an office will have a credit card terminal go down or the card printing machine.
This video was very informative and inspiring. I want to move forward to getting my temporary residency and go to Cozumel for part 2. I have questions that I’m hoping you can answer for me. Do they speak English at that INM office or just Spanish? Do you need to fill out additional paperwork for Cozumel or was it the same info you brought to Austin? Thank you for your videos and time and I look forward to hearing from you 😊
*Mostly* Spanish, a little English.
Paperwork: completely separate body of paperwork from getting your visa. You need:
Formato Basico: www.gob.mx/inm/documentos/informacion-formato-basico
The Canje application (Expedición de Documento Migratorio por Canje) from: www.inm.gob.mx/mpublic/publico/inm-tramites.html
and your FMM from: www.inm.gob.mx/spublic/portal/inmex.html (only available after you arrive in Mexico)
I got my Mexican residence card the same day
Yes, everything seems a little faster now
Great video as I am about to head to Cozumel to do my temp visa. Can you clarify: Did they require you to show a utility bill with your paperwork or you just put the AirBNB address down on your paperwork as your address?
No, they did not. Just a valid address should be all you need.
is there a bathroom inside the immigration office?
Why do I need it? What’s the benefit?
Hi Bro. I will have a same plan with you. Arriving in Cozumel and spending 4 days (Monday to Thursday) there to get my resident card. Shall I know the document request list and whether the immigration officer in Cozumel has additional required documents ? Thank you!
All you should need is:
Solicitud Estancia (application)
Formato Basico (ensure address is valid)
FMM downloaded from INM site
Passport copies (ID + visa pages), I had color copies, but black and white should be fine
They accept credit card
Use the same signature in your passport
When you arrive, show your Visa age to the immigration officer
@@caminoriconomad thank you!
Hi,do the IMM officers speak Spanish only?
Each office may be different, but in Cozumel, there was always at least one officer that spoke English. INM is the same folks you will find at airports checking passports, so they are more likely to speak English compared to other agencies. If your situation is typical, you mostly wait, hand over documents, and sign papers.
So once you jave you Mexican residency, can you use that in the states for free hotel rooms and health care?
As long as you are registered Democrat you're good to go...lol
Did you have to have a Visa to enter into Mexico? Or is that just to make papers? We have never ever made a Visa to enter Mexico. We are Canadian/Belizean. But live in Canada :)
As a tourist, no. Canada and Belize have visa-free access to Mexico. But, for residency, you must initiate the process with the Mexican Consulate in your country of residence. Assuming you are seeking residency based on financial means or pension, you will submit an application and documentation showing proof of savings and income. They will issue a visa that you then exchange (canje) for a residency permit at INM in Mexico. Check the consulate website nearest to you for their specific requirements. I have a video talking about my experience in the works.
How do you book the apartment accommodation and how much does it cost
I've only used Airbnb. Lots of price points depending on location, amenities, and season. Prices were lower during the pandemic, but have definitely shot back up.
Can you tell me how did you get it
With the proper income savings? Or how
I like to apply also but I am nervous
I personally used statements from my investments. Savings and earned income from a job are also accepted. So long as it meets the minimum amount per month. Check the Mexican Consulate website near you to verify the requirements. You will need 6 months of statements for savings or 12 months of statements for salary. Also make sure the name on your statements is your full legal name used in your passport.
Walked in got a number waited my turn about 30 mins, got the forms walked half a block for some confectionary owner / immigration forms / side hustle woman to fill out the unreadable forms for 900peso. Walked back handed them in . Total time 90 mins out the door with card. Title you video , don't go to Cozumel for anything. : )
Hi..Nice video. Me and my wife are trying to apply via austin tx also but noticed that the website for visa has nothing showing and infact no visa appt in texas.
Im going to go in person to the Mexican Consulate in Austin this week and hopefully just ask questions for getting an appt.
Just wondering what your steps were
I have a video in the works explaining this part. It is probably the hardest part to be honest. If you have luck in person, please report back, but for online, create an account at citas.sre.gob.mx and on Wednesday sometime after 12:00 noon, appointments will show up on that site. For me, it took about 20 minutes afterwards. Good luck!
@@caminoriconomad I went in person and have the email of the visa guy in austin, I wont post as Im sure it might change but he said watch wed for new appointments. Well its Thursday and they finally posted Austin but no Visa available. At was around 1pm on 5.25.23. Its now 210pm same day and Austin has been dropped. I emailed him but no reply. Might be out of his hands. I would consider Houston but If I dont have something they want..then I blow 6hr round trip travel.
So I was able to get appointments in austin via email. Submitted all paperwork with copies and received Temp Resident Visa. I asked the counselor if Cozumel would need any of the paperwork backup and he said No.. Just take the visa/passport to the office and follow local instructions. Not sure how involved cozumel INM will be but guessing its just basic name adde contact and wait for a call back. I can be patient
Yay! Once yo get there, you will need to download a copy of your FMM, complete the Formato Basico and Solicitud Estancia, and make a copy of your Passport data page. QRoo Paul has good how-to videos for those: www.youtube.com/@qroo/videos
Not sure I followed but did you just show up one morning to start the process or get appt ahead ? Was there the standing in line I hear over night ect?
I queued up at 8:45-ish and there would be only one person ahead of me. Easy-peasy. I think the early morning lines are more common in larger cities.
Did anyone at the INM in Cozumel seem like understood English? I know most offices have only Spanish speakers but we cant speak it and worried about just showing up and getting turned away
In Cozumel, the woman I called the "jefe" was bilingual. She had a more military-looking uniform and it went pretty smoothly. The guard outside with the sign-in book spoke only Spanish.
All that for temporary residency, when do you become a full-fledged resident?
Compared to any other residency program I've seen so far, Mexico's is by far the easiest and fastest - even compared to many "Golden Visas." If you are 62 or older, you can apply for permanent residency immediately. Otherwise, you apply for temporary, which is usually valid for one year. When you renew, you can renew for up to three more years. After four consecutive years, you can apply for permanent residency. But, some folks have been successful applying for permanent before their first year of temporary expires. Long answer to a simple question because in Mexico, there can be some "situational flexibility."
Can the Fee payment and Biometric Photo can be done in same day ..? for an extra fee ..? Is it mandatory to book Two-way Air ticket or one way is fine ..?
Cozumel seemed to only do photos on Thursday. I feel like they like to receive applications earlier in the week, approve them, and then get all biometrics done later in the week. I can't say with certainty. The cruise ships may also affect their schedule.
No return ticket needed. Once you are there, they don't care about your itinerary.
@@caminoriconomad Thank you very much fr details, !
@@caminoriconomad Do you think it is possible to get CURB also on the same day we pickup TR Card, and can the RFC can be done with out Address proof as we are staying at hotel temporary
I left because i got RFC appointment after 5 days so i can not stay back for another 5 more days so i thought of coming back after few months later .
Hi, how much Spanish do you need to know to do this or would it be best to have someone fluent with you?
If you have your documents in order, you don't need much. But, if there are any hiccups, it could be confusing. My Spanish is mediocre at best and lots of pointing and smiling gets you far. If you have almost no Spanish, then, yes, hiring a translator could be worth it.
Congratulations do you need to know Spanish to get your residency (permanent or temporary)
Good question - residency in Mexico has no language requirement. However, citizenship by naturalization requires both a language and a history and culture test.
For RFC Appointment can i take AirBNB Host Utility Bills as Address Proof or i should have my name on the Utility Bills for RFC Appointment ..?
I didn't get my RFC yet, but my understanding is yes, a utility bill (CFE or Telmex) is all you need. You might want to check the Facebook group for Cozumel Expats, but I don't think your name needs to be on the bill, and the address may not matter either. I get a sense that it's a sort of "if a local trusts you with their bill, we trust you" kind of thing. You may need to book an appointment (cita) in advance: citas.sat.gob.mx/datosPersonales
If you make any progress, feel welcome to report back!
@@caminoriconomad Sure i will definitely , Can we get the CURP same day we get the TR Card ..? I wanted to get everything done in one trip (TR Card, CURP, RFC )
You will get a print out of your CURP (looks like a certificate) and your CURP is printed on the back of your card! I'm curious how long it might take to get a appointment with SAT for your RFC. If you decide to open a bank account, they will also want to see a utility bill.
@@caminoriconomad For Bank, Utility bill has to be on Our name or can the Landlord name will be acceptable by bank ..?
@@caminoriconomad Got the Temporary Residence Card along with CURP in just 2 Days and it is only possible because of your video , I am trying to get RFC Tomorrow and see how it goes ..
Did you do this with or without a lawyer?
Without. In large part, so I could understand the process better and share it with others.
In Mexíco, you may choose to employ the help of a lawyer (abogado) or a facilitator (gestores) to help with the process. I have seen both positive and negative experiences with each. For the city you plan on applying for residency in, I highly recommend joining an expat Facebook group for that specific city and looking for the experiences others have had with the process and/or looking for recommendations for a lawyer or facilitator for your residency.
For this video, I wanted to show it was very much possible to do it on your own. Each municipality can have a wildly different process because - it's Mexíco.
Hi. Did you need proof of Mexican address? Thank you very much!
This may depend on an individual INM office, but a valid address should suffice.
A valid address. ..US or Mexican??
A valid address in Mexico. This may be your Airbnb or other accommodation. Ypu will need to know the colonia (neighborhood/district) and streets yours is between (entre calles 5 y 10 ). I did discover there may be some houses that do not have an official street number, just a house name (similar to the UK). In that case, you can put "sin numero" for external number.
@@caminoriconomad gracias!!
Hello, I wondered if by any chance you knew or know how to find out if the INM office there in Cozumel will be open on December 26, 2023? I noticed they have closed offices over Christmas in the past? My visit to Cozumel is December 26 -28th, 2023. I am Praying it's open and my process goes as well as yours did?
If you use Facebook, I would ask on the Expats Cozumel group. There is also an Immigration Consultant in that group, Maribel, that may know. I would strongly encourage allowing more days in Cozumel in case they have an outage or schedule change. It's not uncommon for government offices to have long breaks for major holidays. Sometimes the credit card machine or ID printer is down. Remember that your residency visa is only good for 30 days and if you don't complete the process in that time, you will have to get a new Visa from your home country.
Ok, you did somewhat good here but you left out talking about ok what address that you can use etc etc. Because as you know, you needed to fill out an address. Ok, I know the answer but I let you explain what can be used if you even know.
Since you are supposed to begin the process with INM in 30 days, you will likely not have long-term rental or property purchase yet. It is perfectly fine to use the address of your Airbnb (or equivalent). So long as the address is valid. Confirm with your host.
In Mexico, the *between* (entre) descriptor is part of the address. Example: "Av Benito Juarez 123 entre 15 and 16, Apt 1"
You will need to know the Colonia (neighborhood, ex: Central, San Miguel II), exterior number (street address number), interior number (apartment or floor number), and post code (zip code).
Hope that helps!
@@caminoriconomad thank you 🙏
Do you need to live in Mexico to finish the process and if so for how long?
You must complete the process in person and list a valid address, which could be an Airbnb address. You are not required to show proof of address.
If you will have a different address when you renew, you MUST update it online before you visit INM.
The great thing about Mexico is there is no minimum to how long you must be present in-country to maintain temporary or permanent residency.
How can you get American residency in 3 days? lol
Good info, but it would we a much better video if you weren’t walking 0:16 and talking at the same time.
Thanks. Other videos in the works are indoors, but I had to make an executive decision. Done beats perfect.
@@caminoriconomad love your last sentence!
Why do all these out of the country youtuber videoers point the camera at themselves rather than at what they are seeing while talking to you. TURN THE %^(P% CAMERA AROUND!!!!!
Because they are talking to YOU not on sight seeing walk
They are talking to you. Understand now?
No idea why you want a residency card for Mexico because you did not explain, you referred to paperwork or documents several times without specifying what documents other than your passport so, I don’t understand the purpose of this rambling video!
I add my own reasons why tho I am still in process for Visa Appt. My wife and I purchased a home so we spend a bit of time in Cozumel so if you want to stay over 180, Infidelity you canl. You can open a bank account and transfer your money from the states or other into a Mexican account. You Can then get a Mexican ATM Bank card which is preferred for setting up auto pay for bills. Purchasing a vehicle, moped or car. Local discounts ( 10%) at some places. Residency is not Citizenship so don't confuse what you might thing. Mostly its for helping you be part of the nation and some perks. Im sure there are more but for me these are the bigger ones.
@@michaeltblank What documents do you need to open a bank account?
Seems the same process as when they come to our country 🤣
how to get it?need marry with a Mexico guy...lol