Job Discussion Forums

Sydgirl · Joined: 06 Oct 2004 Posts: 5 Location: Sydney

Hi there
Just wondering, are there any age restrictions in Mexico for obtaining your working visa?
Cheers

MixtecaMike · Joined: 19 Nov 2003 Posts: 643 Location: Guatebad

I'm pretty sure there is no maximum age, but if you are only 17 or 18 you're probably out of luck as you should have a university degree.

If you are Doogie Houser I guess you'd be OK.

Sydgirl · Joined: 06 Oct 2004 Posts: 5 Location: Sydney

thanks..

btw...I wish I was only 17 or 18!!!

richtx1 · Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 115 Location: Ciudad de M�xico

There were protests from foreign governments about non-custodial parents fleeing with their minor children to Mexico a few years ago. As a result, any minor (under 1 Cool

must have the notarized written permission of both parents (or an official copy of the death certificates, and written permission from his/her legal guardians) to enter the country. Most posters here are single, but teachers coming to work who have children accompanying them need to remember this. Even if the ex- is an uncooperative jerk, you still need the statement.

thelmadatter · Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2004 12:30 pm Post subject: age

richtx is right but I dont know what that has to do with the original question. BTW, if any of you will come down to MX and have minor children visit you - make up a bunch of notarized permission papers with the dates blank in advance. Getting papers notarized here is time-consuming (for some reason they have to be officially translated) and it cost me 230 pesos (~$22 US) to have it done one time. So the last time I was in the States I had 12 documents printed up and signed. My ex (who is not a jerk, thank goodness) has never had any problem using them.

I dont know if there is an age limit on getting a work visa but if you are over 35, please be aware that age works against you here. Age discrimination (as we call it in many Anglo countries) is quite legal here. After 40 and youre almost screwed. However, if youre a foreigner and they really want a foreign teacher (esp short term) and/or you have a specialty they want - they can disregard this.

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

saraswati · Joined: 30 Mar 2004 Posts: 200

richtx1 · Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 115 Location: Ciudad de M�xico

... for bringing us back to the original issue, after my slight detour (though a few of us second career sorts do have minor children to consider)...

Despite overt age discrimination in the marketplace, I don't see much when it comes to business education, or to those schools hiring teachers as asociados.

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

Agreed Richard...in fact, in business circles, being over 30, regardless international business experience, fits the sought after image. Under 25 and experienced is a difficult sell to the suits.

I forgot, I'm supposed to call you...

<ring, ring> that's your phone...pick it up

Guy

thelmadatter · Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2004 12:25 pm Post subject: permission

Thats really interesting to know saraswati. If I go and do this, do they give me some kind of paper? My ex needs to show the airline something official that says I give my permission. Of course checking this out gives me an excuse to head over to Mexico City. Are embassies open on Sat or are they purely a M-F 9-5 sort of thing?

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

I have been working in Mexico for more than 10 years, will turn 60 next month and have never experienced even a whisper of age discrimination. I have seen it applied to Mexicans, though--especially to men when they turn 40.

saraswati · Joined: 30 Mar 2004 Posts: 200

dangermouse24 · Joined: 19 Jun 2004 Posts: 22 Location: Mexico

You can also get the notarized permission forms done by a local public notary in your city. You'll find them all over the place. We had the same problem last year when my sisters came over for the summer. A solicitor in the U.k did them for my mum and then we got a local notary here to do both the permission letters from my dad for around $300 pesos and you'll get them the same day.

thelmadatter · Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2004 1:55 pm Post subject: MR

Moonraven, I think we are somewhat insulated from the effects of age discrimination because we are native English speakers and perhaps because we are "gringos" (although I know you are going to deny vigorously that you are)

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

I've seen some instances of age discrimination in the school we place teachers into, but in every case, it not a local director discriminating, but rather, the foreign born HR director (think: Canadian, American, French, etc). That might be an extension of school policy but I've always thought it to be personal preferrence. I see this more in Costa Rica than anywhere else.