sparky3489 asked: I thought this was interesting, considering today’s protest marches.
“What Are the Immigrant Permits
Immigrant Permits are issued to foreign nationals who have the intention of gaining permanent residency in Mexico. Under immigrant schemes, you are permitted to reside in the country, provided that you fulfil certain criteria (as specified by the type of permit) for a period of up to one year. The permit is renewable annually, for one year, for a further four years. At the end of the five year period, you automatically receive residency status, entitling you to full rights and benefits as any other Mexican Citizen, with the exception of the right to vote.
Upon receiving this status, you will receive a document that looks like a Mexican Passport (called a “FM2″) which enables you pass through Mexico’s borders as if you were Mexican National. You do not need to surrender your national passport, and you use your own passport when you return to your home country, either for visits, or when returning home to dwell. If you stay outside of Mexico for longer than 2 years, or for 5 years in any 10 year period, you will lose your resident status in Mexico.
Below are the kinds of people who can apply for Immigrant Permits, with a view to taking up permanent residency in Mexico:
Retirees
Investors
Professionals
Scientists & Technicians
Artists and Sportspeople
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Retirees
If you are over 50 years of age, and want to engage in “non remunerative activities” and you are receiving funds from abroad (from a pension or other investments or fixed income) at least to the value of 400 times the daily minimum daily wage per month and a further 200 times daily minimum wage per month for each dependent (e.g. spouse, children) then you can apply for a Retiree Immigration Permit. Read more about retirement in Mexico on Mexperience.
[Back to Immigrant List]
Investors
You can receive an immigration permit if you are willing to invest your capital in Mexico. You investment can be directed at industry or services, and must equal a minimum of 40,000 times the minimum daily wage in Mexico City.
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Professionals
If you are a qualified professional, you can have your certificates validated by the Mexican Consulate and apply for an immigration permit to live in Mexico. You must be sponsored by a company who must satisfy the authorities that you are essential to their operative requirements.
[Back to Immigrant List]
Scientists & Technicians
If you are involved in science, or are a qualified technician, whether commercially or for education, you can apply for an immigration permit in Mexico. You may need to be invited by one of the established scientific or technical organizations in Mexico.
[Back to Immigrant List]
Artists and Sportspeople
These people can apply for an immigration permit. Each case is considered individually and entry is at the Interior Ministry’s discretion.
[Back to Immigrant List]
Can I be granted Mexican Citizenship?
Acquiring Mexican Citizenship is an involved process, and it is not easy to do. As a minimum, you must have been living in Mexico for 5 years (2 years under special circumstances) and have resident status. Marriage to a Mexican national may allow Citizenship without the residency requirement. For matters concerning the acquisition of Mexican Citizenship, seek professional advice and contact your local Mexican Consulate.
Mexico has strict measures in its constitution dealing with immigration. Mexican law classifies all illegal immigrants as felons, subject to a two-year prison sentence plus deportation. As a point of information, Mexico deports more illegals than the US.
Mexico posts its military on both the north and south borders to prevent people from sneaking into the country. These measures are in stark contrast from what Mexico advocates the U.S. to do.
Mexico also has a law making exiting the country, except at specified ports of exit, a federal crime. Perhaps the U.S. should consider assisting Mexico in enforcing this law.
Visitors and immigrants who are granted visas to live in Mexico are not allowed to demonstrate nor voice their opinions in public regarding Mexican domestic policies.
Visitors and foreigners with resident visas are subject to immediate deportation for any reason by the Mexican government. These individuals are not afforded due process of any sort.
P.S. This information was taken DIRECTLY from http://www.mexperience.com/liveandwork/immigration.htm so to those posters who think “I” need to study the laws better…
