Mexico has recently become a popular destination for EFL teachers. Due to an abundant job market and attractive landmarks and climate, it is also a popular tourist and work destination for freelancers. Since Mexico doesn’t have strict work visa requirements, a TEFL certificate is a great way to obtain residence in this beautiful country and immerse yourself in its rich culture. Here’s all you need to know if you want to teach English in Mexico.
How to Get a Work Visa to teach English in Mexico?
There are almost no restrictions on who can apply for a Mexican work visa. Passports from most countries are accepted, and there are no age restrictions. However, you will need a TEFL certificate, albeit indirectly. As standard, EFL employers require a TESOL/TEFL certification from an accredited source. Other than that, you don’t require prior teaching or work experience, although that may be subject to change depending on your employment offer.
Article of interest: Is Online Teaching Certification Valid – Quick Guide
When applying for a work visa, you first need a proper offer of employment from a school or a similar EFL teaching service. You can then start the process of obtaining the visa by filling in an application form, downloadable from Mexico’s immigration website. Once the application has been processed, you’ll be asked for further documents and a fee. These include:
- Copies of your passport pages
- Five passport photos
- Confirmation of residential address during your stay
- Birth certificate with apostille
However, you can contact Mexico’s immigration website to get a better overview of the timeline and documents required and ask the future employer to help you out along the way. The current visa fee is $150 (payable in MXN).
Work visa obtainment might seem convoluted, as you’ll need to swap between various kinds of visas along the way. For example, you need to enter Mexico on a travel visa, apply for a resident visa, leave the country for the assessment period, and return after you’ve been accepted.
Are There Alternative Steps?
With the advent of online teaching methods, those that want to teach abroad don’t necessarily have to travel anywhere. Certain job offers provide remote teaching positions, allowing you to teach English in Mexico without leaving the comfort of your home. To find out which courses can get you a teaching job in Mexico, download our free TESOL/TEFL guide.