You can apply for a Temporary Resident Visa if you plan to live in Mexico for longer than 180 days for employment, studying, family reunification, or any other reason.
The visa is initially granted for six months, but as soon as you arrive in Mexico, you exchange it for a Temporary Resident Card, which is issued for one year and can be renewed for up to four years.
If you are staying for less than 180 days and don’t intend to work, you might not need a visa at all.
Applying for a Temporary Resident Visa
You have to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa at the nearest Mexican embassy or consulate. Here’s an overview of the application process:
- Contact the embassy or consulate to schedule your appointment. Do this plenty of time in advance since it may take several weeks to get an appointment and to process the visa. The list of Mexican diplomatic representations is here.
- Collect the required documents. The exact documents will differ depending on the reason why you are applying. These are the general documents everyone submits:
- Valid passport
- Visa application form
- Passport-size pictures
- Payment of the visa fee
- Additional supporting documents based on the purpose of travel.
- Submit the documents and pay the visa fee. The fee may change depending on the country in which you submit your application, as does the payment method. Some embassies may require you to pay the fee upfront via bank transfer, while others ask you to pay in cash. Regardless of the payment method, you have to attach the payment slip to the application documents.
- Wait for the visa to process. It typically takes around 10 working days to process a visa.
If the application is approved, you will receive a six-month visa. You can use the visa to travel to Mexico, where you have to switch it out for a Residence Card.
After Arriving in Mexico (Temporary Resident Card)
Once you arrive in Mexico, you have 30 days to exchange your visa for a Residence Card. To do this, visit the nearest National Immigration Institute (INM) office. The Card’s price depends on the years it is issued for and ranges from 3,000 to 7,000 Mexican Pesos.
Required Documents
Be sure to bring the following documents:
- The Resident Card request form, which you can download from the website of the Immigration Offices.
- Your passport with the visa affixed.
- The Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMM), which you received at the airport.
- Payment of the Resident Card.
- A cover/request letter addressed to the Instituto Nacional de Migración.
- Any additional documents related to your purpose of travel.
Once approved, the Residence Card is initially issued for one year, and it can be renewed for up to four years continuously. After four years, you become eligible for a Permanent Residence Card.
Understanding the Types of Temporary Resident Visas
You can apply for a Temporary Resident Visa for any of the following reasons:
- Employment
- Studying
- Family reunification
- Investment (in real estate or a business)
- Working in Mexico as a digital nomad (financial solvency)
- Retiring or living in Mexico as a financially independent individual (financial solvency)
The requirements and application process may differ slightly depending on the visa type.
Temporary Resident Visa for Employment
To get a visa for employment, both you and your employer are involved in the application process:
- Before you travel to Mexico, your employer applies for your authorization to work at the National Migration Institute (INM). The INM issues a Unique Processing Number (NUT), which you must present to the Mexican embassy to apply for a visa.
- You apply for a visa from the Mexican embassy/consulate. You present the required documents along with the NUT.
- Once you arrive in Mexico, you appear at the National Migration Institute (INM) within the first 30 days of arrival to receive a Temporary Resident Card. With the card, you can stay in the country for up to four years, depending on your work contract.
Documents
The documents you need to apply for this visa include:
- Unique Processing Number NUT confirmation letter, provided by the National Migration Institute (INM).
- University diploma or other certificates, proving you have the educational qualifications for the job you are taking.
- Resumes, letters of recommendation, or other documents proving you have the work experience or knowledge for the position you are taking.
Temporary Resident Visa for Students
If you are admitted to a Mexican university, you can apply for a visa to attend your courses. When you apply, you must have a letter of admission from your educational institution and proof that you can support yourself financially. You will also have to enter a visa interview with the consular staff.
After your visa has been issued, you can enter Mexico, apply for a Residence Card within the first 30 days, and start your studies.
Documents
To apply for a visa for studies, you need to submit the following documents:
- Letter of admission to the educational institution. The letter must include the following:
- Your full name
- Information about the course of study (name, level, degree, and area of study).
- Start and end dates of the course.
- Cost of tuition/fees.
- Contact data for the educational institution
- Proof of economic solvency. Depending on your circumstances, this could be:
- Monthly income of (approximately) USD 1,300/month (through a scholarship, job, investments, or savings), or
- Bank statements showing you have an average balance of USD 13,000 over the last three months, or
- Through your parents (if you are under 25 years of age).
Temporary Resident Visa for Family Reunification
This visa is also issued to the immediate family members of Mexican citizens or legal residents. You can apply for the visa under this category if you are the spouse, long-term cohabitating partner, child, or parent of an underage child living in Mexico.
Documents
To join a family member in Mexico through this visa, you have to submit the following documents:
- For Mexican nationals: Passport or birth certificate.
- For legal residents of Mexico: Residence Card (temporary or permanent)
- For spouses or unmarried partners: Marriage or cohabitation certificate (original & copy).
- For parents: Child’s birth certificate (original & copy).
- For children: Birth certificate (original & copy).
- For stepchildren:
- Birth certificate (original & copy).
- Marriage or cohabitation certificate of parents (original & copy).
- Proof of financial stability: Bank statements or proof of steady income (for the family member living in Mexico).
Temporary Resident Visa for Digital Nomads
If you work remotely, you can apply for a temporary visa to work from Mexico. You must prove “financial solvency”, meaning you can support yourself without earning income in Mexico. To qualify for this visa route, you must have earned a monthly income of at least USD 4,300 each of the last six months.
Documents
To apply for the temporary visa as a digital nomad, you have to submit documents proving your employment and income. You may submit:
- Bank statements from the last twelve months, showing where your salary is deposited.
- Letter from your employer. The letter must state your full name, salary, the start date of your job, and your position title. T must be signed by your employer.
Temporary Resident Visa for Investment
Investing in Mexico also grants you residency. There are usually two main investment options for expats:
- Investing in real estate. If you purchase a real estate property in Mexico worth at least USD 437,000.
- Investing in a business. If you invest in a company or business in Mexico (investment amounts vary based on the company and number of employees).
Documents
For the investment route of the Temporary Resident Visa, the documents vary depending on the investment type. You may be required to submit:
- Public Deed/Title signed before a Notary Public (for real estate purchase),
- Documents proving the development of economic or business activities in Mexico, such as work contracts, service orders, invoices, receipts, business plans, licenses, or permits (for investing in a business).
Other Temporary Resident Visas
Other types of Temporary Resident Visas for Mexico include:
Visa for Scientific Research in Waters Under Mexican Jurisdiction
This visa is issued to foreign researchers conducting scientific studies or collecting samples in Mexico’s territorial waters. You need prior authorization from the Mexican government and documents specifying the project details, duration, and the institution overseeing the research to qualify.
Visa by Invitation from an Organization or a Public or Private Institution
This visa allows you to engage in non-remunerated activities in Mexico with an invitation from a recognized organization. The inviting institution must provide an official letter detailing your role and how you will contribute to the institution’s objectives. They must also take financial responsibility for your stay.
Visa Under the Auspices of an International Legal Instrument Governing Mobility of People
This visa applies if your country is part of an international agreement facilitating mobility, such as the Mexico-Canada Youth Mobility Program. To qualify, you must submit a written request referencing the applicable agreement and meet the specific requirements outlined in the treaty, which may include proof of financial means, work eligibility, or other supporting documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do I become a permanent resident?
After four years of living in Mexico, you become eligible to apply for Permanent Residency.
How to renew a Temporary Resident Card for Mexico?
At least 30 days before your current Temporary Resident Card expires, you must apply for a renewal at the Instituto Nacional de Migración.
Can you work in Mexico with a visitor visa?
If you enter Mexico with a regular Tourist Visa or Tourist Card, you are not allowed to work.
However, if you intend to work in Mexico for less than 180 days, you may apply for a “Visitor Visa with authorization to perform remunerated activities”. This type of Mexico visa allows you to work for the 180 days that it is issued. Once it expires, you may not renew it.
You may apply for a Working Tourist Visa at a Mexican embassy with approval from the National Immigration Institute (INM).
Can I apply for a work permit without an employer?
No, you need an employer to work for a work permit on your behalf at the Instituto Nacional de Migración before you even apply for a visa. Only if the work permit is approved, can you then submit a visa application and travel to Mexico.
What if I lose or damage my Mexican Resident Card?
If you lose or damage your Mexican Resident Card, you must visit the local immigration office and apply for a replacement. You must have the following documents with you:
- Your passport (original and a photocopy)
- Residence card replacement fee
- Three pictures, two showing you face-front and one from your left side profile
- If your resident card was damaged: Submit the Tourist Card (FMM) and your entrance Visa along with the residence card
- If your resident card was stolen/lost: Submit the Tourist Card (FMM) and your entrance Visa
- Form to request immigration procedure stay
- Any additional documents the immigration office may request
If you lose or damage your Mexican Resident Card while you are abroad, you must approach a Mexican embassy to request a replacement.