Relocation to San Miguel de Allende
For complete information on obtaining
Visas while in Mexico, contact:
The American Embassy
Sección de Visas de No Inmigrante
Reforma 305 Mexico, D.F. 06500
01-900-849-4949
01 (4) 788-7070
What Visa do you need to visit San
Miguel?
Tourist Visa - less than 6 months
If you are visiting Mexico and staying for less than 6 months, you
will need a Tourist visa, or FMT. If you are already in the country
and were issued a visa for a shorter period, you can request an
extension of the term. You cannot work in Mexico with an FMT visa.
Where do you get an FMT?
You can get one at any Mexican Consulate, travel agency, at the
border or the airport, depending on your nationality. It is advised
to contact a Mexican Consulate for more information.
How do you extend the term of your
FMT?
You can request an extension of the visa's term at the Immigration
office at Calz. de la Estación (at the glass factory), Tel.
152-2542, 152-6939. It is recommended that you request this extension
at least 15 days prior to its expiration.
To extend your visa you should have
with you:
-Your passport and a photocopy
-The original FMT
-A letter requesting the extension of term. Keep in mind that upon
returning to your country of origin, you must return your FMT visa,
so keep it in a safe place. Also, there restrictions for citizens
of certain countries, so check with a local Mexican Consulate before
making travel plans.
More than 6 months - FM2 or FM3
There are two options for a longer stay in Mexico, FM2 and FM3.
Consider what you are going to be doing and how long you want to
stay in Mexico before applying for one of these visas.
If you are planning to retire in Mexico, you can apply for either visa, but must prove to authorities that you will be living on income from another country, or from Mexican-based investments. Both visas must be renewed annually, which can be done at the local Immigration office at Calz. de la Estación (at the glass factory), Tel. 152-2542, 152-6939. Although some Consulates process visa requests in a few days, you should be prepared to wait up to 30 days for your visa. Both visas allow family members to also apply for the appropriate visas.
FM2
With an FM2 visa you are considered an immigrant not a permanent
resident. However, with this visa you are eligible to become a permanent
resident. There are restrictions on how often and how long you can
leave the country, so contact your local immigration office for
details at Calz. de la Estación (at the glass factory), Tel.
152-2542, 152-6939.
FM3
With an FM3 visa you are allowed to stay in the country as a non-immigrant.
You can leave the country as much as you please and you are eligible
to work in Mexico.
Mail & Shipping Services
La
Conexin. Your all-around communications, packing and shipping
center.
Mailboxes Etc. For
people who have special packing needs, Mail Boxes Etc. are specialists
in all sorts of items, no matter how big or delicate they might
be.
Insurance
Scott Patton. Live
in San Miguel and enjoy all the insurance coverage to which you're
accustomed. Scott Patton, a licensed insurance agent, sells all
types of insurance including Worldwide Major Medical, and auto.
(get quote for different age groups)
Telephone
Most apartments come equipped with a phone, but
not all. Ordering a phone line can be a hassle and take 2-6 months.
Basic phone service costs between $180 and $200 pesos per month
not including long
distance calls. Cell phones are becoming more popular, and easier
to buy or rent. Contact solutions for more information on renting
cell phones. They can be reached at Recreo 11. Tel. (4) 15-2-64-09
and
15-2-61-52, or e-mail sanmiguelsolutions@yahoo.com.
Internet Connection
Unisono Net Offers local
dial up, fast connection, web hosting Unisono can get you connected
for one month or one year.
Exchange rate
The current exchange rate is around 10.5, but you can check the
exact rate online at X-rates.
IRS International
The IRS
web site has information for US citizens filing taxes while
living abroad.
For more information on where to file taxes while living in Mexico, call or write to:
United States Embassy/IRS
Paseo de la Reforma 305
Col. Cuauhtemoc, Rm. 116
06500 Mexico City, D.F. Mexico
Tel: [52] (5) 209-9100, ext. 3557 or 3559 FAX: [52] (5) 208-2494
Cost of living in SMA
Tipping guide
Restaurants = 10-15% depending on service
Household help = one week salary at Christmas
Bag boy at grocery store = 2-5 pesos
Taxi - no tip needed unless service was excellent
Real Estate listings
Real Estate Directory Check out this full listing of real estate brokers in San Miguel.
Classified
rental ads Rental opportunities posted by
owner.
Metric Conversion
1 mile = 1.61 kilometers
1 yard = .91 meter
1 inch = 2.54 centimeters
1 pound = .37 kilograms
1 ounce = 31.1 grams
1 kilometer = .62 mile
1 meter = 39.37 inches
1 centimeter = .39 inch
1 kilogram = 2.2 pounds
1 gram = .035 ounce
Bringing
a Car into Mexico
Mexico has very strict laws about bring cars into the country. There
are no restrictions if you are only traveling within 26 km of the
U.S. - Mexico border, but to go farther you need to get an importation
permit for your vehicle (Permiso de Importacion Temporal de Vehiculos).
In the U.S. AAA offices near the border can provide helpful information
on this process. Call the office near where you will cross the border,
because some offices have different procedures.
When you arrive at the border you will need certain documents:
The original and two copies of your title. If there is a lien on the car and you don't have the original title, you may be able to get from the lien holder a certified copy of the title with a letter giving permission for you to take the car out of the country for a specified period of time.
Your passport or birth certificate.
The original and two copies of your immigration paperwork (tourist, work or student visa).
The original and two copies of your rental or leasing agreement. Keep in mind that many leasing agreements forbid you from taking the car out of the country for more than 30 days without special permission. Call the leasing company for details or permission.
The original and two copies of the State registration certificate showing the car in your name.
Mexican car insurance. This can be bought ahead of time or at the border.
Valid Driver's License.
Valid major credit card.
There are fees involved in getting a car permit, but you should check with border authorities for exact amount. When you are at the border, drive through the "Declarations Lane", and follow signs for "Car Permits". The border authorities require either a cash deposit or credit card deposit to ensure that you don't sell your car while in Mexico. Contact the local AAA office or Mexican border office for the amount and procedure for this deposit.