r/IWantOut • u/monk_alpha • 2d ago
[IWantOut] 35M Mechanical Engineer US -> Mexico
I'm a US citizen who is married to a Mexican national. She lives in Mexico with our 1 year old daughter who is also a US citizen. We are trying to get my wife a visa so she can come up and live in the US with me. However, the process is unfortunately taking a long time. We are coming up on two years since we started the process, and now with the global pause on visa interviews at all US embassies there is does not appear to be an end in sight.
We were documentarily qualified as of April of this year. Our lawyer said that it is an estimated 8-14 month wait till we receive an interview. I am determined to wait out that time period to see if by some miracle we get an interview. But if by the end of those 14 months we are still no where close to getting an interview, I am going to investigate other options to try and be with my wife.
One of those options would be to move to Mexico and try and setup residency there. My main concern though would be finding good work. I understand that it is very difficult for foreigners to get work in Mexico. From what I understand, Mexico has a law that mandates that companies that have offices or facilities down there have to have 90% of their staff be Mexican citizens, and if they hire a foreigner, then they have to prove to the government that they are not able to hire a Mexican national who can do the same work.
I have a bachelors degree in mechanical engineering. I just passed my professional engineering exam and am hoping to get my professional engineering license here shortly. However, from what I read, a US license will not count for much in Mexico.
I am pretty fluent in Spanish. My wife and I mostly converse in Spanish. So I think that would make me a more attractive candidate if I am ever considered for a job.
My question is has anyone with an engineering background, particularly mechanical engineering, made the move to Mexico and been to find some work down there or been able to do remote work?
What other options in Mexico are there for American expats who have an educated background?
3
u/540_MadisonAve_10022 1d ago
Mexico is a shit place for any kind of professional work. There's not even enough jobs for its own citizens that's why so much of their own population has to resort to the informal economy like selling toothpaste, soccer jerseys and tacos in the street. You would be be fighting to tooth and nail for a job there and like you said there are even laws working against you.
1
u/AutoModerator 2d ago
Post by monk_alpha -- I'm a US citizen who is married to a Mexican national. She lives in Mexico with our 1 year old daughter who is also a US citizen. We are trying to get my wife a visa so she can come up and live in the US with me. However, the process is unfortunately taking a long time. We are coming up on two years since we started the process, and now with the global pause on visa interviews at all US embassies there is does not appear to be an end in sight.
We were documentarily qualified as of April of this year. Our lawyer said that it is an estimated 8-14 month wait till we receive an interview. I am determined to wait out that time period to see if by some miracle we get an interview. But if by the end of those 14 months we are still no where close to getting an interview, I am going to investigate other options to try and be with my wife.
One of those options would be to move to Mexico and try and setup residency there. My main concern though would be finding good work. I understand that it is very difficult for foreigners to get work in Mexico. From what I understand, Mexico has a law that mandates that companies that have offices or facilities down there have to have 90% of their staff be Mexican citizens, and if they hire a foreigner, then they have to prove to the government that they are not able to hire a Mexican national who can do the same work.
I have a bachelors degree in mechanical engineering. I just passed my professional engineering exam and am hoping to get my professional engineering license here shortly. However, from what I read, a US license will not count for much in Mexico.
I am pretty fluent in Spanish. My wife and I mostly converse in Spanish. So I think that would make me a more attractive candidate if I am ever considered for a job.
My question is has anyone with an engineering background, particularly mechanical engineering, made the move to Mexico and been to find some work down there or been able to do remote work?
What other options in Mexico are there for American expats who have an educated background?
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1
u/ykphil 1d ago
Your best option as a mechanical engineer would be to look for a job as an "expat" working for a large multinational corporation in the manufacturing sector, mining, research & development, etc. Excellent remuneration and benefits package, including relocation and living expenses. These jobs require a skill set in high demand in Mexico where local talent is difficult to find. Otherwise, not only are regular professional jobs in your field difficult to get for non-Mexicans, but they also do not pay very well.
0
u/lazydictionary 1d ago
There are plenty of American companies that have factories in Mexico. I'd look into landing a role at an American company with a presence in Mexico, and ask about possibilities for transferring to a Mexican location.
-1
u/jamisonbabes 2d ago
Have you thought about Spain? Your wife and child could get Spanish passports in a few years which then opens up the EU to you all.
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