We obtain temporary residence in Mexico, visas and permanent residence before Mexican consulates and the National Immigration Institute (INM), the government agency that regulates the legal stay of foreign nationals in Mexico and grants temporary and permanent residence.
Temporary residence in Mexico: visa and resident card
Temporary residence is an immigration status that allows a foreign national to stay in Mexico for more than 180 days and up to four years, according to the authorization granted. It is an option for those who want to live in Mexico for several months or years without establishing an indefinite residence from the start.
It can be requested for different reasons: economic solvency, family ties, investment or ownership of real estate in Mexico. It is also useful for people who want to live in Mexico while keeping economic or personal activities abroad.
- Work visas (lucrative activities): you first receive your visa at a Mexican consulate abroad. Once you enter Mexico, we continue the process until you get your resident card.
- Family members (non-lucrative activities): you do not need to go to a consulate.
Where do you apply?
You can apply at a Mexican consulate or before the National Immigration Institute (INM). Temporary residence based on a job offer can only be requested before the INM.
Temporary residence based on a job offer
If you have a job offer in Mexico and will be paid by a Mexican employer, you need an immigration authorization linked to that job. To do so, the company must hold an employer registration certificate (constancia de inscripción de empleador): the permit the INM grants employers to hire foreign nationals.
Lucrative and non-lucrative activities
Lucrative activities are those for which you receive income or payment within Mexico. Income received outside Mexico does not count. To carry out lucrative activities you need express authorization from the INM.
Non-lucrative activities are any activities in Mexico for which you receive no payment.
General requirements
- Passport valid for at least 6 months.
- Job offer: job offer letter and the company’s employer registration certificate.
- 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.
- Investor: documents proving your shareholding or investment in Mexico.
- 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).
Economic solvency: requirements and amounts
If you apply for temporary residence without working in Mexico (for example, as a pensioner or with your own funds), you must prove economic solvency in one of these ways:
If you are a pensioner
Pension income
$94,512 MXN
Monthly income equal to 300 days of the minimum wage, over the last 6 months.
- Pension statements for the last 6 months.
If you are not a pensioner
Bank statements
$1,575,200 MXN
Average monthly balance equal to 5,000 days of the minimum wage, over the last 12 months.
- Bank statements for the last 12 months.
- Letter from the bank.
The bank statements and the bank letter must be apostilled.
Amounts based on the current Mexican minimum wage; they may change every year.
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. Temporary residence based on economic solvency
Situation: Ana is a Spanish citizen who wants to live in Mexico for two years. She has savings and income from her home country.
Problem: She needs to know which immigration status allows her to stay legally in Mexico for that period.
Solution: She can apply for a temporary residence visa based on economic solvency at a Mexican consulate, submitting her valid passport, the application, the required photo and bank statements proving her solvency. If the visa is approved, she enters Mexico and exchanges it for her temporary resident card within the established deadline.
Outcome: If the authorities approve her application, Ana can live legally in Mexico for the approved period (up to 4 years).
Temporary residence is a good option for people who want to live in Mexico for a set period and can prove the required financial means.
Case 2. Temporary residence based on a job offer
Situation: Alberto is a Canadian citizen who receives an offer to work as an engineer for a company in Monterrey that will pay his salary in Mexico.
Problem: He needs an immigration authorization that allows him to live and work legally in the country.
Solution: The company obtains its employer registration certificate from the INM and then requests the temporary residence visa before the INM. With that authorization, Alberto attends the consular interview; once the visa is stamped in his passport, he enters Mexico and obtains his resident card.
Outcome: Alberto can carry out the authorized work under the applicable immigration conditions.
A job offer in Mexico is not the same as residence based on economic solvency: when the salary is paid by a Mexican employer, there is a specific procedure.
Renewal
Temporary residence cards have limited validity. The renewal must start within the 30 days before the expiration date. The maximum validity of a temporary residence card is four years.
Notify changes
Once you have your resident card, you must notify the immigration authority of any of these changes within 60 days:
- Change of activity.
- Change of employer.
- Change of marital status.
- Change of home address.
Lost or stolen document
A lost or stolen visa or resident card must be reported to the police where the loss happened. The police report is the main requirement to request a replacement.
Exit and re-entry permit
This permit allows you to leave and return to Mexico while the immigration authority holds your documents for a pending procedure, such as a renewal or replacement.
Employer registration (basic file)
Individuals and companies that hire foreign staff must register with the INM. This registration must be renewed every year and is one of the main requirements for new work visas.
