Benefits of permanent residence
Its main advantage is that it lets you live in Mexico indefinitely, with no need to renew it (except for minors). In addition, the immigration authority recognizes the right of permanent residents to carry out paid activities in Mexico, or not, without being tied to a specific employer.
What is permanent residence?
Permanent residence is an immigration status that authorizes a foreign national to stay in Mexico indefinitely. It is intended for people who meet the cases set out by law, such as certain family ties, being retired or a pensioner, or having been granted international protection.
Who can apply
Applies to temporary residents who have completed four years in Mexico.
These documents can be obtained for the first time in the following cases:
- People of broad economic solvency
- Having Mexican children
- After 2 years of being married to a Mexican
- Pensioners
How do you obtain it?
You can obtain it directly from abroad at a Mexican consulate, or request it before the INM through a change of immigration status when you meet the requirements (for example, having completed the maximum time as a temporary resident or having a family tie). That is why not everyone has to go through four years of temporary residence before applying.
General requirements
- Passport valid for at least 6 months.
- Based on time in Mexico: valid temporary resident card with 3 prior renewals before applying.
- Family ties: marriage certificate with a Mexican citizen or a temporary resident of Mexico, or birth certificate of your Mexican child. They must be apostilled or legalized and translated into Spanish by a certified translator.
- Property owner: public deed and documents proving ownership of real estate in Mexico.
- Economic solvency: bank statements showing the required average monthly balance over the last 12 months (see amounts below).
Payment of immigration fees
Immigration fees are paid directly by the foreign national, generally by credit or debit card. For residence permits, payment is made at the INM in a single visit, together with your biometrics, documents, interview and delivery of your resident card. We aim to complete everything at that appointment so you leave with your card the same day; depending on the INM office, some may take longer. If your process goes through a consulate, you pay there the same way. Immigration fees change every year under Mexico’s Federal Fees Law (Ley Federal de Derechos), so confirm the current amount before paying.
Economic solvency: requirements and amounts
One of the requirements to apply for permanent residence based on economic solvency is to prove it. There are two ways to do so:
Option 1
Bank statements
US$286,290.97
Average monthly balance over the last 12 months.
- Checking or investment account.
- Statements split by month.
- Verification letter from the bank.
Option 2
Proof of steady income
US$7,157.27
Average monthly income, after taxes, over the last 6 months.
- Proof of income for the last 6 months.
- Employment or pension verification letter.
Amounts subject to the current exchange rate.
Do you meet these amounts? Fill out our contact form and we will send you a formal quote. If your accounts do not reach the required amounts, we cannot move forward with this process.
Practical cases
Case 1. Permanent residence after four years
Situation: María, a Colombian citizen, obtained temporary residence to live in Mexico. After four consecutive years, she wants to settle permanently.
Problem: She needs to know whether she can change her immigration status without starting the whole process again from abroad.
Solution: She can request the change from temporary to permanent resident before the INM, submitting her passport, valid temporary resident card, the official form and proof of payment.
Outcome: If the INM approves the application, María becomes a permanent resident and can stay in Mexico indefinitely.
If you have completed your time as a temporary resident, you can make the change in Mexico without starting over at a consulate.
Case 2. Permanent residence through family ties
Situation: Carlos is a US citizen and his daughter is Mexican. He wants to move to Mexico to live near her.
Problem: He needs to know whether he must first apply for temporary residence or can go straight to permanent residence.
Solution: Because of his family tie, he can apply for permanent residence at a consulate or before the INM, submitting his passport and his Mexican daughter’s original birth certificate, apostilled and translated into Spanish by a certified translator.
Outcome: If the authorities approve the application, Carlos obtains permanent residence without having to complete four years of temporary residence.
A family tie with a Mexican citizen can give you direct access to permanent residence.
Notify changes
Once you obtain your residence card in Mexico you must notify any of the following changes to the immigration authority within 60 days after the change has been occurred :
- Change of activity
- Employer
- Marital status
- Home address
Lost or stolen document
Missing or stolen visas & resident cards must be reported to the police authorities of the location where the document was lost.
The police report will be the main requirement in order to file for your replacement.
Exit and re-entry permit
The entry and exit permit, allows a foreign national to exit and return to Mexico, it applies when there is a process pending resolution which requires the immigration authority to hold the foreign national’s immigration forms.