3 Reasons Why We Got Mexican Residency + 2 Things We Wish We Knew BEFORE We Applied

[@fisgrisen1585]

Why no more video updates? You have such a great channel.

[@keikofay9804]

I second this question. We understand that life happens, but subscriber following is such that you have some folks who: a) would like to see more content, and b) are concerned that the posts just seemed to STOP. Even if you don't have much to say, or if there are changes in your life that you couldn't have foreseen and/or the channel cannot continue, I think I can safely presume to speak for the 20K subscribers you have and ask you to please post in response to "are you okay"? Kindly reply if you can.

[@fisgrisen1585]

I third it. Hope they are okay.

[@sue7760]

I sincerely hope Tim and Amy are doing well, and that they are safe and happy. I'm actually concerned!

[@tomm9540]

Hi Tim and Amy; You asked where I did the RP Process. I did it at the Chapala/Ajijic INM Office. It a small office and they did not take appointments at the time, so just show up, and have all your paperwork in hand. Not sure, but don't think you have to go to a bank anymore to pay the " Pago de Derechos". I think I saw in another video that you can pay at the INM Office with a credit card. Again not 100% sure about that. Also they did not require the infantile passport photos, as they did the photo right there at the INM . I do speak Spanish fluently, and I think they really appreciated that, but absolutely NOT necessary as they speak English very well. Hope this helps

[@georgemorris5887]

Best of luck for your new life

[@Nyhiker]

Thanks for sharing your great story on how you did this. I was wondering why you went for it given your new found interest in SE Asia. Now I know. It’s great to have options and a place you know you can go to. We loved our six months in Mexico over the 2021-22 winter and look forward to going back one day. This winter though, it’s probably back to SE Asia for us.

[@DD-oe9vx]

Hi there! We are planning on retiring in Mexico by March 2024. My question is: How far in advance should we start the process? Thank you so much! I enjoyed watching your videos.

[@rachellejoarder]

First - love your content, knowledge and inspiration! Congrats on getting on the other side of the PR process! I was going to share some similarities and differences on our PR process. Our desire to get our PR was the same as yours with the additional perk of not having to carry our passport on our person by having PR instead (I belong to the "carry my passport on my person at all times" camp otherwise). We had a similar close call that was related to the INS not having plastic to make our cards so much so that we were only able to pick them up on the way to the airport! Because of this anticipated close call, the facilitator we used out of Merida/Progreso had a plan B prepared with an exit visa in case of further delay so that we could leave the country without problems or penalty. It cost about $150 USD for this but was work it for the peace of mind. With an endorsement (not guarantee) our facilitator knew we only had 7 days to complete the process. The lack of plastic was unexpected as most things are in Mexico. Our USA consulate was Boston for PR - excellent experience (no pension - just assets ages 53 and 59 at the time). After a friend recommended, we based our process out of Progreso (45 min from Merida) as it is a smaller office and our facilitor's staff had very good access with INS personnel. Can't say enough about the excellent service and communication from our faciltator, Edwin (bilingual) and his staff. Our one rookie mistake was to not begin taking our cash out of the ATM as soon as we arrived in country because of the daily maximum withdrawal. We then had to find other ATM's which felt stressful and it could have easily been avoided. We had to pay cash for everything at bank for INS and then cash for facilitator and additional fees for our emergency exit visa (photos, etc.)

[@noraolga]

Amy and Tim, it sounds like it was difficult for you to do a residency! Andre and I did Temporary residency last December 2022, it was VERY easy! We had an appointment in Phoenix ( about 2 months out for appointment) at 9am. Got approved, picked up our passports with visas at 4pm and left for Mexico the same night. Once we arrived to Mazatlan and got a permanent address we went to an immigration office, did fingerprints and received our cards the same day. It took about 2 hours. We did use help of a local business, they filled out our paperwork for about $25 per person. We did it without attorney. I did stress out about paperwork to prove our assets, but it turned out just fine. For anyone considering, its possible to do on your own.

[@GoWithLess]

This is great news for you! Our friends have traveled the world as nomads for many years and recently made Mazatlan their home because they love it.

[@lovelyday6]

It's not 30 days once you get your visa. It's 30 days once you enter Mexico. After you get your visa (canje) you have 6 months to get to Mexico, then 30 days to convert it to residency. Your attorney was subpar.

[@GoWithLess]

Yes, it was that last 30 days IN Mexico that was the problem.

[@bonedust68]

We went through the regularization option, I'm surprised you didn't take that route, it only took us a day, and we had our green cards... So much easier.

[@marksugalski2684]

Great video! How did you fulfill the proof of address requirement when completing the process in Mexico? Did you rent an apartment or do you own a place? Or some other method?

[@willystalla]

Glad everything worked out for you guys. As a permanent resident, do they have any requirements on how much time you have to be physically in Mexico each year to keep your residency?

[@GoWithLess]

Hi Willy! How are you? No, Mexico does not have requirements about how long you can be in the country.

[@willystalla]

@@GoWithLess Hi, good to hear from you guys. Hope to see you in Southern California or somewhere in the world in the near future. Take care.

[@mjl8197]

Did you ever get the feeling that maybe to get the visa turned into a card they were looking for a 'propina". Like maybe if you'd offered the office rep 5,000 pesos they suddenly would have had the laminating supplies they needed?

[@GoWithLess]

That can be really risky. I know for the woman who eventually rushed it through, it would have been disastrous.

[@irenemassey6292]

No all official in Mexico are corrupted by the way

[@soulworkwithjustine]

Whats your health insurance that requires you to be out of the US for 6 months out of the year? Is it Safety Wing?

[@GoWithLess]

IMG Global

[@Thejerzway]

We help people to obtain citizenship after 5 years of residence...We know that obtaining a second citizenship or residency can be a long and stressful process.

[@NilDreams]

Wow! It was so easy for me.

[@GoWithLess]

Good for you!

[@GoWithLess]

Hello from Northern California with its exceptional weather and natural beauty. How's your summer going so far? Any trips to Mexico in your future? Are you thinking about residency yourself? Let us know in the comments below!

[@islamabaddude]

Permanent residency and tax residency are different. Are you worried about becoming tax residents in Mexico? (in a lot of countries that happens when you have 183 days out of 365 in a given year--not sure about Mexico)

[@GoWithLess]

We have consulted a tax professional and we will not be tax residents of Mexico with our plan. It's certainly possible if reason #2 means we're there for long periods.

[@tomm9540]

I did my Permanent Residency by myself in Mexico in only ten days, Card in hand. And I think they have even more streamlined the Process to make it easier since when I did it a little over a year ago. But glad You guys got it!

[@GoWithLess]

Oh wow! Great for you! Where did this incredible outcome occur?

[@tammyvig8253]

Are you still doing videos?

[@GoWithLess]

We’re planning to do another in the next few months but our FB group (GoWithLess) keeps us so busy.

[@nitra79]

What locations in Mexico do you recommend to live?

[@GoWithLess]

Mexico is as varied as the US for options. If you like hot weather, Merida might be for you. City living is incredible in Mexico City. Queretaro has a lovely feel to it and SMA is the best place I've ever been to make lifelong friends. Guadlajara was a nice surprise and Puerto Vallarta has the beauty of the sea. Explore all the areas! What a blast you'll have doing it.

[@nitra79]

@@GoWithLess Thanks for the thoughtful reply. I plan to visit for the first time this year. This being my first solo travel, makes me a little nervous. Your videos are very helpful.

[@kfarness1]

Hi! We were approved for Temp Residency in Chicago in Feb 2023. You have 180 days to finish the process in Mexico. Once you arrive in Mexico you have 30 days to receive the card at INM. We just received our residency card on Monday in Puerta Vallarta. We hired a facilitator to help translate and were in and out of the office in 2 hours. I have heard that some IMM locations, like SMA, can take up to 3 weeks.

[@davidsebastianelli1326]

​@@nitra79Nice weather year round by the beach in Ensenada. Don wait, or the time will never seem just right. Buena suerte!

[@tendegreeswarmer]

Thanks for sharing! We keep debating this, but keep putting it off because we're concerned about getting temporary since we don't have pension income either, and that timeline just doesn't work for us right now. One of these days we will do it though, we adore Mexico!

[@GoWithLess]

We can be neighbors!!! 💕

[@roundpaws]

I ended up getting temporary and have to deal with the renewal even though I could prove solvency for permanent because I don’t have a pension and no consulate in Southern California would consider it. On another note, curious what health insurance you use? I am in my late 50’s and although I know the private insurance will be affordable now, I have heard it gets really expensive after 65.

[@GoWithLess]

Ah, darn. Hopefully, you're in Mexico anyway when the time comes to renew.

[@davidsebastianelli1326]

A lot of people enroll in IMSS for emergencies, it's around $80us per month that you can pay for annually and just pay out of pocket for minor things with a private Doctor or Hospital. After three years of enrollment you are fully covered including dental. I lived and worked out of Calabasas, CA and retired early a few years ago. Last year at 65 the State of California started paying my Medicare part B premium that I could use as a higher class back up plan if needed. I've heard it's rather expensive to have private Health Insurance in Mexico after age 65. I still surf so I've managed to stay healthy and in good shape. I have still have a 30 inch waist with a semi six pack and I don't think I'll ever be sporting a keg! BTW-With a Temporary Resident Visa you can legally drive a foreign plated vehicle for four years, if you drive out of Baja you need to purchase a few hundred dollar refundable TIP (Temporary Import Permit) If you have a Permanent Resident Visa you have to pay a few thousand dollar non-refundable Import Permit or sell your car and buy a Mexican plated vehicle. Many people get surprised by this at the border and have to turn around and quickly reset their plans. Buena suerte desde Ensenada!

[@dylinredling]

Wow, what a process, but glad it all worked out for you! Allison and I are considering this as well, but I'm going to try to get Italian citizenship first, since my grandfather was born there. Mexico is our Plan B for international citizenship! :-)

[@GoWithLess]

We do love options! Italy sounds like a great one.

[@mervynrebello6517]

Hi how are you. I have a complaint to make. I posted on Facebook that I would like to meetup with our members in Buenos Aires if they were any- This post was deleted- I am offended by thus arbitrary action. Can you help

[@GoWithLess]

If you’re offended so easily, thinking the lovely community in GoWithLess might not be the best fit for you.

[@donaldwilliams2297]

Great information. I really appreciate and enjoy your channel.

[@GoWithLess]

Thank you!

[@cltinturkey]

Helpful information. Thank you!

[@GoWithLess]

Appreciate you watching!

[@pdyches]

Does this negate your US citizenship?

[@GoWithLess]

No, we are not citizens of Mexico. Our passport is still US.

[@basicinfo2022]

Where in Mexico exactly? because there is increasing security concerns in Mexico due to cartels

[@GoWithLess]

We can be anywhere in Mexico. Our residency doesn’t limit us to a particular state.

[@basicinfo2022]

@@GoWithLess any safe expat towns you recommend?

[@yvonnerendon1260]

Q

[@GoWithLess]

You were first! :)