Mexico Temporary Residency Requirements for Expats (2026 Guide)
Expats wishing to live and work in Mexico will need a Mexico Temporary Residency Visa and a Mexico work permit. Key requirements for the temporary residency visa include the application form, a valid passport, payment of the visa fee, and any additional documents required.
Discover the world's top
health insurers.
Compare quotes with
a click of the button.
Are you an expat looking to stay in Mexico for more than 180 days but fewer than 4 years? Are you applying for a Mexico visa and also looking to stay covered while in Mexico?
In this Pacific Prime article, we will review the details of the Mexico Temporary Resident Visa, including requirements, the visa application process, required documents, and application fees for expats seeking to live in Mexico.
What is the Mexico Temporary Residency Visa?
Mexico’s Temporary Residency Visa (Residente Temporal) permits foreigners to legally reside in the country for up to 4 years, primarily for retirement, work, study, or family reunification, before potentially upgrading to permanent residency.
The visa is open to expats of all nationalities with a few key eligibility criteria, including:
- Financial Solvency: Expats can qualify by providing proof of stable income or savings of at least USD $4,400 per month over the last six months OR at least USD $74,000 in savings over the last 12 months.
- Family Ties: Spouses, children, and parents of Mexican citizens or temporary residents are eligible to apply for their temporary residence visa.
- Work/Study/Other: Expats with a job offer or student status or who own property worth over USD $174,000, or have invested at least USD $90,000, are eligible for this visa.
The Requirements for a Mexico Temporary Residency Visa
Below are the required documents you’ll need when applying for a temporary residency visa in Mexico:
- Printed and signed the Mexico visa application form. In case the applicant is a minor, the application form must be signed by their parents or legal guardians
- Passport (along with a photocopy of relevant pages) with blank pages where your visa can be affixed to
- Recent passport-size photo (3.9cm x 3.1cm)
- Visa fee payment
- Any additional documents as required by the Mexican embassy for which you’re applying for the visa
Additionally, depending on the specific type of temporary residency visa in Mexico you are applying for, the following travel purpose documentation is also required.
- Proof of family relationship with accompanying family member
- Proof of enrollment in a Mexican educational institution
- Proof of obtaining a work permit and a copy of your work contract
- Public deed certifying that the applicant is the holder of the property
- Proof of investment in the capital of the Mexican corporation
Applying for a Mexico Temporary Residency Visa
There are two parts to the application for a temporary residency visa in Mexico: the first is the application itself at a Mexican embassy, and the second is where you will exchange the temporary residency visa for a Temporary Residence Card.
You will do this at the National Immigration Institute (Instituto Nacional de Migracion, INM) in Mexico.
The Application at a Mexican Embassy
You can apply for a temporary residency visa in Mexico at your nearest Mexican embassy. The process is as follows:
1. Make an Appointment with a Mexican Embassy
Contact the Mexican embassy to schedule an appointment. For a list of Mexican embassies, please click here.
2. Fill Out the Mexico Visa Application Form
Find the visa application form for Mexico at the Mexican embassy you are applying to (or on their official site) and fill out the form.
3. Submit Required Documents and Pay Fees
Gather and submit all the required documents as outlined earlier. Make sure you also submit any additional documents that support your application and align with your eligibility criteria. A visa application fee is also required.
4. Wait for Your Visa
After submitting the application, documents, and fees, wait for the visa to be processed. Depending on the specific embassy you are applying to, the processing time for your visa may vary.
Expect to wait around 10 working days. Due to the varying processing times, we strongly urge you to apply for the visa at least two months in advance of your intended travel date. Once your visa application has been approved, the visa will then be affixed to your passport.
Please note that different embassies have their own requirements for the visa application process. Thus, it’s crucial to study their business hours and specific requirements via their official website. Be sure to contact the embassy if you have any questions.
Exchanging the Temporary Residency Visa for a Temporary Residence Card
After your visa application is approved and the visa is attached to your passport, head to Mexico and exchange your temporary residency visa for a card within 30 days of arriving in the country.
This can be done at the National Immigration Institute (Instituto Nacional de Migracion, INM). Below are the documents required for the application process at the INM to get your temporary residence card.
Documents required:
- Resident card request form (available for download on the website of the immigration offices)
- Your passport with the temporary residency visa affixed
- Completed and signed Multiple Immigration Form (Forma Migratoria Múltiple, FMM)
- Resident card fee
- A cover letter requesting the temporary resident card addressed to the INM
- Any additional documents regarding your travel purpose (employment, education, family)
The card is valid for one year and can be renewed for another year or for two to three years. After living with a temporary residency visa for four years, you will be eligible to apply for permanent residency.
Mexico Temporary Residency Visas and Temporary Resident Card Fees
The fee for a Mexico temporary residency visa is USD $56, and the fee for exchanging your visa for a residency card is around USD $630 for a one-year validity period. Please note that visa fees and payment methods may vary by country of application.
Some embassies may require upfront payment by bank transfer, while others accept cash. Note that the temporary residency visa fee is non-refundable in case of visa refusal.
After arriving in Mexico, you must pay for the Mexican Temporary Card at the INM; the fee for your first temporary residence card is approximately USD $630 and has a one-year validity. For renewals, you can apply for one, two, or three years at prorated fees as shown in the table below.
| Temporary Residence Card Fees | |
| Validity Period | Prices |
| 1 Year | USD $630 |
| 2 Years | USD $945 |
| 3 Years | USD $1,195 |
| 4 Years | USD $1,442 |
Applying for a Mexico Work Permit
Your employer will apply for a work permit on your behalf, and they must submit the documents below to the National Immigration Institute:
- Valid passport copy of the applicant
- Signed job offer/employment contract detailing position, salary, and duration
- Proof of applicant’s qualifications/experience (degrees, certifications, CV)
- Employer’s INM registration (Constancia de Empleador) and corporate docs (tax ID, incorporation papers)
Once the work permit has been approved, you will then receive a Unique Processing Number (NUT) in a letter format, which you’ll need to present to a Mexican embassy once you apply for the temporary residency visa.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to get a Mexican temporary residency?
Mexican temporary residency costs around USD $690, which includes USD $56 for visa application fees and USD $630 for residency card exchange. Note that this number excludes legal/notary fees and other miscellaneous costs related to the visa and residency application process.
Can I buy a house in Mexico if I have a temporary residency visa?
You do not need a temporary residency visa for Mexico if you’re considering buying property there. However, if you plan to live in Mexico for an extended period, you will need at least a temporary residency visa.
What is the difference between temporary and permanent residency in Mexico?
A temporary residency card in Mexico is valid for one year, but you can also renew it for another one to three years at most. On the other hand, the permanent residency card is valid indefinitely for people aged 18 and over.
Conclusion
The application process for Mexico’s temporary residency visa is relatively straightforward as long as you prepare and submit all the required documents accordingly, and apply two months in advance due to the inconsistent processing time across different Mexican embassies.
Once you enter Mexico following the successful approval of your visa application, remember to proceed with converting your temporary residency visa into a temporary card and submit the required documents accordingly.
As a leading international health insurance broker, Pacific Prime has over two decades of experience in matching both expats and local citizens alike to the health insurance plan that matches both their budget range as well as their unique healthcare needs.
Whether you’re an expat living in Mexico or you’re a local Mexican citizen yourself, Pacific Prime and our team of specialists are ready to help you out. And if you have any further questions, please get in touch with us.
Enjoyed this article? Check out some of our other articles below!
With her background as an avid traveler and as an exchange student in Spain, Palida values the benefits of insurance and understands the frustrations that may come with making the best decisions for your health and safety in an unknown environment. Here at Pacific Prime, she aspires to create content that will help expats and travelers understand international health insurance with ease.
In her spare time, Palida enjoys reading short stories as much as binging on sitcoms. She is also a self-proclaimed "foodie" with the goal of trying as many cuisines from all over the world as possible. Combining her passion for writing with her love for food, she is an aspiring Google Local Guide reviewer.
- GIG Gulf Insurance for Dubai Expats in 2026 - April 27, 2026
- Thailand Elite Visa 2026 Updated: Membership Options, Costs & Benefits - April 25, 2026
- How to Get Group Medical Insurance in Hong Kong (2026 Guide) - April 21, 2026
Comments
Comments are disabled for this post
We'll notify you
when our team replies!