Job Discussion Forums

pascalmh · Joined: 29 Jul 2007 Posts: 10

Hi,

I am a French teacher. I worked for 5 months in Mexico with a valid FM3, everything was ok. Then i was offered another job in another country so i left Mexico last mid-June but forgot to stamp my FM3 visa because i was pretty sure i would not come back quickly. Besides, nobody asked for it at the airport! Anyway it happened the new job was cancelled 3 weeks ago. So I found another job, in Mexico again Wink

I will fly to Mexico in 1-2 weeks maximum.

Here is my question: should i report that i forgot to stamp my FM3, show it at the DF aiport and ask for stamps? In this case i guess i will be fined (how much?). Or should i enter in the country with a tourist visa and then apply again for a new FM3 visa with the help of my new employer (it will be in another Mexican state)?

It is a little bit complicated, sorry to bother you but i'd like to know what to do. Many thanks!

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2008 4:34 pm Post subject: Re: FM3 and re-entry to Mexico

sarliz · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Posts: 198 Location: Jalisco

I kind of had a similar situation in that I left Mexico with my FM3, didn't get it stamped, and came back.

It differs in that I was driving for the exit/entry. When I came back in, I talked to the nice man in the Migra office, explained that I had left the country and didn't get the stamp because I couldn't find the office (seriously, driving out of Mexico in Nuevo Laredo, you blink and you've crossed out of Mexico w/out ever having seen an immigration office. And I was asking people where it was.). He kind of rolled his eyes, told me to be more careful next time (I was), and stamped me for reentry. So you never know.

Phil_K · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 2041 Location: A World of my Own

I can give you a good reply for this, as through ignorance, the same thing happened to me!

This will be spotted when you do the next renewal of your FM3. It won't affect your re-entry into the country (at least I got a good official, he asked about it but didn't do anything), but once here, you should go to Migra with your FM3 and the travel documents for the outward journey you made. (Hope you've still got them!) and explain humbly what you did. They will then process your FM3 and it will be returned with and official stamp and everything will be OK. I don't remember exactly how much it cost, but it was something like $250 MX. Certainly much cheaper than starting the process from scratch!

Phil_K · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 2041 Location: A World of my Own

Just reading Prof. Gringo's answer, he has a good point about the cancellation of the permission. In that case, I would lie to Migra about your reason for leaving the country - family ilness or something.

Embarassed

I've been in Mexico too long! But it's the old story - If you can't beat 'em, join 'em!

seanie · Joined: 28 Nov 2003 Posts: 54 Location: m�xico

If the FM3 is valid, you could just come back into the country with it and say nothing. But on the forms you'd have to put your former employer's name and address, if they are written in your FM3. Then you would have to apply for cambio de actividad or whatever. I don't know how much they charge for that, so it might be worth it not to lie and just come back as a tourist. FYI I have also left the country without getting the FM3 stamped. When I returned, they didn't say anything about it at the airport, but when I applied for the pr�rroga, the immigration officer wanted to know why there were more entradas than salidas stamped in my FM3. I had to write a letter swearing to my departure dates, but I was not fined.

Phil_K · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 2041 Location: A World of my Own

pascalmh · Joined: 29 Jul 2007 Posts: 10

seanie · Joined: 28 Nov 2003 Posts: 54 Location: m�xico

MELEE · Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 6:08 pm Post subject:

pascalmh · Joined: 29 Jul 2007 Posts: 10

My FM3 was only for a single employer. As i will work for another company in another region, i could just come as a tourist and start the process again. Maybe it is safer and easier?[/quote]

I'd also gamble on this route, can I ask, Which states are we talking about? Just MUCH less of a head ache.[/quote]

Former employer in Veracruz state. New one: in Mexico state and/or DF. Other option possible in Jalisco.

pascalmh · Joined: 29 Jul 2007 Posts: 10

This will be spotted when you do the next renewal of your FM3. It won't affect your re-entry into the country (at least I got a good official, he asked about it but didn't do anything), but once here, you should go to Migra with your FM3 and the travel documents for the outward journey you made. (Hope you've still got them!) and explain humbly what you did. They will then process your FM3 and it will be returned with and official stamp and everything will be OK. I don't remember exactly how much it cost, but it was something like $250 MX. Certainly much cheaper than starting the process from scratch![/quote]

I called a Mexican immigration lawyer based in Guadalajara. His advice is to go to the nearest Mexican embassy, explain and show them the FM3 visa. According to him, they will make a prorroga without any problem. Maybe i will not even be fined, otherwise it will be a cheap one.

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2008 6:30 pm Post subject:

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

FM3's cannot be renewed outside Mexico.

Rolly Brook keeps things up-to-date on his website which newcomers to Mexico will find very helpful. Follow the link for further information on the processes. The fines aren't cheap if it's really late, but sometimes can be negotiated down. There is a set 'per diem' fine for tardiness. That's presuming it's a straight-forward renewal. If the details of the old FM3 don't apply anymore, a new set of qualifications must be met and this will vary with your particular INM office.

pascalmh · Joined: 29 Jul 2007 Posts: 10