What is an FM2?

The FM2 is the document extended to legal aliens called "immigrants" who enter the country with the purpose of settling in it, while gaining Permanent Resident status (Declaratoria de Inmigrado). This document must be approved each year, such as is the FM3.

The Immigrant characteristics or qualities are:

I. - RENTIER.- To live from their resources brought from abroad, of the interests that capital investment will produce, certificates, stocks and bonds of the state or national credit institutions or others determined by the Ministry of the Interior or any permanent income from abroad.

II.- INVESTORS.- To invest their capital in industry, commerce and services in accordance with national laws, provided that it contributes to economic and social development and that the minimum amount is maintained during the foreigner´s stay.

III.- PROFESSIONAL .- To exercise a profession. In the event that the profession of the foreigner requires a license for it's exersize, he must comply with the regulatory provisiones of Article 5 of the Mexican Constitution relating to professions.

IV.- POSITIONS OF TRUST.- To assume leadership positions (Director, Administrator or others of absolute trust), in companies or institutions within the Republic, provided that in the opinion of the Authority there is no duplication of functions and that the position in question warrants admission to the country.

V.- SCIENTIFIC.- To manage or conduct scientific research, to disseminate scientific knowledge, prepare or carry out educational research, when these activities are in the interest of national development in the opinion of the Ministry of Interior (Secretaria de Gobernación).

VI.- TECHNICAL.- To conduct applied research in the production or technical or professional roles that can not be performed, according to the Interior Ministry, by residents in the country.

VII.- FAMILY.- To live under the economic dependency of a spouse or a blood relative, immigrant, inmigrated or Mexican, in a direct blood familial relation. The children and siblings of foreign immigrants or mexicans may be granted this status only within the specification that they are minors unless they are proven unfit to work or are studying on a stable basis.

VIII.- ARTISTS AND ATHLETES.- To realize artistic, sports or similar activities, provided that the Authorities deem such activities as beneficial to the country.

IX.- ASSIMILATED.- To carry out any lawful and honest activity, in case of foreigners who have been assimilated to the nation or have had or have a spouse or a Mexican child.

As an "immigrant" You can live in Mexico for up to five years, after which you have a period of six months to apply for permanent residency (Declaratoria de Inmigrado).

The quality of "immigrant" (FM2) as opposed to "non-immigrant" (FM3) is subject to a so called "limit of absence", this means that during the period of 5 years that you have FM2 immigration status, you can not remain outside the country more than 18 months continuously or intermittently, on penalty of losing your seniority and in case of staying out for over 2 years, losing your FM2 immigration status.

As an "immigrant" you should be inscribed in the National Register of Foreigners (RNE) and are obliged to inform the RNE of quality or immigration status changes such as nationality, marital status, address and activities engaged.

The immigration document known as FM2 (immigrant) really is a means to achieve the status of a permanent resident called "Inmigrado" and it also entitles you to appear before the Foreign Secretary for Mexican nationality (Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores) to petition for Mexican Nationality.

We are available to advise on the process of your application for FM2, in our offices on Isaac Garza Street No. 1326 Pte., between Porfirio Diaz and Ignacio L. Vallarta Streets, in the center of the city of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon Telephone 8452-8343 and Telephone No. 044811-2031390, email: mayla.lozano@hotmail.com; martinezylozanoabogados@hotmail.com; mi.services@hotmail.com, consultations prior appointment.