Job Discussion Forums

brian1972 · Joined: 30 Mar 2007 Posts: 73 Location: Pachuca Mexico

The school we are working for will pay for our FM3 visas, but not for our kids. I know it is a work visa and obviously they are not working... but what do kids do in that situation?? Is their another visa option?
I am thinking we will go back to the States for Christmas, thus leaving before 180 days is up. When we return, will they be given another 180 on their passport? Do you think immigration will have any issues with that?
Thanks for your thoughts.

TeresaLopez · Joined: 18 Apr 2010 Posts: 601 Location: Mexico City

Unless things have changed your children under 15 can be added on YOUR FM3. Have you asked your employer about that? They should have a lawyer than handles that. Also, supposedly, with the new regulations, each person is only able to be in Mexico for a maximum of 180 days, but if you leave in December and return in January that would probably work for the present time.

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

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

TeresaLopez · Joined: 18 Apr 2010 Posts: 601 Location: Mexico City

I thought the whole point of changing the system was so people couldn't just live in Mexico for an extended time on a tourist card. But I don't think the people at Immigration are all clear on the new rules. If you can just keep leaving every 6 months like you always could, then that hasn't changed at all. Anyway, to address the OP's questions, your children under 15 should be on YOUR FM3, not on a separate one. Can you read Spanish at all? If so, you can send a question to them via email, and they will actually answer. Otherwise, if the school is doing the paperwork, I would ask them, surely they will have dealt with people with children before.

brian1972 · Joined: 30 Mar 2007 Posts: 73 Location: Pachuca Mexico

hmmm. When I asked the school about it they said that they could "take care" of the kids visas but that it would cost around 200usd per kid. Would this make sense if they were just including the children on our FM3's?

So it sounds like the 180 days on your tourist visa renews if you leave the country. So... instead of including my kids on the FM3, can I just take them home at Christmas and summer break and call it good??

I would really rather not pay 400usd to include them if I am going to go home to the States twice per year anyway.

Thanks again!

MotherF · Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2010 6:42 pm Post subject:

Not my children (they are Mexicans) but children of colleagues, have received their own FM3, as financial dependents of their parents. These cost the same as an adult one, and you can start the tramite once you have your FM3. If you plan on enrolling them in a public school, I think they will need to show that they are residents, not tourists. If you do not plan on enrolling them in a public school I personally think you should keep them as tourists for the time. It will be easier and you very well may find that living in Mexico doesn't work for your family.