In the comments on our Importing and Driving a Car in Mexico: A reader, Don Saigle, posted this interesting report based on what he heard at a joint INM / SAT presentation today (2/13/2013):
Attended presentation today by INM and SAT in Nuevo Vallarta.
IF I heard thing correctly, Aduana has totally disconnected the TIP issues from resident status ( temp and/or permenant ). (Future) Foreign plated vehicles can only be in the country for a max. of 180 days and only on a tourist visa status. Those that have foreign plated vehicle that wish to leave them in country, have to contact a customs broker to have the vehicle ‘naturalized’. Has anyone else heard this?
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More details on Importing Cars into Mexico and Driving in Mexico can be found at our main article on cars : Importing & Driving a Car in Mexico
Feel free to copy while giving proper attribution: YucaLandia/Surviving Yucatan.
© Steven M. Fry
Surviving Yucatan 
I too was at the Nuevo Vallarta meeting today hosted by Consular Agent Trainor. IF I also heard correctly, the Aduana official stated that TIP foreign plated cars currently owned by EITHER current or future Residente Temporal and Residente Permanente holders would have to leave Mexico at the time of status change as they are no longer legal. He stated the ONLY TIP permits would be those for 180 day visitors via FMM. Upon conversion of FM3 and FM2 status to the new categories, cars would then be affected. He also stated that Nationalization/legalization of cars is the alternative and that the current law will accept cars 6 years old or older. Any 5 year old or newer foreign plated cars CANNOT be legalized and must leave the country. I am waiting for a transcript of the prepared questions and answers to be emailed to attendees so that I can verify what I thought I heard.
It used to be only vehicles that fell under NAFTA that were eligible for naturalizaton. Has this changed?
Also.. curious rumour here on the Lakeside (Chapala) … have to love them.. that the local cops have been checking permits and registrations and upon finding that someone is driving an ‘illegal’ vehicle has impounded the car and arrested the person driving the car. Since I have not heard that there has been an official ruling by the Aduana… can’t imagine how they could do either.
Hi Ruby,
“It used to be only vehicles that fell under NAFTA that were eligible for naturalizaton. Has this changed?”
Undetermined – so far.
We would really enjoy hearing one way or the other, whether this is actually happening.
steve
Here is the link to the INM and Aduana Q&A portion of the meeting. Will provide the PPT links as well.
Click to access INM%20%20Customs%20Feb%2013th%20questions%20PDF.pdf
Aduana power point presentation: http://solmexiconews.com/importacion%20temporal%202013%20English.pdf
INM power point presentation:
Click to access Presentation%20INM%20English.pdf
Very Cool ! THANKS !
Sharp, concise, and generally good quality accurate content.
Out of all the many pages in the INM presentation, there are only a few minor factual errors.
For newbies to the Immigration process, note that it has a few bogies (items that do not fit the official INM publications):
~ WHO QUALIFIES FOR PERMANENT RESIDENCE?:
RETIREES ($3,000 USD IN MONTHLY INCOME or $12,000 USD IN INVESTEMENTS)
The “$12,000 USD in Investements” is low by a factor of 10X. It should be an Average Monthly Balance of about $125,000 USD => exactly $1,619,000 pesos
~ VISAS OBTAINED AT MEXICAN CONSULATE OFFICES (ABROAD)
• VISITOR VISA WITH OR WITHOUT WORK PERMIT (U.S. /CAN CITIZENS EXEMPT)
• VISITOR VISA FOR ADOPTION PROCESS PURPOSES IN MEXICO
•TEMPORARY RESIDENT – STUDENT
•TEMPORARY RESIDENT
•PERMANENT RESIDENT
~ VISAS OBTAINED AT INM OFFICES (WITHIN MEXICO)
• WORK PERMIT
• FAMILY REUNIFICATION
• HUMANITARIAN REASONS
This pairing of: Which permits are issued in Mexico vs. Which permits are issued in Mexico has several problems:
– Applicants CANNOT “obtain” either Temporary Resident nor Permanent Resident permits at Consulates. Applicants who are outside Mexico ONLY START the application process at the Consulates. Applicants actually OBTAIN their Residency Permits from their local INM offices within Mexico.
– Applicants who already have FM2’s, FM3’s, or Residente Temporal, can apply for Permanent Residency from within Mexico by simply applying at their local INM office.
All the other information fits what is in the May 2011 INM law, the Reglamento, and the 2 Lineamientos.
Applicants should note the DISCLAIMER at the beginning of the ppt presentation:
ALL THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IS IN GENERAL.
THIS INFORMATION MAY VARY DEPENDING ON EACH INDIVIDUAL CASE
PLEASE VISIT YOUR LOCAL IMMIGRATION OFFICE FOR PERSONALIZED INFORMATION REGARDING YOUR PARTICULAR CASE
For newbies to the Immigration process: local INM offices are given broad discretion and wide latitude in how they apply the rules and INM law, so, we really must check with our local INM offices to find out their particular ways of applying the rules.
Happy Trails,
steve
Hey Steve and everyone.
We are coming up next month to 3 years here in Merida and loving it.
I think the main thing for everyone, and as you advised,, is to research the situation pertaining to this and the visas as it applies in your particular circumstances and location. There is a lot of variability as we all have seen living here.
Thanks Steve for your constant informative posts.
If I may, I would like to point out what the gist of the new law is. This may help those who are in doubt for whatever reason.
1. Mexico wants foreign residents, temporary or permanent, to be fully solvent. Thus the relatively, by Mexican standards, high income or bank deposit. INM has allowed those who have four years current and uninterrupted FM3 and/or FM2 visas to be grandfathered into the new system without showing solvency. Within one year all of these people should have gone through the system, leaving everyone else, like new applicants, subject to the solvency and outside Mexico application requirements. The net result will be that future foreign residents of Mexico will be, from my personal observations, a lot more flush than many of today’s residents. Purchasing a house solely to reduce your income requirements does not appear to be a wise move.
The new system also reduces the work load at the regional INM level and takes authority away from them as final approval comes from Mexico City.
2. Regarding foreign plated automobiles in Mexico. I have traveled all over the world and lived in 6 countries and in no other case am I aware of a country that allows foreign plated cars to remain indefinitely in the country. Of course places like the EU may be an exception. So, it is either a Mexican car or a six year old or older naturalized foreign car, with all the expense and hassle that comes with the latter.
Good Morning, yesterday I received my Residente Permanente Card. My question to you and to your panel: Can I enroll into IMSS? Hopefully you will know the answer. Greatly appreciated, Volkhard Bongers
Yes, you may enroll into IMSS. The cost depends on your age, range roughly $100 to $300 per year. If you live in Merida you go to La Cieba IMSS in Pensiones. Helps greatly if you speak Spanish.
Have valid visa – Permanente
Prove Citizenship (Passport)
Marital Status (Certificate)
Birth Certificate
Complete Application Form
Provide two pictures
Re: the question from Rudy on NAFTA – the presentation from SAT ( Customs ) was very specific and yes, the ability to naturalize your vehicle is based on NAFTA. Vehicles made outside of Canda, USA or Mexico are not considered. As we were told, the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) for your vehicle must begin with a 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 to fall within the requirements. Otherwises, it will not qualify.
I am told under the temporary AMPARO that they are also now allowing J and W VIN numbers. Checking this out further with local Tio Corp who are holding seminars in March here in the Lake Chapala area. Fingers crossed!
Was in the Walmart parking lot by Nuevo Vallarta yesterday and thought to check out Japanese-made vehicles with Mexican plates- counted 3 just on the row between my parking spot and the store. All had Vin #s starting with J. When I returned to my car, one of the drivers, Mexican, with DF plates was just pulling out. I asked him how he got plates for it since we are being told they are unimportable. He said he bought it like that from another Mexican. So somehow it is apparently possible….wish I knew how.
Hi Sarah,
There are several routes. There is an Amparo in place that temporarily seems to allow their import ( TioCorp: https://yucalandia.com/driving-in-mexico-issues-fun/4014-2/ Proposal to Nationalize Almost Any Vehicle in Mexico or http://www.tiocorpinsurance.com/index.cfm/driving-in-mexico/other-vehicles-you-can-import-in-2013/ . JDM vehicles can also be imported ( http://www.mexconnect.com/cgi-bin/forums/gforum.cgi?post=186956;search_string=canada;#186956 ). Some folks pay-off Aduana personnel to bend the rules. Other possibilities???
steve