Is Host Relocation Mexico a legit business? Pros & cons of hiring Host Relocation for immigration services.
One of the most frequently asked questions I get from blog readers and YouTube subscribers is if I can recommend someone to help them get residency in Mexico. The process of moving to Mexico legally can feel overwhelming (even more so if your Spanish is limited), and many people are willing to invest in professional help.
If you’re considering investing in professional help to get temporary or permanent residency in Mexico, but you’re not sure who to work with, then you’ve come to the right place.
After reading this post, you will know:
- My honest thoughts about working with Host Relocation
- Real experiences of some of the people whom I’ve recommended the service to
- What you can expect when you hire the services an immigration facilitator
- & more!
What is Host Relocation?
Host Relocation is business specializing in helping foreigners move to Mexico. Here’s a link to the company’s website. The services Host Relocations offers include:
- Immigration facilitation
- House hunting
- Translation/interpretation
- School admissions assistance
- Private drivers
- & more
Ivonne Paváan is the general manager and co-founder of Host Relocation. Her more than 15 years of experience helping foreigners navigate the residency process in Mexico make Ivonne an immigration expert. Seriously, she knows this stuff like the back of her hand.
In addition to speaking excellent English, Ivonne is one of the most professional business owners I’ve had the pleasure of working with in Mexico. She is a Mexican national and native queretana (Querétaro local).
Host Relocation is based in Querétaro but also has operates in La Paz, Mexico City, Los Cabos & San Miguel de Allende. If you’re looking for an immigration facilitator but aren’t planning on living in one of the cities I just mentioned, it’s still worth it to reach out to Ivonne—she has contacts all over Mexico.
Why I Hired Host Relocation
Even though I now have a professional relationship with Ivonne (as well as a personal friendship), I started out as a regular paying client. I’d navigated the majority of the immigration process on my own, but when I hit a roadblock, I was at a loss for how to proceed. From the moment I first reached out to Ivonne via WhatsApp to finally having my residency card in hand, Ivonne handled my situation as if I were her only client.
I reached out to Ivonne back in 2021 when my residency was stalled in the canje portion of the process. An acquaintance of mine in Querétaro recommended her services. Ivonne took charge of the situation, and after months without hearing anything from the Querétaro INM (Instituto Nacional de Migración) office, I had my temporary residency card within a week of hiring her services.
My situation was a bit of a freak occurrence. I’d submitted all the proper documents, but my paperwork had somehow gotten lost in the shuffle and later incorrectly marked as a student visa. Thanks to her working relationships with the employees at the Querétaro INM office, Ivonne was able to get to the bottom of the issue and resolve it quickly.
Should you hire an immigration facilitator?
People sometimes ask me if I know an “immigration lawyer” who can help them get their residency. However, unless you have a very complicated situation, the services of an immigration facilitator are sufficient.
In addition to costing less than a lawyer, an immigration facilitator is likely more up to date on the policies and processes of the local immigration office—both of which change regularly and without warning. Immigration facilitators like Host Relocation’s Ivonne Paváan are at INM (Instituto Nacional de Migración) on a daily basis and could probably fill out the residency paperwork in their sleep.
Some people decide to hire an immigration facilitator since they themselves don’t speak Spanish, however, an immigration facilitator is so much more than just a translator.
You are hiring the expert help of someone who, as a result of daily visits, has cultivated relationships with the immigration officials working in the office. When my application got lost in the shuffle, Ivonne knew just who to go to in order to get the ball rolling again.
Pros of Hiring Host Relocation
Before we dive into the cost of hiring Host Relocation to help you get your residency in Mexico, this section outlines exactly what those fees get you.
HOST RELOCATION MEXICO DISCOUNT: When you reach out to Host Relocation’s Ivonne Paváan, give her my name (Alex Wittman) for a special reader discount. I may earn a small commission, however, you can trust that I would never recommend a service or product that I haven’t tested (and in this case paid for) myself.
The best way to get in touch with Ivonne is sending her a message via WhatsApp: +52 442 364 9402.
Trustworthy company with the big picture in mind
The first pro of hiring Host Relocation is that it’s a company—not just some random dude in an expat Facebook group. Not only is Host Relocation not going to disappear into the night with your money (or worse, your passport), but the company understands how immigration fits into the big picture of relocating to Mexico.
Since the company is familiar with every facet of the relocation process, they’re able to foresee issues that a person who only handles immigration might not recognize. For example, a signature on your residency card that doesn’t match your passport could lead to trouble down the road when applying for an RFC or opening a bank account.
Every detail handled with care
The second pro of working with Host Relocation (and why I think their services are more than worth the price) is that Ivonne and her team handle every part of the canje process.
When you arrive in Mexico, you have 30 days to complete the canje portion of the residency process which involves switching out your visa for your residency card. Not only will Ivonne prepare all the necessary documents and drive you to/from the INM office, but someone from her team will stand in line (sometimes overnight) so that you can just show up a few minutes before the immigration office opens.
Your first month is Mexico is going to be such a whirlwind of newness that this kind of hand holding will be a welcomed respite.
Knowledgeable resource for your life in Mexico
The final pro of paying to work with Host Relocation is that you will have made one of the most useful contacts you can have in Mexico. Ivonne tells her clients that she’s always available via WhatsApp & even if they aren’t paying for a specific service, she’s still happy to answer questions or provide recommendations as they pertain to life in Mexico.
Host Relocation’s Ivonne Paváan is one of those rare business owners that truly cares about the people that she serves.
Cons of Hiring Host Relocation
Even though I highly recommend working with Host Relocation, this wouldn’t be an honest review if I didn’t address the cons of hiring Host Relocation. At the end of the day, you need to make the choice that right for you.
Cost
The first con of hiring the services of an immigration facilitator is the cost. Paying someone to do something for you is always more expensive than doing it yourself. In addition to the government fees, Host Relocation charges a facilitator fee.
If you’ve spent time in expat Facebook groups, you’ve likely seen individual facilitators quoting less, but like the old saying goes: you get what you pay for. I’ve met foreigners who’ve told me horror stories of handing over money to “facilitators” who then just up and disappeared.
At Host Relocation, you pay for reputation and experience.
On your own with the Mexican consulate
The second con of the hiring Host Relocation (or any immigration facilitator) is that they only help you with the canje portion of the residency process. Once you’re in Mexico, Host Relocation will line up all the necessary documents and appointments so that you can switch your residency visa for your residency card.
However, Ivonne and her team cannot help you get your residency visa (this first step of the process is done in your home country).
Several years back, Mexican consulates forbid third-party facilitators from making appointments on a clients behalf. You’re on your own to navigate the visa portion of the process. The Mexico Residency Roadmap has helped hundred of people organize their documents for demonstrating economic solvency.
How much does Host Relocation Mexico cost?
As of Jan. 2024, the Host Relocation fees for residency start at $8,000 MXN. The company guides clients to procure their temporary or permanent residency cards and can also assist with renewals.
The Host Relocation fee must be paid in cash (50% to start the process and 50% the day you go to INM with your documents).
HOST RELOCATION MEXICO DISCOUNT: When you reach out to Host Relocation’s Ivonne Paváan, give her my name (Alex Wittman) for a special reader discount. I may earn a small commission, however, you can trust that I would never recommend a service or product that I haven’t tested (and in this case paid for) myself. The best way to get in touch with Ivonne is sending her a message via WhatsApp: +52 442 364 9402.
In addition to the Host Relocation fee, you will also need to pay the government fee. You can pay this in the INM office with a credit or debit card (Visa or Mastercard). The government fee depends on your type of residency and (like the consulate fees) increases annually.
Host Relocation Mexico Reviews
Since I met Ivonne back in 2021, I’ve recommended Host Relocation’s services to many MANY people. Below are screenshots taken from comments on my YouTube channel from subscribers who’ve used Host Relocation to get their residency in Mexico.
This is just a small sample of the numerous glowing reviews I’ve received about Ivonne & the Host Relocation team over the years.
I would add that Ivonne is not only extremely knowledgable but also uncommonly kind. She genuinely cares about her clients & goes above and beyond to ensure they feel settled in their new homes in Mexico.
HOST RELOCATION MEXICO DISCOUNT: When you reach out to Host Relocation’s Ivonne Paváan, give her my name (Alex Wittman) for a special reader discount. I may earn a small commission, however, you can trust that I would never recommend a service or product that I haven’t tested (and in this case paid for) myself. The best way to get in touch with Ivonne is sending her a message via WhatsApp: +52 442 364 9402.
When to Apply for Residency in Mexico
Unlike some other countries, Mexico doesn’t require that you’re physically in Mexico any certain number of days each year to maintain your residency. Once you have your residency, the only time you need to actually be in Mexico is to renew your card—which can be renewed for up to three years at a time. Otherwise, you can be a resident of Mexico without living in Mexico full or even part time.
Even if your move to Mexico is still a few years away, the best time to apply for residency in Mexico is right now. Why? Mexican immigration policies change frequently. The past several years, Mexican consulates have increased the financial requirements between 10% and 30% on average. These increases have priced some applicants out from getting residency.
My best advice for applying for residency in Mexico is not to wait. The financial requirements for demonstrating economic solvency (monthly income or savings/investments) will likely only continue to increase annually.
If you think moving to Mexico might be in your future, start the process & send Ivonne a message via WhatsApp today: +52 442 364 9402.
Final Thoughts on Host Relocation
For many foreigners coming from countries like the United States and Canada, hiring a facilitator may seem extraneous since you’re so used to doing things on your own in your home country. However, here in Mexico, facilitators are a way of life. Even my Mexican friends hire facilitators for other bureaucratic processes such as registering a vehicle in Mexico.
Hopefully this post has cleared up any doubts you have about hiring the services of Host Relocation. If you have any questions not answered in this post, please feel to comment your questions below.
Remember, if you decide to hire Host Relocation, give Ivonne my name (Alex Wittman) for a special subscriber discount. I may earn a small commission, but please know that I would never recommend a service or product that I haven’t tested (and in this case paid for) myself.
Nwabuogor Sunday says
Hola. I know about you as one of the best immigration adviser through a lady Alex something. When am ready to come to Mexico, i will like your assistance. Thanks and remain bless.
Alex | Backpacking Brunette says
Definitely reach out to Ivonne when you are ready to make the move to Mexico!