|
| Puerto Vallarta |
| May 21st
to 27th, 2004 |
From the Canadian Consulate
To all Canadian citizens,
We received two inquiries that we would like to share
with you as well as a reconfirmation of who can have
an imported car while staying in Mexico.
We were asked by some Canadians if they were OK because
their permit was registered under a document called
FME. We investigated and found out with Lic. Camarena
of Immigration that the FME is the form you have to
fill in when you leave Mexico with a FM3. All of you
had to fill in this form when you left Mexico and you
handed it back to the immigration officer when you
returned. The purpose of this form is for immigration
statistics and they should not have written down this
number on your permit, but again only a person with
a FM3 can fill out a FME.
All this to say that the person at the border did
not write down the proper number on your permit, but
as you have a valid FM3 you cannot have your car seized
due to this mistake.
We mentioned the fact that
you should always have a copy of your FM3 document
in your car. We found out that some people may have
a copy of the page with their picture but not always
-if applicable- a copy of the last "prorroga" (extension) page. It is important
to have the copy of the part of your document showing
that it is a valid document. Many people seem to be
worry about how they can prove they have the right
to their car if they were to be stopped. We suggested
that if it makes you feel better, you should carry
a copy of the law that you all received via email from
this Consulate. The LAW is what entitles you to do
so, and the origin of the problem was the interpretation
of one Hacienda official of what a "no inmigrante" is.
You may have received a copy of an exchange of emails
between Hacienda representatives that confirms the
definition of a "no inmigrante", but understand
that this document cannot be used to defend yourself,
the LAW is what clearly shows that you are entitled
to your car if :
- You have an FM2 Rentista
- You
came in with a FM3
- You came in with a tourist card and
changed to a FM3
- You have a Tourist Card
AS LONG AS YOUR IMMIGRATION STATUS
HAS NOT CHANGED FROM THESE CATEGORIES AND IS VALID
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE BORDER TO RENEW YOUR
PERMIT.
We hope this clarifies any last doubts you may have
had, and that everything will get back to normal.
During the negotiations in getting a solution to the
problem, we received the help of two lawyers who helped
us to understand and interpret the law. We are grateful
to them:
Lic. Hector Dorantes Aranda, Tel:
222 7210 / 222 7211. ** Lic. Dorantes stated he had
translated the law / exchange of emails and that you
could contact him if you are interested to obtain it.
Lic. Claudia Cadena, Tel: 221 5092
/ 224 6770
If for any reason your car were to be seized, you
have the right to 10 days to defend yourself but if
you do not act within these 10 days, you lose everything
and face a major fine. This information is only for
your own knowledge so you know that you need a lawyer
in case it should happen. We would also clarify that
Customs is a section of Hacienda that has many others
sections including a legal one which was the one where
the crisis originated in Mexico City.
Regards,
Lyne Benoit
Honorary Consul of Canada
Email: vallarta@canada.org.mx
Press Release
Summer Sailing Programs For
All the Family at "Coming
About."
Summer on Banderas Bay will see more sails than usual
with new programs from Coming About... Any Woman's
Sailing School in Marina Vallarta. The school, which
began operations in March, is working with the City
of Puerto Vallarta to introduce sailing to as many
children as possible with Optimist classes in June
and July.
Sunday, May 30 th at 1 p.m., the organizers will host
an open informational meeting for all interested parents
and children at the Banderas Bay Yacht Club (Marina
Golf Bldg., at the head of H Dock, Marina Vallarta).
Optimists, the international class racing dinghies
chosen throughout Mexico and the world as the best
introductory boat for learning to sail, will be on
display. Members of the teaching staff will demonstrate
the boats, discuss the series of classes, and register
participants.
Classes will begin June 3 rd , and run through July
22 nd , from 3 to 6 p.m. every Thursday. The cost is
250 pesos per class or 800 pesos for a month, prepaid.
Director Pat Henry released
the schedule for both one- and three-day classes
for women and men, also. Three-day classes for level
one and level two sailing for women will be held
Fri - Sun, beginning June 18
th on alternating weekends. In mid-July, two weekends
are reserved for the guys. Classes run from 9 a.m.
to 6 p.m. daily with on shore lectures mornings and
afternoons spent on the water developing skills...
sail handling, trim, knots, boat control, points of
sail, safety, and rules of the road.
For those interested but lacking time Coming About
offers a one-day introductory program with 7 hours
of hands-on sailing instruction and a fun day on the
bay on board Southern Cross, the boat Henry sailed
solo around the world and featured in her book By the
Grace of the Sea: A Woman's Solo Odyssey Around the
World (McGraw Hill/International Marine/02).
For more information visit www.comingabout.com or
call Pat Henry at 222-4119, 222-8771, or 01-329-295-5613
for more information or to register.
PV Author Rising to Top
We have just found out that Gil Gevins' web site is
now Number 3 on Google's list of books on Vallarta!
As we are honored to count Gil among our contributors
during the winter season, we take this opportunity
to congratulate him on this accomplishment.
Gil is the author of two hilarious
books on life in Vallarta, "Puerto Vallarta on 49 Brain Cells a Day" and "Refried
Brains". If you don't have your copy of those delightful
books yet and you want to purchase them, you can do
so online by going to Gil's web site at www.gilgevins.com
(Gil and his wife Lucy are off on their annual shopping
spree to restock their unique store - Lucy's CuCuCabana
- with the unique handicrafts they offer visitors every
year. The shop will reopen in October.)
Remember: Laughter is the best remedy for whatever ails
you, and these two books are guaranteed to supply you
with plenty of that.
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