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lost in brooklyn

Jan 16, 2003, 8:00 PM

Post #1 of 6 (2687 views)

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Making a living without a work permit?

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Hey Group,

I may have to move to Mex soon. My Mexican wife is getting too homesick, and too cold after 9 yrs in NYC (it was a bitter 20 degrees today!) I have been down there a dozen times, but never longer then a couple of weeks, and always staying with her Mexican family or our Mexican friends. We would probaly settle in Cuernavaca to be close to her family. She can work , but we have a 4 month old, and Id rather that she helped me care for her. Enough background, here are my questions:

1. Can I own a business in Mex, with Mexican workers, without myself having a work permit? If so, can I activately manage it, or must it be considered like an investment only, with no or little intervention.

2. Are there any restrictions on someone without a work permit to run a internet business out of their home? The business would require Mexican goods, in small quantities to be sent via UPS to the US. If there are any restrictions, how would anyone know that I was running it?

3. Do you have any suggestions? We have enough money to live on for a couple of years, but Im worried about what then. All my experience is in managing businesses (17yrs), and my schooling is in Computer Information Systems (networks, internet, system analysis and design etc..)

Thanks in advance,

David

lin robinson

Jan 17, 2003, 7:38 PM

Post #2 of 6 (2284 views)

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Re: [lost in brooklyn] Making a living without a work permit?

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I don't understand why you don't just get a work permit. Having a Mexican wife will help you in your business dealings, of course...but why not just get your paperwork?
Also, why not form a Mexican corporation, or have your wife form one?

lost in brooklyn

Jan 17, 2003, 10:18 PM

Post #3 of 6 (2234 views)

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Re: [lin robinson] Making a living without a work permit?

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Lin,

Maybe you know some thing that I dont. I was told that I had to get 5 years of fm-3's to apply for a fm-2, inwhich I could finally be self employed. Is this not the case? If not, how do I go about getting a work permit sooner, without having a specific corporation sponsoring me? I would love to begin working soon after I arrive, but was led to believe that this was not legally possible, unless I had a specific sponsor for a specific job.

Thanks in advance,

David (freezing in NY)

jennifer rose

Jan 18, 2003, 6:36 AM

Post #4 of 6 (2202 views)

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Re: [lost in brooklyn] Making a living without a work permit?

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What you've been told isn't exactly so. Read everything at http://www.mexconnect.com/mex_/immigration.html.

There are plenty of approaches you can take, within the law, to accomplish your goal --- setting up your own company, being self-employed, possibly even working for your wife -- but it's best that you consult with an attorney in your destination in Mexico.

esperanza

Jan 18, 2003, 6:43 AM

Post #5 of 6 (2167 views)

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Re: [jennifer rose] Making a living without a work permit?

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It is probably worth mentioning that there are two types of FM3 visas: with and without a work permit. The FM3 visa (one-year permission to reside in Mexico) that does NOT have a work permit connected with it is best obtained in the USA prior to moving to Mexico. The work permit can be added later, when and if one has the opportunity to work.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

jespence97

Feb 18, 2003, 11:07 AM

Post #6 of 6 (2025 views)

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Re: [lost in brooklyn] Making a living without a work permit?

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If you have a FM-T, which is the minimum, you can go to the migration office and apply for a working fm-3 by telling them you want to start a business there, e.g., teaching English in your apartment. If you don't have full command of spanish, take a mexican friend with you. If you actually make money, you will have to register at the Hacienda in order to pay taxes, hire people, etc.
If this information is incorrect, please let us know. I know people who have done this and I intend to do this myself as soon as i renew my fm-t