Eligibility quiz
Have you paid more than 45,850 UMA for a share in a Mexican company?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Mexico
You can live legally in Mexico for your authorized stay, up to four years.
Your personal safety must be protected, whatever your immigration status.
Study in Mexico
You can attend public or private schools under the usual admission rules.
Work with permission
With a job offer, you can seek permission to work for pay.
Your permission is tied to the approved offer or activity.
Travel in and out
You can leave and return to Mexico as often as you like while your residence card is valid.
To return, you need your card and a valid passport or travel document.
Bring your belongings
You can bring your belongings into Mexico under the applicable rules.
Use public healthcare
You can receive public or private care, and emergency care needed to save your life is free, whatever your immigration status.
Your residence card does not automatically include health insurance.
How to apply
From outside MexicoFrom outside Mexico
Find your consulate
Find the Mexican embassy or consulate where you will apply.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Mexican consulate near your city accepts Residencia temporal visa applications?”
Download the application form
Download the application form for a Mexican visa for foreign nationals.
Download the formSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I download the Mexico Residencia temporal visa application form?”
Fill in the form
Complete and sign the visa application form with your passport details and investment information.
Get form helpSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Mexico Residencia temporal visa application form as an investor?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the consulate.
See required documentsBook an appointment
Create or use your MiConsulado account and book a visa appointment at your selected embassy or consulate. Upload the information and documents the portal asks for.
Book an appointmentGo to your appointment
Bring your signed form and required documents to the consulate, attend the interview and provide your fingerprints and other requested biometric information. Pay the visa application fee as directed by the consulate.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “What happens at a Mexico Residencia temporal visa appointment at the Mexican consulate in your city?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the consulate to decide your application, and answer any requests for more information or documents.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How long does a Mexico Residencia temporal investor visa decision take at the Mexican consulate in your city?”
Receive your visa
Receive your visa from the consulate if your application is approved. It lets you travel to Mexico and ask to enter as a temporary resident, but does not guarantee entry.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I collect my approved Mexico Residencia temporal visa from the Mexican consulate in your city?”
Once in MexicoOnce in Mexico
Enter Mexico
Show your passport and visa to immigration at the entry point and ask to enter as a temporary resident. Keep the entry document issued for exchanging your visa for a residence card.
Prepare for entrySearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I enter Mexico with a Residencia temporal visa and get the entry document for my residence card?”
Find your office
Find the immigration office that serves your address in Mexico. Apply for your residence card within 30 days of entering Mexico.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Mexico immigration office serves your city for a Residencia temporal visa exchange?”
Get the exchange form
Open the online form for requesting an immigration stay procedure.
Open the formFill in the form
Complete the form online, then print and sign it.
Get form helpSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in and sign the Mexico Residencia temporal visa exchange form?”
Book your office appointment
Create or use your immigration services account and generate your application. Book an appointment if required, using an office shown for your address.
Open the services portalPay the card fee
Pay the applicable residence card fee using the immigration office's payment instructions. Keep the receipt for your application.
Find payment instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay the Mexico Residencia temporal visa exchange residence card fee?”
Hand in your application
Bring your signed form, required documents, fee receipt and appointment confirmation, if applicable, to the immigration office. Provide any biometric information requested there.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a Mexico Residencia temporal visa exchange application at the immigration office in your city?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the immigration office 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 Residencia temporal visa exchange decision take?”
Collect your residence card
Collect your temporary resident card when the immigration office issues it. The card is your residence document in Mexico.
See how to collectSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I collect my Mexico Residencia temporal card after a visa exchange?”
Documents needed
Required to applyRequired to apply
Copy of your passport
Bring your valid passport or identity and travel document, along with the copies the office asks for. Your original must be legible and undamaged.
Application forms
For a consulate, bring your completed and signed visa application form; the Mexican visa portal links to the form. For an application in Mexico, bring the electronically generated, printed and signed immigration application form. If you are exchanging a consular visa for a residence card, also bring the completed basic form.
Passport photo *
Bring a recent passport-size photograph of yourself. For a consular application, face the camera without glasses, with your face visible and a white background.
* Only if you apply at a consulate or are asked for a photo when exchanging your visa for a residence card.
Immigration status document *
Bring proof that you are allowed to stay in the country where you apply. For an application to change your status in Mexico, bring your current immigration document.
* Only if you apply at a consulate outside your country of nationality or apply to change your immigration status in Mexico.
Entry document *
Bring the valid entry document issued to you when you entered Mexico, such as your FMM. Keep the document you received for your visa exchange.
* Only if you entered Mexico with a temporary resident visa and are exchanging it for a residence card.
Company investment records *
Bring the Mexican company’s notarised deed or a document certified by the company’s management showing your share in its capital and the amount you paid. You can show the amount paid with a share purchase contract, a contract transferring assets or rights to the company, or confirmation from the company of your contribution. Your investment must be more than 45,850 UMA, a Mexican official unit of measure; ask the receiving office which amount applies when you file.
* Only if you qualify through money invested in a Mexican company.
Business asset records *
Bring documents showing ownership of movable property or fixed assets held by your foreign company and used for business. Their value must be more than 45,850 UMA, a Mexican official unit of measure; ask the receiving office which amount applies when you file.
* Only if you qualify through business property or fixed assets.
Business activity records *
Bring documents showing your business activity in Mexico, such as contracts, service orders, invoices, receipts, business plans, licences or permits. You can also provide a Mexican social security certificate showing that your foreign company employs at least three workers.
* Only if you qualify through business activity in Mexico.
Temporary resident visa *
Bring the temporary resident visa issued by the consulate. Bring it with your passport for the residence card application.
* Only if you entered Mexico with a temporary resident visa and are exchanging it for a residence card.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Residence and work duties
To keep your residence, you must renew it and pay the fee while you still meet the conditions of your stay.
Tell the immigration office within 90 days of a change in your marital status, citizenship, address or workplace.
You may work for pay only with permission and within its terms.
Property transaction requirements
For a property transaction before a notary or authorized broker, you must prove your lawful stay.
You must also make any legally required declarations giving up certain rights.
Residence can end
Your residence ends or is cancelled if it expires without renewal, you declare a permanent departure, or you obtain another immigration status.
It can also be cancelled for false information or documents, or if your background threatens national or public safety.
Losing refugee or other protection, or another legal reason, 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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