For many foreigners living in Yucat\u00e1n state and located a significant distance from Merid\u00e1, immigration services have recently become more simplified.\u00a0 Residents in outlying parts of Yucatan State will no longer need to travel to Merid\u00e1 two or three times each year to renew their FM2 or FM3 visas.\u00a0 The National Institute of Migration (INM) has recently opened two satellite offices.\u00a0 One is in Progreso and one in Valladolid.\u00a0 The Merid\u00e1 office remains the main office for immigration services.<\/p>\n
Individuals who need to visit an immigration office must visit the office closest to where they are living.\u00a0 In general, the Valladolid office services the eastern part of the state of Yucat\u00e1n, Progreso handles the northern area and Merid\u00e1 is responsible for everywhere else.\u00a0 Perhaps in the future INM will produce a map that outlines the borders for each of the three offices\u2019 service areas.\u00a0 At present, Valladolid area residents, including anyone who lives in Temoz\u00f3n, Tizimin and Chemax, should know that if they travel to Merida for immigration services, they will be instructed to return to the Valladolid office for assistance. Anyone living in any of the beach communities along the Yucatan Gulf Coast must go to the Progreso office for their immigration services.<\/p>\n
In October of 2011, the Valladolid satellite office was officially opened.\u00a0 Services were a little erratic in the beginning because of office closures during the long holiday season.\u00a0 However, since the beginning of 2012, services have been regular except for closure on national holidays and for a staff workshop.\u00a0 The offices are located in a renovated ex-school building and include well-kept restroom facilities.\u00a0 The office is easy to locate and road signs will direct you right to the building complex.<\/p>\n
If you are unfamiliar with the city of Valladolid, simply go directly to the city center on Calle 42. This is the street you will be on after exiting the cuota <\/em> from either Cancun or Merid\u00e1.\u00a0 Remain on Calle 42 past the large central cathedral until the pavement ends.\u00a0 Turn left on Calle 53 and after you one half block, you will see an INM road sign indicating that you should turn right at the approaching corner. Then proceed one kilometer to reach the office.\u00a0 The street you will be driving on is also the road to Chichimil\u00e1.\u00a0 An additional sign 500 meters from your destination will remind you that you are very close.\u00a0 Finally, just prior to reaching the office, a sign will direct you to turn right to enter a driveway that will allow you to park close to the INM office.<\/p>\n If the gate is locked, wait a few minutes and the staff will usually appear.\u00a0 The office normally opens on Mondays through Fridays from 9:00 AM until 1:00 PM for client services.\u00a0 In the afternoon, the staff remains until 5:00 PM to complete the day\u2019s paperwork but is not available for direct consultations with clients during this time.<\/p>\n Local residents in both locations have found the staff to be extraordinarily professional and helpful.\u00a0 The staff members in these offices do speak a little English, but we would recommend that you take a Spanish-speaking friend if your Spanish comprehension is minimal.\u00a0 If all your paperwork is in order, the process is painless and usually takes two or three days.\u00a0 During busy times of the year, getting your visa could take up to two weeks, so plan accordingly.<\/p>\n Do not wait until the last minute to renew your visa.\u00a0 If you allow your FMM, FM3, or FM2 visas to expire, you will be required to pay a fine and will create additional paperwork you will wish you had avoided.\u00a0 Remember that the FMM tourist visa allows you to remain in the country for 180 days, after which you will have to return to one of Mexico\u2019s border stations to receive a new FMM visa.\u00a0 You can begin the renewal process for your FM3 or FM2 one month before it expires.\u00a0 The FM3 and FM2 visas are now the same size as a drivers license or credit card and can be easily carried in your wallet.\u00a0 Also, pay attention to when the offices will be closed for official holidays. If your visa comes up for renewal during a holiday period (Christmas, Semana Santa, etc.), be sure to start the renewal process early.<\/p>\n Valladolid Delegation\u2019s Official Address:<\/strong> Phone number: 01 (985) 85 620 75<\/p>\n Office hours: 9 AM to 1 PM, Monday through Friday<\/p>\n Progreso Delegation\u2019s Official Address:<\/strong> Editor’s Note: Special thanks to Byron Augustin for his help with the Valladolid information in this article. As always, if you need assistance with immigration activities, don’t hesitate to call Yucatan Expatriate Services for their help in obtaining your visas.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" For many foreigners living in Yucat\u00e1n state and located a significant distance from Merid\u00e1, immigration services have recently become more simplified. Here is the information you need…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":1806,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[139],"class_list":["post-1082","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-resident-services","tag-resident-services"],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\n\t\nHelpful Staff<\/h3>\n
Renewal Advice<\/h3>\n
\nInstituto Nacional De Migracion
\nDelegation Local Valladolid
\nKm 2.5 Carretera Valladolid-Felipe Carrillo Puerto
\nValladolid, Yucat\u00e1n, Mexico 97780<\/p>\n
\nInstituto Nacional De Migracion
\nCalle 80 x 39, No. 176 (right next to SMAPAP, on the road out of town toward Merida)
\nPhone number: (969) 935 00 22
\nOffice hours: 9 AM to 1 PM, Monday through Friday<\/p>\n