Job Discussion Forums

rockmurphy · Joined: 03 Apr 2005 Posts: 3

I have just found this forum today and am very interested in working in Mexico, especially Cancun or elsewhere in Q Roo. Could someone please tell me how easy it is for someone from England to obtain visas, find a job etc. Question

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

Last I heard--which was last month when I was there evaluating a project-- those places were overflowing with Brits, to the point that the immigration folks are now dragging their feet.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

A lot of people like the idea of working 'on the beach' so to speak, to the point that there is a lot of competition for jobs that because of a glut of teachers, pay very low compared to other districts. Cost of living can be higher in touristy areas as well.

If you are determined, then you should consider a late summer or September start, before the typical influx of teachers escaping North American winter in November.

Getting a visa depends on the school as employer. If a school offers you a job and sponsorship of the FM3 work permit, then you are in luck. The will take care of much of the paperwork for you from within Mexico. A good number of schools don't bother at all with a work permit and will hire you under the table.

There are ways to get an FM3 without sponsorship from a school. This is not as easy. You'll need to check with the Mexican embassy or consulate in your area.

Generally speaking, there is no greater difficulty for a Brit to get work papers than for a North American.

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

Right! A foreigner is a foreigner and I don't believe Mexico has a problem with the "Queen's English" from what I have seen.

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

The problem is that there are a lot of fairly new UK owned companies starting up all kinds of programs in Quintana Roo--including language schools and TEFL training programs. Because in the majority of cases there is zero Mexican presence in those operations the Immigration folks are cracking down, refusing to give FM-3s, giving folks entering the country with the idea of working for those companies 7 day tourist visas, etc. This is such a visible trend that the Immigration folks, who are not blind, are having to respond to it.

When I was there evaluating a couple of projects I also was turned off by the lack of Mexican presence. So much so that I decided not to involve myself further with those folks. Most of the operations try to get around the rules by saying that they are doing volunteer work for the local Mayan communities--but the quality of the English classes, for example, that "volunteers" are giving is below rock bottom.

magpie · Joined: 27 Mar 2004 Posts: 54

Very interesting information, Moonraven. I took my CELTA in Playa last year through International House. At that time the director was Mexican-Canadian (he told me he was born in Mexico, but had lived in Canada for many years) and the staff, except for the CELTA tutors who came from Barcelona, were Mexican. The program was overseen by IH in Veracruz and their head honcho was also a Mexican as was an English teacher who was training to be a CELTA tutor. The school also provides Spanish lessons for tourists and those teachers were, of course, Mexican. I am sure what the situation is now, however, because ours was the first CELTA class there.

Competition for teacher training programs, obviously, has created a glut of foreigners in the area and I agree that it is pitiful that they have excluded the locals in hiring. The information, cultural exchange and camaraderie we shared with the staff and teachers made the experience all the more rewarding--I hope things have not changed much.

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

It's getting to be a very uncomfortable spot to be in--if you have any cultural sensitivity at all. I was collared by a Brit at 6 a.m. in Tulum who wanted to know why the locals were so resentful. I told him it was pretty early in the morning for me, but that I thought I could inform him.

It's mostly Brits and Italians who have taken over the coast of Quintana Roo, and the local Mayan population is being exploited like crazy--both as a labor force, and for their folkloric value. The "benefits" they are receiving from the uncontrolled development (a couple of million pesos given into the right hands and you can build a 5 star hotel in any ecological resreve in the region) are higher taxes, loss of their ejidal lands, much higher cost of living--and wages that range from MAYBE 50 pesos a day up to perhaps 5 dollars an hour for a few folks wearing suits in the big resorts--and no chance to ever own a piece of the pie that has been taken away from them.

rockmurphy · Joined: 03 Apr 2005 Posts: 3

Thanks guys for the replies. I have friends in Cancun, so that is my reason for choosing there instead of somewhere less commercialised. I was under the impression that it was much easier for Americans than for English people so you have put my mind at rest. I am hoping to go between August and October so I hope this is a good time
It is good to know it is possible but I have a few more questions now. I am a qualified teacher but do not have any EFL quals, will this hold me back do you think? What is CELTA? Is an FM3 all you need? and please could you recommend places to start looking for work.
Thanks again for the help- It is good to hear from people who can answer my questions...

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

I don't know if you need a CELTA, but you sure need to READ better.

I have been telling you that it is not going to be easy for you to get an FM-3 at this time in Quintana Roo, and the reasons why. If you want to work illegally, of course, that's your business.

magpie · Joined: 27 Mar 2004 Posts: 54

Although Moonraven and I have disagreed on many points I must add a heavy second to her comments. PLEASE read ALL the boards (Teacher Training is a good place to start), search if you have to and get yourself informed!! Before I came to Mexico to teach I had traveled here extensively, researched nearly all information pertaining to teaching as well as other forms of employment. If you don't know what a CELTA or Trinity cert is, or cannot seem to grasp what she is saying -- that obtaining an FM-3 is not a walk in the park in some areas -- you really need to be rethinking your decisions.

I know this sounds harsh, but so many newbies post questions that would be answered a hundred times if they had just done some reading online. While you may not NEED any certification to teach, the training will help you teach English as a Foreign Language (read that as HELP, not make you a teacher). This IS different than just teaching in your own country, I speak from experience here having taught in the US for many years. Additionally, a certificate--whether CELTA, Trinity or ITTO or another, will assist you in finding decent employment, usually, at a higher rate of pay than those without.

I'm sorry if I'm on my soapbox today, but teaching IS a profession, not a pastime!! It requires training and education and should not be taken as some fly by night opportunity for people to see the world. Those of us who love what we do accept low wages and still manage to save money and travel. The rewards I get from my students and cultural experiences are marvelous. Schools are catching on and not hiring short-termers -- make sure this is what you want or you may find it harder in the future to find employment.

rockmurphy · Joined: 03 Apr 2005 Posts: 3

Thanks moonraven I had understood what you said about the difficulties with gaining your FM3 at present. Would you say at the moment that it is nearly impossible to get one at all or worth trying to get, obviously through an employer. I do not want to work illegally at all.

Magpie I'm sorry if I am asking simple questions that I should have found the answers to elsewhere but I have only just discovered the forum and as it is the beginning of term here I have had limited time over the past few days to research this. I will now try to find more on other threads. I am not just a fly by night employee but have taught for 6 years in England and trained for 4 years prior to this- I now want to gain more personal as well as professional experience through travelling.
As I have said I was very pleased to discover that it may be possible to work in Mexico so perhaps got carried away with my questions!

Thanks a lot and i'm sorry if it seems I had not taken what you had said on board.

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

I know of one group of folks who have been "waiting" since the beginning of November to have FM-3 approval. That's 5 months of working illegally, with a good chance of being given the boot (deportation) by Immigration.

As in all areas of life, you pay your money and take your chances. I have had excellent relationships with 6 or 7 different Immigration offices in Mexico (was even offered a job at one!), and from what I know about the way they work I wouldn't even bother with Quintana Roo.

Gringo Greg · Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 10:07 am Post subject:

I hate to be a bear, but Canadians and Americans, because of NAFTA, do get by a little easier on the visa front. Consultancy is covered under NAFTA.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Greg, I hadn't heard about that and couldn't find anything to prove it in documentation I have here. Do you know where that's printed or posted somewhere online about 'consultancy' and NAFTA? A link would be cool.