Instituto Politécnico Nacional Exchange Student Guide Dear student: Now that you are about to start a new experience, where you will encounter a different culture and meet new people, it is important that you consider certain aspects during your stay. Index Immigration Regulations Arrival Once you enter Mexico Important notes Transportation Airport Subway and public transport Lodging e-links Cost of living Medical insurance Academic counseling Required information Welcoming Resignation Grading system To more information visit Internet page of Coordinación de Cooperación Académica: www.cca.ipn.mx Contact: dvazquezg@ipn.mx; tcontreras@ipn.mx Tel: 57 29 60 00 ext. 58030 UBICACIÓN
Immigration Regulations Before you start your trip to Mexico, you must verify if you need a Visa to enter the Country: http://www.inm.gob.mx/index.php/page/paises_visa If you are planning to stay up to 180 regular days (1 semester) With immigration agreement For a stay longer than 180 days With/without immigration agreement No Visa Visa For further information concerning immigration procedures, please contact the Mexican Embassy or Consulate closest to your location.
Arrival Once you arrive at the airport, you will be given an immigration form (FMM) to be filled up. You must specify your immigration status as student. Those who have been accepted for periods over 180 days, must attend the Instituto Nacional de Migración (INAMI), within 30 days after your arrival, to obtain a temporary permit as a student with no working permit. On the other hand, if you decide so, someone can pick you up at the airport and take you to the place you are going to be living. For this matter, send an e-mail to dvazquezg@ipn.mx or tcontreras@ipn.mx providing information related to the flight, at least three weeks in advance.
Once you enter Mexico Once you are at the airport, you must have in hand the following documents: Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMM*) fully completed. Valid passport. Tourist Visa, in case needed In case the immigration officer requires you to determine the reason of your visit, you should present your Letter of Acceptance. The Visa by itself does not give you the right to enter Mexico, this decision is made by the immigration officer at the point of entrance. * FMM is a document which supports your legal stay at the Country.
Once you enter Mexico IMPORTANT NOTES 1. Make sure the immigration officer marks the correct option in the FMM, that is Tourist with no working permit. 2. Make sure the Officer states 180 days in the temporality option. For those who do not need a Visa, this document is the only way to prove your legal stay at the Country. 3. If for any reason, the officer does not mark the correct option, you have the right to a second inspection through the Deputy. We suggest you keep a photocopy and an image of your immigration form.
Transport The International airport at Mexico City has 2 terminals. You can get a taxi from either one and must be paid inside the airport. The fees obviously depend from the distance. You can also use the subway, even though it is not practical when you travel with substantial luggage. The average cost for an airport taxi to downtown is $160-200 MXN, 35-40, minutes ride. The International Airport of Toluca also receives international flights to Mexico City, It is located approximately 16 km away from Toluca and 40 km from Santa Fe, Mexico City. Some busses ride from this airport to Observatorio Subway station in Mexico City. For safety reasons we advise you to take authorized transportation means. During your stay you can also use different options, such as taxis, subway, public busses, Uber Red de transporte colectivo Metro Red de Metrobús
Lodging IPN does not have student dormitories. Most of visiting students live in apartments near university campus. In case needed, IPN will provide assistance to find a place to stay. Monthly rent of a 2-3 bedroom apartment in a middle income area is 3,000 5,000 MXN. Please check the following e-links:
Lodging http://casas.mitula.mx/casas/renta-estudiantes-mexico-df http://guia-distrito-federal.guiamexico.com.mx/alojamiento-para-estudiantes/distrito-federal/empresas-guia.html http://www.compartodepa.com.mx/distrito-federal/en-renta-cd-mexico-df-/anuncios/l www.dadaroom.com Or check the follow links which give you nearest places to IPN s schools:
Alojamiento Zone Casco de Santo Tomás Links https://es-la.facebook.com/santotomas.cuartos/?ref=nf http://casas.trovit.com.mx/renta-casco-santo-tomas Zacatenco http://www.vivanuncios.com.mx/s-renta-cuartos/residencialzacatenco/cuartos+para+estudiante/v1c1099l13848q0p1 http://casas.mitula.mx/casas/renta-estudiantes-zacatenco UPIICSA Tepepan Culhuacán http://www.vivanuncios.com.mx/s-renta-cuartos/iztacalco/ v1c1099l10272p1 http://casas.mitula.mx/casas/renta-departamentosesca-tepepan http://www.vivanuncios.com.mx/s-renta-cuartos/coyoacan/ esime+culhuacan/v1c1099l10268q0p1
Cost of Living During your stay you will incur in some necessary expenses, such as rent, food and transport. The amount you need is directly related to the life style you have. In the following table, you will find average amounts for these expenditures: Concept Food (daily/monthly) Lodging (monthly) Transportation (monthly) Monthly allowance Minimum (MNX) Maximum (MNX) $120/ $3600 $200/ $6000 $2000 $3000 $300 $450 $5900 $9450 For further informatio, browse the following e-link: http://www.studyinmexico.sep.gob.mx/costos.php
Medical Insurance It is mandatory, as a visiting student, before your arrival, that you obtain an International Medical Insurance that covers expenses for accidents, illness and repatriation, during all your stay. The corresponding receipt must be handed at your arrival at IPN. In case you do not hand it over, you have until 5 days after your arrival, to get it and deliver it to IPN s offices. If after this 5 day period, you do not hand in the receipt; your participation will be cancelled.
Academic Counseling We suggest you arrive in advance, to attend the welcoming session that takes place five days prior classes start, where you will register as an international student, also you will be provided with relevant information. It is very important to have in hand the following documents: Full name Home address Home institution School or Faculty at IPN Academic program / Major Medical insurance policy number Address in Mexico Street and number Neighborhood Country Zip Code Telephone If you have any special need
Academic Counseling You will receive an electronic invitation, indicating the place, date and time where the induction session will take place. In the welcoming session, you will meet the parson in charge of visiting students of your School of Faculty. You will also get counseling on any academic doubt or on any general matter concerning your stay. Resignation If you decide to drop out from the program, you must deliver a written justification to the designated person at your School or Faculty and to the IPN s International affairs Office, stating your reason for your resignation. It is important that you are aware that in the case of resignation, you will NOT get an official transcript.
Academic Counseling Grading System IPN grades with a number scale from 0 to 10, where 6 is the minimum passing note. There are no official transcripts in English.