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Global Outbound Immigration
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Short-Term Visa OptionsFMVCThe FMVC is the best option for business travelers entering Mexico for a period of up to thirty (30) days. FMVC visas are available at Mexican Consulates or at the port of entry. This visa allows the holder to engage in limited business activities that include business meetings, training programs, commercial and/ or industrial repairs and maintenance of machinery, consulting and staff support, marketing, importation of Mexican goods and participation in trade exhibits. The following nationals can enter Mexico on the FMVC visa issued at the port of entry:
Upon departure from Mexico FMVC business card holders must return the card they received at the port of entry, failure to do so will result in the payment of a fine. Fines will also be assessed against individuals who stay in the country beyond the thirty (30) days allowed under this visa category. FMN- NAFTA PermitThe FMN permit allows US and Canadian nationals to travel to Mexico for a period of up to thirty (30) days for the purposes of business or technical and mechanical support. FMN visas are available at Mexican Consulates or at the port of entry. Business activities include: attending business meetings, training, negotiating contracts and industrial repairs and technical assistance. Upon departure from Mexico, FMN business card holders must return the card they receive at the port of entry, failure to do so will result in the payment of a fine. Fines will also be assessed to individuals who stay in the country beyond the thirty (30) days allowed under this visa category. FM3 VisasThe FM3 multiple entry visa is appropriate for individuals traveling to Mexico for periods greater than thirty (30) days for business purposes and is valid for up to one (1) year. This visa is also required by individuals who need to travel to Mexico on business but who do not qualify for entry as a FMVC or FMN visitor. There are different categories of FM3 visas, but most commonly they are used by business visitors for business activities such as meetings, marketing, consulting and staff support, negotiation of contracts, carrying out market research, and personnel providing technical support and technical services in Mexico. To obtain an FM3 visa, the employer must issue a letter of support addressed to the Embassy or Consulate of Mexico explaining the purpose of the trip and guaranteeing financial support of the employee while in Mexico. Additionally, the letter must explain the specific activities the employee intends to perform in Mexico and confirmation that the employee will not receive any compensation from a Mexican source for those services. The nature of the activities to be performed will determine whether an FM3 technical visa or an FM3 business visa is issued. The FM3 visa application must be submitted to the Mexican Embassy or Consulate in the applicant’s place of residence and the Embassy or Consulate reserve the right to request the applicant to appear in person for an interview prior to the issuance of the visa. These visas are generally processed and issued within five (5) business days. However, processing times vary at each Embassy or Consulate depending on the volume and staff available and sometimes visas can take up to three (3) weeks to process. Please note that applicants from certain countries (such as Iran, Libya, Syria, Pakistan, Iraq, India and Lebanon) may have to wait up to four (4) weeks for their applications to be processed because approval from the “Instituto National de Migracion” (INM) in Mexico is required before the visa can be issued. For more information on different types of visas to Mexico and specific individual entry requirements please contact the head of GT’s Global Outbound Immigration Group, Dawn Lurie at luried@gtlaw.com. Long-Term Visa OptionsFM2 Work PermitsThe most common type of work permit in Mexico is the FM2. The FM2 work permit can be obtained at a Mexican Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction over the applicant’s place of residence, once the INM approves the application. Additionally, foreigners who enter Mexico can apply for a change of status from an FMVC, FMN or FM3 to an FM2 work permit. Work permit applications filed with the INM normally take three (3) to four (4) weeks to process. Certain nationalities have restricted entry into Mexico and in those cases, if the application has to be reviewed by the INM Committee, the application can take anywhere from eight (8) to ten (10) weeks to process. DependentsOnce the applicant and any accompanying family members have obtained their FM2 booklet, they must register with the INM in Mexico. In order to register, an appointment is made with the INM at least one (1) week in advance. Registration is normally completed in a few hours and the applicant and his dependants must be present to be fingerprinted. Mexican law recognizes common law marriages of long duration and will grant spouses in this situation dependant visas. This recognition does not extend to same-sex domestic partners. For more information on different types of visas to Mexico and specific individual entry requirements please contact the head of GT’s Global Outbound Immigration Group, Dawn Lurie at luried@gtlaw.com. Useful Links
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