Job Discussion Forums

lovea · Joined: 15 Jan 2006 Posts: 31 Location: Ontario

Hi Again!
ok, so I am getting some conflicting reports on what type of documentation that I will need to get into Mexico (just in case I do not have a job lined up before I leave and therefor will not have a FM3).
I read somewhere that I do not need any type of tourist visa and that Canadians can stay in Mexico for up to 6 months without a visa. Is this true? Any Canadians who went to Mexico to teach without a job?? What did you do?
Thanks sooo much!

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

Canadians do not need to apply for a special entry visa, but you do need a toursit visa, called an FMT. You will get this one the plane...a little card to fill out. You take it to customs and immigration as you get through the airport in Mexico, hand it to the officer with your passport, they stamp it for a period of time (usually 90 days), and off you go. You can renew it as many times up to 180 days without leaving the country, for 21 usd. Usually, one renewal of a further 90 days is what you'll get, but it may depend on the story you give to migra as to why you need more time. They are highly unlikely to give you the full 180 on your first arrival.

Since you don't have a job lined up, don't tell them at the airport that you are job seeking. Not their concern, and it may cause headaches. Nobody ever really asks anyway, gringa.

Make sure your degree and or TEFL/CELTA/TESOL whatever certificate has been apostilled (scour the Mexico forum for this procedure) before you come. You'll most likely need that to get a work permit issued through a sponsoring school, once you've secured a job.

Info is never consistent on this, but it's been my experience that an FM3 is much easier to obtain from within Mexico than from without, though it may depend heavily on the Mexican city/state you choose to process the paperwork in. Should take 4 weeks, could take months.

There's also the independent FM3 route, but it doesn't seem like any of us here have had direct experience with it save for gearanson (this is his cue)

Should you decide you are going to work without an FM3 - illegally that is, then make sure not to lose the FMT paper card, and don't let it expire. You need it to leave again. Oh, and you'll need that little paper card in applying for your FM3 as well.

lovea · Joined: 15 Jan 2006 Posts: 31 Location: Ontario

Thanks Guy!
I feel better knowing this for sure now. I am still planning on TRYING to find a job before I leave but just in case, I want to be prepared!

Polly0607 · Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 64

Here are the answers to your questions (from a fellow Canuck in Mexico):

1. You do not need to arrange a visa previously. You can enter Mexico with your Passport (recommended but not necessary) and you will be given a tourist visa document to fill out on the plane.

2. When you go through immigration, ask for 180 days. Sometimes they will give you less. Tell them you plan on doing a lot of traveling. Sometimes they try to give you 90 days and you end up having to renew it before applying for your FM3.

3. Get a job offer and start your FM3 process in Mexico. Very few people have been able to get this arranged beforehand. The only person I knew who was able to do this had "palancas" or friends in high places.

4. Canadian documents for your FM3 include your passport and any degrees or diplomas you have relating to teaching English. These documents much be legalized in Canada [/b]before you go. This can not be done in Mexico. You must send them to the Department of Foreign Affairs in Ottawa to be stamped. Then the Mexican embassy can legalize them for a fee.
http://www.embamexcan.com/CONSULAR/Legalizaciones.shtml

5. Once in Mexico, these legalized documents must be translated by a "perito", a translator with a special licence. This can be a little expensive.

6. Make sure you bring some money or have access to some in a Canadian account because it may take a couple of months to work out all this paperwork.

Hope this helps.
P

Polly0607 · Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 64

Looks like Guy and I were typing at the same time. I also now realized that I made a mistake with the bold feature.

Guess I should have used the preview option!

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

lovea · Joined: 15 Jan 2006 Posts: 31 Location: Ontario

Thanks again to everyone for all of your help and advice.

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

ls650, yes, I think this procedure has changed and is now an extra necessary step in Canada. It wasn't necessary when I did it either, but I have friends who had to go through the (extra) Gov't pain!