Mexico is a nation with a unique and iconic culture – a country of vibrancy, history and colour. If you dream of working abroad and would like to try living in Mexico, view our guide and apply today.
About Mexico
The distinctive culture of Mexico draws influences from the ancient Aztec and Mayan civilisations which covered the same landscape, as well as Mexico’s centuries spent as a Spanish colony. Evidence of the nation’s past can be seen as much in the architecture, cuisine, language and customs of today as in the surviving ruins of years gone by.
Spain conquered the area now known as Mexico in 1521 and only relinquished control when Mexico’s independence was recognised in 1821. To this day there are still strong similarities between aspects of the two nations.
Mexico is divided into 31 states and shares borders with the US, Belize and Guatemala. It’s also heavily populated with the nation being home to the largest Spanish speaking populous in the world.
Although there are many attractive qualities to Mexico – like its diverse terrain of forests, deserts, beaches, volcanoes, ancient ruins and bustling cities – the country also faces some serious issues.
Despite having a comparatively strong economy and being viewed as an emerging world power poverty is rife in parts of Mexico, and the country has experienced serious gang and drug related problems in recent years.
Visas
Mexican immigration laws and applications for visa’s and work permits may seem complex but if you familiarize yourself with the processes and restrictions the difficulties can be overcome!
If you plan on visiting Mexico for a limited period of time you will be issued with a non-immigrant visa (FMT & FM3). Application forms for FMT and FM3 visa’s can be sought from travel agents, airlines and Mexican consulates.
Tourist Visa
These are typically issued for periods of 90 days but can usually be renewed for a further 90 days.
FMT
This is a short-term non-immigrant visa. With this visa you may visit Mexico for up to 6 months.
FM3
This is a long-term non-immigrant visa and allows you to stay in Mexico for up to a year and can be renewed for four further years after that. Once the five years are up a second FM3 can be applied for. There are several categories of FM3 visa which reflect the purpose of your stay including visitor, student, journalist, artist, and athlete. Before you’re granted an FM3 visa you will need to prove you can support yourself financially, and if you intend to work in Mexico you will need to apply for a work visa/gain permission from the Mexican Immigration’s Office. It’s important to bear in mind that years spent in Mexico with a FM3 visa don’t count towards residency status.
FM2
If you intend to seek Mexican residency you will be issued with an immigrant visa (FM2). FM2’s are annually renewable and before you can apply for permanent residency you must live in Mexico on an FM2 visa for a minimum of five years. If you have this category of visa you’ll officially be classed as an immigrant. There are various types of FM2 visa that reflect the purpose of your stay in Mexico including; investor, scientist, retiree, professional, family member, assimilated individuals and trusted personnel. Again, if you intend to work in Mexico you will need to apply for a work permit/ seek permission from the Mexican Immigration’s Office.
If you acquire permanent residency status you will have all the rights of a Mexican citizen, baring the right to vote.
Once permanent residency has been obtained and you have lived in Mexico for five years Mexican citizenship can be applied for. Although marriage to a Mexican national can allow you to bypass the residency requirement to citizenship Mexican law does state that every citizen should know the basics of Mexican history and should be able to speak Spanish. Therefore, in order to obtain Mexican citizenship an exam on these areas must be passed.
To work in Mexico the Institute of Immigration will need to issue you with a work permit. A Mexico-registered employer will need to act as a corporate sponsor for your application. The employer must also provide the Mexican labour authorities with a work permit application accompanied by supporting documentation. The Institute of Immigration will process your case once your application’s been accepted and should get back to you within a month/month and a half. As soon as you arrive in Mexico you must register with the INM. This must be done within 30 days and all other members of your family must also register.
If the application is granted approval your work visa will need to be requested from the Mexican consulate and will be ready a week later. Remember, although spouses and children will receive ‘dependant’ visa’s they will need to apply for work permits separately if they intend to work.
Working in Mexico FAQ
Language
The level of English spoken in Mexico isn’t as high as in some nations so to get the most out of your new life you’ll need to learn the language. Not only will the locals appreciate the effort but there will be many situations in which a working knowledge of Spanish is essential. As with any language, there are a host of options available for learning Spanish. Pick the one that will work with your schedule and learning style. The rate you’ll learn Spanish is directly linked to the amount of effort you put in. Constant practice over a long period of time will yield the best results, but you can fit practice around a busy schedule. You might also find a practice partner useful. Through lively conversations you can encourage and test each other. If you don’t have a friend or family member who wants to learn Spanish you might be able to become involved in a language exchange!
Mexican Currency
Money makes the world go round, so before going abroad it’s a good idea to look into the currency of your chosen destination. In Mexico the currency is the Mexican Peso. One Peso can be divided into 100 Mexican centavos (cents). Notes come in denominations of 1,000, 500, 200, 100, 50 and 20 Mexican Peso’s whilst coins come in denominations of 10, 5, 2 and 1 Mexican Peso’s, 50 and 20 centavos.
It’s important to bear in mind the fact that 1,000 and 500 Mexican Peso notes are sometimes refused as they can be very difficult to change. Although foreign currencies can be changed into Mexican Peso’s at currency exchange kiosks and banks transferring your funds at the right time and getting the best exchange rate possible can save you money and really help your global transition. If you’re emigrating seeking advice from a trusted currency broker is really recommended.
Banks
If your stay in Mexico is likely to be of some duration you may want to consider opening a Mexican bank account. When opening a bank account in any country you should always shop around and chose a branch/account that gives you the best deal. If you intend to open a Mexican bank account you will be asked to supply a valid form of identification and proof of your address.
American/Canadian citizens and corporations can open US Dollar accounts in Mexico. There are several types of account open to foreigners, including checking, deposit and investment. Banking hours are typically 9:00am to 16:00pm Monday-Friday, although larger branches may be open longer and smaller branches may have reduced hours.
All of the larger Mexican banks will offer online banking facilities, and using this service can save you a lot of time and hassle! ATM machines are widely available across Mexico, although they’re often harder to track down in rural areas. As always, when withdrawing cash from ATM’s you should keep aware of your surroundings and take suitable precautions.