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Mexico
Expats wishing to live and work in Mexico will need a Mexico Temporary Residency Visa and a Mexico work permit. Some key requirements for the temporary residency visa include the corresponding application form, a passport, a visa fee payment, and any additional documents as required.
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Are you an expat applying for a Mexico visa and looking to stay covered while in Mexico? In this blog post, we will be going over the requirements, the visa application process, the documents needed, and the application fees for expats who wish to live in Mexico.
The Types of Mexico Temporary Residency Visas
The temporary residency visa in Mexico is issued to foreigners who wish to live in Mexico for longer than 180 days. Below are the three main types of temporary residency visas available for expats in Mexico.
- Mexico Work Visa: This temporary residency visa is issued to foreigners and allows holders to take up paid employment in Mexico.
- Mexico Student Visa: The student visa is issued to foreign students who wish to study in Mexico.
- Mexico Family Visa: This visa is issued to foreigners who would like to join a family member who lives in Mexico.
The Requirements for a Mexico Temporary Residency Visa
Below are the required documents you’ll need when applying for a temporary residency visa in Mexico:
- Printed and signed Mexico visa application form. In case the applicant is a minor, the application form must be signed by their parents or legal guardians
- Passport (along with a photocopy of relevant pages) with blank pages where your visa can be affixed to
- Recent passport-size photo (3.9cm x 3.1cm)
- Visa fee payment
- Any additional documents as required by the Mexican embassy you’re applying for the visa
Additionally, depending on the specific type of Mexico temporary residency visa you are applying for, below are the other travel purpose indication documents you will also need.
- Mexico Family Visa: Proof of family relationship with accompanying family member
- Mexico Student Visa: Proof of Mexican educational institution enrollment
- Mexico Work Visa: Proof of obtaining a work permit and a copy of your work contract
Applying for a Mexico Temporary Residency Visa
There are two parts to the application for a temporary residency visa in Mexico: the first of which is the application itself at a Mexican embassy and the second part is where you will exchange the temporary residency visa for a Temporary Residence Card.
You will do this at the National Immigration Institute (Instituto Nacional de Migracion, INM) in Mexico.
The Application at a Mexican Embassy
You can apply for a Mexico temporary residency visa at your nearest Mexican embassy. The process is as follows:
1. Make an Appointment with a Mexican Embassy
Contact a Mexican embassy to set up an appointment. For a list of available Mexican embassies, please click here for more information.
2. Fill Out the Mexico Visa Application Form
Find the Mexico visa application form at the Mexican embassy you are applying for the visa (or on their official site) and fill out the form.
3. Submit Required Documents and Pay Fees
Gather up and submit all the required documents as outlined earlier. Make sure you also submit the additional travel purpose indication documents according to the specific type of Mexican temporary residency visa. A visa application fee is also required.
4. Wait for Your Visa
Once you have filled out and submitted the application form as well as the required documents and paid the fees, wait for the visa to be processed. Depending on the specific embassy you are applying for the visa, the processing time for your Mexico temporary residency visa may vary.
Generally speaking, you can expect to wait around a week to a month. Due to the varying processing times, we strongly urge you to apply for the visa at least a month in advance before you head to Mexico. Once your visa application has been approved, the visa will then be affixed to your passport.
Do keep in mind that different embassies will have their own set of requirements for the visa application process. Thus, it’s crucial to study their business hours and specific requirements via their official website. Be sure to contact the embassy if you have any questions.
Exchanging the Temporary Residency Visa into a Temporary Residence Card
Once your visa application has been approved and the visa has been affixed to your passport, it’s time to head to Mexico. Within 30 days of arriving in the country with the temporary residency visa, you must exchange it for a temporary residence card.
This can be done at the National Immigration Institute (Instituto Nacional de Migracion, INM). Below are the documents required for the application process at the INM to get your temporary residence card.
Documents required:
- Resident card request form (available for download on the website of the immigration offices)
- Your passport with the temporary residency visa affixed
- The Multiple Immigration Form (Forma Migratoria Múltiple, FMM) which you received at the airport upon arriving in Mexico
- Resident card fee
- A cover letter requesting the temporary resident card addressed to the INM
- Any additional documents regarding your travel purpose (employment, education, family)
The Duration of a Mexico Temporary Residency Visa
The duration of a Mexico temporary residency visa is 180 days, which is why you’ll have to apply to convert it into a temporary resident card within 30 days. The card itself is valid for a year and is renewable for another year or two to three years.
After living with a temporary residency visa for four years, then you will be eligible to apply for permanent residency.
Mexico Temporary Residency Visas and Temporary Resident Card Fees
The fee for a Mexico temporary residency visa is around 890.88 Mexican Pesos (approximately USD $53). However, do keep in mind that the visa fee and payment method may fluctuate depending on the country in which you submit your application.
Certain embassies may require upfront payment via bank transfer while others take cash payment. Note that the temporary residency visa fee is non-refundable in case of visa refusal.
Upon landing, you’ll also have to pay for the Mexican tourist card. Prices once again fluctuate from time to time but could range from USD $15-$30 (approximately 252.14-504.27 Mexican Pesos).
As for the Mexican Temporary Card payment at the INM, fees will vary depending on the number of years it is issued and will range from 3,000-7,000 Mexican Pesos (approximately USD $50,427-$117,663).
Applying for a Mexico Work Permit
Your employer will apply for a work permit on your behalf and they must submit the documents below to the National Immigration Institute:
- Mexico Work Permit Request Form
- Original job offer or contract with the full details of your job, this includes your position, salary, duration of work, and the company’s address. The letter must be written on the company’s letterhead
- A full photocopy of your passport
- Your original diplomas, transcripts, and other certifications (legalized)
- Your CV
- Documents related to the company hiring you. These include the Articles of Incorporation, a list of employees (and their nationalities), and proof that the company has paid the due taxes
- Documents regarding your financial status such as bank statements and payslips
Once the work permit has been approved, you will then receive a Unique Processing Number in a letter format, which you’ll need to present to a Mexican embassy once you apply for the temporary residency visa.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I have to do if I lose my Mexican temporary resident card?
If you lose your Mexican temporary resident card, visit the local immigration office and apply for a replacement. Submit both your original passport and its photocopy, pay the resident card replacement fee, and three pictures (2.5cmx3cm), one left side profile and two front.
Can I buy a house in Mexico if I have a temporary residency visa?
You do not need a Mexico temporary residency visa if you’re considering buying property there. However, if you are looking to live in Mexico for an extended period of time, then you will need a temporary residency visa at least.
What is the difference between a temporary and permanent residency in Mexico?
A temporary residency card in Mexico is valid for one year but you can also renew it for another one year to three years at most. On the other hand, the permanent residency card has infinite validity for people over 18 years old.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the application process for Mexico’s temporary residency visa is relatively straightforward as long as you prepare and submit all the required documents accordingly and apply at least a month in advance due to the inconsistent processing time across different Mexican embassies.
Once you enter Mexico following the successful approval of your visa application, remember to proceed with converting your temporary residency visa into a temporary card and submit the required documents accordingly.
As a leading international health insurance broker, Pacific Prime has over two decades of experience in matching both expats and local citizens alike to the health insurance plan that matches both their budget range as well as their unique healthcare needs.
Whether you’re an expat living in Mexico or you’re a local Mexican citizen yourself, Pacific Prime and our team of specialists are ready to help you out. And if you have any further questions, please get in touch with us.
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Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).
Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.
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