Job Discussion Forums

[NoSoyJaime]

I�m sorry to repeat an old topic but I�m unclear on what the current requirements are for getting an FM 3 in Mexico, even after talking to an immigration person today.

I�m in Guadalajara and have a potential job, but the director said I need to get my FM-3 before working. So I went to the Palacio Federal, where the immigration official told me I need a certificate of my education (diploma, I guess) stamped by the Mexican Embassy in the U.S. (where I�m from), then sent here.

-Can I just send the Embassy a copy of my diploma to stamp? My actual diploma is in Boston which complicates things. Do have to send them any other documentation?

-Do I need to turn in any other forms to immigration here in Mexico? Birth certificate? Letter from (potential) employer?

-Is it getting the diploma stamped which takes such a long time, or is the process of actually getting the FM-3 once all documents are turned into immigration the part that takes so long?

I hope someone who has recently changed their tourist visa to an FM-3 can clarify things.

Thanks a lot,
James

[MixtecaMike]

If the potential boss won't let you start work until you have your FM3 I guess you are roundly tornillo-ed, as it will take ages.

The usual procedure is for you to get your degree apostilled in the place near where it was issued, in Australia it is by Dept. of Foreign Affairs and Trade, in the US it is through some govt. office or other, somebody else can give you more information. (Do a search for apostille here)

You can get either your original stamped or get a certfied copy and get that stamped. You then take the apostilled degree and get a Mexican certified copy of that, plus an officially certified translation to the migra, fill out some forms, pay them lots of money by filling out other forms then taking those to the bank, plus a letter from your potential employer then wait for the lazy dogs to process your visa.

Depending on where you are it takes from a week to a month and a half. or more.

[Guy Courchesne]

I've seen a lot of banter on this forum about the FM3, apostille, and heartache. I'm curious to know if anyone out there has had an easy a time in getting the FM3 as myself, or rather, as ourselves in helping teachers get them.

In several Mexican states (I won't say which to avoid an uproar), it has been our direct experience that getting the FM3 is as easy as pie. You bring in your TEFL/TESS/CELTA whatever cert (and sometimes your uni degree), your passport, a letter of intent written by you, a letter of employment written by the school, and several tax-related documents from the school, and after paying about 1600 pesos (maybe it is a little more now) and a 30 day wait, you have your FM3.

Of course, bribery in Mexico appears to be widespread, but don't get an ideas here...everything I mentioned above is legally done without bribing anyone. Is it only Oaxaca and Yucatan where the process invloves getting the apostille, waiting a million years, and donating an organ? OR are we talking about a different FM3 entirely?

I notice fro the post that started this thread, that the implication was the school offering the job wasn't going to offer to sponsor the FM3...in other words, they are asking that you come and work for them, but shhhh don't tell immigration? Is that the procedure I'm missing here?

[moonraven]

The Immigration office has posted all requirements on the Secretar�a de Gobernaci�n website.

I have done the FM-3 renewal, change of employer or new issue in the following offices: Mexico City, Cuernavaca, Saltillo, Toluca, Puerto Escondido and Oaxaca. The requirements are exactly the same in all offices. The only diference is the amount of time you wait--I have received it in 2 days.

The certified and notarized copies of transcripts or diplomas need to be sealed by Mexican consulates in the US or country in which the degree was awarded. I had a family member do that, as my degrees came from 3 states in the US--she did it by phone and FedEx. Translations of documents by Immigration-approved translators here an take anywhere from a couple of hours to a couple of days.

[Guy Courchesne]

Short of renewal, change of address, or employer, I've still never had to jump through so many hoops. I'm referring here to first time FM3 work permit.

I have done it also in Cuernavaca and Toluca. The process is certainly not the same everywhere, or even in the same offices. I get the feeling that it is more a question of the mood of the agent doing the paperwork than anything else.

[moonraven]

It has more to do with the attitude of foreigners, and of how well they speak Spanish.

[Ben Round de Bloc]

[thelmadatter]

Ben,

Probably the latter... and the sooner I can change my definition of "fast" and "efficient" the happier I will probably be.

For my first FM3, I needed my diplomas (get the original sent to you or get a friend/relative to get it apostilled for you ... diplomas in the States are easy to apostille, any office of any state's Sec. of State will do it ... birth certificate, on the other hand can be a pain. AZ wouldnt do a NY one and NY has this convoluted process involving sending paperwork to 3 offices in 3 parts of the state) Also, if your name is now not what it is on your birth certificate, be sure to bring documentation of the name change (Thank Goddess I thought of it!) but I didnt have to apostille it.

[moonraven]

The birth certificate is NOT a requirement to get an FM-3.

[Guy Courchesne]

Actually, the birth certificate can be used in place of a passport when getting the FM3. I've only seen that in the case of Americans and Canadians though. They also accept a driver's license as photo ID.

[MixtecaMike]

[thelmadatter]

Welcome to Mexico, NoSoyJaime

[moonraven]

My last FM-3 (May of this year--a new one, as I was out of the country when the old one expired and had entered on a tourist visa) was from the Oaxaca office, and I was NOT asked to present a notarized copy of my passport. All other offices have acepted regular copies as well.

Sometimes folks' level of Spanish is not what they think it is--and they misunderstand the requirements. For that reason I recommmened consulting the Gobernaci�n website for the list of required items.

[Ben Round de Bloc]

The only time I had to give immigration a notarized copy of my passport was when I switched from an FM-3 to an FM-2 work visa. It was pretty much a 500-peso rip-off in my opinion. I went to a lawyer's office. His secretary sent me to make photocopies of my passport, and then she did all the official stuff except for the lawyer's signature. The lawyer wasn't there. He was having breakfast at a restaurant "just around the corner," so the secretary sent some guy to tell him he had someone waiting in his office who needed a passport notarized. I was informed that the lawyer would be there in a few minutes. (Ya, right!) He showed up an hour and a half later and signed the document. The secretary took my 500 pesos and gave me a receipt, and I left.