Immigration & Legal Archives

A Guide to the Move2Mexico RoadMap – An Interactive Online Program

Focus has developed online programs that cover the essentials of moving to Mexico - via an interactive online format. Dozens of our new friends have enjoyed taking the new online format. If getting to a live program is not within reach for now, consider this program! Using our 20+ year experience at helping people transform their lives in Mexico, we've applied our team's local expertise to our online programs and created a 9-Step RoadMap (see below) that walks you through the essential steps of a move to Mexico. Whether you are thinking of moving Part-Time or Full-TIme, the … [Read more...]

Getting Your Mexican Resident Visa

Once you are within no longer than six months of your proposed date to move to Mexico, the next step is to apply for either a temporary or permanent resident visa at the Mexican consulate nearest to you in your home country. While the process may seem daunting at first, it is rather straightforward at most (but not all) Mexican consulates. There is a lot of anecdotal evidence that some consulates are easier to deal with than others, and much like any other process involving government bureaucracy, patience and calm will help you navigate the visa process. The consulates vary widely in their … [Read more...]

How to Bring Your Vehicle into Mexico

Applying for a Vehicle Permit Online You can apply for your temporary vehicle import permit on-line through the Banjercito Bank after reviewing the requirements outlined in this post. Foreigners are only allowed to temporarily import one vehicle into Mexico. Why Only Temporary Importation? All foreign vehicles can only be imported into Mexico on a temporary basis. Foreign cars cannot be nationalized and must be taken out of the country after four years. For this reason if you are moving to Mexico on a long-term basis it is not a good idea to bring a new vehicle of any kind into the … [Read more...]

Where to Stay While Exploring Lakeside

When considering a move to Lakeside, one of the best methods to check out the area is to attend one of our week-long fast track learning seminars where you can make contacts, see various neighborhoods and learn in detail what it takes to make the move. We recommend that if possible you stay in the area for a longer period of time either before or after the seminar to get a better feel for what location might best suit your lifestyle. Here are a few suggestions of centrally located places to stay: A tried and true Ajijic favorite is La Nueva Posada owned by a long-term expat and his … [Read more...]

Shipping Household Goods to Mexico

While what household items you decide to bring is ultimately a personal choice, here are a few tips to assist you in the decision making process. What Can You Ship? Article 90 of the Mexican Customs Law states that the items you bring must be used personal items and furniture of a house, e.g. clothes, books, furniture, appliances, and electronics. Tools and implements are also allowed if they are required for your profession or if they are used for a hobby. Medical equipment, such as a wheelchair, blood pressure or sugar monitors, and oxygen generators are allowed duty-free. New (unused) … [Read more...]