Start the Residency Process at a Mexican Consulate Near You in the United States

The Mexican consulates (in the U.S.) are the starting point for Temporary and Permanent Residency visa applications.

We've included a list of Mexican Consulates in the U.S. with links to their official websites. Your should contact the consulate closest to your current residence for the most accurate information on requirements and appointment procedures for residency in Mexico.

*Please note: Solvency requirements can vary by consulate. Make sure you're reading the most current requirements, as some of the pages on the consulate websites tend to be outdated.

Important Information to Know About Getting Residency in Mexico

The visa application process for both Temporary and Permanent Residency starts at a Mexican Consulate outside of Mexico. You should be aware of the following points:

1. Jurisdiction: Applicants must generally apply at the Mexican consulate that has jurisdiction over their place of residence in the United States.
2. Appointment Required: All visa applications require a prior appointment, usually booked online through the Mexican government's appointment system (https://citas.sre.gob.mx) or via a dedicated phone/WhatsApp number. Walk-ins are generally not accepted.
3. Two-Part Process:
   • Part 1 (Consulate): The consulate issues a single-entry visa valid for 180 days. This visa allows you to enter Mexico.
   • Part 2 (Mexico): Once in Mexico, you have 30 days to go to the nearest National Migration Institute (INM) office to exchange the visa for the actual Temporary or Permanent Resident Card (Residente Temporal or Residente Permanente).
4. Economic Solvency: The most common way to qualify is by proving Economic Solvency, which requires demonstrating:
   • Monthly Income for a certain number of months (typically 6-12), OR
   • Substantial Savings/Investments for a certain number of months (typically 12).
5. Varying Requirements: The exact dollar amounts for monthly income and savings vary between consulates due to differences in exchange rates and how they apply the minimum wage formula set by the Mexican government. It is crucial to check the specific requirements on the website of the chosen consulate.
6. Permanent Residency on First Application: While Permanent Residency is often granted after four consecutive years of Temporary Residency, some consulates will grant Permanent Residency immediately if the applicant meets significantly higher economic solvency criteria and is often of retirement age.

Choose a Consulate to Get Started: