Mexico

About Mexico Citizenship and Residency

Foreign nationals and their families who wish to settle in Mexico may apply for a Temporary Resident visa. This visa comprises several categories such as Scientific Research, Economic Solvency, Real Estate Investment, Education, and Marriage, among others.

The permit is usually issued for 1 year, but it is renewable annually for a further 3 years (3+1), provided that requirements are still met. Prior to its expiration, a temporary resident may apply for a permanent residence permit if he or she has continuously resided in the country for 4 years (i.e. has paid Mexican income taxes).

After 5 years of legal residency, a resident may be eligible for naturalization. To obtain citizenship they must have Spanish language skills and pass a test and interview about Mexican history, culture, and values. Nationals of Iberia (Spain and Portugal) or Latin American countries may be eligible for citizenship after 2 years of legal residency.

Temporary Resident Visas:

This visa is designed for foreigners who intend to stay in the country for more than 180 days and up to four years. The temporary resident card will only be granted for one year. After the first year, temporary residents can apply for a one, two, or three years renewal of the temporary resident card.

Temporary Residency allows the holder to get a registration number called CURP ( Clave Unica de Registro de Poblacion). CURP holders are permitted to open bank accounts, legally register a car, and possibly avoid paying capital gains tax on the future sale of a Mexican home, plus other benefits.

While your visa is in process and you enter Mexico with pre-authorized visa, you need to remain in the country for a minimum of seven business days before requesting permission to travel. Leaving without permission will cancel your visa.

1. Economic Solvency

Under this visa category, you may not be allowed to conduct lucrative activities, such as employment, in the country.

 Economic solvency options:

a. Investment or bank accounts with a monthly ending balance of at least 5,000 days of the current general minimum wage in Mexico City (approx. $45,000.00 USD).

b. Employment or Pension that yields a monthly income of at least 300 days of the current general minimum wage in Mexico City (approx.$2,730.00 USD)after taxes, during each of the previous 6 months.

To prove, you must provide:

a) Letter from your bank or financial institution stating that you have investment funds or savings of at least 45,492 USD monthly average balance and provide the related bank statements for the last 12 months in which that amount is reflected.

The bank or financial institution letter must be original and include the applicant’s complete name, bank account number, and monthly balance for the last 12 months and it has to be signed by the branch manager.

b) Original and copy of proof that you have employment or a pension with a monthly income of at least 2,730 USD during the last 6 months. In order to prove income: 

• You can provide your pay stubs for the last six months or an original letter from your employer, addressed to the Embassy, stating your monthly salary and seniority. 
• You can prove your monthly pension with the receipts for the last 6 months and a letter from Social Security stating the monthly amount you will be receiving and the related bank statements in which that amount is reflected.

If you have direct economic dependents (spouse, parents, or children) you must prove the family bond with a marriage license and or birth certificate and prove financial solvency for them by adding 100 days of the current general minimum wage in Mexico City (approx. $860.00 USD). per dependent on the required monthly amount.

2. Real Estate Property

• Original and a photocopy of the Public Deed signed before a Commissioner of Oaths certifying that the foreigner is the holder of real estate with a value exceeding $5,668,000.00 Mexican pesos

If you have direct economic dependents (spouse, parents, or children) you have to add 100 days of the current general minimum wage in Mexico City (approx. $645 USD) for each economic dependent, to the minimum required value of the property in México. To prove the family relationship by presenting a marriage license or birth certificate (original and copy).

3. As an Investor

• Has shares in the capital stock of the Mexican corporation, and the amount of the investment effectively disbursed for the foreigner’s share in the corporation would exceed $2,834,000.00 Mexican pesos.
• ownership of personal property by a foreign corporation, with a value exceeding $2,834,000.00 Mexican pesos
• Documentation proving the conducting of economic or business activities in Mexican territory or;
• a certificate issued by the Mexican Social Security Institute proving that the foreigner employs at least three workers. Original and a photocopy.

Benefits Of The Mexico Residency By Investment Program

• Visa holders may open bank accounts, register a car, and avoid paying capital gains tax on the future sale of a Mexican home
• You can stay in Mexico as long as you like.
• You can enter and leave Mexico as many times as you want.
• You can open a Mexican bank account.
• You can apply for a Mexican driver’s license.
• You can buy and register a car in Mexico.
• It’s notable to mention that if you buy a car with a car loan from Mexico, the loan will only extend to the expiration of your temporary Residency Visa. 
• You can keep a car with foreign license plates in Mexico.
• You can register a foreign car in Mexico.
• You can get discounts at certain local businesses.

Mexico Residency Requirements And Qualifications

• prove that they have sufficient funds to sustain themselves while in Mexico and/or a proven steady income.
• have a regular income (e.g. from foreign pensions or investments);
• are in possession of savings in cash or cash-like investments;
• own Mexican real estate; and/or,
• have investments in local companies or stock market

Steps And Timeline

The application process for obtaining a Temporary Resident Visa for Mexico is divided into two parts:

• Applying for the Temporary Resident Visa at a Mexican embassy
• Exchanging the Temporary Resident Visa into a Temporary Residence Card at the National Immigration Institute (Instituto Nacional de Migracion (INM)) in Mexico

The application process for getting a Mexico Temporary Resident Visa is:

1. Set up an appointment with Mexican embassies here.
2. Complete the Mexico Visa Application Form from the website of the Mexico embassy where you will apply or at the embassy itself.
3. Collect the required documents.
4. Submit the application and pay the visa fee. On the date of your appointment, you must submit the documents and application form at the Mexico embassy. You also have to pay a Mexico visa fee.
5. Wait for the visa to be processed
6. Pick up your passport. If the application is approved, the visa will be affixed to your passport.
7. Travel to Mexico and exchange your Temporary Resident Visa for a Temporary Residence Card

Keep in mind: Different embassy offices may have their own different requirements when it comes to the visa application process. This is why it is important to always contact them or visit their website to learn about the specific requirements, opening hours, etc.

Within 30 days of arriving in Mexico with a Temporary Resident Visa, you must apply to exchange it for a Temporary Residence Card. You can get your Residence Card at an office of the National Immigration Institute in Mexico. When you apply, you should have the following with you:

• The Resident Card request form, which you can download from the website of the Immigration Offices.
• Your passport with the Temporary Resident Visa affixed
• The Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMM) which you received at the airport
• Payment of the Resident Card
• A cover/request letter for the Temporary Resident Card addressed to the Instituto Nacional de Migración
• Any additional documents related to your purpose of travel

Our Services

Privacy World offers its services to anyone, not only looking to obtain residency and/or citizenship processes but our experts figure out legal ways to:

• Find the best solution for your needs.
• Identify and deploy a strategy to help you accomplish your goals.
• Activate our network of people in the country where you need help without having you search for the best solution or lawyer. We only work with licensed people in every country whom we carefully vet and pass our guidelines and principles of privacy we stand for.
• Focus on cutting through the red tape and to expedite your process.
• Provide proper communication with you about your case.
  …. and above all: Offer you legal strategies to provide additional layers of privacy for your identity, while obtaining your residency or citizenship!

Privacy World can also help you with incorporating your company in Mexico, assisting in getting you settled in the country and coordinating with you so that this experience will be less of a hassle.

Want Privacy World to handle your case? Have any questions? Contact us!

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