Continually revised & updated guide to visas and residency permits for Mexico
Mexico Immigration Guide 2024
Our continuously updated guide to Mexico Visas and Immigration is an exhaustive resource that enables you to learn about Mexico’s visas and residency permits, and how to visit and/or apply for legal residency in Mexico.
This Quick Reference page helps you to navigate the rules, latest information, and processes —from applying for residency at a Mexican Consulate to managing your residency card— and connects to extensive knowledge and resources on Mexperience.
Planning your visit and arrival in Mexico
Whether you plan to visit Mexico as a tourist, for business, to volunteer, or you want to apply to obtain legal residency in Mexico, this section helps you to plan for your visit and arrival in Mexico.
Planning your visit / arrival in Mexico
Do you need a visa to visit Mexico?
About Mexico’s visitors permit, FMM
Applying for legal residency in Mexico
If you intend to stay in Mexico for longer, spend defined periods of time here, or intend to live in Mexico part-time or full-time, this section helps you to consider your choices, learn about qualification criteria, and make your application.
Application planning
Residency types and your lifestyle plans
Principal routes to obtaining residency in Mexico
Applying as spouse/partner of a Mexican or foreign resident
Qualifying for residency in Mexico in 2024
Residency permits: Temporary and Permanent
Financial qualification
Financial Criteria to qualify for residency in Mexico
Financial Criteria FAQs — detailed answers to common questions
Calculations: Minimum Wage vs UMA
If you don’t qualify financially, these other routes exist
Making the application
How to apply for residency in Mexico — detailed outline
Initial applications for residency at a Mexican Consulate
Application for residency under ‘Family Unit’ rules
Getting documents Apostilled (legalized) for immigration procedures
Immigration Assistance
When you need assistance with an initial residency permit application, or residency card renewals, regularization procedures, expired permits, or troubleshooting, consider using our associate’s Mexico Immigration Assistance Service.
Mexico legal residency essentials
When you have obtained legal residency in Mexico, this section shares practical insights and advice about exchanging your visa for a residency card and managing your legal residency card and status in Mexico.
Visa exchange, fees, rights, and time limits
Exchanging your residency visa for a residency card
Time scales for obtaining visas and residency cards
Residency-related immigration fees
Rights & obligations when you have legal residency in Mexico
Time limits on residency visas and permits
Residency card and status management
Procedures for legal residents entering and leaving Mexico
Guide to managing your Mexico residency card
Time limits on Visitor and Residency permits
Renewing your existing residency card
Converting Temporary Residency to Permanent Residency
Dealing with expired residency cards
Dealing with lost, stolen, or damaged residency cards
Improvements in procedures for Mexico residency permits
Leaving Mexico during a residency-related procedure (FAQ)
Applying for Mexican Citizenship (Naturalization)
Cars, Pets, and Goods
Importing your personal and household goods to Mexico
Immigration Assistance
When you need assistance with an initial residency permit application, or residency card renewals, regularization procedures, expired permits, or troubleshooting, consider using our associate’s Mexico Immigration Assistance Service.
If you already have your residency visa in your passport and need help exchanging that for a card in Mexico, our associate offers a visa-to-card exchange assistance service.
