Getting Permanent Residency Status First Step
by Talley Ho 
, Playa la Ropa, Wednesday, October 05, 2016, 13:48 (3693 days ago)
Yesterday we went to our local Mexican Consulate and started the process of acquiring our permanent residency status. It was easy, thanks to Oswaldo at our local Consulate. He answered all of our questions via e-mail, and even had us send him copies of documents for him to check before we made our appointments and went in. Thanks to him, it only took 2 hours and we had everything we needed the first try. Realize that the dollar amounts vary with the exchange rate, so the numbers are approximate, but very close. Here is what is required:
Passport, a copy of the page that has your personal information on it, and one passport photo.
A letter of intent, written to the Consul. This is a paragraph about why, where and what you plan to do in Mexico.
Application form
$32 US
Proof of finances.
For one person, you must show a minimum monthly income of $1,900. To add a dependent, it is $500 more. OR you can show a net worth, per person, of $175,000. It is either or.
Acceptable documentation wasn't too tough. 6 months of bank statements showing the deposits, or 6 months of statements from a brokerage account, etc, showing the net worth. If any accounts are joint, a statement that both parties have access to the funds independently. If you show a monthly income, the source must be shown. If you file as a person with a dependent, a marriage certificate must be provided.
Each of the above have to be "official." Banks will usually notarize or certify the statements and send them to you electronically, at no cost. What we finally did was talk to a friend who was a notary. We signed every single page, all 14 of them, and she attached a notarized statement that said that she witnessed us signing them. Surprisingly, this was accepted without question.
We were interviewed by the Consul, and asked about our plans, and our jobs before retirement. We had our photos taken and fingerprints.
Two hours later, we left with a visa in our passports that is good for a single entry, and is good for 6 months. When we arrive in Zihuatanejo, we go to the ????? meet with them, and are to receive a card that we think we have to renew every year, and on the fourth year, receive a permanent visa that we do not have to renew.
The entire process was much easier than we expected. Our question now, to those in the know is about what we do when we arrive in Zihuatanejo.
Where do we go? What do we need to have, anything? What is the cost? What do we have to renew annually?
Getting Permanent Residency Status First Step
Why do you want a permanent residency card? You do not need one to own a Mexican vehicle, to own or sell property. Why do you want one? It is costly and it is a hassle at the airport leaving the country. The only benefit I have heard/read is that you might receive a 25% discount on your capital gain taxes when you sell property. I am eligible for a permanent card, but am seriously debating whether to get one.
Getting Permanent Residency Status First Step
by frostbite , Hamilton MT, Wednesday, October 05, 2016, 14:32 (3693 days ago) @ bouldergene
Why do you want a permanent residency card? You do not need one to own a Mexican vehicle, to own or sell property. Why do you want one? It is costly and it is a hassle at the airport leaving the country. The only benefit I have heard/read is that you might receive a 25% discount on your capital gain taxes when you sell property. I am eligible for a permanent card, but am seriously debating whether to get one
Getting a permanent residency is a one-time expense. It allows you to get a refund of the tourist tax airlines add to the cost of the ticket. I don't knows about the discount on capital gains taxes.
Getting Permanent Residency Status First Step
by Talley Ho , Playa la Ropa, Wednesday, October 05, 2016, 14:46 (3693 days ago) @ bouldergene
edited by Talley Ho, Wednesday, October 05, 2016, 16:27
First off, we drive. The cost yesterday, at least, was about the same as it would have cost at the border.
Second, we want to be able to spend more than 180 days a year in Mexico.
Third, we will very likely live in Mexico full time in the relatively near future.
Getting Permanent Residency Status First Step
by Scott 
, Mérida, Yucatán, Wednesday, October 12, 2016, 13:35 (3686 days ago) @ Talley Ho
First off, we drive.
You know that with permanent residency status you will not be able to do that anymore, right?
Getting Permanent Residency Status First Step
by Talley Ho , Playa la Ropa, Wednesday, October 12, 2016, 13:43 (3686 days ago) @ Scott
We can still drive, but in 4 years, our vehicles will have to have Mexican plates.
Getting Permanent Residency Status First Step
by Scott , Mérida, Yucatán, Wednesday, October 12, 2016, 14:13 (3686 days ago) @ Talley Ho
That's if you have temporary residency. For 4 years with temporary residency, you can have the foreign vehicle, but when you change from temporary residency to permanent residency after 4 years, that's when you have to permanently import the vehicle or remove it from the country. If you have gone straight to permanent residency without doing temporary residency first, then you will not be able to bring your vehicle with you.
Getting Permanent Residency Status First Step
Are you sure that temp. Visa you received in the States is valid for six months?
I was told it is only valid for 30 days once you cross the border.
During that limited time, you must go in and start Step 2 in Zihuatanejo.
I don't recall the street name. The office is across from the big hardware store and next to the electric company.
Sorry, I can't be of more help!
Getting Permanent Residency Status First Step
by Talley Ho , Playa la Ropa, Wednesday, October 05, 2016, 18:10 (3692 days ago) @ Sun Seeker
Yes. It has an expiration date of April 4, 2017. Oswaldo said that the 30 days was the maximum amount of time it would take to get our cards once we checked in in Zihuatanejo. If we were to leave Mexico during that time, we'd have to start the process all over again in our home country. He did say, however, that he has heard that the card generally arrives in a week or two.
Do you know what we have to produce in Zihuatanejo??
Getting Permanent Residency Status First Step
by Casa Juan , Thursday, October 06, 2016, 01:33 (3692 days ago) @ Talley Ho
The Immigracion office is not too far from the Restaurante Carmelitas near the car wash as you head towards the bus terminals, hospitals and then to the airport. Going from a temporary to a permanent status in '15 for me in Zihua was fairly easy, bring some utility bills that link you to the address as well as something that shows some permanency in the area. Bring the same bank records just in case. If you get in line outside the building at approx. 8;45 am on Tuesday thru Thursday you are out in a short while. If you lack something , you will soon know what to bring back. After 5 yrs dealing with Immigracion in Zihua, my experience has overall been fairly positive. Over a year ago they stopped having the security in the office armed with assault weapons and it is usually cool and clean inside. The staff has the ability to translate on their computers from Spanish to English etc. Your mileage may vary.
Getting Permanent Residency Status First Step
by Casa Sandbar , Thursday, October 06, 2016, 10:05 (3692 days ago) @ Talley Ho
We went through this process and had a TRV to renew every year. When renewing in January 2016 we learned that you can purchase the remaining years all at once. In other words, if you want to avoid the annual renewal legwork you can pay for a 4 year TRV. It's a bit less than 4x the annual fee but you are putting out all the money at once.
You need photo's taken in Mexico for your TRV application before going to immigration. They are referred to as "infantile" (sp?) at any photo shop.
Getting Permanent Residency Status First Step
by Talley Ho , Playa la Ropa, Thursday, October 06, 2016, 12:57 (3692 days ago) @ Casa Sandbar
Perfect, just the information we were looking for. So, really, all we need is the passport size photos. Do you remember how many?
Getting Permanent Residency Status First Step
by Casa Juan , Friday, October 07, 2016, 00:03 (3691 days ago) @ Talley Ho
If you will be getting photos taken in Zihua ,they will give you approx. 6 in El Centro . Immigracion needs 3 I believe ,1 each side and one frontal, Its very inexpensive and quick.
Getting Permanent Residency Status First Step
by Talley Ho , Playa la Ropa, Friday, October 07, 2016, 00:52 (3691 days ago) @ Casa Juan
Thanks, we asked because we still have one each front face left from the photos required here.
Do you remember anything else we might need? We really appreciate hearing from someone who has done it recently!
Getting Permanent Residency Status First Step
by Casa Sandbar , Friday, October 07, 2016, 09:24 (3691 days ago) @ Talley Ho
Recommend you get a fresh set done in Centro and leave your existing ones at home. There could be sizing differences and you want everything to match. It's inexpensive and photo's are usually ready within an hour.
Getting Permanent Residency Status First Step
by Talley Ho , Playa la Ropa, Friday, October 07, 2016, 10:57 (3691 days ago) @ Casa Sandbar
We will.
Is that all we need, other than the payment? Supposedly everything was done here. Hope so!
Getting Permanent Residency Status First Step
by Casa Juan , Friday, October 07, 2016, 11:06 (3691 days ago) @ Casa Sandbar
Agreed, getting the photos done is the easiest part of the process.
Getting Permanent Residency Status First Step
by B&S , Friday, October 07, 2016, 13:51 (3691 days ago) @ Talley Ho
When we applied they asked us for a map showing where we will reside. A hand drawing worked.
Getting Permanent Residency Status First Step
Here is where you go. Map of INM office
Have your pics taken at Photo Duran on Vicente Guerrero between Nicolas Bravo and Ejido. Infantil is the kind you have to get. They understand that all your hair has to be slicked off your face, behind your ears and no jewelry. It will look like your worst Costco card pic.
Go to the office with everything you took to the Consulate just in case. Smile and say please. They will spend some time on the computer checking everything. They will tell you to pay and give you a piece of paper. Go up the block to HSBC and don't get in the teller line but go to the lobby person who will print out another piece of paper. Then you go and pay and take the receipt back to the Immigration office. Even though they say they will email you to come back for the fingerprints and then the card don't wait, just keep checking in in person. Often they are too busy to do their emails. The only people I have seen having any problems have been obnoxious gringos who get loud and belligerent (never a good idea with any beaurocrat IMHO)
It is not hard.
Thanks so much for your input, we are now comfortable with what we need. Photos, easier in Zihuatanejo than here, where we go, and that we pay at HSBC.
Supposedly, the Consulate here has put all of the documentation on line, and fingerprints, but we'll take copies of what documentation we have with us, just in case.
The smile and kindness is always important in anything.
Thank You
by Linda from Canada , Zihua and Grand Marais, Manitoba, Wednesday, October 12, 2016, 15:14 (3686 days ago) @ Talley Ho
Immigration opens at 9am and closes at 1pm, so plan to be there about 8:45am. Immigration will give you the forms which you then take to any bank (HSBC is just down the street-an easy walk and often doesn't have long line-ups) and make your payment. Take the receipts back to immigration.
--
Linda from Canada
check out my books at www.livingthedreaminmexico.com AND please have a look at www.cookingwithclaudiainzihuatanejo.blogspot.com as well as www.albertoinzihuatanejo.blogspot.com
SRE PERMANENT VISA INFORMATION
by JohvdelaCruz , Zihuatanejo, Gro., MX, Thursday, October 13, 2016, 07:05 (3685 days ago) @ Talley Ho
Hope this helps. It's google translated
