Text and Photo by Robert Adams
Heed these five practical tips from Merida immigration attorney Rodrígo Rodríguez, and you may find your planned relocation to Yucatán unfolds more smoothly.
Rodríguez, general director of Yucatan Visa in Merida, counsels many expats from the U.S., Canada and other countries on various legal and practical strategies for organizing their affairs.
Relocating to a foreign country entails myriad details and requires considerable planning and foresight. Here are Rodríguez’ top five tips for moving to Mexico.
- Before boarding the plane, arrange for someone at home to be responsible for maintaining important pending matters there. Rodríguez suggests delegating power of attorney to a family member or close friend.
- Consult with your home country bank about procedures and fees for transferring funds to Mexico. “All banks are different. Some charge horrendous fees, and some won’t do it at all,” Rodríguez notes.
- Don’t rely on frequent ATM cash withdrawals as your only source of funds. Open and transfer funds to a Mexican bank account. “What if you lose your wallet and (American) ATM card? You don’t want to be penniless in a foreign country for any length of time.”
- Buy an international or Mexican health insurance policy. Most Mexican hospitals don’t accept foreign health insurance and require upfront payment for all services before a patient will be discharged. Having Mexican health insurance can help avoid a crisis of being faced with huge hospital bills that must be paid upfront before you’re able to leave the hospital.
- If buying property, hire your own attorney to fully represent your interests. Carefully select a reputable and qualified attorney (who must be a “notario”) to help you navigate the complex channels of Mexican property ownership.
Yucatan Visa
Av. Colón #503
Colonia García Ginerés, Merida
999 285 7322
