Today I took my second trip to the Mexican Immigration office in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato. Also my third, fourth, and fifth.

In stark contrast to the good experience I had with the Mexican bureaucracy on Day 3, this experience left much to be desired.

I showed up about 9:30am yesterday, and was told of the requirements to finish my visa application:

• 3 passport-sized photos
• Wire a payment of $3,130 pesos at the bank
• Photo copies of my passport
• Fill out a simple paper form
• Fill out an online form

Seems simple enough. It took a while to complete all these tasks, eat lunch, and return to the office. I returned at 12:55pm; five minutes before closing time (yes, they close at 1:00pm… huh?)

I had everything in order, except that I had filled out the online form incorrectly (with the wrong “reason”).

I was told to do it again, and return the next day. *sigh* Oh well.

9:15am I arrived with the new form today. I was told I had made an error. I failed to include my middle name this time, so the form did not match my passport exactly.

I walked across the street to a cyber cafe. For 3 pesos, I was able to fill out and print the form.

10:00am The new form had another error. I had entered the incorrect expiration date for my passport.

Back across the street. Fill out the form again.

10:30am Double-checking my form this time, I notice I had typoed my own middle name.

Back across the street. Fill out the form again.

11:00am Finally. Everything in order. My forms are accepted. I sign a few places.

Now I have an appointment for next Friday to return, when I believe I will be given my final Visa card, which allows me access into and out of Mexico as a temporary resident. Woot!

I am at a loss as to why they don’t just fill out the electronic form for you there at the office. It’s a half-page at best. Name, place of birth, nationality, passport number, and current (Mexican) address. It seems it would save everyone, including the staff at the immigration office, time to do it this way.