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 Vallarta Living | October 2006 
Mexico, Anyone?
 Alan Caplan - EdmontonSun.com
Bucerias, Mexico — Regular readers know that I spend a fair amount of time at my Mexican casita (literally, little house). I know that because I get calls from time to time from folks who’d like to do the same.
Aside from the normal attractions, like hot weather when we’re suffering in the minus 30’s, there’s a kicked-back lifestyle that appeals to many of us caught up in the hustle of business and life in general around here.
To visit for short periods, less than six months at a time, you don’t need anything special in the way of paperwork. Your driver’s licence and birth certificate work just fine to get you into the country. However, if you plan to drive or fly via the U.S. as more Canadians do lately, you’ll need a passport.
Mexico is still classed as an emerging nation, but in the urban areas, it’s not so different from Canada in many ways. There are plenty of supermarkets and gas stations. (Gas is only slightly cheaper here than in Canada.) Cable TV and high speed Internet are available and relatively inexpensive. Prices for local produce are cheaper, but imports cost much the same as they do at home.
The people are friendly and helpful. (I’ve found that sometimes they’re too friendly – ask a local for directions and he’ll give you some – even if he doesn’t really know where you’re trying to get to.)
For longer-term stays, there are two types of visas, the FM2, which is an immigrant visa and the FM3, a long-term visitor’s visa. The FM2 is likely not necessary for many visitors, even semi-permanent ones. It’s also more difficult to qualify for, requiring the holder to stay in Mexico for at least 42 months out of 60 months running. As well, you can’t apply for an FM2 until you’ve held an FM3 for five years.
For a long time – years – I had no visa at all and it didn’t seem necessary to go through the process. I came in as a tourist and left as a tourist. There was virtually no hassle and no fuss. I bought a home, rented cars and generally carried on without much bother.
However, when I wanted to open a bank account or buy a used car, the first thing they asked me to provide was an FM3, along with my passport. So, reluctantly, I went through the process.
It was easy enough. I hired a lawyer who specialized in immigration documents; he detailed my requirements and only a couple of weeks later called to say I could pick it up at his office.
But it’s not necessary to pay a professional to get an FM3. It’s issued locally and many immigration officers speak English. But, be warned, it’s the waiting in line that gets to you.
Requirements include: (originals, or certified copies) of your birth certificate, passport and marriage licence. As proof that you have a minimum $1,200 monthly income, you’ll need to provide three months’ original bank statements, pay stubs, or a letter from your pension provider will do nicely.
In addition, you’ll need to provide the address you’ll be living at in the form of an electric or phone bill or the deed to your property; the ubiquitous non-smiley face, passport photos are necessary too.
Both visas help to avoid paying capital gains taxes when you want to sell a property, as long as you can prove you’ve been living in Mexico for the six consecutive months prior to the sale.
But be warned.
Canada taxes you on worldwide income, including capital gains.
If you make a profit there, you will pay tax here and there’s no “primary residence” exemption.
Email Alan Caplan at acaplanatcba@hotmail.com. |
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