From the cost of a temporary resident visa for Mexico & the financial requirements for temporary residency in Mexico to how to finalize your temporary residency once you’re in Mexico, this guide walks you through the process from start to finish.
After nearly three years of calling Mexico home, I decided it was time to make my situation here more permanent. I’m got my temporary residency in Mexico in Dec. 2020.
Now, I know “temporary” and “permanent” don’t generally go together, but applying for temporary residency in Mexico is the first step toward permanent residency.
While I’m not 100% sure just yet that I will want to apply for permanent residency four years from now, I like the idea of keeping my options open. My real motivation for wanting temporary residency is so I can buy and register a car in Mexico.
Recent events have made me realize that I don’t want to have to leave the country every six months (#touristvisaprobs), and given the current state of travel, I think road trips will be the best way to explore Mexico for the foreseeable future.
Is applying for temporary residency in Mexico worth it?
Listen, I know firsthand just how confusing visa stuff can be. It’s easy to see why so many foreigners live in Mexico on the standard-issue 180-day tourist visa (which resets immediately after you exit the country) rather than applying for temporary residency.
But, if like me you decide that becoming a temporary resident of Mexico is the right next step, then this post will serve as your guide.
After reading this post, you will know:
- the benefits of the Mexican temporary resident visa
- the cost of the temporary resident visa in Mexico
- the financial requirements for temporary residency in Mexico
- my tips for how to apply successfully
In Dec. 2020, I received my temporary residency card from the Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM) in Querétaro after starting the process in June 2020 at the Mexican consulate in Detroit, Mich.
At the end of the post, I link a video that explains why the process took abnormally long.
Across Mexico, INM is working to expedite the residency process for foreigners. In some locations, you get your card and do your fingerprints the same day you submit your paperwork.
Benefits of Mexican Temporary Resident Visa
First, what is a temporary residency visa?
The temporary residency visa is for anyone planning on staying in Mexico for more than 180 days, but less than four years. Even if you do plan on staying for more than four years, you usually have to be a temporary resident before applying for permanent residency in Mexico.
Before I dive into all things temporary residency, let me just say this it IS possible to live in Mexico on a tourist visa. I did so for nearly three years.
Now, don’t let my use of the word “visa” throw you. The tourist visa ISN’T something you apply for. Rather, it’s the 180-stay that is granted to passport holders from countries on Mexico’s no visa required list.
On just a tourist visa, I was able to rent an apartment, get health insurance, have a cell phone plan and contract an internet service provider. Having to leave every six months wasn’t much of an issue since I wanted to go back to the U.S. to see my family anyway.
But while the tourist visa is very generous, there are still certain thing you can’t do with it.
The benefits of a Mexican temporary resident visa include:
- Opening a Mexican bank account
- Legally registering a vehicle
- Freely entering and leaving Mexico (no 180-day limit)
Personally, I’m most looking forward to being able to buy and register a car.
When should I apply for temporary residency in Mexico?
I understand the desire to have all your ducks in a row prior to moving to Mexico, but I strongly encourage you to come to Mexico and give living here a trial run before committing money, time and your sanity to the residency process.
With Mexico’s generous 180-day tourist visa, passport holders from the U.S. and Canada (as well as other countries on Mexico’s “no visa” list) can stay in Mexico for up to six months without needing to apply for residency.
In fact, Mexico’s generous tourist visa one of the top reasons to move to Mexico.
During those six months, you should travel around and check out different places to live in Mexico. You can use this list of the safest cities in Mexico as a starting point.
Most landlords are fine with renting to foreigners living in Mexico on a tourist visa. Get your housing situation settled BEFORE applying for temporary residency so you won’t need to do an address change later.
The fewer trips you can make to INM the better. Every interaction with immigration is an opportunity for a mistake to happen and your file to get messed up, misplaced, etc.
Can I work in Mexico with a temporary resident visa?
Having a temporary resident visa doesn’t automatically grant you the right to work in Mexico. If you want to work in Mexico, you must apply for a separate work visa.
Since I work online as a freelance writer, I am technically not working IN Mexico. When I met with the immigration official at the Mexican Consulate in Detroit, I explained that I earn money online.
Mexico is open to offering temporary residency to remote workers and digital nomads as long as you’re able to prove economic solvency.
Financial Requirements for Temporary Residency in Mexico
According to the Mexican Consulate website, individuals applying for the temporary resident visa must submit proof of economic solvency. You have two options for how to do so:
Unless you have a job lined up in Mexico, an organization or an institution is sponsoring your move there, then this economic solvency portion is very important. The country of Mexico wants to know that you are not going to be a burden to them.
For freelancers, proving economic solvency via #2 (monthly income) can be tricky. If you’re earning the $1,634 USD per month but it’s coming for various clients, there is a good chance that WON’T meet the financial requirements.
Freelancers: the Mexican Consulate wants to see that you have one solid client who you’ve worked with for at least six months and is paying you AT LEAST that $1,634 USD per month. Even though you that client isn’t your employer per se, you will still need to reach out to them for a letter stating:
- How long you’ve worked together
- The type of work you do for them
- How much they’ve paid you per month for the past six months
The official at the Mexican Consulate in Detroit said if a freelancer is earning the required amount on a platform like Upwork that would meet the criteria. In Upwork, you can request a letter stating your earnings.
Since proving economic solvency is the central part of your visa interview, I recommend emailing the Consulate if you have any questions regarding the documents you need. Consulates aren’t good about answering the phone, but they generally respond to emails.
If you’re traveling a long way to go to the Consulate, it’s worth it to check in advance to make sure you have the documents you need in order to prove economic solvency and meet the financial requirements for temporary residency in Mexico.
How do I get a temporary resident visa for Mexico?
Before I explain how to get a temporary resident visa for Mexico, I want to make it clear that I’m NOT an immigration lawyer.
This post and the information in it is based on my experience at the Mexican Consulate in Detroit and the Instituto Nacional de Migración in Querétaro.
How to Make an Appointment at a Mexican Consulate
The first part of the temporary residency process must be done at a Mexican Consulate, which is OUTSIDE of Mexico.
There are some exceptions, including being married to a Mexican citizen or having close family ties to a Mexican citizen, but most people will need to leave Mexico in order to apply for temporary residency.
As soon as you know you meet the financial requirements to apply for the temporary residency visa, I recommend making an appointment.
When I was looking online to book an appointment at the Mexican Consulate in Detroit, I could only see time slots for a few weeks in advance. Everything else was blacked out.
You can’t book too far in advance, but you also don’t want to wait until the last minute to grab an appointment slot because there aren’t many available.
While it is possible (according to the website) to book an appointment over the phone, I recommend doing so online. It’s easy and convenient.
You will:
- Create a login
- Select a time slot
- Receive a confirmation email with a PDF attachment
- Print the confirmation PDF
- Take the confirmation to your visa appointment
Not sure where to book your visa appointment?
Just Google the name of your state plus “Mexico Consulate.” In the search results, you’ll see which consulate is closest to you.
What to Bring to Your Temporary Resident Visa Appointment
You will need to bring the following to your visa appointment:
- Appointment confirmation
- Visa form
- Passport-sized photograph
- Passport (original & photocopy)
- Payment method for visa fee ($40 USD)
- I paid with a credit card.
- Proof of economic solvency
- See the above section for details
What to Expect from Your Temporary Resident Visa Interview
I had my temporary resident visa interview at the Mexico Consulate in Detroit, Mich. Well, actually, the Consulate is in Madison Heights which is a 20-minute drive from Downtown Detroit.
For the complete story of how my interview went, check out this YouTube video.
One thing I forgot to mention in this video is that, when I first sat down with the official, she asked me if I spoke Spanish. I answered yes, and from then on, the rest of the interview was conducted in Spanish.
Don’t let that freak you out. I’m sure if I’d said no she would have done the interview in English.
But, just a word of warning: If you say you can speak Spanish, you better be ready to prove it.
How long is your temporary resident visa for Mexico valid?
Once you’re approved for the temporary resident visa, you have six months to use it. The visa in your passport is good for one entry into Mexico.
When you travel to Mexico, you will fill out an FMM (forma migratoria mútilple) just as you would if you were traveling to Mexico as a tourist.
Instead of writing 180 days on the FMM, the immigration official will write 30 days.
From the day you arrive in Mexico, you have 30 days to go to INM (Instituto Nacional de Migración) to apply for your temporary resident permit card.
How to Apply for Your Temporary Resident Permit Card in Mexico
Many foreigners hire immigration lawyers or consultants to help them finalize their temporary residency once they’re in Mexico.
However, it is possible to do the process on your own. I’m proof.
Just know that all the forms are in Spanish and the immigration officials only speak Spanish.
If you have the financial resources to hire a lawyer or consultant and feel more comfortable doing so, go for it. Here are some that expats recommend:
- Host Relocation (Querétaro & La Paz)
- When you contact co-founder & immigration specialist Ivonne Páavan use the code “Alex5” for 5% off the total price.
- E-mail: ivonne.pavaan (@) hostrelocation.com.mx
- Yucatan Transitional Services (Mérida)
For other cities, try asking in “Expats in Mexico” Facebook groups.
What You Need to Apply for Your Temporary Resident Permit Card in Mexico
The process of finalizing your temporary residency in Mexico is called “Expedición de documento migratorio por canje.” You can find the *mostly complete* list of necessary documents online.
Necessary Documents for Temporary Residency
- Trámite
- You fill this out online & print it.
- It’s a document stating why you want to enter the INM building & registering you in the system.
- Passport & color copy of photo/signature page
- Visa (in your passport) & color copy
- FMM & color copy
- Since you hand both the original & copy over to the INM official, I recommend making another color copy for your own records.
- Formato básico
- I filled this out using a black pen.
- For the section that says “Activdad en México,” don’t put anything related to working unless you have a letter of invitation from a Mexican employer.
- In this space, I wrote “Hogar/Aprender Español.”
- Proof of Pago de Derechos & TWO copies
- You have to pay for your temporary resident permit at a bank BEFORE going to INM.
- Enter your information on this payment page, print out the PDF & take it to a bank.
- As of August 2020, the temporary resident permit card costs $4,271 MXN (approx. $197 USD).
- The bank will print out a receipt for you. Make TWO COPIES of that, and bring them plus the original to INM.
- Three photographs “tipo infantil”
- Size 2.5×3 cm
- Two photos looking straight at the camera
- One photo of your right-side profile
- White background
- Forehead exposed
- No glasses
- No earrings
- Hair tucked behind your ears
- If you’re looking for a place to get your photos taken in Querétaro, I recommend going to Foto Estudio Express.
In this YouTube video, I go over all the documents you need to bring to INM & walk you through filling them out.
What to Expect When You Go to INM in Mexico
There are INM (immigration offices) all over Mexico. If you’re not sure where to go, just Google the name of your city & “INM” to find the one that is closest to you.
Unlike the Mexican Consulate, you can’t make an appointment to go to INM in Mexico. It’s a first-come, first-served basis.
When I went in Querétaro (August 2020), I arrived at 6 a.m. and waited in line until the building opened at 9 a.m. I had heard that, because of COVID-19, INM was only letting in 50 people per day.
Even during normal times, it’s standard practice for people to line up outside of INM and wait for it to open. Some of the lawyers and consultants will wait in line for you as part of their services.
Once I got into the building, it was only a matter of minutes before I was sitting in front of an INM official. After I handed over my documents, we hardly spoke.
I got into INM at 9 a.m. and was out before 9:30 a.m.
How long does it take to get temporary residency in Mexico?
How long it takes to get your temporary resident permit card will depend on the INM office where you submit your documents. In Querétaro, I’ve heard that it can take up to two months.
Before I left INM, the official I met with gave me a paper with my NUT (Número Único de Trámite). Using a link and password that I received in an email, I can login using the NUT and check the status of my temporary residency permit.
The next step in the process is to return to INM (wait in line again), get fingerprinted and pick up the card.
If you need to leave Mexico while your temporary residency is pending, you will have to apply for an exit permit. Check out this post by Hippe in Heels to learn more about that process.
More Posts About Moving to Mexico
- How Much Does It Cost to Live in Mexico?
- An Expat’s Guide for Living in Querétaro
- Ultimate Moving Abroad Checklist
Final Thought on Temporary Residency in Mexico
I won’t lie to you:
Headaches, stress and even the occasional tear of frustration are extremely common when you are applying for residency in Mexico.
That is especially true if you are trying to navigate the process on your own.
Here’s what my subscribers have told me keeps them up at night about the residency process in Mexico:
- My biggest concerns are not speaking and reading Spanish.
- I get stressed at the thought of showing up to an appointment & not having the right documents.
- There’s so much information online & I have no idea where to start…
If you’re planning on applying for residency in Mexico & share those (very reasonable) concerns, then you need a guide that streamlines the residency process and walks you through the most important forms in easy-to-understand language (simple English, not weird & too literal Google Translate).
Introducing the:
An easy-to-follow 10-point checklist with in-depth descriptions of each task so you never have to wonder “what do I do next?” while navigating the temporary or permanent residency process in Mexico.
Plus, there’s a translated version of the infamous formato básico that you won’t find anywhere else.
As an added bonus, you’ll get:
- Answers to the 12 most FAQs about residency in Mexico
- The handy Residency Phrasebook (tells you exactly what to say in Spanish & who to say it to)
- An audio file to listen along and practice the must-know Spanish from the Residency Phrasebook
See what people are saying about the Mexico Residency Roadmap:
You can get access to the translated forms, checklist, detailed task breakdowns, answers to FAQs, Residency Phrasebook & accompanying audio file for just $47 USD.
Not only is that a fraction of what you’d pay for an immigration lawyer, but you can’t put a price on the satisfaction you’ll feel when you successfully navigate the residency process on your own.
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GREAT information. Thank you!!!
One question….you state “ Once you’re approved for the temporary resident visa, you have six months to use it. The visa in your passport is good for one entry into Mexico.”…….so once approved and I/we enter with our mew visa…..we cannot leave and go back to the states for the six month period because the visa offers ONE entry? Am I understanding correctly?
Thanks for reading, Jason!
The temporary resident VISA you get from the consulate is good for a one-time entry into Mexico. You have six months from the time the visa is placed in your passport to enter Mexico.
Then, once in Mexico, you have 30 days to do part 2 of the process which is submitting additional documents to immigration for your temporary residency CARD. You won’t be able to leave Mexico while those documents are being processed, but most immigration offices are making an effort to expedite the process & in some parts of the country, you receive your card the same day you turn in the documents.
In addition to this post, I have several detailed videos on YouTube that many people have said helped them navigate the process.
Good luck with your temporary residency!
I have been living in Mexico since October 2020. I have my one-year temporary resident card. I need to return to the US to get my covid vaccination. Does my Mexican temporary residency card allow me to move freely between the US and Mexico? Or are there additional steps?
You are free to move between the two countries!
Hi there,
Thanks for the informative post! Just wondering whether you ever received your temporary residency?
Thanks for reading, Hermanus! I FINALLY received my temporary residency card in Dec. 2020 & if you’re interested, I have a YouTube video about why the process took so long. I added it to the end of the post.
Hey there Alex, great article! I actually just went through the process down in Yucatán and now have had my temporary resident card for a couple weeks. It definitely requires a fair amount of patience but overall it wasn’t so horrible.
The one thing I can’t seem to figure out is the bank account situation though. I’ve been to both HSBC and Citibanamex to inquire and both have told me that I can only get a Mexican bank account with a permanent residency card. This was literally a few days ago (the end of November 2020 for anyone reading and needing a time stamp). I’m not sure when or if you opened a bank account but I do believe that has changed at this point– or at least the banks are not allowing for it any longer. For further information though, I’m a U.S. citizen so perhaps that only has to do with the strict banking regulations and requirements related with the States.
At any rate, I’m a bit befuddled by it all. It’s certainly not impossible to live in México without a bank account here (yet at least…) but it certainly is less than convenient.
Thanks for sharing your experience, Ralph. I was surprised to hear that you haven’t been able to open a bank account. The immigration consultant I spoke with in Queretaro (Ivonne at Host Relocation: http://hostrelocation.com.mx/) told me I will be able to open a bank account with my temporary residency card.
I haven’t put that to the test yet though & will share my experience on the blog when I go to open a bank account next month.
Ralph,
Try Intercam Banco. I opened an account in Ajijic, Jalisco and only needed a copy of my lease. I only have a tourist visa at this time but I have scheduled an appointment with the consulate in Phoenix.
Really helpful post. One question: you say as a temporary resident you can register a vehicle. Does this mean registering a vehicle bought in México only, or do you know if this includes a vehicle brought in from abroad? Many thanks.
Thanks for reading, Allen!
With your temporary resident card, you can buy a vehicle in Mexico (new or used) and register it in your name. It also allows you to import a car from abroad, and it is legal in Mexico as long as your temporary residency is valid.
Allen,
If you are bringing a US plated car into most parts of Mexico, you will need to have a TIPS form completed in the US so that it can be driven into Mexico. There are some areas near the border that this is not required, but I suggest looking this process up as well, as it adds an additional step to the process of getting down to Mexico.
Kevin
Hi. Do you know if there are only specific Consulates that offer Visa application interviews? We have tried scheduling in Phoenix and there are no options for Visa, only matricula and passports for Mexican Nationals. Also, does each person applying need an appointment, or only the “head of house” with others present?
Hi, Ashley!
I know that some consulates have scaled way back on their visa interview time slots due to the pandemic. Have you tried emailing the Phoenix consulate? You can also ask them if everyone in your family will need an appointment. I don’t believe so, but it’s always a good idea to double-check with the consulate before showing up for the appointment.
Hello Alex! A very nicely created blog. Have you ever heard of anyone applying for either temporary or permanent residence without having to reside in Mexico awaiting the process ? I cannot stay down here for months at a time.
I happen to be married to a MX citizen (she has legal perm residence in US) and our kids were born in USA but I managed to make them dual citizens. So, now I am wondering if I should work toward getting residence myself in case we ever retire here or I become lucky enough to work a job in MX remotely.
Hi, thanks for reading! Across Mexico, INM is working to expedite the process for getting temporary residency cards back to applicants. For example, in Mexico City, you get your card back the same day that you submit your documents. I think my experience in Queretaro was more of an outlier due to COVID & a weird situation where the process went digital and my application kind of got lost in the shuffle. You can hear more about that in this video: https://youtu.be/lrcDL2sLQfo If you’ve been married to your wife for four years or more, you’re eligible for permanent residency from the get-go without having to show proof of economic solvency. Really though, I don’t think you need to apply too far ahead of when you plan to move to Mexico unless you’re considering buying property. Thanks again for reading & best of luck!
Actually, if you apply for residence as the spouse of a Mexican citizen you will get Temporary Residency and be eligible to become a Permanent Resident after 2 years of living there. You can also apply to naturalize as a Mexican citizen after 2 years of residency and skip the Permanent Resident step altogether (only for spouses of Mexican citizens).
If you apply for residency as the parent of Mexican children, you will qualify immediately for Permanent Residency.
Thanks for sharing your experience, Marc! I had heard from a friend who was married to a Mexican citizen that immigration told her someone who had been married to a Mexican national for more than four years was immediately eligible for permanent residency. I suggest that people who are unsure of their pathway to residency should contact an immigration consultant. In Queretaro, I recommend Ivonne from Host Relocation (http://hostrelocation.com.mx/).
If you are married to a Mexican citizen and have children together, you can skip the temporary visa process and are eligible for a permanent visa immediately. You can also apply for citizenship but has its own requirements.
Very useful post! I look forward to your next post about your residence permit card.
Best wishes!
Hi, Pamela! I am glad to hear you found this post helpful. I detailed the final part of the process (actually get my temporary residency card) in this YouTube video: https://youtu.be/lrcDL2sLQfo
HI there,
Thank you for the information.
I can’t seem to find an application in English. And google translator translation comes out blank.
Is there any way to get a form in English so at least even if I am filling out the Spanish version, I fill it out correctly.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Caroline
Hi, Caroline! If you’re referring to the application for the part of the process you do here in Mexico, then, as far as I know, it is only available in Spanish. This is an issue a lot of people have reached out to me about & I’m in the process of creating a digital product that walks English-speakers through the form so they don’t need to Google Translate each box individually. However, given the date you left your comment, I’m guessing you already figured out the application one way or another. I hope the process went smoothly & you have your temporary residency card.
I’m not sure why you say you need a temporary permanent residency to get a bank account. We have a home in Mexico and have opened more than one Mexican bank account with tourist visas, so that is not true.
That’s really interesting, Barbara. Thanks for sharing your experience. The banks I’ve visited in Queretaro (BBVA & Santander) both told me it was against the law for them to allow me to open a bank account on a tourist visa. One of the people I spoke to said the law had been put into effect around a decade ago. But, as with a lot in Mexico, requirements can vary. For example, I’ve talked to people who were unable to contract with an internet service provider without having a residency card. I had no trouble doing so on my tourist visa. Again, I’m glad to hear you were able to open a bank account without issue. It’s helpful for people to have a variety of experiences from which to draw upon when planning their move to Mexico. All the best, Alex
I have been living on tourist Visa in Hermosillo (Sonora) for almost two years. BBVA, Santander, Banorte, Banamex all required a temporary residency card for opening a bank account. The author is correct, state to state they make exceptions. I just married my Mexican husband without total documents!
Hey Alex, Welcome to residency in Mexico. If you are ever in Sornora, We will show you around! I am from Michigan too…
Congrats on your new marriage, Billy & thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience in Hermosillo!
As you said, there are exceptions (is it Mexico, after all), but on the whole, you’re required to have at least your temporary residency card in order to open a bank account. I’m planning on opening one myself sometime in the next couple of weeks & will share the process here on my blog.
You’re from the Mitten too? What a small world! If you’re anything like me, you’re extra grateful to be in Mexico right now with the winter they’re having back home. Thanks again for taking the time to leave a comment, Billy!
So what do you do if you arrive in mexico, go to the office and start the Temp Res process and it takes more than 30 days to get your approval where you have to go back and do the finger printing? Do you have to leave mexico and come back since the visa you were given was only 30 days instead of the 180 days you would normally get. Also the financial requirements are in US currency. Would a Canadian applying just convert the amount based on exchange rates or would the Mexican consulate in Canada let you know the financial requirement?
One more question! Does it make sense to apply for temp res several years prior to actually moving to Mexico? Our plan is to live there for the winters and any time we can take an extended stay the rest of the year. Should we apply now so that by the time we start staying in mexico long term we can get a bank account and register a vehicle right away? Thank you for any help… Enjoying your website so far and will look in to your youtube videos shortly.
VIVA MEXICO!
Laura Pinard
Hi, Laura!
You will need to start the process at a consulate outside of Mexico. Since it sounds like you’re in Canada, you should check out the consulate website there for the financial requirements in CAD.
After you’re approved for your temporary residency VISA, you will have six months to travel to Mexico and complete the second part of the process which is applying for your temporary residency CARD. You have 30 days to go to INM from the day you enter Mexico. While your documents are being processed, you stay in Mexico. The 30 days is just that you have to go to INM & start the process.
I don’t recommend applying for temporary residency until you’re planning on moving to Mexico since you need to give INM an address of residence. Most people come to Mexico on the 180-day tourist visa first to test out living here & find a place to live. Then, they fly back to their home country or the closest consulate to start the process.
Hopefully, that helps!
Hi Alex,
Great information! I am wondering as a British expat living here with my tourist visa running out soon, whether to get this Temp residency as I certainly don’t want to go home and it makes sense as I love it here.
I meet all the income requirements etc. too
My only issue right now is I don’t want to return to the UK (lockdown/ covid and lots of money on quarantine hotels) but I do want temp residency. Would it be possible to go to neighbouring Costa Rica and get this done at a Consulate there?
They are letting people in right now so it seems safe to go that route, but I have no experience of Costa Rican Mexican Consulates LOL
Thanks
Sean
Thanks for your question, Sean!
In theory, you don’t need to necessarily start the temporary residency process in your home country & can do the interview for the visa at a consulate in any country. I don’t personally know anyone who has applied in Costa Rica, but if their consulate website says they do visa interviews, I say: go for it! I always recommend emailing the specific consulate to double-check.
You also have the option to go to a consulate in the U.S. (although that could be just as difficult as flying back to the UK, I’m not sure). Just something to keep in mind in case Costa Rica doesn’t work out.
Hope that helps & wishing you the best of luck with your temporary residency!
Sean,
I was in the same situation. I’m from the UK. I travelled to Xela (Guatemala) a couple of weeks ago and secured my paperwork from the consul there. Once I had a booking date, it took a couple of hours. It’s not too busy and they were very helpful. Note that the Mexico/Guatemala land borders have just been closed though.
I’m now back in Oaxaca – where I intend to live – and about to visit the INM office with my paperwork.
All the best!
Thanks for sharing your experience, Cass!
Thanks for the great post. One update for people in Baja California – the INM office in Tijuana no longer needs you to bring photos – they take them at the office at the same time they take fingerprints. After the photos / fingerprints, you wait at the same desk and in 5 minutes they bring you the residence permit card. Done easily in one day and walk out with the card in hand.
Thanks so much for sharing your experience, Blair! Your insight is really going to help other people pursuing their residency in Mexico!
Blair, do they require proof of residency in Tijuana? Thanks
Regarding Mexico consulate in Costa Rica, they accept appointments and you can start the process there for residency. They did require a local CR address for the application. Not sure if you could use a hotel or temporary address but since we have a home there, it was not a problem. We had tried to email the consulate with questions before our appointment, no reply.
Thanks for the info about applying via the consulate in Costa Rica, Blair!
Thanks for the info Alex.
So while waiting during that 30day period, if you dont get your temporary Visa during that time I assume you have to leave Mexico ? what is the possibility of that happening ? reason I ask is I would coming from New Zealand so I would hate to have fly back there again.
Hi, Mike! After getting your residency VISA from the consulate, you have six months to use it to enter Mexico. Upon entering Mexico, you have 30 days to go to immigration and submit the final paperwork for your residency CARD. It’s not that you must submit and get your card back in 30 days…you just must do your part within 30 days of entering Mexico with your visa. Then, INM (immigration) will get your card to you on their timeline. At some locations, it’s the same day. At others, it could take a few weeks or a couple of months. You won’t be able to leave Mexico will your documents are being processed. If you must, you will have to apply for a permiso de salida y regreso (essentially, permission to leave and come back without your application being voided). I hope that clears things up for you!
This is a shot in the dark, but do you happen to know of anyone personally who has applied for a temp residency visa under economic solvency by showing their savings in a US Transferwise account? I can’t get a straight answer from emailing consulates and asking immigration lawyers
If Mexican consulates in the US recognize a Transferwise account as a legitimate financial institution to have proof of savings in.
Sorry, Lor, I don’t know anyone personally who has done that. I hope it works out!
Hi Lor! I just started the process at the Detroit consulate and needed to show income coming from my US Transferwise account as part of it and they accepted it.
Thanks for sharing your experience, Amanda!
Hey Alex!
Great blog and videos by the way! Thank you for providing all this information ?? I’m from Detroit! And I own a small business here, and I recently found a modest store front space for rent in Tulum. I am hoping to go back and forth between both stores and eventually become a “snow bird” and leave Michigan for the winter. Do you know if I need to apply for a temporary work visa? What are the requirements for opening a business in Mexico? The internet seems to be saying a few different things.
Thanks for reading, Nikki! I’m not familiar with the ins and outs of opening a business in Mexico, and I think it would be worth your while to consult an immigration advisor or lawyer. I do know that a temporary residency permit doesn’t grant you permission to work, but if your business is valued at a certain dollar amount, you might be eligible for permanent residency right off the bat which would mean you could own and operate the business as a Mexican citizen would. The consulate in Detroit will likely have more information for you. Try contacting them via email. Good luck!
Hola Alex- Thanks, I’m planning to go straight to the permanente residency. Is Mexico Residency Roadmap for that too or is it just a guide for the temporal that you got? Thanks
The Mexico Residency Roadmap covers how to get either your temporary or permanent residency. The two processes are very similar, and the Roadmap highlights where they diverge.
Thank you so much for this information! How long did you spend at the embassy in total?
Hi, Alli! For the part in the consulate, I was there about three hours in all. Good luck with your own plans to pursue residency in Mexico!
Thank you. Your blog has been very helpful. I am currently living in Mexico with an expired tourist visa and need to go back to the US to apply for temporary residency. My question is how long did you have to wait after your consulate appointment to receive your entry visa. Going back to the US will require me to stay at a hotel while in the US. Also I will have to leave my mexican common law spouse alone for the duration of my US stay. We live in a very Rural area and she does not drive, so it will provide a hardship for her. Thank you again for your helpful post.
Barry Dannehy
Hi Barry,
I got my visa the same day that I submitted the paperwork and had my interview at the consulate. The whole thing took just a few hours. I recommend emailing the consulate where you plan to apply just to double-check that you’ll receive your visa the same day if you’re approved. Most do it this way, but it never hurts to check.
Good luck!
Thank you Alex. The information you give is very valuable. There is an Indianapolis Mexican Consulate where I live but I might have to go to Chicago. One question I have is about the Police Certificate. What do they require as far as what jurisdiction is to be checked, for example my county, my state? And how far back do they require that the police check go?…..In your case, do you remember what jurisdiction and how far back they required your check to go?………..Wishing you and your boy friend the best. And thank you.
hi there, in the form Tramite, what option are you selecting? you have to choose a procedure and/or change of stay condition. Which did you use?
Hi Alex
Great Blog!
At the Mexican consulate in the USA when applying for temporary resident visa, would I need to give them an address in Mexico?
Great information but although i am in a relationship with a Mexican lady, I still can’t apply for temporary residency as I do not have that much money, as per requirements on the INM form …. it’s crazy. How many people have $45,334.00 ????? Madness.
Hallo, which part of the country will process our papers the quickest? Thanks! Great blog by the way.
I’ve heard that Mexico City is very fast.
Thank you so much for putting this information together!! I received my temporary residency visa in September at the consulate in the US and plan to visit INM on Monday to exchange my FMM. As I have previously discovered, the list requirements on the Mexican government website isn’t always accurate. Your list of the actual requirements is indispensable!! Also, the video of what to expect at INM is fantastic and I hope it helps me avoid any surprises. Thanks again for publishing this!
Congrats on getting your temporary residency, Mitchell! I’m so glad you found my post helpful on your journey!
Hi there great Article,
My parents are thinking about checking out Mexico for retirement on the 180 days tourist visa from Canada. They are double vaxxed, are Canadians able to get booster vaccine shots in the future in Mexico if they are staying using 180 day visa?
Thanks for reading, Mark! Right now, you must be a resident (temporary or permanent) to be eligible for the vaccine in Mexico. Tourists will need to travel to their home country. Another option is traveling to the US.