One of the things we tell our clients is the process of going through residency helps set the stage for what to expect and the massive differences they will experience when living in Mérida vs. where they are moving from. It's not easy, it's not simple and it can take a long adjustment period.

Just like the residency process, if you're not prepared, you can lose time, money, energy, and effort. This can result in disappointment in the process and maybe even yourself. PLEASE do not set yourself up for failure - instead, set yourself up for success. HIRE PROFESSIONALS to help you! PLEASE!!!

Here's what you'll experience as part of the residency AND/OR integration process:

• Rules change frequently without notice.
• Lines are lllllloooooonnnnnnggggggg.
• Technology is lacking - trying to find correct and current information online is either outdated or the system may not be working properly.
• Ask the same question to 10 different people, and you'll get 20 different answers depending on the day and the mood of the person you are speaking with.
• There is no rhyme or reason to anything - sometimes none of it makes sense - it's just how it is.
• The more you try and understand something, the more frustrated you'll become.
• Doing something logically or with common sense usually doesn't happen.
• Organization, regulations, and updates may not be passed along to everyone involved in the process. It's common for only managers to know the updates without advising the worker bees.
• Making suggestions about how to do it better is one of the ways you can irritate someone. They may refuse to work with you, and your process will stop right then and there.
• Efficiency is NOT a thing. Let me repeat. N-O-T a T-H-I-N-G. It simply is not going to happen.

My own immigration process was incredibly difficult. Before I moved, I couldn't get an appointment at the Mexican Consulate in Dallas. I had 3 months after my research trip to try and get it sorted out, but I couldn't make it happen before I moved, even after hiring professional help. So, I decided to move anyway with the intention of returning to Dallas at a later date once an appointment could be secured.

BUT .... just 3 months later, everything shut down for Covid.

When I could finally apply, my application was denied. Even though I owned my own company, had plenty of resources, and enough money, I didn't have the correct documentation they wanted to see being a business owner. Namely, I didn't have payment stubs - this was the only thing they would accept for proof of income.

BACK TO SQUARE ONE

After COVID, many people had a reset . . . Angel and I included . . . and we decided to get married. Now, I could apply for residency via marriage. Being able to have a 2-year temporary then go straight to permanent was very attractive to me. So, we hired a professional, filled out the paperwork, and . . . DRUM ROLL, please!

DENIED, once again . . . WHY?

What a comedy of errors! Get ready for this one - we weren't home during the "home visit." I had specifically asked if this would be possible and was told no - a home visit was not required. I explained explicitly that IF a home visit were made, they wouldn't be able to find our house because the address on the CFE bill had us on Calle 28 but our house actually faced Calle 79. However, the rules stated we had to make our address match our CFE bill, and we could not provide any additional details. Wouldn't you know, there was a home visit, and the INM officer went to the wrong address? We were told I would have to start the process over. Paying again and filling out the application again. Waiting for another appointment at INM again and ANOTHER HOME VISIT! Guess what? I actually broke down in tears.

Later, I found out that I had 30 days to rectify the situation without having to start over. Imagine the frustration I felt knowing the professionals did not notify me of this and other important details.

The really bad, awful, and tragic news was that I no longer had my original FM3 card. At the time, this was required for any immigration process. But, I had to surrender it with my application. And, by this time I was six months past my exit deadline.

Stuck AND Illegal . . . I was sweating bullets . . .

Now, I was really, really stuck. Not only was I not in possession of my FM3, I was also in the country illegally. Angel began to make some calls, speaking to different people. After receiving multiple conflicting answers, we finally went to the INM office to figure it out for ourselves. I didn't feel very positive, but I was desperate to be legal and needed to know the next steps.

Finding the RIGHT help

Once Angel explained the situation to the INM officer, she provided the instructions for everything I needed to complete the process through the Regularization Program without a problem. The company I hired told me I would not qualify for this program and that it was better to apply through marriage. Now, I'm being told something else and I continued to feel unsure.

When I explained that I no longer had my FM3, she told me that this could be a major issue, but it would depend on who would be processing my application on the day I returned. She advised me to be courteous, explain my situation, and politely and respectfully request that an exception be made to accept a copy of my FM3 (which I made in case there was ever an issue with my original card).

SUCCESS!!! FINALLY!!!

It took almost two hours to process my application and get special permission to have the copy of my FM3 accepted. I did exactly what I was told, and the helpful officer understood my situation and made the exception. She didn't have to, but she did . . . and for that, I was extremely grateful. The process that I began in September 2019 was met with success in May 2022. Yes, it took that long to get residency.

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WHY DID I SHARE MY RESIDENCY EXPERIENCE?

I wanted to let you know if you are still in the planning phase and have not gone through the residency phase, more than likely it will not be a walk in the park. It may be hard, you may be denied, you may not have the correct paperwork. But keep trying. Don't give up. Speak to someone else if you can't get a direct answer. Be polite, courteous, and, most of all, patient.

If you can't handle this process or it seems too difficult, moving here may not be for you. There's no such thing as a "quick" anything - whether you need to make a trip to the ATM or the gas station or to pick up a couple of things from the grocery store, plan on a line, and extra time.

If you are thinking about moving in the next few years, the sooner you apply the better. Residency requirements increase by 20% on average annually. The longer you wait, you may not be able to qualify. If you have residency questions or need assistance, contact Hector Medina with New Roots. He speaks fluent English - mention that we recommended him and he will pass on a courtesy discount (we don't accept referral fees, instead we ask our service professionals to extend a discount).

​https://www.facebook.com/mxnewroots​

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Something else is happening that you may not be aware of. Mérida seems to be a little transient for the last 8 to 10 months. Whenever I see trends, I will go out and ask others in the community what they are experiencing to see if it similar to what I'm experiencing. My suspicions have been confirmed and let me explain what I mean by "a little transient."

About 60% of foreigners who move to Mérida don't make it past the first 2 to 3 years and end up leaving. Top reasons people leave are:

• Not being able to adjust to the heat
• Not being able to adjust to the culture / language
• Moved for the wrong reasons including thinking it would be cheap, not doing enough research, having unmet / unreasonable expectations, or were running away from something (bad relationships, political climate, etc.)

Out of the 40% that remain, only 50% of these make it past 7 years (you know, that famous 7-year itch). Top reasons people leave after this timeframe include:

• Health reasons - need to use their home country insurance or medical benefits.
• Family reasons - support for situations such as divorce, critical illness, or death
• Critical illness or death - do not want to die outside of their home country
• The magic and attraction has worn off and it's time to go home

This is what keeps the foreign community at about 10% of the population of Mérida. In the past, this was a retirement destination. However, with the new digital nomad visa and other attractive lifestyle choices, younger generations are moving - alone, as couples or as families.

It continues to puzzle me why people want to move without conducting a proper research trip or applying for residency first. Why are they taking the advice (legal advice, residency advice, professional advice) from Facebook and YouTubers just passing through?

It's not cheap to move here nor is it cheap to rent for one year. Double deposits, contract fees, potential repair issues, and other items eat into the budget. Then one day, they look up and think, "Wow! This isn't what I expected AT ALL. So, I'll just sell my stuff and leave . . . on to the next spot." I'm not saying anything is wrong with this. After all, don't you have to try something to see if you'll like it?

My point is this . . . many of us feel that due to the above issues, Mérida has felt a little more transient than it has in the past because people are moving after only a few months or a year. The turnover seems to be getting faster in a shorter timeframe.

Selfishly, I want to protect Mérida by educating people BEFORE they come and WHILE they are here. Helping them learn what is and isn't possible. What to expect, and when to leave their expectations behind. How to use the residency process as a key indicator of what life here will be like. To STOP complaining, comparing, and trying to change things.

After all, people are leaving the place they didn't want to be any longer. Why are they trying to change here to be similar to there?

Mérida is an incredibly special place and it's important to learn as much as possible. Pay attention to what happens during the residency process because it will prepare you for your life here. Be sure and check out the additional resources at the end of this newsletter! Be sure to look out for the upcoming edition of Mérida Monthly around the 1st of August!

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Hasta Luego!

Amy & Angel Inspiration, insight, and answers to all things Mérida! ​LifeinMerida.com​ U.S. +1 901.257.9209 MEX +52 999.192.6197