Live in Mexico and Married to a Mexican Citizen October 20
I just learned something important for all those who live in Mexico and are married to Mexican citizens. With your current FM3, you can apply for residence in Mexico. I’ve lived in Mexico for 6 years. Why did it take me this long to figure this out? It’s the Secretaria de Relationes Exteriors (SRE — Department of External Relations) that you have to talk to, rather than the Instituto National de Migracion (INM — National Migration Institute) which issues the tourist visas, FM3s and FM2s.
Why did I not learn this detail in 6 long years of life in Mexico? Well, the people at INM never told me and I didn’t know I should ask more questions about residence in Mexico. I assumed that they had not only given me correct information, but complete information about my options to live legally in Mexico. I have to investigate this topic more deeply for inclusion in the 3rd edition of Mexico: The Trick is Living Here, but at this point it looks like INM has tricked me into paying for 4 years of prorrogas (extensions) on my FM3, when I may have had another option.
In the meantime, if you live in Mexico with a Mexican spouse, call the SRE and ask, ask, ask.