New Mexican Foreign Worker's Policy??? what?

So, basically they are requiring a $500 fee and a three night stay. Then...if they feel like it they can also check the photographers credentials to make sure they are legal to be there.

 

It is two separate issues, that they are sort of trying to link together.

 

What I would surmise is that on top of the $500 and three night stay, if they feel like it they can hassle your photographer for their paperwork. If your photographer does not have all their t's crossed and i's dotted...... guess who will be photographing your wedding.....the resort photographer, and probably for a hefty fee.

 

I would raise holy hell with them about this.

I'm not paying a $500 outside vendor fee and a 3 night stay at resort.

 

My photographer is "Cancun Studios" -they don't need a room- how retarded would that be? Plus, I know the resort is booked the weekend I'm getting married bc a few guests tried to book last minute...

 

I just emailed Valeria for some clarification. The original agreement I had with her, was the $500 outside vendor fee, and I'm not doing anything above that. I will pay the vendor fee and the photographer will have the appropriate gov't paperwork. I am "scheduled" to give the resort over $6K for the wedding stuff this Friday--- I do not want to be forced to do something drastic, but I will not do both- the 3 nights and the $500 fee.

Yes - this was the new policy, as stated in the new contract they had all the brides resign back in Dec/Jan.
It's totally insane!

i just got off the phone with my TA. She told me that she thinks its totally bullshit. the mexican policy shouldn't apply to the photographers who are coming in from out of coutnry to shoot 1 wedding and they leave.
They are working for the foreign clients, not any local businesses.
Further, as in my case - they are not being paid for it. So basically it's like I have a friend coming in to shoot the wedding, who just happens to be a professional photographer by job.

She also told me, that based on her dealings with flying into mexico for her travel agency business, that she does not have to check the 'I am here for business' box - since she was not conducting business in mexico. She says the same analysis would apply to foreign photographers coming in - in these type situations (for 1 wedding only). She advised me to have our photographers check the "I am a tourist" box!

You just summed up the reasoning for all of these issues beautifully.........

I just paid the resort for everything but the three day passes last week. This Friday I'm going to be paying them for the day passes and their per person charge for our private events. This is a good week for the resort, huh?!

Crazy--- I have my signed application with the resort that I did last June (June 2007)- I haven't signed anything since then. I re-forwarded that to Valeria and asked her to confirm that I'm all set with paying the $500 vendor fee- the 3 night stay wasn't in my agreement. I will post when I hear back from her.

I"m too angry to even describe.

Exactly!! well put!

right now I'm just trying to find out if (a) they are going to honor my contract; and ( what the hell everyone who brings a Canadian/US photographer into mexico, to shoot their wedding only, has to get from the Mexican Government.
I have 1 call into the Calgary Mexican Consulate. an email into the Contact at the Mexican Consulate in Ottawa who deals specifically with Tourism & Economic affairs....we shall see what happens!!

I have been told FM3 visas are nearly impossible to get if you do not actually live in mexico for a period of time.

 

I couldn't find anything else for mexico, but if you were coming to the US for business, but getting paid from your home county you would need a B-1 visa.

I think you may be right Morgan!
thank-you for saying in more clear terms what i have been attempting to say! I don't think an FM3 is the required document for someone who comes in to shoot 1 wedding stays for a few days and leave.
I'm starting to get the feeling that nothing really is necessary for these type of situations. Although I'm still waiting to hear back from the Mexican Consulate...and the WC!

Here is my take for what it's worth! I was under the impression that Nationals of certain countries (including Canada and the US) can visit Mexico for up to three months without a visa but will need to be granted a work visa or permit to take up employment. If you are bringing a photog for a one time deal by law they are not "taking up employment" in Mexico. In my opinion, the problem arises when you have someone who goes down frequently to make a living on mexico soil - I can see how this would be considered to be taking up employment.