Info on hvac business

[michellei88]

My husband and I soak up Playa every 6 months or so and are seriously considering partial retirement there. I read earlier today that there is a big need for refrigeration and air conditioning types of folks. Could anyone give us more info on where to start exploring options for doing that type of work in Playa? We own our company in the Bay Area, but would love to be able to stay in Playa in the winter months.

[Babaloo]

yeah
can you fix them?
when you say you will?

[life@GrosCap]

How about electrical/electronics/medical equip/computer repair?
I currently work in the medical electronics maintenance industry and was wondering the same thing about working part-time in Playa. I have read that there is a need for people in my profession in Mexico City and in the northern parts of Mexico, but what about Playa?

I remember reading that it can be difficult getting work visas or resident visas for foreigners. Is this still the case?

[Babaloo]

Originally Posted by life@GrosCap

I remember reading that it can be difficult getting work visas or resident visas for foreigners. Is this still the case?

work visas, yes
i'm not sure what a resident visa is unless you are talking about a retirement visa

[life@GrosCap]

I mean a visa that allows a foreigner to stay longer that 90 or 180 days.

[Heather]

If you want to do this kind of work here, I'd say your best bet (and possibly only bet) would be to start your own HVAC company, with capital investment. But even then, you might not be able to work for your own company and might be required to hire Mexican laborers whom you could train.

[Susie Q Roo]

Originally Posted by life@GrosCap

I mean a visa that allows a foreigner to stay longer that 90 or 180 days.

There are basically only two kinds of visas (at least for someone newly arriving to live here) - a work FM3 or a retirement FM3 (yes, there are others for students, etc, but I'm assuming those wouldn't apply to you). A retirement visa is very easy to get at a Mexican consulate in the US. Down here, not so much. If I'm right, a work visa has to be obtained here (not at a consulate outside of Mexico) and not much about that is easy. You must be able to prove that what you bring to the work force is something not easily found in the existing local work force. Or as Heather said, invest in your own company that you may not even be able to work in.

EDIT: And, you don't have to have either of those if you just wanna live here (not working) and are able to leave the country every 6 months or so.

[Bill B]

I have a technical business here selling and supporting alternative energy systems. Although my FM3 allows me to work for my company, the message from immigration is very clear: create jobs for Mexicans if you want to do business here.

[Babaloo]

Originally Posted by life@GrosCap

I mean a visa that allows a foreigner to stay longer that 90 or 180 days.

Sure..an FM3 Rentista (retirement visa) will allow that

[Anna]

Originally Posted by Babaloo

Sure..an FM3 Rentista (retirement visa) will allow that

Just to clarify - you're not allowed to work with this visa.

[jbjrco]

so speaking to the pro's here, 10 words or less (or more) you're 5 years from the possibility of relocating, you have marketable skills and will-hopefully have resources, what's the game plan for starting a business in Playa/Tulum, someplace on the RM? i'm also in the construction industry so with any growth area can be in some form of demand (will have to take 8th grade metric system test again). I know this is a pretty general and generic question but hopefully i can pick your brains (and buy you a cocktail at some point of course) to get started.

thx JB

[renee campestre]

All I can say is you better have ALOT of Patience, and a lot of TIME to give it.

[Dan-0]

Of course there's a big need for refrigeration/ac techs, but there's also a pretty good supply of Mexican companies and individuals who are willing and able to do this work. I would imagine the more successful ones have maintenance contracts with hotels and condos- it's going to very tough for you to do that when you're only there part of the year. Mexico is heavily unionized, too, and your Mexican competition probably won't take kindly to you moving in on their turf. You might pick up some contract work here and there, but, again, it's hard to do when you probably won't be there when you're needed most- in the summer.
Hope I'm not being too negative, just honest. Good luck!