Cost to become a Mexican Citizen

[jrod]

Apparently the law has changed. When my father-in-law became a naturalized US citizen many years ago, he had to renounce his Mexican citizenship. That is no longer the case and there is a procedure for reinstatement of Mexican citizenship should one have had to renounce it in the past. And, with the newest changes to the immigration law, his offspring can claim their citizenship through heritage.

[LaChula]

What does that mean? Is that only symbolic? Or did you truly had to go through the hassle of renouncing your citizenship?

It means that in Mexico, you are Mexican, have the same rights and responsibilities as other Mexicans, and you can't get help from the US Embassy if you get thrown in jail.

[Travis]

So while on Mexican soil, you're "only" a Mexican citizen, but you still retain US citizenship if you were to go back north. Is that it?

Shira's post confuses me as it conflicts with (or just lacks detailed explanation) what I've read elsewhere. The word "renunciation" sounds so "permanent, forever and everywhere" which isn't the case, I guess.

So for those of us from the USA who are considering Mexican citizenship, we can delete Secretary Kerry from speed-dial. And that's the only drawback?

I don't see any other downside.

[Shira]

Sorry. I was just responding tothe posting about not having to trenounce any other citizenship. As la Chula said. when in Mexixo you are Mexican. You cannot use the US Embassy for assistance or . When entering and eaving Mexico a Mexican passport is used. In the us you can use an American passport and in the rest of the world choose either.

[CHAPALAMAC]

Can you explain the period of time needed before applying for 'permanente' ?

Thanks

[bmh]

In the US you are a US citizen and while in Mexico you are a Mexican Citizen, not complicated.

[pedro malo]

Read the OP again. I took it to mean that he was looking at citizenship so that he could be "done" with the immigration process. I simply pointed out that if you get Permanente, you are also done. You don't have to go all the way to citizenship, the Permanente is a one time deal.

Hello Maincoons,

What do you mean by Permanente being a "one time deal"? Does this mean that you only apply once like with citizenship and there are no longer yearly renewals?

[More Liana]

Hello Maincoons,

What do you mean by Permanente being a "one time deal"? Does this mean that you only apply once like with citizenship and there are no longer yearly renewals?

Permanente is like the old designation 'inmigrado'. Once INM grants you the Permanente status, you're finished with renewals and finished with reporting to INM--except under certain circumstances.

[Intercasa]

Finished with reporting, no. Finished with asking permission, yes.

[latraviesa]

Wow, I didn't have to do all that in 2009. We went directly to SRE in Guadalara, never had to present a Police clearance nor go to Mexico City.

Yes, but we did it when it wasn´t all that well known.....and so glad we did!!!!! And the cost was less than $3000 ps, made in 2 installments, if I recall.

[pedro malo]

Permanente is like the old designation 'inmigrado'. Once INM grants you the Permanente status, you're finished with renewals and finished with reporting to INM--except under certain circumstances.

Finished with reporting, no. Finished with asking permission, yes.

Thank you Liana and Spencer for clarifying this for me. This comes as very good news for me!

[rufus]

I would proceed with caution: http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/International-Taxpayers/Expatriation-Tax

The IRS never forgives and never forgets. They will skin you like a cat and still want more.

[snowyco]

When I got my my Mexican citizenship a numbr of years ago you did have to sign a paper of renunciation. If you have a familial Mexican connection you can have dual citizenship but if you are naturalized without any familial ties you cannot.

This is not true.

The US does not formally allow US citizens to become Mexican citizens, it just does not prosecute it, unless you deliver a written notice to a US Consulate renouncing your citizenship.

The act of renouncing your US citizenship is clearly a generally prohibited "expatriating act".** Between 1987 and 1993. the US Congress and the US State Department went back and forth over the issue of Americans renouncing their US citizenship to the Mexican Govt, as a part of an American becoming a naturalized Mexican citizen. Finally in 1993, the US State Department gave up fighting, accepted the Congress's earlier law, and Statte agreed to not pursue US citizens who renounce their US Citizenship, unless they deliver a written notice to a US Consulate renouncing your citizenship, and then meet certain other criteria. If this is a bit confusing, read the US State Dept's official public policy on this:**

We do know one US citizen who the US State Department did pull the American's passport, and cancel their US citizenship, based on this person's renunciation of US citizenship as a part of the Mexican ceremony when she became a Mexican citizen. Before people worry though, know that this US woman (living in Mexico) repeatedly made public written comments criticizing the US State Dept. and criticizing US Govt. policy. The State Dept. notably pulled her passport and her citizenship after she gave a speech at the UN criticizing the USA. So, if you are a US citizen by birth, and then get Mexican Citizenship (without being a family member of a Mexican), just don't go to the UN and criticize the US Govt.

Rufus is also correct, that the US IRS requires that you prepay any taxes you owe them before the US Govt accepts your renunciation of your US Citizenship.

**http://travel.state.gov/law/citizenship/citizenship_778.html

"Potentially Expatriating Acts

Section 349 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1481), as amended, states that U.S. citizens are subject to loss of citizenship if they perform certain specified acts voluntarily and with the intention to relinquish U.S. citizenship. Briefly stated, these acts include:

1. obtaining naturalization in a foreign state upon one's own application after the age of 18 (Sec. 349 (a) (1) INA);
2. taking an oath, affirmation or other formal declaration of allegiance to a foreign state or its political subdivisions after the age of 18 (Sec. 349 (a) (2) INA);
3. entering or serving in the armed forces of a foreign state engaged in hostilities against the U.S. or serving as a commissioned or non-commissioned officer in the armed forces of a foreign state (Sec. 349 (a) (3) INA);
4. accepting employment with a foreign government after the age of 18 if (a) one has the nationality of that foreign state or ( an oath or declaration of allegiance is required in accepting the position (Sec. 349 (a) (4) INA);
5. formally renouncing U.S. citizenship before a U.S. diplomatic or consular officer outside the United States (sec. 349 (a) (5) INA);
6. formally renouncing U.S. citizenship within the U.S. (The Department of Homeland Security is responsible for implementing this section of the law) (Sec. 349 (a) (6) INA);
7. conviction for an act of treason (Sec. 349 (a) (7) INA).

Administrative Standard of Evidence

As already noted, the actions listed above can cause loss of U.S. citizenship only if performed voluntarily and with the intention of relinquishing U.S. citizenship. ..."

"In light of the administrative premise discussed above, a person who:

1. is naturalized in a foreign country;
2. takes a routine oath of allegiance to a foreign state;
3. serves in the armed forces of a foreign state not engaged in hostilities with the United States, or
4. accepts non-policy level employment with a foreign government,

and in so doing wishes to retain U.S. citizenship need not submit prior to the commission of a potentially expatriating act a statement or evidence of his or her intent to retain U.S. citizenship since such an intent will be presumed.

When, as the result of an individual's inquiry or an individual's application for registration or a passport it comes to the attention of a U.S. consular officer that a U.S. citizen has performed an act made potentially expatriating by Sections 349(a)(1), 349(a)(2), 349(a)(3) or 349(a)(4) as described above, the consular officer will simply ask the applicant if he/she intended to relinquish U.S. citizenship when performing the act. If the answer is no, the consular officer will certify that it was not the person's intent to relinquish U.S. citizenship and, consequently, find that the person has retained U.S. citizenship.

Persons Who Wish to Relinquish U.S. Citizenship

If the answer to the question regarding intent to relinquish citizenship is yes, the person concerned will be asked to complete a questionnaire to ascertain his or her intent toward U.S. citizenship. When the questionnaire is completed and the voluntary relinquishment statement is signed, the consular officer will proceed to prepare a certificate of loss of nationality. The certificate will be forwarded to the Department of State for consideration and, if appropriate, approval.

An individual who has performed any of the acts made potentially expatriating by statute who wishes to lose U.S. citizenship may do so by affirming in writing to a U.S. consular officer that the act was performed with an intent to relinquish U.S. citizenship. A U.S. citizen also has the option to formally renounce U.S. citizenship abroad in accordance with Section 349 (a) (5) INA. ..."

[MyHomeSweetHome]

How does it work, for dual, if a relative is a Mexican born here? Whether it be a spouse or other? Do you still have to apply for permanente first?

[Shira]

In obtaining naturalized citizenship in Mexico it is Mexico that will not accept dual citizenship for any of those who do not have familial ties to a Mexican. If you have familial ties there is no problem.

[nana]

Becoming a Mexican citizen will oblige you to prepare Mexican Income Tax reports and pay taxes on your world income. True, you can adjust if your country has an agreement with Mexico, but I would hate to go into the Mexican tax system.

When you are a permanent resident, you don't have to deal with SAT. The only tax you pay is out of your investment in Mexico and it is automatically being held from your bank or financial institution.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

[CowgirlMX]

About $4,000 pesos through SRE for time living in Mexico. Also need translated new birth certificate with apostille and police clearance letter from Mexico City meaning a trip there!

What exactly is this clearance letter? Is it just to make sure that I didn't turn into a narco since I moved here to mex??

Haha

[CSOKI]

It is a background check to see if you have a criminal record in Mexico. They call it Carta de No Antecedentes Penales.

[bmh]

Actually you have to get a carta de No Antecedantes Penales from the Federal Police and from Jalisco. You can get the Jalisco carta in Chapala but you have to go to DF to get the Federal one.

[rufus]

Taxes are like cancer and leprosy. They exist, but people hate to think about them. Sometimes they are like an ugly baby; you have to look at it no matter what. I found this video on youtube.

Notice that everything you own is deemed as sold when you expatriate, and it is all taxable income in that year. The IRS will clean your clock. Go through the video and think about the consequences.