Mexico Temporary Resident Visa

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Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay. Bring the original plus a clear copy of the data page to your consular appointment.

One recent passport-style photo on white background. Mexican consulates often request infant size (32×26 mm) — check the specific consulate's published format.

Mexican consulates publish a single Solicitud de Visa form. Fill it in fully (Spanish), sign at the bottom, and bring an original to your appointment.

MiConsulado is the SRE's online appointment portal. Availability varies by consulate — busy posts can be 6+ weeks out. Apply at the consulate that covers your country of legal residence, not nationality.

A signed letter in Spanish explaining your reasons for relocating to Mexico, your ties abroad, and your plans during your stay. The consul typically asks about this at interview.

Pay slips, freelance invoices, or pension award letters covering each of the last 6 months at or above MXN $35,193 (300 days UMA) per month. Many consulates publish a higher working figure (~680 days UMA, MXN $79,772/mo); show the higher figure where possible.

Individual monthly bank statements covering the last 6 months, each with the bank's original seal or digital certificate. Global, quarterly, or app-pulled summary PDFs are routinely rejected.

Alternative to monthly income proof. 12 months of bank or investment statements with original seal showing an average monthly balance at or above MXN $586,550 (5,000 days UMA). Some consulates require 11,460 days UMA (~MXN $1,344,373).

Original documentation establishing the income source: employment contract, freelance/service contracts, or a pension/annuity award letter from the paying institution.

Pay the consular visa fee at the time of your appointment. Standard rate is approximately USD $54; check your consulate for exact local-currency amount.

Attend your in-person appointment at the consulate. The consul will review your documents, ask about your plans in Mexico, and capture biometrics. Decisions are typically issued within 10 business days.

Once approved, the consulate stamps a 180-day single-entry residence visa in your passport. You have 180 days to enter Mexico from the issuance date.

When you land in Mexico, present your consular visa at the immigration filter. The officer stamps a Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMM) annotation indicating canje (exchange). This stamp starts the 30-day clock for filing the canje at INM.

Schedule your canje appointment via the INM trámites portal within 30 days of your entry stamp. Missing the 30-day window voids your consular visa.

Fill in the INM basic form online. Print and sign before bringing it to your canje appointment.

Pay the INM canje fee at an authorized Mexican bank using the bank slip generated by the INM portal. 2026 fees: MXN $11,140.74 (1-year card), MXN $16,693.36 (2-year), MXN $21,142.58 (3-year). Bring the stamped bank receipt to your appointment.

Bring passport, FMM canje stamp, photos, paid fee receipt, basic form, and any supporting documents to your INM appointment. Provide biometrics at the appointment.

INM issues your NUE (foreigner's unique identifier) and your CURP (Mexican national ID code) at the canje appointment. Both are pre-printed on the residente temporal card.

Pick up your 1-year residente temporal card 5–10 business days after the canje appointment. You're a Mexican temporary resident.

Once your residente temporal card is in hand, register with SAT for an RFC. Required if you'll have any local economic activity (invoicing Mexican clients, freelance work, opening a Mexican-tax-resident bank account).

A formal proof of your Mexican address — a utility bill, lease agreement, or notarized statement. Useful for SAT registration and bank account opening.

Open a Mexican bank account with your residente temporal card and CURP. A CLABE (interbank account number) makes utility payments, SAT compliance, and rent transfers cleaner.