Job Discussion Forums

[carolynne]

Hiya,
I'm arriving in Mexico shortly, got all documents sorted etc... Now apparently on the plane I get some blue entry form? What exactly should I put on it? I know in many, many countries you have to lie and say you're not planning to work - is that the case in Mexico? I have an offer of employment, should I bring this along in hardcopy for them to have a look at? Any advice would be useful. Thanks, Carol

[Guy Courchesne]

I'm not a Brit but I think I have your answer. There are two possible forms you can get. One is a small 5 X 10 cm piece of paper that Mexicans, and only Mexicans, get for customs declarartions. The other form is for foreigners, and is a light cardboard form about 12 X 30 cm for a visa.

If you don't already have a visa issued by the Mexican embassy or consulate from the UK, then you have to complete this and present it to immigration when you arrive at a Mexican airport. Since you have an offer of employment, but I'm assuming no visa already, then you only need to fill out the tourist portion. I'm guessing that you'll deal with immigration for the FM3 here in Mexico. Migra at the airport won't even say anything to you beyond 'buenos dias'. If they do ask, of course, you tell them that you are having the paperwork done here locally. Or, like you say, lie and say you're a tourist. It's not as important as you may think.

[MikeyG]

I don't know what you are 'supposed' to do, but assuming you will begin working upon arrival I think you should get a tourist visa for ninety days.
This is what I did and at the moment the immigration offices are porcessing my paperwork so I can get my FM3 which allows me to stay for one year.
At the airport they asked me a lot of questions ( whether I would be working etc. ) and I simply said I will be travelling for 3 months then leaving. They gave me 90 days. You might need to show them your return or onwards ticket ( I didn't ). They also asked me how I will finance my travels and I just said I have plenty money in my Englsh bank account.

[grahamcito]

Hi Carol, there are two important things you should keep in mind:

One, do not say, do or show anything at immigration that might indicate you plan to work. Mexico has a Catch-22 system for immigrant workers: you can't enter the country to work without a visa, but you can't get a visa until you have a job.

So, as Guy and Mikey suggest, enter on a tourist visa. You're unlikely to get grilled like Mikey (though the odds are higher in DF), but if you do, you're travelling for the duration of your stay and have no plans to work. If you're sprung with teaching materials, they're for a friend. Again, this is extreeemely unlikely, you'll probably be waved through without a word from the sullen immigration official who hates his job.

To work as a teacher legally (many foreign teachers here don't), you need an FM3. You can only apply for this when you have an employer, so don't worry about it until you're in-country.

Two, entering Mexico may be worrying you, but don't forget the US factor. If you plan to fly via the US, remember that the lovely DHS will NOT let you continue on to a third country unless a) you have proof of residence (eg. an FM3); or b) a return ticket to your native country. They're nice like that. So, if you don't plan to return to Blighty any time soon, get a refundable return leg.

Hope that helps.

[ls650]

[rafomania]

i filled the form in as if i was a tourist got 90 days at the airport which took about 60 seconds and i was on my way. am in the process of changing my visa to a work visa now.

[carolynne]

"Again, this is extreeemely unlikely, you'll probably be waved through without a word from the sullen immigration official who hates his job."

Yip, I've heard that before - maybe I look like a criminal???


[/quote]

[sickbag]

Just a word of advice on the tourist visa thing. I arrived from England last July with a job offer. I was told to ask for 90 days as it might take a while to sort the FM3. Immigration gave me 90 days without having to ask. It took a couple of months to arrange the FM3 - so I would suggest asking for 90 days if they do give you less.

[cwc]

I have had good luck with writing 180 in the little box 3/4 of the way down on the right hand side of the page when I fill out my visa. I worked as a tourist for 4 years. Never had a problem.

[Guy Courchesne]

Wait.

You've never left Mexico then, in 4 years? As far as I've seen, you can't get your boarding pass from an airline unless you turn in a valid tourist visa.

[ls650]

[cwc]

We are close to Belize, so an airplane isn�t necessary. Do they actually deport them or do they give them 30 days to leave? I can�t see the Migri locking up an Anglo Saxon.

[Guy Courchesne]

Only ever heard of one case...an order 'to leave the country' was given to a Brit...they gave her 10 days if I remember correctly.

So, crossing at Belize, you don't need to show a visa? I've never been sure about this for the US border, but I'd always thought the southern borders had more enforcement.

[cwc]

You do need a visa. The visa is good for 180 days and then you go from Chetumal, Mexico to Corazal, Belize for breakfast. The southern border is wide open. They don�t check anything if you go on a luxury bus. I have seen rampant corruption in the form of bribing to fix an old visa. Even though the visas have a bar code and are computerized they are trashed at will.

[PlayadelSoul]

Here we go again. If one just does the opposite of everything that cwc advises, they will be successful in Mexico.

Any legitimate employer will not hire you unless you have the proper documentation. They will help you get it. If they tell you it is OK to work under the table, run. If they have no problem ignoring Immigration laws, they certainly won't hesitate when it comes to ignoring laws pertaining to pay, benefits, and work conditions.

Why would a teacher want to work without having the legal status to do so? To avoid taxes? Because they are not qualified and wouldn't pass the immigration sniff test?