divemaster looking for work in mexico

[sublime_descent61]

Hey all,

Thought posting on this forum was worth a shot, getting quite desperate :depressed:

Im making a trip to Mexico this coming May, and will be in in Mexico until mid-August. I think this is peak time for diving over there so am hoping with my fingers and toes very much crossed that I will find some work.

It is a bit mad booking my ticket and just hoping for the best, but my other half is in Mexico city at the moment on a university exchange and come June we intend on travelling down to the blue seas and hopefully each finding a job. I dont think my girlfriend should have too much of an issue as she is an instructor and speaks 5 languages ; whereas I speak fragmented spanish, russian (at best) and am a mere divemaster. The length of time we are going to be there for - 10 weeks is causing problems as well.

So my question remains does anyone now of any work available for a lowly british divemaster from June to mid-august? As in anything, im not even fussed on paid work, just so long as I can occasionally plunge into the blue.

Thinking of doing a RYA motorboat course so i could operate a RIB if that would be any help and have been keeping the ball rolling with a few rescue related skill development courses.

Any help, advice, suggestions or recommendations would be more than welcome

Cheers

Freddie

 

[Scuba Diver Mexico]

If you are going to work you will need al legal work permit en Mexico,

 

[Gaviota]

It may be an issue if you want to work legally, but for only 4 months. I am sure most employers would not want to go through the time or expense to be the sponsor of your FM3. This is especially true since there is a large pool of Mexican nationals with the same qualifications. And by law a business can have only a certain percent of foreign nationals in their employ. That is not to say it can not be done, since there are a number of foreign nationals working (legal?).

It would also depend if you can get an FM3 - really depends on the actual classification of the job and how it is submitted. Also, depending on the classification, your Spanish may need to be fluent (tourist related).

You may find a dive op that would pick you up 'under the table' .

The summer months of June, July and August are usually classified as low season. A large percent of business in July and August are Mexicans on vacation (Spanish).


Best wishes.

 

[divinglife]

Hey! Yes, getting an FM3 for work as a divemaster would be nearly impossible as that job is generally reserved for Mexican nationals. Besides that, it usually takes about 3-6 weeks to process it so it wouldn't really be much of an option in your case. To get a work visa to work in the tourism industry you do need to take a Spanish test to prove you can manage. You don't have to be fluent (god knows I know plenty of people who can barely get by) but you do need some semblance of Spanish.
Beware of companies that hire you under the table. IF you get caught (and I've seen random checks about twice a year) you will not be allowed to pick up your stuff, straight to some sorta holding area and then out of the country not able to re-enter for 5 years. In my opinion not really worth the risk.
BUUUUT, you may want to consider an internship type program just to gain some experience. The really large dive shops at big all-inclusives would be the best bet for that. Try Dressel Divers, Scuba Caribe, Pro-Dive, or Aqua-Inn. You would not need a work visa cause you are "training" not working. And they would be more likely to take on temporary people.
Also a little side note, July and August are HIGH season here in Playa. We get a lot of European tourists in the summer (not as much American and Canadian).
Hope that helps, PM me if you need more info.

 

[sublime_descent61]

Thanks very much that clears a-lot of questions up. Contemplating an IDC, my main concern is going there with nothing to do, although now looking to travel some place where there may be work available, fingers crossed, or chilling in the sun sounds very appealing.

Thanks again

Freddie

 

[sublime_descent61]

Thanks very much that clears a-lot of questions up. Contemplating an IDC, my main concern is going there with nothing to do, although now looking to travel some place where there may be work available, fingers crossed, or chilling in the sun sounds very appealing.

Thanks again

Freddie