Job Discussion Forums

[bobbyb]

Hey guys. My first post here after using this site as reference for a year and a half.
I�m 56 with a degree in architecture have owned a couple of businesses and got a TEFL certificate in 2008. I never taught before and my Spanish is limited.
2 weeks ago I loaded up my jeep and landed in DF. Within 3 days I found a furnished apartment with cable, internet and electric included for 3300 mx per month from craigslist. Parking is an extra 800 per month. It�s near chapultipec park. The folks here are all very sweet and helpful and no one messes with me because I look like an x-marine. But it is really safe here. The food is awful so I brought plenty of Kaopectate.
I also brought a small heater but I can�t use it because the voltage is too much (600 watts).
I set up interviews with 5 language schools (1 for each day) for the following week. I was offered 4 jobs, the fifth school I didn�t like. The best offer is 170 mx per hour and I only want to work 15-20 per week. The companies where I will be teaching are all within Chapultipec and are just a 20-30 mx taxi ride from my house.
They all want me to get an FM3 which is cool. But I need a letter from the school. The school said they�ll give me one after they see me teach but in the mean time I�m suppose to get someone with a �recibo� so I can start right away. I have some friends here that will help me out with that. My question is if I get the letter and FM3 will I be indentured to that one school?
Thanks in advance for your replies.

[notamiss]

The FM3 will have an annotation stating where you are authorized to work. If the application is made for authorization for you to work at that school, it will say you are only authorized to work at that school. You won't be indentured, but to get authorization to work somewhere else, or independently, you would have to apply for a change of employer and pay the fee. http://www.inm.gob.mx/index.php?page/PERMANECER_MXICO_CAMBIAR_ACTIVIDAD

Fee: http://www.inm.gob.mx/index.php?page/DerechosconsultaDSMO (Article 13-IV).

[bobbyb]

Thanks for the response. I did previously read that site and it says;

Quote from site
You must have a job offer in Mexico. The company, institution, or person in Mexico that intends to employ you must process your working papers with the National migration Institute. The requisites are as follows:
end of quote.

Hence my confusion

[bobbyb]

Sorry I was just glossing over the site I guess. Now I'm reading;

�If the applicant is an individual, s/he must:



�Prove that s/he engages in business activities.



�If s/he is a foreign national, valid migration form.


So it's just as easy as it reads?
How do I prove I engage in business activity?

[bobbyb]

I'm gonna leave any further disscusion about FM3/2 to other threads on this site. It's just a little confusing with everyones story being a bit different. I'm taking my friend with me to the immigration office and see what it is that I need exactly.

[Tretyakovskii]

Hey, bobbyb, you must have set a record for getting on, and off, a question on this board- just five hours!

You asked:

[Samantha]

Bobbyb, you are exactly right in your assumption that the work permission can be confusing, hence, your plan is a good one. Not only is every situation different, but the Immigration office in your area will handle it differently than the Immigration office in my area. So reading and reading here may well just muddy the waters for your personal situation.

Speaking directly to Immigration in Mexico City, and explaining clearly what you intend to do, is the correct thing, and it won't seem so complicated after that. Notamiss supplied good information on how to change or expand your status, if you choose to work elsewhere in addition to your first job, or change jobs completely. Save that link. Good luck. It sounds like things are going great for you, already. Keep in touch and let us know how it goes.

[bobbyb]

Tretya I did thank notamiss for the post. It is a good answer however the site notamiss gave has a few contradictions which confused me a little. Then having read the FM3 threads here did muddy the waters further and I decided that after 5 hours of reading to just leave it to those other threads. But this is my situation and thread and having slept on it I need to ask some more questions that my research has required me to ask.

Would I be in a stronger position if I had an FM3 independent or an FM2 before I even have an interview?

Would it be more cost effective to be independent? Given the reputation of language schools and my independent nature I may have to go through a few schools before I find one I like. This way may save me money by not having to change my status every time I move, not to mention the propina I�ll have pay for the temporary recibo.

Thank you for your replies

[notamiss]

An independent is certainly better, but will you be able to get it?

Let my tell you my migration path, as one possible route. 1) Employer-specific visa. 2) Dumped by employer. 3) Converted to independent without having to supply activity-specific degrees (just my degree in another field entirely). If I had gone for the independent from the start it would be less likely that I could have got it, since my degree has nothing to do with my work.

You mentioned "FM3 or FM2", and it might be helpful to know the difference between them. The conceptual difference is that the FM2 is for the long term; it's the visa for foreigners who expect to stay in Mexico for good. The practical difference is that 1) with FM2 the amount of time you are allowed to spend outside of Mexico is more limited; and 2) annual renewal on the FM2 is more expensive but you only have to do it for 5 years, then nothing. In contrast you have to keep renewing the FM3 every year as long as you keep residing in Mexico.

[Phil_K]

...but its unlikely you'd get an FM2 unless you had a large amount of money to invest in Mexico, got a job as a CEO or married a Mexican national! Normally you have to hold an FM3 for five years before getting an FM2.
See, it's all getting muddy again, isn't it?

[wildchild]

[Phil_K]

[wildchild]

haha and put out the joint!

[bobbyb]

Buena That�s good stuff now we�re back on track. I�m going back to plan A it seems to be working pretty smooth so far. Tell me if I�ve got this right.

Go to immigration office and apply for a school sponsored FM3 with my docs and the school letter�.money.
Wait.

Receive FM3 register at Hacienda (SAT) for my RFC.
This should be my own number and not the schools�(if the school is performing this registration for me.) If they do register for me how can I ensure that they don�t use their number?
Wait

Receive authorization to have recibos printed.
I and the school fill out the recibo.
Take recibo to the bank pay taxes (16%) and get the rest

[Phil_K]