FM3 (Business) Visas in Mexico.

Most expats don't get the FM2 visa to do business. You can form a corporation after you have your FM3, or get it through your corporation. There are plusses and minuses to each way of dong it. The requirements below are subject to change and probably will. In the 4th edition of Live Better South of the Border, I have step-by-step instructions on obtaining a non-working FM3 Mexican visa, but the one you need is a bit different. FM-3 and FM3 are both correct to refer to this Mexican visa.

The FM3 with commercial activity is more complicated than a retiree FM3 visa

To start a corporation in Mexico, you'll need the FM3 visa with commercial activity. Unlike getting a no inmigrante visitante FM3, you will need the help of an attorney and probably a CPA (contador publico) to set this up. If you consult with me, I can put you in contact with a trio of a business consultant, contador and a lawyer for San Miguel de Allende and surrounding areas. Contact me for a referral.

The specifics will change from time to time, but generally you need a passport, 2 passport-sized pictures, a letter from the local police stating that you have good character (I know this would be hard for me to produce), statements from your bank proving that you have income of at least $1,100 a month -- from sources outside the business you want to start, plus $500 (I've seen this as $600 on official Mexican government web sites too so just use these as ballpark figures) per dependant.

If you're working for a company already in Mexico, they'll get you the FM3. If you leave them, technically, your FM3 is invalid, but nobody rushes to your house to take it from you, so don't panic. .

If you want to consult with Mike, he will be happy to help you, But he gets so many calls from people that he has to charge for his time and knowledge. . See Consultation page for details