how about a job?

[kurant]

Are all expats transfered here? or is there anyone who is adventurous enough to move here and then start looking for a job? I am used to salaries in euros and dlls and I just can't believe salaries here, what do you guys think, whats the secret to get a good job in mex?

[synthia]

Other than jobs teaching English, I think it is very difficult to get a work permit. We've had posts from people who speak Spanish, are of Mexican descent, and have connections who have been told it really is almost impossible. As in most countries, you have to be doing a job a local can't do.

[RVGRINGO]

Kurant,
You must realize that many Mexicans will risk their lives to get to the USA to find a job in a field or a restaurant, etc. University educated professionals in Mexico are often found driving taxis or selling tacos on the street corner. For this reason, there are very strict laws which protect Mexicans and prevent foreigners from just coming to Mexico and taking a job. You would have to have absolutely unique skills, unavailable in Mexico, and also be fully fluent in Spanish to have much of a chance of getting working papers. I have known an expat who have worked legally, in unique circumstances, who were harassed by local unions, threatened when they wouldn't submit and, finally, had to leave the country quickly after a period of never sleeping in the same house two nights in a row. He's now keeping a low profile in Belgium.
I know you are trying to 'do your homework' and that is admirable. However, unless you have a company connection, are hired by them for an international assignment in Mexico with their support in getting working permits, you would be advised to visit Mexico as a tourist on your own resources, with no further plans for employment in the country.

[texasjack]

Originally Posted by RVGRINGO

Kurant,
You must realize that many Mexicans will risk their lives to get to the USA to find a job in a field or a restaurant, etc. University educated professionals in Mexico are often found driving taxis or selling tacos on the street corner. For this reason, there are very strict laws which protect Mexicans and prevent foreigners from just coming to Mexico and taking a job. You would have to have absolutely unique skills, unavailable in Mexico, and also be fully fluent in Spanish to have much of a chance of getting working papers. I have known an expat who have worked legally, in unique circumstances, who were harassed by local unions, threatened when they wouldn't submit and, finally, had to leave the country quickly after a period of never sleeping in the same house two nights in a row. He's now keeping a low profile in Belgium.
I know you are trying to 'do your homework' and that is admirable. However, unless you have a company connection, are hired by them for an international assignment in Mexico with their support in getting working permits, you would be advised to visit Mexico as a tourist on your own resources, with no further plans for employment in the country.

How then do you explain the hundreds of gringo real estate agents in the Chapala area?

[AdrianR]

Originally Posted by RVGRINGO

You must realize that many Mexicans will risk their lives to get to the USA to find a job in a field or a restaurant, etc.

Errmm...surely, and as a generalization, that applies to poorer, rural Mexicans, no? I know that here in Tampico we have no shortage of unskilled work and many youngsters from points south willing to do it.

University educated professionals in Mexico are often found driving taxis or selling tacos on the street corner.

Perhaps there are...somewhere. In five years here, I have yet to meet one. All my wife's friends are university graduates and work in professional positions. Some went to upmarket schools like the Tec de Monterrey, others just to the local state university - none of them has driven a cab, microbus or collectivo or operated a taco stand for income.

For this reason, there are very strict laws which protect Mexicans and prevent foreigners from just coming to Mexico and taking a job. .

Indeed, but I can't help thinking that the restrictions on even naturalized citizens working in the military and judicial services, airports and ports, merchant marine, oil and gas industries etc etc is more to do with 'protecting the Sovereignty of the Fatherland' as they like to say here.


There are always the options of starting a business on one's own - not too difficult given sufficient capital and working under the 'Regimen de Pequeños Contribuentes' - or even teaching...I would not stress the negative in the way that Sr. RVGringo does.

[Mateo]

Originally Posted by AdrianR

Errmm...surely, and as a generalization, that applies to poorer, rural Mexicans, no? I know that here in Tampico we have no shortage of unskilled work and many youngsters from points south willing to do it.



Perhaps there are...somewhere. In five years here, I have yet to meet one. All my wife's friends are university graduates and work in professional positions. Some went to upmarket schools like the Tec de Monterrey, others just to the local state university - none of them has driven a cab, microbus or collectivo or operated a taco stand for income.




Indeed, but I can't help thinking that the restrictions on even naturalized citizens working in the military and judicial services, airports and ports, merchant marine, oil and gas industries etc etc is more to do with 'protecting the Sovereignty of the Fatherland' as they like to say here.


There are always the options of starting a business on one's own - not too difficult given sufficient capital and working under the 'Regimen de Pequeños Contribuentes' - or even teaching...I would not stress the negative in the way that Sr. RVGringo does.

I would have to agree on this one. Also you could start a good e-biz and base your funds in your home country. Oh yah thats what I do! Its working great for me. So basically you just need to find yourself a Niche!

[RVGRINGO]

Good discussion! There are a lot of real estate sales people who were able to get working permission before a recent 'tightening' of the rules. Working on the internet is an option, basing payment in your home country, but that is not considered working in Mexico.
My purpose is not to sound negative but, rather, to make sure that some 'dreamer' doesn't end up stranded without funds in a place he doesn't understand.

[synthia]

We get a lot of extremely naive posts on all of these forums, sometimes after people have already quit jobs and taken other definitive actions without even verifying that they will be able to stay in the country longer than the typical tourist visa.

Many of them have never been outside the US before, and expect that things will work pretty much as they do in the US.

Nothing, by the way, that I have ever read anywhere suggests that it is easy for an expat to start a business in Mexico.

[RVGRINGO]

Very true. It isn't easy for anyone and the bureaucratic red tape and unexplained delays can be amazing. Then, there are the syndicates/unions with their demands for cash & more cash.

[synthia]

It's hard enough to adjust when you move to a different region of the US, let alone another country. I remember moving to Illinois and feeling this mild panic when I paid for my groceries at the supermarket, they were put in my cart, and the cart was wheeled away! Aaargh. I turned out that I was supposed to return to my car and drive up to a loading area, open my trunk, and let the attendant load my groceries, for a tip of course. But that sinking feeling as all the food as well as the things I got to set up the apartment rolled away...with my husband in graduate school and me still unemployed...