On the Way to Permanence

(image taken from the internet)

It was almost two years ago that I obtained my temporary residency visa from the National Institute of Immigration.  Most people from the U.S. who wish to retire in Mexico, must apply for their visa at a Mexican consulate in the United States, and they are required to submit proof that they have adequate income from Social Security, pensions, investments, etc. to support themselves.  The income requirements would not have been a problem, but it would have required trips to Chicago or Detroit since there is no consulate in Ohio.

However, because I had recently married a Mexican citizen, I was under different rules.  I was able to apply for a visa right here in Mexico City, and I did not have submit proof of income.  Nevertheless, the process of dealing with Mexican bureaucracy was not an easy one.  It involved four trips to the headquarters of the Immigration Institute and long waits.  (On one occasion I stood in line for six hours!)  Finally, I received my temporary residency visa.  

Next month it expires, so now I have to apply for a new visa.  If I understand correctly, most foreign residents have to renew their 2 year temporary visa twice, for a total of six years.  Then they are eligible to apply for a permanent visa.  However, because I am married to a Mexican citizen, I am now eligible for the permanent visa, and I will never have to deal with the hassles of Mexican bureaucracy again... at least not as far as legal residency goes.

Two years ago, during my six hour wait outside of the immigration office, we met a fellow who works for a law firm that makes the experience of applying for a visa less painful.  He gave us his firm's card, and Alejandro kept it.  During this past week, he called the lawyers' office, and they had him email copies of all the necessary documents.  We already have word that an appointment has been set up for us at the "Instituto Nacional de Migración" early next month.  We are keeping our fingers crossed that the experience will be less painful than it was two years ago. I have been fretting about this for the last couple of months, but I now appear to be on the road to becoming a permanent resident!