Job Discussion Forums

[leslie]

Bye

[gypsygirl1475]

Thanks! I will do as you say. My husband suggested that I use business cards to hand out to individuals that I trust for private classes and not flyers till I get my FM3 all worked out. He sad flyers will be more noticable with he police and such. He also suggested just taking one or two privates untill my visa goes through. Thanks everyone.

[Tretyakovskii]

Well, I just wanted you all to know that I printed every page of "Dave's ESL, Mexico" that dealt with the subject of working, "forma independiente". I found it extremely helpful, practically, as I was preparing my application to immigration. Now, my application is pending, waiting for a decision, which here in Cancun is given five business days after submission of the complete package of documents. I spent over 5,000 pesos on this project, half of it in official fees, the other half getting the apostilles and translations together. It will be worth it if it's approved.

I'm hoping I'll have the same luck as MO39, and others have had; but, Cancun is not Mexico City, and this place is swarming with people who'd like to be able to do the same thing, making it just a little tougher, I expect.

I consulted with an immigration attorney here, twice, and he confirmed everything I learned on this forum. So, thanks, guys, no matter how it turns out.

Your comments played a big role in my deciding to choose Mexico, rather than Panama, as a place to live and work. The idea of being able to work independently, and legally, was just too alluring. Panama has an expensive, and difficult row to hoe to get permission to work legally.

So, wish me luck, and I'll let you know how it all turns out.

[Samantha]

Yes, please do keep us posted. Good luck in your job search, as well. What a nice place to be in the winter! It's warmer there than were I am.

[geaaronson]

I got my initial FM3 independente in Merida. I had been sponsored by CIS, Centro Idiomiste de Sureste, the pre-eminent language school in Merida, but was awarded an independente anyway at the advice of one of the immigration officers at the Merida immigration office, who interestingly thought it to Yucatan�s advantage to have a teacher who would be interested in teaching at a SEP school. I still do not understand how that particular visa would work to my advantage to working at a SEP school.
It did not cost me anywhere near 5,000 pesos to get my FM3. It cost me 1,904 pesos at the Immigration office. It cost 200 pesos for the certified translation!!!(Yes, I am still amazed at that low cost). The apostillization of my two degrees in Georgia USA came to less than $20 total, so the total expense was not more than 2,500 pesos.
It did cost me $2,500 MX in Mexico City for the lawyer alone in the third year when I hired a lawyer to represent me in my FM3 renewal (the same lawyer that MO39 used)

[Tretyakovskii]

I had eight pages of official translations, at 250 pesos/page; then, official fees of 2,600; plus certifications and apostilles in multiple jurisdictions. Finally, I had copy expense. I didn't use a lawyer, and no lawyer fees are included in the total (although I did consult with one, just to be sure I had all the bases covered).

If it hadn't been for you guys, I wouldn't even have been aware that an FM3, forma independiente was a possibility, so I'm grateful, and don't begrudge the expense, at all.

I should add that I've never worked in Mexico, before; but, I was not going into this cold. I had an offer from a Mexican government institution. The forma independiente will be adjunctive, similar to what you were speaking of geaaronson. If this flies, it may be due more to that, than anything else. I think their presence added to the credibility of the application. Hope it did/does, anyway.

I was tempted just to ask for permission to accept the government position; but, that seemed the chicken way out, and not truly in keeping with my ambitions, here. Also, I didn't think the proposal presented them with any challenges I didn't intend to present them down the road, anyway; also, every time you ask for changes to your documents, here, they want to charge you the full boat of fees, all over again.

At this stage of my career, I like to think I'm doing more than just earning a living, so I look at the potential good to the society that could/might result from my work. While not entirely "pro bono", the government side pays far less than what I hope to make with private students.

[geaaronson]

I was tempted just to ask for permission to accept the government position; but, that seemed the chicken way out, and not truly in keeping with my ambitions, here. Also, I didn't think the proposal presented them with any challenges I didn't intend to present them down the road, anyway; also, every time you ask for changes to your documents, here, they want to charge you the full boat of fees, all over again.


I am at a complete loss at understanding the above paragraph. In any event, should you take the part time adjunct position, keep in mind that it is a government position and they should not mind if you decide to take on private students. If you were to work with a profitable institution, you would be in direct competition with your employer.

The fact that you are a university professor, adjunct or not, gives considerable credence to your credentials. You will be able to get more students, now that you are a prominent English teacher in your community. Should you advertise in the local paper, don�t hesitate to mention your university position.

You may also be able to get leads from students who have relatives that want private classes. This must be approached with some measure of decorum.

[Tretyakovskii]

All positive, geaaronson.

To put what I'd said earlier a different way, I had considered only asking for permission to accept the government post, initially; then, approach INM, later, to add the clases particulares, thinking this would present less of a challenge, since this was going to be the first time round, for me and INM. But, to do so would have, 1) added an extra expense of 2,600 pesos by forcing INM to reopen my case to change the annotations on my FM3 (should I be lucky enough to get one); and, 2) delayed the start of my teaching private students- which is something I wanted to do, as soon as possible.

That's about as clear as I can make the decision I was faced with, which was merely a matter of tactics, after all, as to how I would approach INM, Cancun, initially.
__________________

I don't think for a minute that they're in the habit of handing out this privilege, locally: the environment here is quite different from DF, though the laws may be the same. Lots of people roll through Cancun with lesser credentials; but, I fear INM may have gotten in the habit of rejecting, knee jerk fashion, these kinds of requests, and I wanted to have the best possible shot at getting it approved.

My prospective employer wrote a nice letter to accompany the application in which they spoke of the qualifications which distinguished me; but, will it be enough? There is no doubt that my approach may represent overkill; but, I still don't have a response from INM, so I can't say. In about a month, I'll have the FM3, if there are no "snags". But, it's not a sure thing, by any means.

Nevertheless, I do appreciate all the kind comments, and encouragements. I always get nervous when seeking visas until I get used to how things work in each new country. This one has been no exception. Those of you who've been around a while are probably wondering why I'm being such a ninny about it....

[Tretyakovskii]

Well, got it. Official word, today, permission to work, forma independiente.

Turns out, that's all I got, no mention of an named employer of any kind. Apparently they decided to treat the employer as just one more of my clients!

No need to notify INM if I change employers 'cause I ain't got one.

And, thanks again, everybody, for all the detailed and useful info posted here, and elsewhere on this forum, regarding this process.

Now, to find some students!