jrod

11 hours ago, hilobarbie said:

Have those of you who recently received your citizenship used an attorney or have you done everything yourself?

Attorney

1 hour ago, thevalerieleigh said:

Thanks for the additional information and personal experiences.  Still hoping to hear from someone who has had to take the written test.  The range of questions posted in an earlier posting on this topic were all across the board and seems difficult to study and prepare for the Exam.  And, also, does anyone know how long you must wait to re-take the Exam if you fail it?

Thanks,

Valerie

I passed the test last month, and it is my experiences noted above by the OP. Based on the sign that was posted on the wall, one can take the test 3 times in a calendar year. While I was there, two (under age 60) people who failed (the history test) merely got back on line to take the test again. I think the intent of INM was to give people a chance to study if they didn't succeed, but to each his/her own... 

14 hours ago, Frijoles said:

How many copies of the documents are needed? Thanks.

I needed one copy of each--front and back on the same side of paper--, which they kept. For proof of address they wanted a bill; she also wanted to see my passport.

23 hours ago, gimpychimp said:

I have to just say that I am surprised at how many foreigners will go through this whole procedure, to try to get a 50% discount on their 200 dollar property taxes, from a municipality which  desperately needs their tax money.  I am only guessing but I bet the staff who weren't very friendly were thinking the same thing. When they see foreigners living what is "the high life" compared to theirs, travelling, eating out in restaurants often, buying all kinds of things those workers could never afford, simply even owning a home which many of them never will, and then wanting to save that $100 because they have heard that they too are "entitled" to this discount, it might make them somewhat upset, don't you think?

I have to say that I experienced absolutely nothing negative, in attitude nor expectations, from anyone on line nor employees in Guadalajara. The long lines and bureaucracy are shared by everyone applying for the Inapam card, as well as most registrations and renewals in Mexico. I personally wanted the card not for the "discounts", but because it is one of the official forms of acceptable ID in these here parts and I'd rather keep it on me than some of the other IDs that are routinely requested.

I went to Guadalajara almost two weeks ago for my Inapam card; the doors open at 8 and they take the first 100 people on line. This card is for all Mexicans who reach the age of 60 and, for nationals, it provides discounts on property and water taxes as well. The fact that expats are eligible for some of the discounts is, for me, a bonus to living here; we certainly are not the target market.

We left Ajijic before 6; it was almost 7:30 when I got on line and I was #88. The people at the head of the line were queued prior to 6 am. The wait is outside, standing, and you stand to complete a questionnaire: take a pen or buy one from the pen salesman, along with your photos and required docs and photocopies. They allow 40 people (the number of seats inside) to enter as a group: you cannot take someone in with you...they must wait outside or elsewhere. If you don't read Spanish fluently, you will need assistance: this was the case for many elderly-looking Mexican citizens who could not understand the form. To the best of my observation, nobody spoke English there, either.. 

Once it is your turn to approach the painfully slow process at one of two desks, the process takes about 15 minutes. There at 7:30, I was out the door at 1:20 pm. Be sure to carefully proof the info on your card when the worker hands it to you: the man in front of me was returning because they had typed his name incorrectly and, as it didn't match his ID, his municipality wouldn't accept it, of course, so...in line again, start over.

When you write you are now RP, do you mean you have your newly-minted "green" card in your hand OR you have entered recently, gone to INM and are continuing the process here to complete the RP process?

If you have your photo-ID card in hand, you go to INM at the airport at your city of exit (Guad, if a direct flight) and get a blank FMM from them, step out of line, completely fill out top and bottom white portions and write RESIDENTE PERMANENTE on the top of both; your RP number is on the back of the card. (We always take a few blanks for future flights or land departures: it speeds the process for everyone in line.) Return to the line, the INM officer will stamp your FMM, scan it into the computer, and stamp your passport and then return the docs to you. Now go to your airline check-in desk and they will take the bottom half; keep the (larger) top half to hand in upon your return. 

If you are not yet with card and just have completed the process within 30 days of your entry to Mexico, you must have an exit letter permitting you to leave Mexico for up to 60 days. There is a charge and it takes a few days to get the letter. You can try to do it yourself at INM or enlist the help of a facilitator to do so on your behalf.

Under no circumstances should you leave Mexico without your RP card and be forced to check the "tourist" box. Doing so can invalidate your status, require your departure from the country and have to start the process all over again.

When the law changed a few years ago, the in-country minimum days of residence was removed. If you don't plan to return, you can cancel your Residencia Permanente when you go to IMN (which you have to do anyway) to hand in the outbound part (for RP, the bottom smaller part) of the FMM (Forma Migratoria Múltiple..)

If you earn income in Mexico, click "yes" and then the following boxes ask for the source; you select from the list of choices. If you earn no income in Mexico, select "no" and follow that box; your income would be reported in the country you pull down next, for most of us the USA or Canada. The guide AlanMexicali refers to shows this as steps 27-29. Social Security income EARNED in the US would not be considered EARNED in Mexico, even if you spend it here.

Here's the link. Have your CURP ready and you can get it online.

http://www.sat.gob.mx/contacto/citas/Paginas/tramites_por_internet.aspx

                                  Imprimir                       

I clicked on the link and it is merely a list of resources; for example, for language the Real Académica  (the holy grail of Spanish language and grammar) s cited; clicking its referenced link merely takes you to the homepage for this resource, not to specific content. To me, it appears that they are providing references to the content, not suggesting that one read and memorize each page of the resource.

*86 and the telcel website appears to offer a tutorial: http://www.telcel.com/personas/servicios/llamadas/buzon-inteligente#

We went on Tuesday evening and were the only table at about 6:30pm. Two of us ordered the salmon with pesto (which was a black olive-based pesto, rather than basil/walnut) and two had the chicken fried chicken cutlets. The chef brought us a small sample of the brisket from the previous Sunday (they smoke on Sundays) just for us to try, since it is not on the daily menu, and it was very tender and flavorful. Service was provided by a nice young man who, despite obvious inexperience, did his best and we did what we could to help smooth out the newness. We definitely will go back and hope that customers will give them a try. And, yes, they are doing brisket for Saint Patrick's Day this Friday.

I have no personal experience with this topic Lakeside, but I have had eyebrows and eyeliner done (and a touchup) in Dallas by a plastic surgeon and 10 years later I am still  very happy with the results. After all those years, I still have a visible eyeliner but none is left on my eyebrows. My two cents worth is from my experience and research: (1) Be sure you check out your practitioner: see before and after photos. Price does not determine quality but sometimes you get what you pay for. Changing your facial appearance isn't where I'd cut costs: it's difficult to fix. (2) Check out the color palette and choose carefully. Color fades over time: this goes for permanent makeup. Nothing is forever but this stuff does last and it tones down...the initial application color is deeper and brighter than it settles, IMO. (3) Mexican styles (especially eyebrows in this part of the country) are highly exaggerated: if that's not your look, be very clear in your expectations and take pictures with you of the look (fine, medium, heavy) you hope to achieve. (4) I am red-haired: many redheads have issues with all this stuff. I lost a patch of eyebrow during the procedure because it is really a drill that puts your color in the skin: 10 years later it still hasn't grown in and I have to cover it with makeup so as not to show a hole. Not uncommon with fair-skinned, redheaded people. (5) I did not have novocaine injections: instead, a numbing cream was used that was sufficient (and I have a low threshold for pain). If novocaine is an issue for you, perhaps the cream is available here. (6) I used to get cold sores all the time: I was told by my practitioner that I was not a good candidate for any lip liner because the application can trigger a cold sore and screw up your lips. Worth knowing. (7) Like any tattoo, you crust, peel, look awful at first. You cannot wear any makeup on the tattooed spots until you are healed and most certainly cannot rub or pick at the crusting since that can leave scarring and remove the pigment that is there. Leave sufficient weeks at home and out of the sun to properly heal.