Job Discussion Forums

Phil_K · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 2041 Location: A World of my Own

Any ideas on this (carefully worded!) problem ?

My FM3 still has me registered with my previous company which I left at end of March last year. My new employer will offer me work from March 15 (!) this year. Therefore I have a gap of nearly a year "unemployed" and I won't be able to get the previous company to postdate. I am applying for change of job & FM2 (I have 5 years FM3) at the same time. What can happen, how much would be the fine, and how could I possibly legally (!) explain the gap. Of course, I don't want to defraud the government! Laughing

J Sevigny · Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Posts: 161

It all depends on what immigration office you go to, who you talk to there, and whether or not that particular clerk/agent likes the looks of you.

There was a guy here in Guadalajara who let his tourist visa expire and went to immigration a year later to clean things up. No fines, no problems and now he's legal.

But I wouldn't bet on that.

PlayadelSoul · Joined: 29 Jun 2005 Posts: 346 Location: Playa del Carmen

Ouch. Good luck with that.

El Gallo · Joined: 05 Feb 2007 Posts: 318

Has your FM3 expired? If not, just take it to INM with a letter from your new employer and pay 1850 pesos more for changing employers. As long as your visa has not expired, they won't worry about where you have or have not been working. They will just charge you more for changing employers with this renewal. Again, it depends on the office and the bureaucrat. Good luck.

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

mapache · Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Posts: 202 Location: Villahermosa

The witch I worked for and walked out on threatens her foreign teachers with the immediate deportation when they eventually all quit and takes a letter to the INM the next morning first thing.

I went to INM the next morning with my FM-3 to beat her to the punch. They looked at it and said it was good for another 4 months. At renewal, I paid the fee to change employers and had no problem. Again, it depends on the office and the person granting the renewals. Fortunately, my crazy former employer has pissed off the INM office where I live so many times that they ignore her rants and ravings.

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

PlayadelSoul · Joined: 29 Jun 2005 Posts: 346 Location: Playa del Carmen

I normally take the baja letter to IMN the next day, as well. It is our responsibility to notify IMN, and the ex-employee will need the baja in order to change employers or leave the country. In addition, it frees up a space so that I can hire another foreigner. It is common sense to take care of it, ASAP.

mapache · Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Posts: 202 Location: Villahermosa

Yes, she has an obligation but she has 30 days and so does the teacher. To threaten teachers with immediate deportation when it is not true is vindictive and dishonest.
I don't suppose you guys do that, too. Do you?

PlayadelSoul · Joined: 29 Jun 2005 Posts: 346 Location: Playa del Carmen

Normally, when someone leaves, they do so for one of two reasons. They are leaving Mexico or they are going to work somewhere else. In either case, they need the baja as soon as possible. You can't do much without it. I don't have the power to deport anyone nor is it my job to determine how long one gets to stay after their FM3 is canceled.

My job is to follow the law and protect my school. Someone running around with an FM3 that says they work here when they don't, does neither.

mapache · Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Posts: 202 Location: Villahermosa

Well good for you. I guess you told me a thing or two, didn't you?

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

Someone's a bit cranky this morning. Confused

PlayadelSoul · Joined: 29 Jun 2005 Posts: 346 Location: Playa del Carmen

mapache · Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Posts: 202 Location: Villahermosa

Oh bless your heart, you want the last word, too. Did you take a free three week training course from my ex-wife? By the way, in your Advanced Book, Listening Exercise 2, student instructions somebody, nobody and anybody aren't adverbs.

Phil_K · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 2041 Location: A World of my Own

Back to the point....

I've found out my previous employer did the baja correctly and I have a copy of that letter and INAMI's stamped and signed reply so that bit is OK. I just have explain the year's delay.

Do you think -"I didn't know, I thought I could wait until my next renewal" - will work. Laughing

...after all, getting accurate information from immigration can be difficult at times!