An Interior Ministry report states the number of US citizens granted temporary residency in 2022 increased 85% compared to 2019.
Your first Temporary or Permanent Resident visa starts with a pre-approval at a Mexican consulate outside of Mexico. I can guide you through this process but I nor anyone else, may make your appointments for you. Once pre-approved I will work with you to finalize your visa in Mexico. I also process visa renewals and replacements. Email: Sonia@SoniaDiazMexico.com
Here is a list of all the Mexican consulates in the US.
Consulate Requirements
1. Photo with face uncovered, no glasses, front view, in colour, white background. 3.9 cm x 3.1 cm (1.53” x 1.2”). This not American passport size.
2. In the U.S. $48 cash per person and in Canada $62.
3. Mexican consulate application is to be printed double-sided (one per person). Complete and take with you. Your best estimate for port-of-entry and date of entry is acceptable. On question 21, for Temporary Resident pre-approval check more than 180 days and less than 4 years. For Permanent Resident check “DEFINITIVE”. In reason for applying: “to live in Mexico” or “to retire in Mexico”. Complete questions 1- 25 and nothing more. Also, please do not sign.
4. Passport plus copy.
5. Financials as per below, Some consulates want originals. Check with your MX consulate as there are variables for which I am not responsible.
6. Appointment confirmation form.
7. Original and copies of marriage licenses when spouse is sponsoring the other and birth certificates for children.
To make an appointment check the consulate web site and FB page. Some consulates have an email address and / or phone number and some require an appointment by calling from Canada and the US 1-424-309-0009 or website.
Prior to leaving the consulate, please check your pre-approved visa in your passport to ensure your name is spelled correctly; your birthdate is accurate; male / female is indicated correctly; and, if you applied for Temporary Resident, that what you received is not Permanent Resident which for those bringing a car is an issue. Similarly, if you applied for Permanent Resident pre-approval please confirm. An error is a problem.
For financial statements, if an account is in both names, have both names appear on your financial statements. Mexican printouts often show 1 name on joint accounts. The following 2023 amounts are based on a 20 to 1 US$ and 15 to 1 Canadian $ exchange rate.
- Monthly income ~$3111 US / $4149 C (300 days x minimum wage 207.44) employment or pension showing 6 months of bank statements, or
- Investments ~$51,860 US / $69,147 C (5000 days x minimum wage 207.44) with 12 months of individual statements, or
- Home ownership in Mexico worth ~ 8,297,600 pesos (40,000 days x minimum wage 207.44) per person. You will need your deed and a copy.
Once You Have a Pre-approved Visa from a Mexican Consulate
Once pre-approved, you have 6 months to enter Mexico and once you enter, you have 30 days to make an appointment at an Immigration office. The 30 days includes the day you entered Mexico. A pre-approval is for ONLY one entry. When you enter Mexico, please show your passport and pre-approved visa. You may be issued an FMM marked CANJE. Both your FMM, if issued and pre-approved visa in your passport must be date stamped.
Once you enter, you must finalize the process or start over at a consulate. If driving, at the border you must obtain a car permit (TIP). The deposit is $200, $300 or $400. Your FMM and car permit will be good for 30 days. Please see this page regarding car permits. This means you must start your process within 30 days including the day you entered Mexico or at least you must have an appointment to complete your process within 30 days.
Your first temporary resident visa will be for 1 year. Renewal may start up to 30 days prior to expiration. Your renewal may be for 1, 2 or 3 years but financially, a 3-year renewal is best. Your temporary resident card expiration date is based on the anniversary of when you entered Mexico with your pre-approved visa from a Mexican consulate, less a day. For example, if you entered Mexico with a pre-approved visa June 10, 2021, your temporary resident card expires on June 9, 2022. Expiration dates are written 10/6/21 meaning 10 June 2021.
Temporary resident Immigration fees: 1-year: 4739 pesos; 2-year: 7100 pesos; 3-years: 8993 pesos. These fees are payable at a bank or to Immigration using Visa or MasterCard.
Note: once you have a Temporary or Permanent Resident visa by law you are to complete an FMM each time you leave Mexico.
You enter your TR or PR visa card number from the back of your visa into box 8. At the top write “temporary resident” or “permanent resident”. At no time should it be checked “tourist” or you will need to start over proving financials at a consulate. Keep half of the FMM and turn it in when returning to Mexico. FMM’s are slowly being replaced and you may find your passport is stamped instead. And please never have a color copy of your visa, driver’s license or any other Mexican government-issued ID as that is considered fraud with serious consequences.
If you lose your Temporary or Permanent Resident visa card while outside of Mexico you may go to the nearest Mexican consulate or embassy. Another possible option is upon arrival at an airport in Mexico, you immediately go to Inmigracion at the airport. You ask for a meeting and request a 2-page letter called: ACTA DE INTERNACION AEREA. You then apply at your local INM in Mexico. If immigration at the airport gives you a FMM and records you as a tourist, that is what you will be and you will have to start your visa process over again at a Mexican consulate and prove financials.
In Mexico, you are to carry your original Temporary or Permanent Resident card. If a tourist, you carry your passport and original FMM tourist card.
