Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Many tourists who come to Puerto Vallarta fall in love with its tropical climate, white-sand beaches, rich culture, sensational restaurants, and, most of all, its wonderfully friendly people, on their very first visit.

These "snow birds," begin flying south regularly to seek warmth in the winter. While soaking up Mexico's history and traditions, they check Vallarta out from stem to stern so when the question of retirement starts to loom in their lives, PV looks as if it might be more than just a temporary escape from the weather.

Vallarta's laid-back lifestyle and the opportunity to vacation or retire along Banderas Bay's approximately 100 kilometer (62 mi) long coastline is a powerful attraction for foreigners.

But before purchasing vacation property or a retirement home on or near the beach, there are a few important legal and technical matters to keep in mind - like the web of visa formalities anyone thinking about lengthy or permanent residence in Mexico needs to consider.

In this edition of Vallarta Life, Laura talks with the founder of Simple Immigration, Oscar Leon, who has been assisting expats acquire residency status for over two years. According to Oscar:

"For snow birds, the tourist visa, or Forma Visitante, is the most popular type of document. It is valid for 180 days - but make sure you do not lose it because it will cost you around $30 USD and some valuable vacation time to replace.

You can obtain it three different ways: at the airport if you are arriving by plane; at the marina if you're traveling by boat; or if you are driving, you will be issued one at the border, along with a temporary import paper for your vehicle.

The tourist visa is perfect if you are renting and will be traveling from your country of origin and Mexico frequently. However, it is for recreational purposes only, so if you would like to purchase property you will have to move on to the next step."

Because of his experience and knowledge of the law regulating immigration to Mexico, Oscar's primary focus is helping you obtain the right residency status for your stay in Mexico. So, if you are thinking about moving or retiring to Puerto Vallarta on a full-time basis, contact him at 322-120-6666 in Puerto Vallarta, 858-800-2098 from the US and Canada, or send an email to oscar(at)simpleimmigration.mx TODAY!