I understand your need to keep busy while living abroad. Remember, as was mentioned, like in Canada,
Mexico does not want anyone working in
Mexico if it's going to take a job away from a Mexican. Makes sense, of course. If you're looking for a job, wages are going to be considerably lower than what you're used too. If it's keeping busy that you are concerned with more than the money, look into volunteering your time. Helping new ex-pats with the transition is one way of doing it. Go to the English library and begin making your connections. You'll meet a lot of fellow patriots there.
If you're looking to start a business, small or large, you'll need to form a corporation. The cost of doing that is about 1800-2200 US. After you form your corporation, you'll also need to get the appropriate FM-3's. You must be in
Mexico for at least 4 weeks while the application is in process. You can't get these work FM-3's at any foreign Mexican consulate, such as the one in Canada. You must be in
Mexico to get them.
You can do the process yourself, if you're comfortable doing so. Research how to do it first, or ask other ex-pats when you're in
Mexico how to do it. Doing it yourself I believe will cost you about 150.00 p/p. Getting it done through a lawyer can be as much as 500 p/p.
As you form your corporation, you must create 'by-laws', that is what your corporation is going to do to generate money. Things such as opening a restaurant, buying a house and renting it out, etc...
Really, really, really look and understand the Mexican labour laws if you plan on hiring a Mexican. In fact, you would be wise to retain the attorney, or get another one that will help you with this. The Mexican labour law, in my opinion is little different than Unions in Canada and the US. I imagine they are the way they are because of the huge amount of abuse that Mexicans had to put up with from employers. If you hire a Mexican, you must have a clear and detailed contract written up regarding the details of their job, the hours they will be working, etc. You can hire a foreigner. But for every foreigner you hire, you must hire 8 Mexicans.
Getting complicated, isn't it? Depending how big you want it to get, it can get very complicated.
Instead of buying your house and getting a fideicomiso, you can put your house in the name of the corporation. There are positives and negatives in doing so, research first. But if you do so, your house must somehow be able to generate income (renting it out, fixing up and selling, etc...) All profits are subject to taxation from Hacienda (Rev Can, IRS, etc). I believe they are taxed at an atrocious 34%. You need a good accountant.
You can work down there without doing all of the above if you get paid from a foreign source. Internet business, working for your company on the computer, etc. But your pay must come from a foreign source and you can't be generating profits in
Mexico. I have a friend living in Merida who is an American accountant. He physically works there, but his profits are generated in the US. That would be okay.
Anyways, hope that helps some.
