Job Discussion Forums

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

As far as the rules go, your previous employer would have had to turn in paperwork to the Immigration office within 30 days of your departure from the school. This means your FM3 really isn't valid since you have left your address and your job more than 30 days ago.

You are going to pay for the cost of a tourist card in your airline fare anyway so I think I would enter that way, unless you want to test the waters and risk being singled out at the airport. I don't think I'd like to draw attention to the fact that the FM3 wasn't stamped on your exit several months ago, that you no longer work for the sponsoring employer or live at the noted address. That might be tempting fate too much.

Once you find a new employer to sponsor you, you could then test the waters at Immigration by applying for a change of employer and address at that time. Hopefully that would be very soon after arriving in Mexico. (I am assuming from what you've written that when it was originally issued it was meant to be valid with this employer until Jan 09 ?) This is the time when your fate will be determined by factors out of your control. It really depends on who you encounter, in which location, and how they generally apply the rules in that location. As already mentioned, be prepared to prove that you were out of Mexico for these months, in case they ask for such proof when you go in to see them. Very best of luck to you.

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 7:45 pm Post subject:

pascalmh · Joined: 29 Jul 2007 Posts: 10

I agree with your post, Sam. It's a good summary of the situation faced by the OP and coming back on a tourist card is probably going to be the easiest and safest thing to do.
Good luck, once again![/quote]

I called the Mexican consulate in Paris and I told the employee on the phone i forgot to have my FM3 stamped when i left the country 3 months ago. I also told them i would work for another new school once in Mexico. The lady checked with a colleague and told me there would not be any problem and that i would just have to follow the procedure and declare the change. I specifically asked if i could enter the country again and they said "no problem".

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 9:41 pm Post subject:

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

I don't think it has ever been up for debate that you can't enter the country again, however, the odds of a Mexican Consulate abroad actually predicting how things will be handled in Mexico is a stretch. Big stretch. The INM offices in Mexico handle things quite differently from each other all the time.

pascalmh · Joined: 29 Jul 2007 Posts: 10

pascalmh · Joined: 29 Jul 2007 Posts: 10

Just this feedback to tell that i came back to Mexico City airport. I did not lie nor tried to hid things and explained honestly my situation. I was lucky: they checked a few minutes while i was waiting in a transit room and then stamped my passport. So i could enter Mexico again without any problem Smile