Job Discussion Forums

Flo · Joined: 29 Mar 2004 Posts: 112

I searched the old post and couldn�t find what I am looking for. I am looking into a new job and renewing my FM3, which doesn�t expire for a few months. I am looking at the possiblility of paying 1600 plus pesos to change the FM3 and then paying the same amount again in a couple of months to renew it. Just the thought of giving the mexican government this amount of money for a silly little stamp makes me want to vomit!

My question is: How far in advance do I need to apply for my renewal? Am I supposed to apply for it 3 months in advance of the expiration date? It took almost 4 months to get the original FM3, so I am expecting the renewal process could be the same. Or, do I go in the week it expires and get done then?

I am also looking at the possibility of canceling the current FM3, leaving the country, reentering, and reapplying all over again. This could be a problem, however, since I drove here in my car, and if I leave on a plane I may have to pay a hefty fine for not taking the car out with me.

In any event, I think I will have to go to Migration to straighten this out. They close at 12:30, and since I work until 3:00 everyday I don�t know when this will be possible. With all this bureaucracy I am starting to wonder why I am considering staying here longer. Maybe I feel the abuse to the foreigners here is some kind of payback my family deserves for how latinos are treated in my country.

Enough babble...Any experiences or advice is greatly appreciated!

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

berlitzoax · Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Posts: 13 Location: Oaxaca

Yes, you need to start the process 1 month before your visa expires. It may only take a week or two, but your new visa will be dated from when the old one would have expired, not from this earlier date.

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

In reference to your question (kind of) the migra will not go out of their way to be accomodating, you know, you are a rich whitie who must pay for the privilege of earning next to nothing in their country.

If you legalize your change of employer with only a few months to go you will ONLY get the old FM3 expiry date. If your employers are agreeable, just ask the old one to "overlook" reporting your change of workplace and then give you a letter of release in the final month of your FM3. Then get an offer of work from the new employer and you're in business. If you're caught, there are plenty of other countries in the world.

Being totally pissed off with the bloodsucking leeches in the Mexican blotocracy bleeding me for full FM3 payments for my wife (who was not permitted to work) and two young kids (also not permitted to work) was a major nail in the coffin of my time in Mexico. That said, the individuals at IMS in both Mexico City and Oaxaca were always more than polite and pleasant, and NEVER asked for any "extra" payments, but the laws totally suck. I recommend 100% avoiding as many taxes and other government garbage as you can.

berlitzoax · Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Posts: 13 Location: Oaxaca

The only problem with not reporting the change of employer is that immigration will know that you have left one job and will notice that you haven't been to visit them. They will know because, if everything has been done according to the regulations, your employer will send them a copy of your letter of resignation. This is very important - a school I worked at was visited by immigration within hours of me having been to change my employer on my FM3 because they hadn't filed a copy of my resignation.