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Welcome
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September 26, 2024

Foreigners living in Mexico (visas and residency)

Mexico is an attractive destination for investment and tourism. With its great cultural diversity, tourist sites are recognized throughout the world.

Mexico is also known for having an incredible climate and a very wide and unique gastronomic heritage. Consequently, this Latin American country is not only a favorite tourist destination throughout the world; in recent years there has been a significant increase in migration to Mexico.

Emigrating to Mexico

There are many people who consider that living in Mexico represents an option for progress. Perhaps the reason is that today Mexico is an economically stable country, compared to other Latin American nations.

If you are considering living in Mexico, you need to know all the information that you will find in the following lines. It will be very useful for you.

How to get to Mexico

By plane

Mexico has international airports in: Cancun, Guadalajara, Mexico City, Los Cabos, Merida, Monterrey, Puerto Vallarta and Tijuana. Mexico City's Benito Juarez International Airport is the most important in the country and one of the busiest in Latin America.

Most travelers arrive in Mexico City and then take a domestic flight or travel by bus to other cities in the country to reduce costs.

By bus

To travel by bus to Mexico from the south or north of the country, your journey begins there. In many countries there are many companies that offer their services in comfortable transport units. You must be prepared because all taxes at border crossings are the responsibility of the passenger.

If you intend to travel to Mexico, you must take into account the restrictions that exist in each country regarding the entry of foreigners.

Visa to enter Mexico

The first thing you should know before emigrating to Mexico is the process to apply for visas in order to have a regular stay in the country.

It is very important that you consider the fact that it is NOT allowed to enter Mexico without a visa unless the purpose of your trip is tourism, that is, “visitor without permission to carry out paid activities”.

Types of Visas in Mexico

Temporary resident visa. Applies to foreigners who intend to remain in Mexican territory for a period of no more than four years.

Cost: $36.00 dollars. This amount must be paid on the day of the interview and you must bring the exact amount (50 or 100 USD bills, etc., are not allowed).

The visa is valid for 180 days. With this visa, multiple entries and exits from and to the country are allowed. The maximum time for this procedure is 10 business days.

Requirements to apply for a temporary visa

  • Passport and travel document that is valid according to international law and in force, in original and copy. A photograph with the face visible, in color, passport size, the measurements must be 3 x 3.5 centimeters.
  • Original and copy of the document that proves legal stay. Necessary in case the foreign person is not a native of the country where he or she is applying for the visa.
  • In addition, the person must demonstrate that he or she has the financial solvency to support himself or herself in Mexico without having to work. To do so, you must present:

    • Original and copy of investments or bank accounts that reflect your income during the last 12 months.
    • Original and copy of documents that show that you have a job or pension with monthly income free of taxes during the last six months.

    IMPORTANT NOTE: You can also show (instead of the solvency) a letter of responsibility, family ties with a Mexican or foreign person who has the status of Temporary Resident or holder of a Temporary Residence visa, has real estate in the national territory or has investments in Mexican territory.

    Those authorized with Temporary Residence can request authorization to work at the National Migration Institute.

    Student visa

    Applies to foreigners who wish to study in Mexico.

    Requirements to apply for a student visa:

    • Original and copy of the acceptance letter from an institution of the National Education System to take courses, studies or research projects or academic or professional training on the institution's letterhead. The letter must specify:
      • Full name of the applicant and nationality.
      • Level, grade and area of ​​study that the applicant intends to take.
      • Name of the course or academic activity in which he or she was admitted.
      • Start and end date of the academic activity.
      • Cost of the tuition for the academic activity.
      • Identification data and official registration of the educational institution.

    As in the previous case, the applicant must demonstrate that he or she has the financial solvency to remain in Mexico and pay for his or her studies. Solvency may be accredited by the applicant, by his or her parents or by the person exercising parental authority, provided that the student is not older than 25 years old.

      Original and copy of bank transactions with an average monthly balance equivalent to one hundred and one hundred and fifty days of the general minimum wage in force at the time in Mexico City, during the last three months. Original and copy of documents that demonstrate that the applicant has a job, pension or scholarship with monthly income free of encumbrances greater than the equivalent of approximately 100 days of the general minimum wage in force in Mexico City during the last three months.

    Those authorized with the Temporary Student Residence can request authorization to work at the National Institute of Migration.

    Permanent residence visa: Requirements to live in Mexico

    Applies to foreigners who want to obtain authorization to remain indefinitely in Mexico. This type of visa can be requested for a job offer, family unit, or refugee status. It can be requested by family unit as long as the family member is in Mexican territory.

    Cost: 36.00 dollars. This amount must be paid on the day of the interview and you must bring the exact amount (50 or 100 USD bills are not allowed).

    The visa is valid for 180 days. With this visa, only one entry into the country is allowed. The maximum time for this procedure is 10 business days.

    Requirements to apply for a permanent visa in Mexico

    • Valid and current passport, original and copy, with a minimum validity of 6 months (at the time of travel).
    • Color photograph, white background, uncovered face, measuring 3 x 3.5 centimeters.
    • Original and copy of the document that proves your legal stay (in case the foreign person is not a native of the country where he/she is applying for the visa).
      • For retirees or pensioners:
      • Original and copy of bank transactions with an average monthly balance equivalent to USD 100,000, during the last twelve months.
      • Original and copy of the documents that prove that you have a pension with monthly income free of taxes greater than USD 100,000. 2,500, during the last six months.

      Best cities to work in Mexico

      This infographic was prepared by occmundial.com, who based it on data provided by the propiedades.com portal and the INEGI National Survey of Occupation and Employment. Choosing the best city to work in Mexico will be directly related to the trade or profession you intend to practice. For example, if you have a more executive profile, the ideal is to go to Mexico City because it is recognized as the financial city of the country, therefore there is a lot of demand for professionals with this profile.

      However, if you are looking for a job that is more oriented towards the service field, the best option is Cancun. This city is the most touristic in the Mexican Caribbean, so there is always demand in that area.

      The infographic above illustrates very well the areas where you could direct your job search. This infographic was created by occmundial.com.

      Travel insurance

      Something you should always keep in mind when planning your trip is to think about your health and care. We are never exempt from a bad time with our health and more so when we travel to places we don't know, hence the importance of being insured.

      Our greatest recommendation is that, whenever you can, get travel insurance when you leave, and more so if you plan to move to another country. We recommend aseguratuviaje.com, which is the best option to find insurance, since it is a comparison site and you can decide on what best suits your needs and budgets.

      If you decide on Mexico

      There is no doubt that Mexico is a wonderful country with nice and very receptive people. It has great landscapes, natural resources, historical and cultural value and an addictive gastronomy that will make you fall in love.

      If you decide to emigrate to Mexico, as you may have noticed, you must plan your trip and stay very, very well. It cannot be denied that, like many other countries in Latin America, the cost of living is high (the minimum wage is not enough) and the social gaps are quite wide. However, the art is in making an effort and catching good opportunities. With planning and a desire to work hard, you can get ahead.

      Contact us to carry out your plans to emigrate to Mexico: contact@accezalaw.com
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