Expat Exchange
Free MembershipSign In

Mexico Expat Forum

Thinking about moving to Mexico

New Topic Newest First
Gabriel069
  7/30/2009 19:18 EST

We intend to visit Mexico this winter , Puerto Vallarta more precisely and if everything goes well , I will move there with my wife . I wonder what are the conditions for a Canadian citizen to obtain Mexican residence . I am 40 and my wife is 39 so we are far from retiring , therefore we will have to find jobs or open a business . What authorizations do we need for that ?

gpk
  7/31/2009 08:15 EST

Books have been written about all of this--there is no easy answer other than that, yes, it is possible. Jobs do not pay well--so if a business is an option, figure out what that will be.

Welcome Home MexicoWelcome Home Mexico
Connect

Welcome Home Mexico occupies a niche in the market as a successful relocation and real estate firm helping expats moving to Mexico! As seen on CBS news, PBS, in the L.A. Times and more, we are one of the leading companies in this field. Welcome Home Mexico offers a wide range of services, multi-lingual knowledgeable brokers with experience, efficient and professional service.

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

Welcome Home MexicoWelcome Home Mexico

Welcome Home Mexico occupies a niche in the market as a successful relocation and real estate firm helping expats moving to Mexico! As seen on CBS news, PBS, in the L.A. Times and more, we are one of the leading companies in this field. Welcome Home Mexico offers a wide range of services, multi-lingual knowledgeable brokers with experience, efficient and professional service.
Connect

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

RVGRINGO
  7/31/2009 08:57 EST

You will require an FM3 Visa to reside in Mexico. Formal residency is obtained with the FM2 Visa, which costs more and has some travel restrictions. Neither visa permits you to work without specific government permission and both do require that you submit proof that you have foreign income/resources to maintain yourself in Mexico. Plan to do that for a couple of years, at least. Mexican wages are very, very low and foreigners are discouraged from working. Major investors, however, are very welcome.

Gabriel069
  8/8/2009 12:38 EST

Thank you all for your replies to my question , I will look into the visa matter . I know I don't qualify as a "major " investor , I am self employed in Canada and I intend to keep the same status in Mexico too , there are two areas I am qualified in , construction (carpentry and other handy work and hardwood flooring) and auto repairs (brakes , mufflers and suspension) . Do you think opening a small business in these areas would be a good idea ?

RVGRINGO
  8/9/2009 09:39 EST

The short and sweet answer is that you cannot work in Mexico without federal government permission from INM. It isn't easy to get and is virtually impossible without the assistance of an employer wanting you because a Mexican national can't do the job. Mexico protects its people from outside competition. There is no home building from lumber in Mexico, it is all masonry. A 'carpintero' in Mexico is more of a cabinetmaker and there are may who are unemployed at this time. Auto mechanics are on every corner and a foreigner wouldn't be likely to survive the local competition or make a decent living. To get the FM3 visa, you will need to prove foreign income and/or resources to support yourself in Mexico, and do so every year, until you could find a sponsoring employer to apply for working permission from the government. If you can't make it in Canada, you surely won't make it in Mexico; harsh news, but the truth.

MegSondey
  8/9/2009 13:41 EST

I can't really imagine how you would get a job in either of those areas as there are more than enough Mexicans already doing those jobs. I'm only speaking from my own experiences in the city of Torreon, but I can't imagine that even in a tourist area there would be much demand (much less government approval) for a foreigner to do those sorts of jobs.

Welcome Home MexicoWelcome Home Mexico
Connect

Welcome Home Mexico occupies a niche in the market as a successful relocation and real estate firm helping expats moving to Mexico! As seen on CBS news, PBS, in the L.A. Times and more, we are one of the leading companies in this field. Welcome Home Mexico offers a wide range of services, multi-lingual knowledgeable brokers with experience, efficient and professional service.

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

Welcome Home MexicoWelcome Home Mexico

Welcome Home Mexico occupies a niche in the market as a successful relocation and real estate firm helping expats moving to Mexico! As seen on CBS news, PBS, in the L.A. Times and more, we are one of the leading companies in this field. Welcome Home Mexico offers a wide range of services, multi-lingual knowledgeable brokers with experience, efficient and professional service.
Connect

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

Gabriel069
  8/9/2009 14:58 EST

So that's what you think , that we want to move from Canada because we couldn't make it here??? Well , FYI we did make it , we both have good paying jobs ,own a house , She works in the insurance field and me , I have a small hardwood installation company .But is that all in life , work , make money and die ? maybe we don't like it very much here because of the climate ... so we are looking for a change . Maybe you couldn't make it in the USA either ? Sorry , I just couldn't help it .

RVGRINGO
  8/9/2009 20:55 EST

No need to be upset; you must know that there are a lot of young, unemployed or underemployed dreamers who simply think that they can run away to sunny Mexico and go to work. None of us can tell, from just a couple of posts, exactly your situation or how much you already know. As such, we may often give more information than you, as an individual, may need. We do that for the general reader, who may never actually post, but who may read this and other forums daily. You did inquire about working and/or opening a shop. Frankly, that's not easy and in those trades you might find yourself in trouble with the local 'sindicatos'. I personally know one such person, who did succeed in opening a successful shop, but soon had to sleep at a different place every night and then flee mexico for Europe on a late night flight. Some folks, who are trying hard to eke out a living, won't tolerate foreign competition. One should know all the potential pitfalls. Mexico welcomes retirees with pensions and resources, investors and some visiting professionals for specific purposes and limited time. Some international companies occasionally find a specialty that can't be filled in Mexico and they will bring in an expat and support them with the government visa requirements. So, you may have a lot more homework to do before pulling up stakes. You might want to take a long vacation to tour Mexico's varied geographical areas and explore your options. Both locals and expats will be glad to help you and advise you, but you'll have to accept their advice, based on years of experience. It is a different culture, where politeness and personal contacts mean everything. You won't change Mexico and you will have to do things in accepted ways. The first requirement in business would be fluency in Spanish.

SuzannaMaria
  8/10/2009 10:52 EST

Yes, Mexico is a beautiful place to live but a very challenging place for a foreigner to work. My husband and I have been in Mexico with our kids for 8 years now and I still do not have permission to work anywhere in Mexico. He started a business with a Mexican partner so he is alright and can sponsor the rest of us. I need to do my work on the internet. Note that we stilll have not been able to get permission for our children to work here either. We now need to get citizenship in order for our kids to be able to work here. I did recently find an eBook http://pathway100.com/?e=DreamWeaver that is full of online business ideas and the details of how to get started. I would recommend something like that or try timeshare in the big tourist areas.

Suzanne Marie Bandick www.SuzanneMarieBandick.com author of an eBook available at www.OnlyinMexicoYouSay.com

Gabriel069
  8/10/2009 18:14 EST

I didn't think it was going to be easy , I try to get the best image I can about the situation from here for how . I know a person from mexico , who is now in Canada , and she said that her father might be able to help . He is an architect and owns a few businesses . Time will tell... Thank you very much for all the info and advice .
Gabriel

Gabriel069
  8/10/2009 18:27 EST

No , I am not upset and actually do appreciate your advice . I am not the young dreamer anymore . I am not willing to make a change like I did back in the mid 90"s when I left Europe with just a dufflebag and when friends asked me where I'm going and what I intend to do I replied "I'm going to America and we'll see about the rest ". Now I am older , married , with some achievements that I don't want to lose and also responsabilities . This is why I am addressing you , good people on this forum for info and help to get a picture as accurate as possible about Mexico . Thank you very much ,
Gabriel

Welcome Home MexicoWelcome Home Mexico
Connect

Welcome Home Mexico occupies a niche in the market as a successful relocation and real estate firm helping expats moving to Mexico! As seen on CBS news, PBS, in the L.A. Times and more, we are one of the leading companies in this field. Welcome Home Mexico offers a wide range of services, multi-lingual knowledgeable brokers with experience, efficient and professional service.

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

Welcome Home MexicoWelcome Home Mexico

Welcome Home Mexico occupies a niche in the market as a successful relocation and real estate firm helping expats moving to Mexico! As seen on CBS news, PBS, in the L.A. Times and more, we are one of the leading companies in this field. Welcome Home Mexico offers a wide range of services, multi-lingual knowledgeable brokers with experience, efficient and professional service.
Connect

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

homesweetmexico
  8/11/2009 10:33 EST

Gabriel,

Mexican people are usually so wonderful and offer whatever help they can. It is rarely as much as it sounds like so don't count on it.

Regards, Julia C. Taylor
Author of Mexico: The Trick is Living Here and creator of www.home-sweet-mexico.com

Gabriel069
  8/12/2009 19:16 EST

Julia , I am not quite sure what to understand , could you be more specific please ?

RVGRINGO
  8/12/2009 21:08 EST

Perhaps Julia is trying to tell you that most Mexicans aren't aware of the immigration restrictions and requirements for foreigners living in Mexico. As such, they may offer you suggestions, or even a job, which you can't accept because INM won't give you the necessary working permission on your visa. In fact, they may not even be aware of the need for you to have a visa, no less government permission to work at a specific job. So, as helpful as they may try to be, you can't accept the help, putting you in the culturally difficult position of having to refuse a kindness. In addition, Julia may be hinting at the Mexican trait of always wanting to make everyone happy, thereby telling you what they think you want to hear. They avoid 'no' at all costs.

homesweetmexico
  8/12/2009 21:51 EST

RVGRINGO, I am astounded. You always hit the nail right on the head. You got all of the nuances.

Gabriel,

Look at it this way. Imagine your father owns some businesses back in Europe. You meet someone who wants to move to your home country. You think he/she's nice so you say maybe your father can help. Could it possibly be that with that one contact they would be all set-up to move to Europe and work? Nope. There's way too much involved.

As RVGringo said, Mexicans always try to make everyone happy. Also, as he says, you can't accept the help. You have to get your own permission to work in a foreign country.

Regards,
Julia C. Taylor, author of Mexico: The Trick of Living Here and creator of www.home-sweet-mexico.com

mathew
  8/19/2009 09:54 EST

I used MexicoMovingCompany.com for my move from California to Mexico City and everything went smoothly. They have an online quote form you can fill out at www.MexicoMovingCompany.com

srivas
  9/22/2009 03:35 EST

Hi! Citizens of the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and much of Western Europe need no visa to enter Mexico as tourists for less than 180 days. Other Western Europeans can stay for 90 days.
If you plan to visit Mexico on an extended stay for business reasons, then you are likely to be need one of these permits, although the normal FMT entry card (see Tourist Permits, above) now have a business section included for business travelers on temporary visits, so if your stay will only be temporary (see above) avoid the paperwork and administration charges involved with this permit and use the FMT instead.

For extended stays in Mexico, you must apply for the Visitors permit (usually an FM3) through your company and state what the purpose of the visit is, and how long it is likely to take. There are also some forms to fill out and a handling fee to pay. You can download the forms, and find out the latest fees and process by contacting your local Mexican Consulate. Visitor's Permits are issued for up to one year, and are renewable four times, for a maximum of one year each time - for a total maximum period of five years.
Immigrant Permits are issued to foreign nationals who have the intention of gaining permanent residency in Mexico. Under immigrant schemes, you are permitted to reside in the country, provided that you fulfil certain criteria (as specified by the type of permit) for a period of up to one year.

The permit must be renewed annually for a further four years in order for you to be able to apply for full residency status. If you wish to remain in Mexico as a "resident alien" after five years, you must apply for full residency status (there is a specific procedure to follow), and have this accepted. Once your application has been accepted and your "FM2" has been issued you are entitled to full rights and responsibilities as any other Mexican Citizen, with the exception of the right to vote.

Upon receiving this status, you will receive a document that looks like a Mexican Passport (called a "FM2") -- newer versions look like a driver's license -- which enables you pass through Mexico's borders as if you were a Mexican National. You do not need to surrender your national passport, which you'll use when you return to your home country: either for visits, or when returning home to dwell. If you stay outside of Mexico for longer than 2 years, or for 5 years in any 10 year period, you will lose your resident status in Mexico.

Regards
Mrs. Sonia Rivas
www.businessconsultingmexico.com

Welcome Home Mexico
Welcome Home Mexico

Welcome Home Mexico helps you find the perfect home in Mexico.
Learn More

Welcome Home MexicoWelcome Home Mexico

Welcome Home Mexico helps you find the perfect home in Mexico.
Learn More

Living in Mexico GuideLiving in Mexico Guide

Our Living in Mexico Guide is an introduction to everything about the basics for moving to Mexico: best places to live, cost of living, pros and cons, healthcare and insurance, and more.

Mexico Forum Mexico Forum
Join our Mexico forum to meet other expats and talk about living in Mexico.

Contribute to Mexico Network Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Mexico.

Best Places to Live in Mexico Best Places to Live in Mexico

If you're thinking about living in Mexico, here are the 15 Best Places to Live in Mexico in 2023.

Healthcare in MexicoHealthcare in Mexico

If you're moving to Mexico or an expat living in Mexico, understanding the Mexican healthcare system is essential. We offer an overview of the public and private healthcare systems in Mexico, health insurance for expats in Mexico, hospitals and prescription drugs.

Cost of Living in MexicoCost of Living in Mexico

Expats offer insight into the cost of living in Mexico.

Moving to MexicoMoving to Mexico Guide

Expats in Mexico share important tips for people preparing to move to Mexico. From banking in Mexico to finding a safe city, read these 8 tips before moving to Mexico.

Real Estate in MexicoReal Estate in Mexico

Real estate listings in popular cities and towns in Mexico.

Pros Cons of Living in MexicoPros & Cons of Living in Mexico

Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats have to say about the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards of living in Mexico.

Retiring in MexicoRetiring in Mexico

Advice for people retiring in Mexico.

Visa and Residency MexicoMexico Visa & Residency Guide

If you plan to move to Mexico, you'll need to understand the process involved and the order in which requirements need to satisfied. Here is an excellent primer on what you'll need to do regardless of the amount of time you plan to spend in Mexico.

10 Tips for Living in Mexico10 Tips for Living in Mexico

If you've recently arrived in Mexico, here are 10 tips for digital nomads living in Mexico.

Welcome Home Mexico
Welcome Home Mexico

Welcome Home Mexico helps you find the perfect home in Mexico.
Learn More

Welcome Home MexicoWelcome Home Mexico

Welcome Home Mexico helps you find the perfect home in Mexico.
Learn More

Contribute to Mexico Network Contribute
Help others in Mexico by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Mexico.

GeoBlue
GeoBlue

Copyright 1997-2024 Burlingame Interactive, Inc.

Privacy Policy Legal