I researched the forum but haven't found that much information about people who have opened up their own businesses in Cancun. I'd like to know some personal experiences and troubles that have come up. I'm looking to open up a tattoo shop in the hotel zone area of Cancun, I am a female tattoo artist (currently residing in Montreal, Canada) and ideally I would like to hire a local female tattoo artist currently working in Cancun / Cancun area. If anybody could give me some information, a good notary in the area, which visa would I have to apply for, is this even feasible? That would be much appreciated. Thanks
You might find exactly who you're looking for with this guy, his name is Chino Liners, he has several tats and piercings and knows everyone. Chinos Liner | Facebook Good luck
Others have set up businesses here, in Cancun, and some have been extremely successful. The HZ probably is the most expensive part of the city in which to get set up: rents will be very high, there. If you are from Canada, and therefore have the benefits of NAFTA, you can spend time in Cancun, exploring the business climate here, and deciding what the lay of the land is, here, without any visa, the FMM you get on arrival being sufficient to spend up to 180 days, each time. If your pockets are deep, you could start a wholly foreign owned, Mexican corporation; then, ask permission of immigration to work in the corporation, with whatever titles you, and your lawyer, feel are appropriate to officers in the corporation (interestingly, you have to get permission to work in order to manage the affairs of the corporation). You would need one other person to be shareholders with you (Mex Law requires at least two persons); then, it would be possible to pay yourselves either as shareholders, or as officers in the corporation, or some combination of the two. The cost of a start up, using this method, has been related to me as between 8,000 and 13,000 pesos, depending mainly on what services and processes are included in the price quoted. The visa category you would have, if you chose this approach would be, Cargo de Confianza. You may run into some limitations, based on a Mexican law that says you may "employ" no more than 10% foreigners, should you wish to hire any other foreigners as your business expands. A not inconsequential, ongoing expense associated with operating a corporation will be the necessary services of an accountant who, understanding their importance in the system, will not be shy about setting their fees. Monthly reports of your operations to the tax authorities are required, as well as other annual reports, and biannual external audits. A good accountant not only be able to help you meet the requirements of the tax authorities, but will also be able to help you avoid running afoul of licensing, and other operating requirements. As to the question of whether you, yourselves, could perform personal services such as you outlined, as officers of the corporation, I leave that up to which ever attorney you choose to consult, should you decide to explore this option, further. (In general, Mexican attorneys charge nothing for consultations, depending on the provision of services, exclusively, for their livelihood.) ____________________ Alternatively, if you found a local employer who could obtain immigration's approval of a visa for you to work for them, you could work as an employee of a hotel, or other concern, with permission to do business in Mexico. ___________________ You may wonder why I bothered to take you through all that, but it's because to live and work here there is the necessity to get permission to do that, and the two paths I outlined are the most direct I know of to get to that results.
Thanks for the reply, very informative. Do you know of any good notaries in Cancun that could help guide me through the process. Also if you know of anyones experience in having to deal with the shadier aspects of opening a business in Cancun, that would be much appreciated as well. I'm not going to be naive about it, I know that there are some less than glamorous aspects of opening businesses in Cancun. Thanks
We use Notarias en Cancun: Notaria 20, Lic. Benjamin de la Peña Mora and have been pleased. I'll also give you the name of our accountant if you proceed. She's in Mercado 28 and is reasonable at $250/month (USD) As for difficulties opening a business here, they are numerous. You're seemingly caught in multiple catch-22 situations... you can't open a bank account without an FM3 yet you can't get the FM3 without doing other things. You can't get your facturas for legitimate expenses until you get your constitution done so all your startup expenses aren't actually "legit" as far as Mexico is concerned. The whole factura process is a cluster f*ck. It encourages cheating, which is opposite of its original intent. Outside of dealing with legitimate large companies, nobody wants to give facturas. And if they do, its at a different price. But you as a business can't write off anything without one. It's a severe pain in the butt. Next, dealing with contractors, suppliers, anybody else related to your business, you'll learn very quickly how things work in Mexico... or actually do NOT work. My advice is to rely on outsiders as little as possible. And if you contract things with people such as construction or whatever, get a deadline in writing and have severe late penalties. We've been modifying our business model to deal with these difficulties, which means taking my advice above. Ideally, you will not rely on a Mexican for anything. Practically, you have to but pick and choose them wisely. If I sound bitter, its because I am But, I am operating and making money, finally.
It takes a strong person, Bruce, to go through all the painful processes necessary to do business here; but, it sounds like you're getting through it about as well an anyone can. I'll flesh this out just a little, if you don't mind, Bruce, so the reader will know a little more about what this is all about. Facturas are official receipts for services and products issued by companies, to their customers, upon request. (These are not the receipts produced by cash registers, or written or printed receipts.) Honorarios are official receipts for services by individuals performing services, issued only upon request, in most cases. Many of these don't issue these documents, even upon request, because they are not set up with the tax office to do so. Others, who could issue them, don't want to because they would then have to pay taxes on the income, and collect the value added tax (11%) from the customer. In either case, you typically pay less if you don't request an honorario. As Bruce pointed out, the more highly organized providers of services can, and will issue you the appropriate tax documents: where they have not included VAT in the invoice, they will want to collect that additional sum from you. Here, he's talking about getting a corporation established, I believe, when he speaks of a "constitution". If you're going to carry expenses as deductible to the corporation, that corporation must exist before you can start doing that. There are expenses in setting up the corporation, especially attorney's fees, but these providers will issue honorarios, and facturas, post dated where necessary. Setting up and running a business is never easy, anywhere, and I admire people who have the moxie to do it successfully; but, in Mexico, it's just a little more difficult, for many reasons, a number of which Bruce mentioned. I'm sure he could tell lots of tales about his experiences, so far. I'm glad things are coming together, Bruce, and good luck as you go forward!
@tnt0000: Nothing about the paperwork etc, but rather what you do: Id like to see some of your work if/when you come here, as I have a project for my back(Chinese symbols) and Im yet to be impressed by what Ive seen so far by the local artists. Everything from fake ink to horrible misspellings and crooked work, haha. Best of luck with everything
Scorpio: Haha, so true in many ways! For me, a tattoo has to be: A: My very own design/creation, B: Be well thought through(my first and only took me 7 years to think about, before actually doing it), C: Have a good meaning - have friends whom tattoo the very next "cool" thing they think about. Thats not the case for me. Now I have a Chinese dragon, covering my upper, right arm(elbow to shoulder). The next one is going to be 3 Chinese symbols, stacked vertically from my right shoulder blade. The signs, in order, are: Mom, sister and brother. That way, I will always have my family with me, regardless where in the world I am and what Im doing. The goal is to connect the new one with the already existing dragon, but that will probably be some years from now... Ps. Google(images) "tattoo fail" for some fun
Scorpio: Cant answer for others, but for me it is art and a way to express something I like. If Im not completely off track, I think tatts where more common amongst sailors, gangs etc. In the "Western" culture that is. Ink has been involved in many cultures from the start. Maybe it has exploded since its become more accepted amongst the average Joe's? I still get the occational "are you a gang member?" from various people, but I only laugh at their ignorance. Must suck to live with that view of people and things that you have no clue about. On the other hand, many people ask me about it and Im more than happy to talk about tattoos etc. Piercings etc. Ill never get. Just doesnt interest me at all. Ill also never have "tons of tattoos". The ones Ill make, have to be really special to me. The idea of the Chinese signs have been brewing since 2005. 7 years is plenty of time to both draw, design and size them and most importantly: To really think about it and feel if it feels right. And it does, hehe. Dont want to hi-jack the thread, so further questions can be dealt with via PM
tnt0000 This week I attended a meeting at an (my) attorney's office and the question of an owner operated business came up. She recommended, for basically a one man/woman business, there was an FM3 or FM2 permit to work that was better suited than was a corporation. Apparently it is a bit more complicated to set up, but easier and cheaper to maintain that a Mexican corporation. Presumably you could then sub contract to a Mexican national and technically not have an employee. I have notes of this meeting but they are not where I am sending this from, but I think this category of Immigration status is referred to as REDECO, or something close to that. Should you plan a visit here I would be happy to introduce you to my attorney. That is actually why I was at the meeting this week, having introduced the parties and I was invited to sit in and shut up. LOL, or as we say here, JAJAJA
