Mexico residence visas

Updated October 23, 2026.

The national formulas below use the daily UMA of US$6.27 (MXN 117.31), effective February 1, 2026. Each dollar equivalent uses the October 22, 2026 Banxico FIX. Rounded dollar equivalents help comparison. The legal formula and its exact peso amount control the calculation.^1,3,14

The investor threshold alone is incomplete. Trámite 5 III(g) also requires the additional asset or business-activity evidence stated in that branch. A property deed under III(f), corporate participation under III(g) and savings under III(a) are distinct routes.³

The legal UMA calculation and these office sheets give different dollar amounts. The sheets also give different documentary instructions. San Diego requires a signed employer letter addressing remote work for the relevant employment case. Las Vegas lists self-employed evidence examples, including a business license, Form 1099 and rental contracts.^3,7,9

The published sheets do not explain every difference. Keep the legal route, the chosen consulate and that office's current instructions together. A higher or lower published amount alone does not decide an application.^7,9

Trámite 5 III(a)(1) accepts original bank or investment evidence, or an electronic document with a digital certificate. It uses the average monthly balance over twelve months. The income branch instead requires documents showing employment or pension income net of taxes over six months.³

Family cases need the document proving the specified relationship and the sponsor's status. The reviewed lists distinguish a sponsor holding a residence visa from a sponsor already holding a residence card. The 220 daily UMA maintenance test belongs to the specified visa-holder cases, rather than every family application.³

In specified consular family cases, the Mexican national or foreign resident must be abroad. The sponsor accompanies the applying relative. A spouse or recognized partner of a Mexican national or permanent resident starts with temporary residence under this route.³

The INM schedule publishes a reduced one-year temporary fee of US$298 (MXN 5,570) in its 50% column. Article 8 conditions require proof to INM. The listed grounds include preserving family unity, an offer from a currently registered employer, or the specified unpaid institutional invitation. This is a conditional published fee, rather than a reduction for every applicant.^10,13

INM's renewal guide requires continuing employment evidence for an employment case. Other reviewed family cases use the stated declaration that the original conditions continue. The applicable renewal conditions follow the original residence ground.¹¹

Migration Law Article 54 V provides a permanent-residence ground after four years as a temporary resident. Articles 55 and 56 address the spouse or partner cases involving a permanent resident or Mexican national. Those cases use two years of temporary residence and require the relationship to continue.⁵

The permanent pensioner application is a separate consular branch. Its income option requires a pension, while its balance option sits under the retiree or pensioner heading. A large investment balance alone should not be relabeled as a universal permanent-residence route.³

Sources 3,5,7,9,10

Use the Mexico country guide for the domestic tax-residence test. Plan daily travel with the Mexico City overview, compare Mexico City apartment rents, and complete the monthly household budget.

If the destination is still open, compare Brazil residence routes and Argentina residence routes using each country's own criteria. A Mexico consular requirement cannot be carried across to another country.