How do I become a permanent resident living in Mexico?
SONIA DIAZ - Sonia Diaz
The process for becoming a temporary or permanent resident in Mexico begins outside Mexico where you apply at the Mexican consulate in your country through an appointment, a phone call or walk in, depending on the consulate office. Before applying, you will need to print an application form available online, fill it out and take with you together with two passport-size photos when you go to the Mexican consulate. The consulate will charge you $36.00 if in the US or $44 if in Canada....
The process for becoming a temporary or permanent resident in Mexico begins outside Mexico where you apply at the Mexican consulate in your country through an appointment, a phone call or walk in, depending on the consulate office. Before applying, you will need to print an application form available online, fill it out and take with you together with two passport-size photos when you go to the Mexican consulate. The consulate will charge you $36.00 if in the US or $44 if in Canada. You also will be required to present photos and passport and proof of income.
For the permanent resident application, you will need to prove a pension or Social Security income of $2,500 per month, or 12 monthly bank statements showing $100,000 in assets.
For temporary resident application, the income requirement is $1,500 per month, or 12 monthly bank statements demonstrating $25,000 in assets each of the 12 months.
The consulate issues a pre-approval, stamped in your passport. Once pre-approved you have up to 6 months to enter Mexico. Once you enter Mexico you have 30 days to start the process at your local Inmigracion office. That process on average takes 6 weeks and includes several steps including photos, on-line application, bank payment, finger prints etc. Your visa has no bearing on your citizenship.
There are many Americans and Canadians who have dual citizenship in Mexico. They do not have to give up their original citizenship.
You may live in Mexico under a tourist visa up to 180 days, or a temporary residence for up to 4 years, or a permanent residence for as long as you wish. A temporary resident visa wil be issued in Mexico for 1 year after which you may renew for 3 more years.
For a permanent resident visa, you will have to apply only once, as there is no need to renew.
With either visa, you may be outside Mexico as much as you want.
(Pictured: Life Magazine picture of San Miguel de Allende with parroquia in the background.)
Is it safe to drink the water in Granada, Nicaragua?
Paul Daemen - Aurora Granada
Drinking water from the local tab in Granada is very safe. We have been here since 2015 and have had no issues drinking tab water wherever we go. Safe travels and enjoy your stay.
Drinking water from the local tab in Granada is very safe. We have been here since 2015 and have had no issues drinking tab water wherever we go. Safe travels and enjoy your stay.
What's the cost to rent a home in the Panama City, Panama area of San Francisco?
Eddie Montes - Panama Property Rentals
There are a few stand alone, single-family homes in the San Francisco area of Panama City and there are few single-family home neighborhoods here. Generally, most of the neighborhoods in the San Francisco area that have single-family homes are quite expensive. They are usually in gated communities. Most people here in San Francisco live in apartment buildings, especially in the areas of the Punta Pacifica and Paitilla Hospitals.
The single-family homes near Punta Pacifica are...
There are a few stand alone, single-family homes in the San Francisco area of Panama City and there are few single-family home neighborhoods here. Generally, most of the neighborhoods in the San Francisco area that have single-family homes are quite expensive. They are usually in gated communities. Most people here in San Francisco live in apartment buildings, especially in the areas of the Punta Pacifica and Paitilla Hospitals.
The single-family homes near Punta Pacifica are mansions, so the rentals are higher priced.
(Panama City, Panama skyline along the Pacific Ocean, pictured.)
What are the best places in the world to retire? The answer to this question will obviously be different for each individual, so I'll just give you my own answer - make of it what you will.
For now, I have chosen to spend my time in beautiful Bocas del Toro on the sunny Caribbean coast of Panama. Take a look at the picture on the right, which shows Starfish Beach, a short bus or boat ride from Bocas Town. That might give you some suggestion as to why you...
What are the best places in the world to retire? The answer to this question will obviously be different for each individual, so I'll just give you my own answer - make of it what you will.
For now, I have chosen to spend my time in beautiful Bocas del Toro on the sunny Caribbean coast of Panama. Take a look at the picture on the right, which shows Starfish Beach, a short bus or boat ride from Bocas Town. That might give you some suggestion as to why you might consider Bocas as a possible retirement location.
I'm not sure that I can actually classify myself as retired, but I haven't done a stroke of paid work for anybody else for over five years now, and that's how I'd like it to stay. I'm a writer, and I wrote my second book right here in paradise. Now that certainly beats some writing in some chilly flat in wintry London, fingers gloved to keep them warm.
Bocas del Toro offers a cheap alternative to the rat-race, a place where the cost of living can be very low, but the quality of life disproportionately high.
The best things about living here?
1). The people - both the expat community and the local populace are wonderful people to spend time with. This place seems to draw interesting, and sometimes slightly eccentric people.
2). The weather - it can rain quite a bit, which is a good thing if you are off-grid and rely on rainwater collection. But when the sun comes out, which it does often, and there is no wind, the lagoon is so beautiful.
3). Wonderful restaurants - away from town, down in the lagoons there are some hidden gems which offer wonderful social scenes, awesome views and great food.
4). Dolphins - I live just outside Dolphin Bay, and when out and about in the boat it is rare not to see at least a couple of dolphins. They always brighten your day.
5). Swimming and snorkelling - I can do both right from my dock.
6). Clothing choice - one of my favourite things is that here the temperature is pretty constant. When you get up in a morning there is no clothing dilemmas:
"Will I take a jacket?"
"What shoes should I wear?"
You can be pretty sure that shorts, t-shirt and a pair of flip-flops cover all occasions.
I could go on, but instead I'll just suggest that you really need to come and take a look at this special place for yourself.
How's the hiking and camping in and around Placencia, Belize?
Erin Ivy - Captain Jak's
There is no hiking in Placencia. The closest place you can go to for a hike is the Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Preserve, which is about 45 minutes away from Placencia by car. The trail goes down the river and you can hike down to this beautiful waterfall. There are a lot of exciting things to do in Placencia and in the areas around it.
There is no hiking in Placencia. The closest place you can go to for a hike is the Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Preserve, which is about 45 minutes away from Placencia by car. The trail goes down the river and you can hike down to this beautiful waterfall. There are a lot of exciting things to do in Placencia and in the areas around it.
Are gays, lesbians and others in the LGBT community accepted in Portugal?
Carol Bartlett Ribeiro - Carol Bartlett Ribeiro, Property Consultant
Yes, absolutely; gays and lesbians and others in the LGBT community are accepted in Portugal. In Portugal you can have gay marriages and they have just passed a law to say that gays can adopt children as well.
The attitude towards gays and Lesbians has changed a tremendous amount. Perhaps 30 or 40 years ago, not, and maybe not even 20 years ago, but now they really are, not just legally, but culturally as well.
Yes, absolutely; gays and lesbians and others in the LGBT community are accepted in Portugal. In Portugal you can have gay marriages and they have just passed a law to say that gays can adopt children as well.
The attitude towards gays and Lesbians has changed a tremendous amount. Perhaps 30 or 40 years ago, not, and maybe not even 20 years ago, but now they really are, not just legally, but culturally as well.
I have just read Tyson's story about how you need to bring chains and dogs and machetes and guns to Belize and I'm just trying to work out which Belize he is referring to.
I have lived in the twin towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena for almost 30 years and I have never been robbed, burgled, assaulted, mugged, hassled, or whatever - never ever. I don't have a gun and have never felt the need to buy one.
The old Spanish Fort San Juan de Ulúa still stands watch over the bustling port of Veracruz, Mexico, but it is no longer filled with many tons of silver and gold.
This fort was built in 1565 on the island where the Spanish first landed in their conquest of Mexico in 1518. And it was the last place held by Spain in Mexico. Although independence was granted in 1821. Spanish troops remained until 1825. For most of the 300 year period of Spanish rule, it was the main center...
My dear husband and I left the good ol’ USA when we sold our home in California in 1994. He told me: “Honey, don’t look back!” We were young and adventurous so we drove from California to Costa Rica.
Since we were young we still had to work. Some Costa Rican partners and I started our own real estate business and network. I had worked in California as a top producing real estate agent for Better Homes and Gardens for five years so I had the experience. My husband...