Eligibility quiz
Are you married to a Mexican citizen?
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 consulate that serves the place where you are legally staying.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Mexican consulate serves your city for a Residencia temporal por unidad familiar application?”
Download the application form
Download the Mexican visa application form.
Download the formSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I download the Mexico visa application form for Residencia temporal por unidad familiar?”
Fill in the form
Fill in and sign the visa application form. Use the same names and details as on your passport and relationship document.
See how to complete itSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Mexico visa application form for Residencia temporal por unidad familiar?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the consulate.
See required documentsBook an appointment
Book an appointment using the system or booking method your consulate provides.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book a Mexican consulate appointment in your city for Residencia temporal por unidad familiar?”
Pay the fee
Pay the consular fee as your consulate instructs.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay the Mexican consulate fee in your city for Residencia temporal por unidad familiar?”
Go to your appointment
Bring your application and documents to the consulate with your Mexican spouse or partner. You will be interviewed and may have your photo and other identifying information taken.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “What happens at a Mexican consulate appointment in your city for Residencia temporal por unidad familiar?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the consulate's decision and respond if it asks for more information or documents.
See how decisions workSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does a Mexico Residencia temporal por unidad familiar visa decision take at a consulate?”
Collect your visa
Collect your passport with the visa from the consulate. The visa lets you request entry to Mexico, but it does not guarantee entry.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I collect my Mexico Residencia temporal por unidad familiar visa from the consulate in your city?”
Travel to Mexico
Travel to Mexico with your passport and valid visa, and present them at immigration control. The immigration officer decides whether to admit you.
Find entry informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I enter Mexico with a Residencia temporal por unidad familiar visa?”
Once in MexicoOnce in Mexico
Request your residence card
Apply to exchange your visa for a residence card at the National Migration Institute within 30 calendar days after entering Mexico.
Start your card requestCollect your residence card
Follow the migration office's instructions to receive your temporary resident card. It lets you live in Mexico for the period granted and enter and leave Mexico.
Find card collection informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I collect my Mexico Residencia temporal por unidad familiar card after exchanging my visa?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Partner's citizenship records
For a consulate application, bring your Mexican spouse or partner's valid Mexican passport and Mexican birth certificate. For an INM application, bring their valid Mexican ID in the original and a copy; the office may accept a Mexican passport or another accepted Mexican ID.
Marriage certificate *
Bring your marriage certificate in the original and a copy, or a certified copy if your office asks for one. If your Mexican spouse starts the visa application at INM, the certificate must be Mexican. If either of you previously established another marriage, bring a document showing it ended.
* Only if you are married.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationPartnership record *
Bring a record of your partnership issued by the office that recognised it, in the original and a copy, or a certified copy if your office asks for one. If a previous marriage or partnership was established, bring a document showing it ended.
* Only if you are applying through your partner rather than a spouse.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationConsiderations
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
Trámites de visados con Aly Explica en el consulado de México en la Habana
Spanish Facebook group for people living in Mexico interested in Mexican visas
Join on FacebookTramites En Instituto Nacional De Migración Nuevo León
Facebook group for people living in Mexico interested in Mexican visas (Spanish & English)
Join on Facebookresidencia temporal por unidad familiar en México �
Spanish 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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