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couple or individual $ requirements

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ranyanez
  4/7/2014 16:46 EST

My SO and I would like to get a temporary visa with the thought of getting a permanent one after 4 years. Our individual SS income is under $2000, but together/household would exceed that amount. Would that work? We have no plans of getting married.

tequistom
  4/8/2014 09:02 EST

My experience tells me that if you want to retire in Mexico, just go. Do not buy a place right away...make sure you really like where you live. I retired in Tequisquiapan in the state of Queretaro and was very happy for about 4 years. I did get my FM3, but realized it was a lot of trouble and expense for almost no return. I think the idea of going back to the good ol' US every six months is like recharging flashlight batteries. Good for the soul. At least it was in my case. I actually ended up buying a place in the Houston area where I use the VA as my health provider (I am a 90% disabled Vietnam vet). My wife and I still have a business in Tequis and go back frequently, but I am very glad to get back to the U.S. where I can find everything my heart desires.(prime rib dinner, and smoked baby backs for example). My point is, go ahead and go down, find a place you really like and see how it shakes out. Chances are your individual income will be enough, however they will not consider combined income if you are not married. SO GET MARRIED!!! (joke). Anyway, that's thoughts on the subject. By the way, we fly Interjet, which is a Mexican airline and has daily flights from Mexico City to San Antonio (and a few other cities) for less than half the fare charged by other airlines. They allow 50 kilos of baggage (no charge) allow you to bring your pet in the cargo area (no charge) and do not charge $200 to change you flight as does United (serious ripoff). Point being, going home for a few days is inexpensive and you really do not need the residency card. Anyone disagree?
Tequis Tom

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Radita
  4/8/2014 13:06 EST

Living on $1,800 mo. near the beach might be difficult. I suppose it depends on where you live, and what standard of living you expect.

I think the consulates are fairly strict with the income requirement. You should be able to go to the website for your consulate and read the requirements. Current requirement for single person is around $2,100 per month. They check bank statements for either 6 months or 12 months depending. So find a way to get that much in your bank if you want residente temporal.

My understanding is that the main benefit of having residente temporal (formerly FM3) is that you can bring your car. Also, with 180 day tourist visa you could run in to some problems getter certain services, like a cell phone plan (you'd have to use pay as you go). There might be other services you can't get, not sure, others will need to chime in.

Other thing to know is that if you start with the 180 day visa and you want to switch to residente temporal, you'd have to leave Mexico b/c you have to start the process outside of Mexico (U.S. or Canada). I don't know how long the process takes, I haven't done it yet, but I plan to start it about 3 months before I leave.

jbbarker1947
  4/9/2014 01:14 EST

From the consulate visit to cards in hand was four months for us. That was over a year ago.

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