November 9, 2014 Update
We have gotten 3 separate reports this past week from travelers who had allowed their Residente Temporal permits to lapse, and then went through a border crossing. Each of the 3 travelers handed over their old expired Residente Temporal cards, and all 3 were scolded for not submitting their Residedente Temporal card by the expiration date. One of the three did this at the Nuevo Laredo crossing, while the other 2 did this at the Chetumal/Belize crossing.
None of the 3 were automatically granted the Visitante visas they requested.
The 2 who allowed their RT visas to expire while they were in Mexico, were assessed $$ penalties for not surrendering their Residente Temporal visas by their expiration dates – but both were given Visitante visas after paying the penalties. The third person, who had been hospitalized for brain tumor surgery in the USA when her RT visa expired, crossing at Nuevo Laredo in October 2014, long after INM’s 55 day grace period for RT’s who are outside Mexico, was hassled by the INM agents – forced to go to the back of a 15 person line to wait for 90 minutes – was then scolded again – and was finally granted the 6 month Visitante visa she had asked for at the beginning, with no penalties.
Based on these 3 reports, there may be penalties up to $50 pesos per day for allowing a Residente Temporal visa to expire. If this is correct, we can save ourselves some hassles and delays if we surrender our Residente Temporal visas by their expiration date.
We welcome updates from our readers on this and other immigration issues.
For more details on Mexican Immigration rules, please see our main article at:
Current Rules and Procedures for Immigration, Visiting, and Staying in Mexico
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Surviving Yucatan 
Why would one not surrend the visa before the expiration date, other than extenuating circumstances?
Hi Jaco,
Some people are outside of Mexico when their cards expire – and don’t want to drive to a Mexican Consulate.
Others are inside Mexico and either forget to renew or surrender the card, or they hope that INM will be forgiving when they go to fly out of Mexico with an expired RT card. Since many INM agents wave most of the fee/penalty, the foreigner figures it’s cheaper let it expire and ask forgiveness, than to go renew it or go to the border and exchange the old RT for a Visitante visa.
??
steve
Hola Angel,
This article serves to remind your customers that they must turn in their Residential Temporal cards prior to the date of expiration.
Charlie
I have applied for a Residente Permanente Visa at the Denver Consulate and have received a single entry visa good for 6 months until March 20. My 1st visit to Mexico is scheduled for Nov. 26 and I will continue the visa process at the INM office in Nuevo Vallarta. However, this trip will only be for 2 weeks (due to medical condition) and the final RP card may not be processed prior to my departure. Question: If the RP card is not processed prior to my departure, is it possible to obtain a temporary exit/re-enter visa good for 60 days as I do plan to return in Jan. for a 30-day stay? If the temporary permit cannot be issued, is it possible to enter the country on a. tourist permit without jeopardizing my pending RP visa as I do not want to have to start the process over?
Hi Nancy,
You understand perfectly.
Typical wait times for your INM office to prepare the exit/re-entry permission letter are 3 – 4 days, and the cost is around $300 pesos. Explain your reason for travel and the travel dates in your request letter, and be sure to apply at your INM office with enough time for them to prepare the permission.
Once you have the special Canje visa to enter Mexico to get an RP or RT, you can’t use a Visitante visa in the meantime – so, you’ll have to start the RP process on your next trip to Mexico.
The main plan you describe above looks very good,
steve
Is the permission form for exit/re-entry available on online and, if so, where can it be found? Thanks. Nancy
Hi Nancy,
I have not seen any permission form online. You can write a basic letter requesting the permission letter, using the format of the letter for requesting an extension of your TIP – including the TIP info, the car’s info, and your info and the statement that your certify that the information is true and correct. I don’t know how long it takes them to produce/print the permit – as it’s possible that many Aduana offices may not have experience creating them (???) … permit details at http://www.aduanas.gob.mx/aduana_mexico/2008/vehiculos/141_11447.html
A basic form letter that you can modify, can be found in our main article on importing & driving cars in Mexico at:
Enjoy,
steve
Dear Paul Rodham
My name is Roberto Garcia, I am General Manager in Na Luum Hotel & Restaurante. I am contacting you to let you know about us, we have this Hotel near Mérida like 35 minutes from the city.
Na’ Lu’um its meaning in Maya is “Mother Earth”, Na’ “Mother” and Lu’um “Earth” is a magical place in the Mayan World surrounded by natural beauty and important archaeological and touristic centers. Our goal is to offer our guests a place where they can relax and enjoy the best services in the region.
We have 10 huts, which are built in the traditional Mayan House style; its’ structure is made of wood and finishes in clay with roofs made of “zacate” making them fresh and confortable.
Our restaurant´s environment is in harmony with surroundings and nature, it is ideal for enjoying excellent contemporary Yucatecan cuisine.
We also have Temazcal service (extra cost), a Pre-Hispanic steam bath used by our ancestors to purify their body, mind and spirit.
Among other services we also offer: swimming pool, hammock area, bathrooms and locker rooms, inside parking lot, multipurpose room (yoga, wedding receptions, conferences and others), big gardens, walking track, massage area and near drug store. We offer airport and local shuttle service (extra cost), telephone for internal calls, wheelchair access, fire precautions, wake up call, daily cleaning and room services.
I am sending this information, hoping you can visit us and enjoy the experience of being in a place sorrounded by nature. We can offer you special rates or discounts so you can meet the place and share our information in your blog.
In another hand as a business opportunity we are also offering the Hotel for sale, so I can attached in a mail the sailing information in case you are interested.
Best Regards
A T E N T E N T A M E N T E
Roberto J García Hernández
Gerente General
Tel. (999)9813370 o (999)9008071
Mail: gerencia@naluumtm.com, reservaciones@naluumtm.com
FaceBook: Naluum Hotel & Restaurante
Web Site: http://www.naluumtm.com