Job Discussion Forums

tristanv · Joined: 22 Apr 2006 Posts: 1

Hello, I don't know if this belongs in the newbie forum, but I have done a number of forum searches on whether a degree is needed to get a FM3 in Mexico and I seem to be getting conflicting reports. On some posts it's stated you need one, while on others it's stated one is not needed. Can anyone definitively clarify this point? Or is it just a matter of where you apply for a FM3 in Mexico?

Also, just as a side question, what's a good place to start out teaching English in Mexico?

Thanks.

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

Best to line up a job first and ask the employing school if the immigration department in their area requires one. Technically, a degree is required by the government - leaving aside whether a the employer needs it or not. The reason you get conflicting reports is because things are not uniform across the country. If you visit a Mexican consulate or embassy they will tell you yes. If you visit immi here, some will say yes, others will only require the paperwork from a school, and still others will elicit a bribe. Welcome to Mexico.

grahamcito · Joined: 11 Sep 2004 Posts: 90 Location: Guadalajara

Out here in GDL, immigration normally ask to see a degree certificate OR a TEFL certificate ... but not both.

asi va · Joined: 03 Nov 2006 Posts: 19

From this post, I take it that you don`t necessarily need a university level degree to enter a TEFL course. Is that the case? I will most likely find myself in Mexico (GDL) early next year due to immigration problems. While I think I have a way worked out to get a nonemployment FM3, I will need something to do to keep from going bonkers if nothing else. Does anyone know of there are opportunities for volunteer ESL teachers? I`ve done it in the US as a volunteer and I liked it. Hopefully, this doesn`t require working papers- it`s VERY important to me that I not be deported from Mexico.

asi va · Joined: 03 Nov 2006 Posts: 19

Something else just crossed my mind- if it`s feasible to do volunteer work, would that likely be interfering with the profesionals and their jobs?

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

You can volunteer to teach English in places like the orphanages. The kids love having someone spend time with them. This kind of activity will be of no concern to Immigration.

Out of curiousity, which type of FM3 are you shooting for? It sounds as if you are trying to organize it prior to coming to Mexico.

TheLongWayHome · Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Posts: 1016 Location: San Luis Piojosi

asi va · Joined: 03 Nov 2006 Posts: 19

Thanks, guys.

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

INAMI will require your Mexican spouse to prove that he or she can support you in Mexico and that's an annual pain in the neck. Just so you don't have to cash your retirement out and take a penalty to satisfy INAMI. They just need to see proof that you have that little nest egg tucked away (your home bank financial statements).....or, as I have seen done, as long as you can show the minimum required deposit into your account for the last 3 months prior to applying for the FM3 Rentista (Retiree) that makes them happy. They don't care if the deposit lands in the account today and disappears tomorrow. As long as they can see it deposited each month. Several I know here use the same money, and withdraw and redeposit it each month for the recent 3 months before renewing...Not exactly what INAMI had in mind, but it works just the same. So there are two more options for you which I have seen used successfully in case your other option doesn't work out. Hope this helps.

Sgt Killjoy · Joined: 26 Jun 2004 Posts: 438

My info is a bit dated, circa 2000 to be exact, but if you had something to show as having any kind of education then you got it in the DF. I did it on 3 years of college transcripts, not even apostilled, just the stamp from the university. I know a guy who got the FM-3 with an apostilled high school diploma. I think it goes like this, you need to prove to the person issuing the FM-3 that you are qualified to do the job you are being hired to do.

asi va · Joined: 03 Nov 2006 Posts: 19

Well, it`s nice to hear that it may be possible to get a work permit without a college degree. My understanding is that many Mexican immigration issues depend on which office is involved, what day it is, and the color of your socks. We`ll see how it goes.

Is it generally possible to enrole in a 160 hour TEFL course with no proof of higher education? If so, would it probably be pointless?

Samantha, it sounds like proof of income is requiered for each renewal of a marriage based visa and that it`s more dificult to prove than for a "retirement" style FM3. Is that what you`re saying?

Thank you, everyone. This is the first good source of non-retired gringos in Mexico I`ve been able to find. Please let me know if I get too far away from ESL topics.

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

Polly0607 · Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 64

Seems to me the easiest thing for this poster would be to come to Mexico and take a TEFL course. Then with the diploma in hand, find a job and apply for an FM3.

No need to prove anything financially when you have a job offer (no matter how few hours it is to start).

The other routes you mentioned are more complicated.

If you are married to a national that would be part of your application and help move things along. After two years, you can apply for citizenship.

You can also do the same without getting married (please don�t get married just because you want to live in Mexico) and apply for citizenship after 5 years.

MikeySaid · Joined: 10 Nov 2004 Posts: 509 Location: Torreon, Mexico

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

Just speculating, but I suspect you will have no trouble getting a job in Torreon.