Job Discussion Forums

[mep3]

What's required for a visa renewal in Mexico? One of the things I don't like about the visa renewal requirements in China is that you need a letter of recommendataion from your current employer. It sounds simple enough. But sometimes the schools here aren't all that honest, and conflicts arise between the FT and the school, yet in such cases you are still dependent on them for the letter in order to renew your visa. It hasn't caused me a problem yet but it's something I'm aware of re. staying here long term. Is that the case in Mexico? Any other sticky renewal requirements to be aware of? Thanks .... M

[Samantha]

It depends what kind of visa you end up with as to the requirements. Each is different and there are several categories. You will enter Mexico on a tourist visa called the FMT (handed out on the airplane or obtained at the border). You may stay in Mexico for up to 180 days at a time on a tourist visa.

[mep3]

I'm talking about people who have an annual visa granted for teaching in Mexico. M

[Samantha]

It's not necessarily an annual visa. I was advised by my local Migracion, that the FM3 Independiente is renewable every 6 months. So it will depend on your working situation and with which school. There is much work taking place in Mexico with no FM3 working visas since NOT ALL schools want to deal with that process.

[Ben Round de Bloc]

I'm curious about the length of independent work visas. I've heard that they need to be renewed every 6 months, but I know a couple of folks who have them here, and they say they're good for a year.

Also, what's the big deal about having a foreign-plated car in Mexico? Mine has Mexican plates, because I bought it here. Why is it important to some people to be able to have a foreign-plated car, especially if they plan to stay in this country very long-term?

[Samantha]

I find it odd that the length of the Independiente would be different from one area to another. Maybe you could check with your local office like I did because this is something of interest to the forum. Have you been able to take a look at the person's who told you he or she had one good for a year? Maybe something has changed in the meantime. I wonder why the poster who claims to have one (think he is from your area) has not come forward with the details of what he paid and how long it is good for, when this subject comes up. Maybe he could add his two pesos worth to this thread now.

About the foreign plated car, I guess not everyone knows in advance how long they want to stay so if they have a good, already paid for car that they are attached to it makes sense to keep it. Local insurance and the tenencia (registration) on a new car here is much more money. Basic tourist insurance for an older foreign plated car is around $150.00 US or so a year. If you get theft, glass, etc. then it is a bit more. Plus there is the issue of getting a local drivers license here in order to register a local car. They now have a waiting period (minimum length of stay) for foreigners, along with some other red tape. This would be a State regulation and will vary across Mexico, to be sure.

[Ben Round de Bloc]

[Ben Round de Bloc]

[Samantha]

Thanks for checking Tim, that just goes to show that each INAMI location DOES make up their own rules, and teachers coming to Mexico need to be aware that one size does not fit all as far as work permits.

[ls650]

A couple of my co-workers have vehicles they brough down from the US/Canada. They already owned the vehicles up there, and it was cheaper to drive down with their possessions loaded up then to sell there and rebuy a similar vehicle here.

Also, in my local area I had no problem at all plating my Mexican-bought motorcycle. The transito office never even asked about my licence; they just wanted to see my FM3 and a proof of residence such as a phone bill.

[Samantha]

And here in our State, the law requires a separate motorcycle licence. Though you would never know it by the horrid driving of motociclistas.

[MELEE]

If you have a foriegn plated car that is more than 10 years old and you decide that you want to stay in Mexico indefinatly or if you decide you want to sell that car. Go to the local UDC (Union Democratica de Campisinos) and they will tell you how to import the car and get Mexican plates for it. It must be more than 10 years old and it is easier if it is a truck, SUV or Van, but not impossible for other types of cars. I imported an SUV, it now has Mexican Licencse plates. In Oaxaca there was also no need to show a driver's license to get plates, neither on this car, nor on my previous Mexican VW. (Oh the car is a 1994 Ford Explorer, and the importation cost about 7,000 pesos.)

[leslie]

Bye

[rafomania]

opening this up again.

Im on a FM3. its about to expire next week. So we�ve started the renewal process. I understand that after the expiration date we have up to 30 days to get out of Mexico, ha, so to speak. Can we renew the visa with the same school during this 30 day period or does it have to be another school.
Has anyone not bothered renewing there FM3? Do they come looking for you?

Im asking this because my school havnt paid taxes and we need a tax form for renewal. so it may take a bit longer to get the documents into immigration, if at all.
If the tax docs cant be arranged i was thinking of doing a border run and re-entering on a tourist visa. what do you think?
Any experiences?

[Samantha]

You would be willing to put yourself in that position for this school? I think I would have a chat with INAMI in Guadalajara before doing something like that. They may be willing to give you an option, under the circumstances. The late taxes are not your fault or problem, you can probably prove that you have paid your share, no? Maybe you can convert to an Independiente, and at least that way YOU are covered.