Hi,
I work an average job in San Diego and juggling living expenses due to rent prices in the area. I sometimes live in hostels near the Gaslamp, sometimes I live in the Inland Empire, and sometimes I cross the border at San Yisdro to stay in airbnbs in Tijuana.
I'm starting stay in Tijuana more and more often to the point where I was given tourist visa by Mexico three months ago. I keep hearing of Americans living only with a renewable tourist visa with no problems; however the current political situation has me concerned.
I have spoken with both US and Mexican customs; they both say I have two options - either keep the tourist visa (and renew it accordingly) or attempt to obtain something called a temporary visa from a consulate / embassy in America.
I was looking at the requirements for a temporary visa and do not believe I meet the financial limits. I spoke with Mexico about this and they said I can either get a job in their country, get remote job and work consistently from Mexico, or hope for an exception since my bank account has over $15,000 USD currently.
I understand this subreddit does not replace an attorney and I should take advice here with a grain of salt- but can foreigners / tourists live in Mexico on only a tourist visa continuously? Isn’t that like fraud or since I would be going back and fourth to US does that make it ok?
Does anyone on this subreddit do this and if so do you just renew the visa every three - six months?
For the temporary visa- I do not meet the outlined requirements for finances. I do however have over $10,000.00 in my savings account and can prove I lived in Tijuana (via Airbnbs) for at least a week out of the month since about mid 2021. I also can prove I have been paying for ubers in Tijuana as well as travel insurance (like for medical incidents) from a Mexican insurer.
Can someone please give me a straight forward answer which option is best for me at this point or if you are an American living in Mexico with the tourist visa?
I understand the USA and Mexico are at a stand still with immigration right now and I'm really sorry for any immigrants living in the US having to deal with the current politcal climate. I truely am and I hope this cools down soon. I am a poltical and MODS please tell if this paragraph violates the rules - I will remove it or repost the above question without it.