Eligibility quiz
Was one of your grandparents a citizen of Mexico from birth?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Mexico for life
You can live in Mexico indefinitely, with a residence card as proof of your status.
Mexico also protects your rights and personal safety.
Study in Mexico
You can attend public or private schools in Mexico.
Work in Mexico
You can do paid work in Mexico if you obtain work permission based on a job offer.
Your residence card alone does not authorize you to work.
Travel in and out
You can enter and leave Mexico as often as you wish.
You need a valid passport or travel document, and must use an international crossing, give required travel information and show your valid residence status when leaving.
Bring your siblings
Your siblings can live with you in Mexico, whatever their citizenship, if they are minors, unmarried and legally represented by you.
Bring personal belongings
You can bring your personal belongings into Mexico under its customs rules.
Use healthcare
You can receive public or private healthcare in Mexico.
Urgent care needed to save your life must be free and provided without restriction.
Residence does not automatically enroll you in a health plan.
How to apply
From outside MexicoFrom outside Mexico
Find your consulate
Find the Mexican consulate that serves the place where you live.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Mexican consulate serves your city for a residencia permanente por unidad familiar visa?”
Ask about your application
Ask the consulate for written confirmation that it accepts applications through a Mexican-by-birth grandparent before you book or travel. A consulate may refuse to process this kind of application.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I contact the Mexican consulate serving your city about a residencia permanente por unidad familiar visa through a grandparent?”
Get the application form
Get the Mexican visa application form.
Find the formSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I get the Mexico visa de residencia permanente por unidad familiar application form?”
Fill in the form
Fill in the visa application form and sign it.
Get help filling itSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Mexico visa de residencia permanente por unidad familiar application form?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the consulate.
See required documentsBook an appointment
Book a visa appointment through MiConsulado.
Book an appointmentSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book a MiConsulado appointment for a Mexico visa de residencia permanente por unidad familiar?”
Go to your appointment
Bring your completed form and your documents, including originals and copies, to the consulate. Attend the interview, provide your fingerprints and other biometric information, and pay the visa fee at the consulate; bring your Mexican family member if the consulate requires it.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “What happens at a Mexico visa de residencia permanente por unidad familiar appointment at the consulate serving your city?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the consulate to decide your application and respond if it asks for more information or documents.
See how decisions workSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does a Mexico visa de residencia permanente por unidad familiar decision take at a consulate?”
Receive your visa
Once approved, receive your visa from the consulate. It lets you travel to Mexico to enter as a permanent resident.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I receive my Mexico visa de residencia permanente por unidad familiar from the consulate serving your city?”
Travel to Mexico
Enter Mexico while your visa is valid. The visa allows one entry and is valid for a maximum of 180 days.
Plan your entrySearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I enter Mexico with a visa de residencia permanente por unidad familiar?”
Once in MexicoOnce in Mexico
Apply for your card
Apply to Mexico’s immigration authority, INM, for your permanent resident card within 30 calendar days of entering Mexico.
Apply for your cardSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I apply for a Mexico permanent resident card after entering with a visa de residencia permanente por unidad familiar?”
Receive your card
Follow INM’s instructions to receive your permanent resident card. It documents your permanent resident status in Mexico.
Find out about collectionSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I receive my Mexico permanent resident card after entering with a visa de residencia permanente por unidad familiar?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
Get the birth certificates of your Mexican grandparent, your parent and yourself, with an original and a copy of each. Your grandparent must be Mexican by birth; ask the office what evidence it accepts to establish this. If you apply at a consulate, confirm in writing that it accepts applications through a grandparent and ask whether it accepts certified copies.
Grandparent's official ID *
Bring your Mexican grandparent's current official ID. Bring the original and a copy.
* Only if you apply in Mexico.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Residence card duties
Keep your residence card safe and show it when immigration authorities ask.
A minor’s card must be renewed, and a card must be replaced if lost, stolen or damaged, or when the holder turns 18.
Document fees can apply.
Wartime military service
Foreign residents must do military service if Mexico is in an international war and their country of citizenship is fighting on Mexico’s side.
Residence can be lost
Your residence can be cancelled if you declare your departure permanent or receive a different immigration status.
It can also be cancelled for false information, fraudulent documents or a security risk based on your record.
Loss of refugee or protection recognition, where applicable, or other legal grounds can also end it.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Expats in Mexico
English Facebook group for people living in Mexico interested in Mexican visas
Request to joinGetting Mexican Residency (the ORIGINAL)
English Facebook group for people living in Mexico interested in Mexican visas
Join on FacebookInto Mexico We Go
English Facebook group for people living in Mexico interested in Mexican visas
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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