Job Discussion Forums

[aguadulce72]

Hi everyone,

I have been under the impression that you can't get an FM3 visa unless you have obtained employment in Mexico, but I was recently told by someone (an American) who is currently living in Mexico that he got his FM3 visa at the Mexican consulate prior to moving south. He did not have a job lined up - he was actually going down there to take an TEFL cert. course. Could someone verify the validity of this? It seems like everyone would be getting the visa beforehand if it were really this simple!

Thanks for the help!

[Guy Courchesne]

[seanie]

For my first teaching job, I got my FM3 from the Mexican Embassy in Kingston. I was on a programme with the Central Bureau in London (I had applied when I was studying in England, but actually flew to Mexico from Kingston). All of us (all British, except me) came to Mexico with our FM3s. However, once we got here, they had to be handed in to Gobernaci�n in DF (not sure why); and they subsequently called to let us know when they were "ready". That was relatively easy for me since I was working in Xalapa. I don't know what happened with the teachers who were much further away.

The second time I came to Mexico, I got my FM3 the usual way (changing from tourist to visitante t�cnico). Perhaps most employers prefer to do it this way because (1) It's legal (in some countries, you are not allowed to change your status once you have arrived... I think Korea is like that); (2) you don't have the hassle of faxing all the relevant info to Mexican consulates only to have your job applicant change his mind about coming.

[Samantha]

[aguadulce72]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the information. It looks like I might need to do a bit more research to see how the process would work for me.