Job Discussion Forums

[FoxandMe]

Hey all,

I`m living in Queretaro, working for a language institute, and feeling good, being happy. I have a British friend who works at a primaria/secundaria, and is feeling the heat of having some terrible complications with getting his FM-3. He has sought the help of his school but apparently they are clueless. He mentioned the situation to me, and I told him that I could post on this site. Perhaps someone has had experience with something like this...

He was living and working in Mexico City, and had filed for an FM-3. While the FM-3 was being processed, he decided to move to Queretaro and took a position at this school. The thing is that he didn`t manage to collect any paperwork (copy of his FM-T, tramites- nothing) before coming to Queretaro. His FM-3 was canceled once he left the school in Mexico, and his FM-T expired a few months ago. So he`s been working illegally in Queretaro, and has not even the expired FM-T to present to Gobernacion. The school apparently didn`t make much ado about it, but as he`s pressed the issue about obtaining an FM-3 they have come up empty. They have admitted that they have had no experience with a situation like this, and just continue to dodge the problem, which concerns him that he`s in a real mess and can`t get papers at all. The only thing that the school has said is that they can go to Gobernacion and claim that he has just lost his FM-T, but wouldn`t they have this on record to check? I thought that maybe he could leave and re-enter the country. Anyone?

[Guy Courchesne]

Sounds like a dilly of a pickle.

First, he'll need an FMT to leave the country, whether he does it now or later. He would have to visit migracion and make his case there and claim to have lost the FMT. From there, it depends on the mood of the agent and office head.

[delacosta]

dilly of a pickle.

LOL-I haven't heard that expression for years, since university days when I had a girlfriend from Carleton Place. If I recall Guy you're from the Ottawa Valley?

[Guy Courchesne]

I've never identified it with the Ottawa Valley, where yes, I am from. That was pure Ned Flanders from an ancient Simpson's episode. Maybe it just stuck with us valley types.

[Ben Round de Bloc]

I wonder how "dilly of a pickle" translates into Spanish. I haven't heard Los Simpson speaking English in over 10 years.

Are we getting off topic yet?

[J Sevigny]

In reality, you only need an FMT if you're going to leave the country by plane. At the border, nobody actually checks. That said, there are likely to be numerous immigration checkpoints between Central Mexico and the Rio Grande-Rio Bravo. But your friend could take a chance, leave the country over land, get a tourist visa and come back in with a new FMT.

That said, Guy's suggestion makes the most sense. Tell your friend to go to immigration, explain the situaiton politely and respectfully, and hope for the best.

[Guy Courchesne]

Does the friend's being British cause a problem if going into the US overland?

[englishsettler]

GUY, YOU REMIND ME OF A SLIMLINE SEAL. KIND OF CUTE. TAKE IT AS A COMPLIMENT.

[Guy Courchesne]

Ok, I will. I can't even pretend to understand however.

Wait, Slimline Seal...he's that hunky guy on ER? Of course, now I see the resemblance.

[Samantha]

I have heard a recent story about INAMI in Queretaro being one of the "by-the-book" offices who are into instant deportation if things aren't to their liking that day, so heads up in advance.

I think under the circumstances of the story I heard, if I was a Brit, I would cross the southern border and score a new tourist card and then start all over again without a further word. A relative of a friend of mine from up north who recently got deported had his FM3 paperwork underway, but when Immigration paid a visit to his workplace to check it out (Yikes...they don't do that here) they decided it didn't smell quite right and told him to get packing. He had 72 hours to leave Mexico. My friend says that didn't deter him, he simply arrived at the border, picked up a new tourist card and went back to Queretaro. Maybe he is wearing a wig around town and to classes, so that Immigration officers don't recognize him. How big is Queretaro anyway? LOL

[englishsettler]

i think its your eyebrows and nose that bring the resemblance. Perhaps you could find work in a mexican seal farm.....although im sure that will probably be too complicated with the FM3 !!

[thelmadatter]

ditto the border run to get a new FMT. however, I recommend the southern border. Not so much because of US authorities but from experience I know that they check ID of people riding the buses north to the US border. Everytime Ive gone to Arizona that way, Ive been checked and most times to TX. So if they catch you without an FMT that way, you run a risk. (although I think they are more concerned about Central Americans than Brits, its not worth the chance)

Go see Guatemala or Belize.

[Polly0607]

Did this friend have to leave any important documents at immigration? Hopefully not, they are only supposed to check the copy against the original.

If there is nothing to pick up at the first immigration office, then go to the border, whichever border, and come back in with a new tourist card. If you are asked for it, just say you lost it and pay the fine.

When you come back, start the immigration process in Queretaro, but I don't suggest working there in the meantime. Take a little vacation until the paperwork is done.

[ls650]