Visa problem

[jan82]

Hello everybody,
I am new to this forum and I have something on my mind I need a little advice for. Last March my wife and I have been to Playa for a month. Now we was planning to go again in September for 2.5 months. The thing is my wife needs a touris Visa to travel to Mexico, because she is a Malaysian national. She has been living and working in Europe for 18 years, but still has Malaysian citizenship. So for our March trip we had the visa issued from the Mexican embassy without any problems. Last week we went to the embassy again to request the Visa for our September trip and surprisingly it was declined. We had all the requested documents and credit cards, money and so on, but it was declined without giving us a clear reason. They told us we couldn't retry it for this time because it has already been declined, but we could ask again next year. They was a bit wondering this time, because we have already been in March, moreover they found it strange that we asked for a long period of 2.5 months. I mean I can go without a Visa as a European citizen, but can't bring my wife. I don't get it? Do they think my wife wants to illegally work in Mexico for 150 bucks a months? It's not the Us, it's Mexico, isn't it?
My question is, does anyone know if we can do something about this and get around this and get a Visa somehow? Even if not for this time, but we would like to go again in February. Does anyone know what I could to?
Please some advice. All help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance
Jan

[Andiline]

Have you checked the website of the embassy or consulate to find out what the reason might have been? Not sure there is a way around.

Andrea

[Jo]

Originally Posted by jan82

Hello everybody,
I am new to this forum and I have something on my mind I need a little advice for. Last March my wife and I have been to Playa for a month. Now we was planning to go again in September for 2.5 months. The thing is my wife needs a touris Visa to travel to Mexico, because she is a Malaysian national. She has been living and working in Europe for 18 years, but still has Malaysian citizenship. So for our March trip we had the visa issued from the Mexican embassy without any problems. Last week we went to the embassy again to request the Visa for our September trip and surprisingly it was declined. We had all the requested documents and credit cards, money and so on, but it was declined without giving us a clear reason. They told us we couldn't retry it for this time because it has already been declined, but we could ask again next year. They was a bit wondering this time, because we have already been in March, moreover they found it strange that we asked for a long period of 2.5 months. I mean I can go without a Visa as a European citizen, but can't bring my wife. I don't get it? Do they think my wife wants to illegally work in Mexico for 150 bucks a months? It's not the Us, it's Mexico, isn't it?
My question is, does anyone know if we can do something about this and get around this and get a Visa somehow? Even if not for this time, but we would like to go again in February. Does anyone know what I could to?
Please some advice. All help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance
Jan

Sorry to hear about this.
Sometimes the way the embassies and such work is weird.

I f.e. once got a visa for the longest possible period from the embassy here in Germany (180 days as far as I remember) and upon entering at the airport the guy looked at me all puzzled, asked where I got the document from and just crossed the days out to replace them with 90.

As for what you can do now- if I were you I would first of all try to get an insight into the juristics/regulations of this to see if there is a real base for this action or not. Not saying that there will be none, there probably is- but in the end sometimes you just end up with someone in a bad mood working on your papers.
So, if you have an insurance that covers lawyers I would try to get advice from a lawyer.

Also- have you spoken with the folks at the embassy in person or did all this take place via fax and/or email?
Sometimes it helps to show up in person.

If I were you- and esp. as you are planning to return many times more- I wouldn't go with any "shady options" that might pop up here and there.
La migra has been very harsh since years, and in case you get caught you could end up being prohibited to enter the country for a long time to come.

The only other option I can think of is to book flights that are rebookable, fly in as normal, get the 60 days at the airport, and then try to get them prolonged once you are there.
When my Mom came to visit me ten years ago that is what we did- and we had no problem with getting her stay prolonged to almost four months by going to the migra in Cancun, showing the money and such.

Or are they prohibiting your wife the entry alltogether this time???? Or just for the long stay?

Also- you mentioned plans to go in February. As far as I understand from your post they said next year will be no problem......so at least you would have that to look forward to.

As for "It's Mexico, not the US"- you would be surprised how many would do anything to get to stay there long term, even Europeans. Hence the strict regulations- they are just trying to protect the Mexicans that are looking for work, as if they didn't the whole Riviera would be full of Euros and other nationalities doing every job possible to stay, even if it pays low.

[jan82]

Originally Posted by Joana

Sorry to hear about this.
Sometimes the way the embassies and such work is weird.

I f.e. once got a visa for the longest possible period from the embassy here in Germany (180 days as far as I remember) and upon entering at the airport the guy looked at me all puzzled, asked where I got the document from and just crossed the days out to replace them with 90.

As for what you can do now- if I were you I would first of all try to get an insight into the juristics/regulations of this to see if there is a real base for this action or not. Not saying that there will be none, there probably is- but in the end sometimes you just end up with someone in a bad mood working on your papers.
So, if you have an insurance that covers lawyers I would try to get advice from a lawyer.

Also- have you spoken with the folks at the embassy in person or did all this take place via fax and/or email?
Sometimes it helps to show up in person.

If I were you- and esp. as you are planning to return many times more- I wouldn't go with any "shady options" that might pop up here and there.
La migra has been very harsh since years, and in case you get caught you could end up being prohibited to enter the country for a long time to come.

The only other option I can think of is to book flights that are rebookable, fly in as normal, get the 60 days at the airport, and then try to get them prolonged once you are there.
When my Mom came to visit me ten years ago that is what we did- and we had no problem with getting her stay prolonged to almost four months by going to the migra in Cancun, showing the money and such.

Or are they prohibiting your wife the entry alltogether this time???? Or just for the long stay?

Also- you mentioned plans to go in February. As far as I understand from your post they said next year will be no problem......so at least you would have that to look forward to.

As for "It's Mexico, not the US"- you would be surprised how many would do anything to get to stay there long term, even Europeans. Hence the strict regulations- they are just trying to protect the Mexicans that are looking for work, as if they didn't the whole Riviera would be full of Euros and other nationalities doing every job possible to stay, even if it pays low.

Thanks for your reply Joana. The problem is that my wife needs a Visa to go to Mexico even just for one day, so we can't go there and go to the imigration in Mexico. Basically we are not able to go at all. She needs to have a tourist Visa issued before going to Mexico.
We went to the embassy in person, was talking to them and was told we would have to call them a week later to know the result. When we called we was told that the Visa was rejected and when asking for a reason the lady on the phone told us she didn't know, because this was decided by the Consul. That's about it. No answers to any questions I asked, at all. Just a very unfriendley lady telling us to try again next year?
Like I can go alone, but cannot bring my wife?
Jan

[Jo]

Originally Posted by jan82

Thanks for your reply Joana. The problem is that my wife needs a Visa to go to Mexico even just for one day, so we can't go there and go to the imigration in Mexico. Basically we are not able to go at all. She needs to have a tourist Visa issued before going to Mexico.
We went to the embassy in person, was talking to them and was told we would have to call them a week later to know the result. When we called we was told that the Visa was rejected and when asking for a reason the lady on the phone told us she didn't know, because this was decided by the Consul. That's about it. No answers to any questions I asked, at all. Just a very unfriendley lady telling us to try again next year?
Like I can go alone, but cannot bring my wife?
Jan

Oh- durr, of course if she needs a visa she can't go via the tourista-route. I'm dumb sometimes.

If I were you here is what I would do now: try myself- or let a lawyer- to figure out the juristical regulations behind this. See what they are and if there is a gap.

Parallel to that I would get an appointment with the consul himself. Noone else. Then sit down with him, find out his reasons and such.

I guess that is all you can do, really- maybe there are indeed limitations to nationals of other countries to number of days they can spend in Mexico or such. Which is a bummer in your special case- but would make sense in other cases, probably.
As: many in Malaysia don't have that much money, so in their cases such prolonged travels would maybe indeed be suspicious- and unfortunately rules and guidelines usually are made up by what is "average" and not by what is "individual". Which is sad in cases like yours.

And that is why I would try to talk to the Consul in person- maybe the fact that she is based in Europe since 18 years and married to an EU member will change something if you talk to him face to face.

[jan82]

Originally Posted by Joana

Oh- durr, of course if she needs a visa she can't go via the tourista-route. I'm dumb sometimes.

If I were you here is what I would do now: try myself- or let a lawyer- to figure out the juristical regulations behind this. See what they are and if there is a gap.

Parallel to that I would get an appointment with the consul himself. Noone else. Then sit down with him, find out his reasons and such.

I guess that is all you can do, really- maybe there are indeed limitations to nationals of other countries to number of days they can spend in Mexico or such. Which is a bummer in your special case- but would make sense in other cases, probably.
As: many in Malaysia don't have that much money, so in their cases such prolonged travels would maybe indeed be suspicious- and unfortunately rules and guidelines usually are made up by what is "average" and not by what is "individual". Which is sad in cases like yours.

And that is why I would try to talk to the Consul in person- maybe the fact that she is based in Europe since 18 years and married to an EU member will change something if you talk to him face to face.

Well, the consul knows all of that. When requesting the Visa you need to leave copies of several requirements, such as credit cards, proof of income/work, proof of marriage, residence permit......and so on. We have left everything there, so he knows all of that. Same stuff we left when we went there the 1st time. 1st time was absolutely no problem, apard the very unfriendley staff in the Mexican embassy. Moreover the 1st time we left all documents in the morning and was told to pick up the Visa in the afternoon. This time they told us we had to wait for a week to have the answer? Moreover I don't think it should matter that Malaysia is not the richest country in the world (I guess it is even richer than Mexico), because my wife lives in Europe since 18 years, has studied here, worked, married....!
However I guess there is not much I can do?

[PlayadelSoul]

Believe it or not, Mexico is having a serious problem with illegal immigrants, as well. Many of these workers are coming from Asia, as evidenced by the recent scandal in Immigration with agents facilitating the entry of Chinese workers. It may be that your wife is suffering the consequences of the resulting crackdown. Not fair, but it happens.

[jan82]

Originally Posted by PlayadelSoul

Believe it or not, Mexico is having a serious problem with illegal immigrants, as well. Many of these workers are coming from Asia, as evidenced by the recent scandal in Immigration with agents facilitating the entry of Chinese workers. It may be that your wife is suffering the consequences of the resulting crackdown. Not fair, but it happens.

That might well be true, in fact I have heared about illegal Chinese workers, but thinking logical why would someone who has been living in Europe for 18 years, with a good job and good salary be imigrating illegal in Mexico. Doesn't make sense for me?

[Thor Henning]

In which country in Europe do you live? Shouldn't it be the easy for your wife to get citizenship from the country you live? That should have solved your problems.

[jan82]

Originally Posted by Thor Henning

In which country in Europe do you live? Shouldn't it be the easy for your wife to get citizenship from the country you live? That should have solved your problems.

That's another issue, but you think I don't know that this would resolve the problem? The country is France and the citizenship is on its way, but these things take time.

[Heather]

Originally Posted by jan82

That's another issue, but you think I don't know that this would resolve the problem? The country is France and the citizenship is on its way, but these things take time.

Thor was just trying to help, as is everyone posting on this thread. They don't know what you know, or don't know.

Good luck to you, I hope it works out and you can visit Mexico with your wife.

[jan82]

Originally Posted by Heather

Thor was just trying to help, as is everyone posting on this thread. They don't know what you know, or don't know.

Good luck to you, I hope it works out and you can visit Mexico with your wife.

Of course I appreciate Thor answering my post, but I obviously know that an European passport would resolve the issue!

[Thor Henning]

Originally Posted by jan82

Of course I appreciate Thor answering my post, but I obviously know that an European passport would resolve the issue!

I am sorry about your situation. I hope she will get her French passport soon. Good luck to you both!

[ElvisP]

All I could add is to try to set up or call for an appointment with the counsul. See if could do something. Talking nicely (and some times not nicely) goes a long way with Mexicans. Some counsulates don't have autonomy, they send the papers to Mexico and they make the decision there. I know because the mother on my child is from Macedonia (a country not recognized by half the world). She needs a Yugoslavian passport to travel abroad. When she got a visa for Mexico it was for 7 days and that was it.

Also, there's a lot of presure from the US on the Mexican visa issuing part. I know sounds silly, but that is what we were told. Canadians get the same presure from the US.

If it all fails, I sugest you take your money elsewhere. I think that to be the head of the immigration in Mexico you need to be totally illiterate, rude, corrupt, with an IQ of under 60 and lazy.

And before I get flamed, I have to say I am a born Mexican. It is ridiculous the way the INM in Mexico works. I would apply for a job with them but and fix the system, but the pay really sucks.

Good luck and if they still decline, I hope you tell them what you think, including what I think.

[Jo]

Originally Posted by jan82

Well, the consul knows all of that. When requesting the Visa you need to leave copies of several requirements, such as credit cards, proof of income/work, proof of marriage, residence permit......and so on. We have left everything there, so he knows all of that. Same stuff we left when we went there the 1st time. 1st time was absolutely no problem, apard the very unfriendley staff in the Mexican embassy. Moreover the 1st time we left all documents in the morning and was told to pick up the Visa in the afternoon. This time they told us we had to wait for a week to have the answer? Moreover I don't think it should matter that Malaysia is not the richest country in the world (I guess it is even richer than Mexico), because my wife lives in Europe since 18 years, has studied here, worked, married....!
However I guess there is not much I can do?

Nevertheless- I would make an appointment with him again and ask for the reasons to be told to you.
F.e. I went to the homepage of the embassy of Mexico in Malaysia today to see what it says there, where the problem might be- it said all about the card needed and such but it said nothing about regulations when it comes to travelling twice or longer.
So I would insist on another "date" with him to understand why this descsion was made.
And before the date I would talk to a lawyer to find out about the regulations!


As for the waiting time- I doubt that that has anything to do with the "no". Sometimes consulates are faster, sometimes slower- depending on how much work they have. I've experienced different speeds myself when dealing with them.


As for Malaysia being a rich or not so rich country (in fact I think you are underestimating how wealthy parts of Mexico are): again, it is understandable that in an individual case like yours this regulation is upsetting.
BUT- like said- regulations come from the average, not the exceptions.
I have a friend whos boyfriend is from Kenia, his family is quite wealthy and he has no intentions to stay in the EU. I suppose you can guess the paperwork they have to go trough everytime he visits??
It's the same scenario- in HIS case all the regulations seem totally rude and annyoing, as his family has money. But for the AVERAGE citizen of Kenia they do make sense, unfortunately.

And unfortunately in burocratic processes the details don't matter in many cases- but the fact which country your passport is from.