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SaratheSlytherin
Joined: 21 Jul 2009
Posts: 137
Location: North Carolina
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 Posted: Tue Sep 21, 2010 6:40 pm Post subject: Properly apostilled university degree dilemna? |
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There is a long story behind this; please no rude or mean comments because I've done my best and this is a really upsetting situation. I screwed up too, I admit, but must figure out a solution.
I realize that in order to get a work permit in Mexico, you must have a properly apostilled university diploma. Like I said, this is a long story, but something happened to my original diploma and I just discovered this.
I called my college about getting a replacement diploma and they told me that it could take up to several weeks to replace the diploma. The trouble is, that I have to leave the country and in addition having it apostilled means a trip to Raleigh (which is two hours away from where I live).
I told the person at my college about my situation and that I must have it by the end of this week, and she says that the only person who can help me won't be in until tomorrow... so, I'll have to call her tomorrow. I've dealt with the university before and I refuse to accept no for an answer, but I'm so afraid they're not gonna budge.
I am freaking out because I'm so scared that I'm screwed. I am literally about to cry, and I know I'm opening the door to value judgements about me, but I don't know where else to go for help.
I know that the authorities in Mexico MUST have the required documents to issue me the work permit and that's that... but I don't want to give up.
Has anyone else been in a similar situation?
I know I've said this but please don't say anything rude or mean to me because I realize I screwed up and it won't help.
I just need to know a solution! Thanks if you can help!!
This TEFL job is my dream and I've sacrificed so much to get it. I risked my life (long story) to get a TEFL certificate and I want this so badly. |
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Guy Courchesne
Joined: 10 Mar 2003
Posts: 9650
Location: Mexico City
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| Posted: Tue Sep 21, 2010 7:20 pm Post subject: |
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| Can you not have someone else, like a family member - pick it up and courier it down to you in Mexico? Your tourist visa in Mexico is good for 180 days so you have time to get the FM3 processed. |
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SaratheSlytherin
Joined: 21 Jul 2009
Posts: 137
Location: North Carolina
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| Posted: Tue Sep 21, 2010 7:27 pm Post subject: |
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| Guy Courchesne wrote: |
| Can you not have someone else, like a family member - pick it up and courier it down to you in Mexico? Your tourist visa in Mexico is good for 180 days so you have time to get the FM3 processed. |
Thanks for your answer Guy!
*wipes away tears*
What would be involved in having it couriered to me? Is is possible to mail it?
I was really upset because I understand that I have to arrive with the university diploma in my possession- I can't start work without the permit, can I?
I would rather die than be deported from Mexico, even though I've never heard of anyone being deported!!
I appreciate your answer, though. I'm just confused... do I have to have it upon arrival?
My mom would be glad to pick it up for me, I'm sure. I just thought that I had to have it right away.
Thanks again for your answers... this means so much to me! And my college has been no help! |
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brian1972
Joined: 30 Mar 2007
Posts: 73
Location: Pachuca Mexico
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| Posted: Tue Sep 21, 2010 7:34 pm Post subject: |
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I was going to mention the tourist visa as well, it is plenty of time to figure things out.
I also want to mention that I am working this year in Mexico and did not have to get anything appostled for my FM3. The school sent an email with attachments about there being a new law in Mexico that no longer requires them. I don�t know how, but they are processing our visas without the appostle.
Just thought I would add that as well:) |
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Guy Courchesne
Joined: 10 Mar 2003
Posts: 9650
Location: Mexico City
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| Posted: Tue Sep 21, 2010 7:45 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| The school sent an email with attachments about there being a new law in Mexico that no longer requires them. |
Really? I would love to hear of someone else getting a new FM3 without an apostilled diploma - from abroad - to see if that's truly the case nationwide. Not doubting you Brian, just surprised by this.
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| What would be involved in having it couriered to me? Is is possible to mail it? |
To be safe, I'd have it sent by Fedex or another major courier. Regular mail in Mexico always leaves the chance it will be lost and this is an important document.
| Quote: |
I was really upset because I understand that I have to arrive with the university diploma in my possession- I can't start work without the permit, can I?
I would rather die than be deported from Mexico, even though I've never heard of anyone being deported!!
I appreciate your answer, though. I'm just confused... do I have to have it upon arrival? |
Don't worry, you won't be deported. You get the tourist visa on the plane good for 180 days. You take your visa and diploma along with other paperwork (or your employer does it) down to immigration and apply for the FM3. As long as you do before your tourist visa expires, you're fine.
Technically, you should not start work until you have the FM3 in your hands. I think it's common practice to start work anyway as it takes about 4 weeks to get the FM3 after you've applied. Talk to your employing school about this. |
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TeresaLopez
Joined: 18 Apr 2010
Posts: 601
Location: Mexico City
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| Posted: Tue Sep 21, 2010 7:49 pm Post subject: |
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| Do you have a jop offer in hand? If so, you might not need the diploma. They don�t always ask for it if you have a letter from your employer. Also, it is fairly common to start work while your visa is being processed, I know of many big chains that do it. I wouldn�t recommend mailing it through regular mail, but there is FedEx, DSL, etc., here so you shouldn�t have any problem getting it within a few weeks. When are you coming to Mexico, and where? |
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TeresaLopez
Joined: 18 Apr 2010
Posts: 601
Location: Mexico City
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| Posted: Tue Sep 21, 2010 7:55 pm Post subject: |
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| Also, if you have, or are getting, a TESOL certificate, you won�t need both. And if you get the TESOL certificate here in Mexico you won�t need it apostilled. Also, if you get a job with a chain school that offers in-house training, they will also issue a certificate from their training program that is acceptable to Migration. So there are several possible solutions. |
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notamiss
Joined: 20 Jun 2007
Posts: 908
Location: El 5o pino del la CDMX
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| Posted: Tue Sep 21, 2010 9:51 pm Post subject: |
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| SaratheSlytherin wrote: |
What would be involved in having it couriered to me? Is is possible to mail it?
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About $25�85 (dollars) when I had a document the size of your diploma sent. Depends on the service you choose. The $25 was USPS with some special service, Registered Mail, I think. It takes just as long or longer than a regular letter, and there is no trace on it while it's underway, so when it�s MIA, no one can tell you where it is, or whether it�s lost or still on the way. However it�s supposed to be more �secure� than regular First Class International. The higher figure was for 2-day delivery by one of the big courier companies, and it was over 10 years ago, so it�s probably more expensive by now.
I�ve never had anyone agree with me on this, but in my personal experience the official mails have performed just as reliably as couriers (or you could put this sentence the other way around�) |
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TeresaLopez
Joined: 18 Apr 2010
Posts: 601
Location: Mexico City
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| Posted: Tue Sep 21, 2010 10:18 pm Post subject: |
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| notamiss wrote: |
I�ve never had anyone agree with me on this, but in my personal experience the official mails have performed just as reliably as couriers (or you could put this sentence the other way around�) |
I agree with you. My husband regularly mails packages all over Mexico as well as abroad for his business, with only one loss in the last year - and we aren�t completely sure it WAS really lost. But old perceptions die hard, the Postal Service has made vast changes in the last few years, but most people still don�t want to take the chance. |
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Guy Courchesne
Joined: 10 Mar 2003
Posts: 9650
Location: Mexico City
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| Posted: Tue Sep 21, 2010 10:38 pm Post subject: |
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| Old habits indeed...I haven't had anything lost through regular mail in years now, incoming and outgoing. When I first arrived 10 years ago, I would lose about half of what was sent. Big change. Mail takes about 10-14 days to arrive now from Canada. |
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brian1972
Joined: 30 Mar 2007
Posts: 73
Location: Pachuca Mexico
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| Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2010 7:02 pm Post subject: |
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[quote="Guy Courchesne"]
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Really? I would love to hear of someone else getting a new FM3 without an apostilled diploma - from abroad - to see if that's truly the case nationwide. Not doubting you Brian, just surprised by this. |
Will keep you posted on this. We brought nothing appostled as they sent an email explaining the changes. If I dig through my email I can probably find it. I will PM you the info... if there is anything worth reading. |
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