Everything you need to know about Mexican residency, based on 10+ years of helping expats navigate the immigration process.
The basics of Mexican residency for newcomers
It depends on how long you want to stay. Citizens of the US, Canada, UK, EU, and many other countries can visit Mexico for up to 180 days as tourists using an FMM (tourist permit)—no visa required.
However, if you want to stay longer than 180 days, work legally, access Mexican healthcare (IMSS), open certain bank accounts, or make Mexico your permanent home, you'll need either Temporary Residency (TR) or Permanent Residency (PR).
The FMM (tourist permit) allows you to visit Mexico for up to 180 days per entry. You cannot work, you cannot enroll in IMSS healthcare, and you have limited banking options. You must leave and re-enter to reset your time.
Residency (TR or PR) gives you legal status to live in Mexico long-term. You can enroll in IMSS, open full bank accounts, register vehicles, and (with proper authorization) work legally. You don't need to do "border runs."
Technically, yes—but it's risky and not recommended. Immigration officers have discretion and may give you fewer days on re-entry if they suspect you're living in Mexico without residency. Some people have been given only 7-30 days.
More importantly, as a tourist you cannot:
If you plan to live in Mexico, proper residency is the right choice.
The process starts at a Mexican consulate in your home country. You'll apply for a visa (either Temporary or Permanent), provide financial documentation, and receive a visa stamp in your passport if approved.
Once you have the visa, you fly to Mexico and complete the "canje" process—exchanging your visa for your actual residency card at the local INM (immigration) office. This is where GreenGo4Gringo helps: we handle all the paperwork and accompany you to INM.
Important: You have 180 days from visa approval to enter Mexico, and then 30 days after arrival to complete the canje. Don't wait until the last minute!
Not if you work with us. All INM forms and appointments are conducted in Spanish, which is why we prepare all your documents in Spanish and accompany you to every appointment. We handle the communication so you don't have to.
That said, learning at least basic Spanish will make your life in Mexico much richer and easier. It's not required for immigration, but highly recommended for daily life!
Income and savings thresholds you need to qualify
For Temporary Residency, you must prove one of the following:
Based on 2025 UMA value of $113.14 MXN/day. Thresholds update annually in February.
Tip: "Income" includes pension, Social Security, investment dividends, rental income, or salary. You'll need 6 months of bank statements showing consistent deposits.
Permanent Residency has higher thresholds. You must prove one of the following:
Based on 2025 UMA value of $113.14 MXN/day. Thresholds update annually in February.
These higher requirements are why PR is typically chosen by retirees with substantial pensions or savings, while younger expats often start with TR.
UMA (Unidad de Medida y Actualización) is Mexico's official unit for calculating fees, fines, and thresholds. It's updated every February based on inflation.
For 2025, the daily UMA is $113.14 MXN. All immigration financial thresholds are expressed in multiples of daily UMA:
This means requirements change annually. Always verify current thresholds before applying.
Mexican consulates accept various income sources, including:
The key is showing consistent deposits into your bank account over 6 months. Each deposit should be clearly identifiable (pension, SSA, etc.).
This depends on the consulate. Some consulates allow combining income from a joint account, while others require each applicant to qualify independently.
If you have a joint bank account showing combined income that meets the threshold, you may be able to use that. However, we recommend:
Yes! Family Unity (Vínculo Familiar) allows you to qualify based on family ties rather than finances. You may be eligible if you are:
Through Family Unity, you may also be able to apply for residency directly within Mexico (skipping the consulate process entirely) and potentially get permanent residency regardless of your financial situation.
Note: You'll need to provide marriage certificates, birth certificates, and other documents proving the family relationship. These must be apostilled.
Step-by-step from application to residency card
At the consulate in your home country, you'll:
The visa stamp is not your residency card—it's authorization to enter Mexico for the purpose of obtaining your card. You have 180 days to enter Mexico after approval.
Canje means "exchange" in Spanish. It's the process of exchanging your visa stamp for your actual residency card at the INM (Instituto Nacional de Migración) office in Mexico.
When you arrive in Mexico with your visa, tell the immigration officer you're entering for "canje." They'll stamp your passport accordingly. You then have 30 days to complete the canje at your local INM office.
This is where we come in—we prepare all your documents, schedule your INM appointment, and accompany you to ensure everything goes smoothly.
The entire canje process typically takes 2-4 weeks from your arrival in Mexico:
At your INM appointment, you'll provide fingerprints, have your photo taken, and sign documents. The appointment itself usually takes 30-60 minutes. Then you wait for INM to notify you that your card is ready for pickup.
For the canje at INM, you'll need:
We prepare and review all documents to ensure they meet INM's specific requirements. Our triple-check process is why we have a 100% success rate.
No. Once you've submitted your canje application, you should remain in Mexico until you receive your card. Leaving the country can complicate or void your application.
If you have an emergency requiring travel, contact INM immediately to discuss options. In some cases, they may issue a temporary travel permit, but this is not guaranteed.
Plan ahead: Make sure you don't have essential travel scheduled during your canje period. Most clients receive their cards within 2-4 weeks.
Understanding which option is right for you
Temporary Residency (TR):
Permanent Residency (PR):
Choose Permanent Residency if:
Choose Temporary Residency if:
Yes! After holding TR for 4 consecutive years, you can convert to PR without needing to meet the financial requirements again. This is called "cambio de condición."
If you're married to a Mexican citizen or PR holder, you can convert after only 2 years of TR.
The conversion process is done in Mexico at INM—you don't need to go back to a consulate. This is a popular path for people who start with TR and later decide to make Mexico their permanent home.
Temporary Residency: You should not be outside Mexico for more than 180 days per year. Excessive absences can result in losing your status or being denied renewal.
Permanent Residency: More flexible. You can be outside Mexico for extended periods, but if you're gone for more than 2 years continuously, you may lose your status. Most PR holders travel freely without issues.
Tip: Always keep records of your travel dates. INM may ask about your time in Mexico during renewals or when applying for citizenship.
Keeping your residency current and compliant
You should start your TR renewal 30 days before your card expires. INM allows you to apply within this 30-day window before expiration.
Don't wait until the last minute! If your card expires before you apply, you'll face fines and a more complicated process. Contact us at least 6 weeks before expiration so we can prepare everything.
Warning: If your TR expires and you're still in Mexico without renewing, you'll be in the country illegally. This can result in fines of $3,000-5,000 MXN and complications for future immigration matters.
Yes! You can choose to renew for 1, 2, or 3 years. The longer term costs more in government fees but saves you multiple trips to INM.
Current renewal fees (2026):
| Renewal Term | Government Fee |
|---|---|
| 1 Year | $12,582 MXN |
| 2 Years | $18,575 MXN |
| 3 Years | $23,538 MXN |
Note: Total TR time cannot exceed 4 years. After 4 years, you must convert to PR or leave.
The CURP (Clave Única de Registro de Población) is Mexico's national ID number—like a Social Security number in the US. As a resident, you'll need it for:
The CURP is free to obtain. We help you register for yours as part of our services.
Yes! Mexican law requires you to notify INM of any address change within 90 days of moving. This applies whether you're moving within the same city or to a different state.
Failure to report can result in:
We handle address change notifications as part of our services. It's a straightforward process when done correctly.
Employment, remote work, and business ownership
TR comes in two types:
To get work authorization, you typically need either:
Note: Working remotely for non-Mexican clients (US company paying to US bank) is generally not considered "working in Mexico" and doesn't require work authorization, though this is a gray area that continues to evolve.
Yes! Permanent Residency automatically includes work authorization. You can:
This is one of the major advantages of PR over TR. No separate work permit is needed.
If you work remotely for clients/employers outside Mexico and receive payment to bank accounts outside Mexico, you have several options:
Most digital nomads who plan to stay long-term choose TR because:
What you'll pay for residency services
Here are the 2026 INM government fees (subject to annual updates):
| Service | Government Fee (MXN) |
|---|---|
| Temporary Residency (Canje - 1 year) | $12,582 MXN |
| Permanent Residency (Canje) | $7,146 MXN |
| TR Renewal - 1 Year | $12,582 MXN |
| TR Renewal - 2 Years | $18,575 MXN |
| TR Renewal - 3 Years | $23,538 MXN |
| TR to PR Conversion | ~$15,365 MXN |
| Address Change | $1,903 MXN |
| CURP Registration | Free |
Fees are published in pesos and updated annually. Check current exchange rates for USD/CAD equivalents.
Our service fees vary depending on the type of service and complexity of your situation. We're happy to provide a personalized quote after understanding your needs.
What's included in our service fee:
Your first consultation is always free. Contact us to discuss your situation and get a quote.
It seems counterintuitive, but yes—the PR canje fee ($7,146 MXN) is lower than the TR canje fee ($12,582 MXN for 1 year). This is simply how INM has structured their fee schedule.
However, consider the total cost over time:
If you qualify for PR, it's often the more economical choice long-term—plus you avoid renewal hassles.
Healthcare, banking, and your path forward
Yes! As a TR or PR holder, you can enroll in IMSS (Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social) through their voluntary enrollment program.
IMSS provides comprehensive coverage including:
Annual cost varies by age, starting around $15,000-20,000 MXN per year for those under 60. Pre-existing conditions have a waiting period before coverage begins.
You'll need your residency card and CURP to enroll. Many expats use IMSS as their primary coverage, supplemented by private insurance for faster service when needed.
Yes! With residency and a CURP, you can open full Mexican bank accounts including:
Popular banks for expats include BBVA, Santander, Banorte, and Intercam. Each has different requirements and English-language support varies.
As a tourist, you're limited to basic accounts with lower transaction limits. Residency opens up full banking services.
Yes! After 5 years of Permanent Residency, you can apply for Mexican citizenship (naturalization).
Requirements include:
If you're married to a Mexican citizen, the time requirement may be reduced to 2 years.
Mexico allows dual citizenship, so most Americans and Canadians can become Mexican citizens without giving up their original citizenship.
We're here to help! Every situation is unique, and immigration rules can be complex. If you have questions that aren't answered here:
Your first consultation is always free. We're happy to discuss your specific situation and explain your options.
Every situation is unique. Contact us for a free consultation and we'll help you understand your options.