The Mexican Immigration Institute presented their new fees for 2019; these are valid starting January 1st 2019:
- Temporary Resident Card
- One year $4,148 pesos
- Two years $6,215 pesos
- Three years $7,872 pesos
- Four years $9,330 pesos
- Permanent Resident Card $5,056 pesos
In case the card is stolen or gets lost the cost to get a new one is $1,277 pesos, for any type of card, it does not vary if it is temporary or permanent.
- Paperwork review/regularization $1,325 pesos – This amount is paid when the applicant is requesting a change of resident status or if the card is expired when the renewal process begins.
- Exit permit $424 pesos – This amount is paid when the applicant is requesting a permit to leave the country while his application is still in process.
- Work permit $3,114 pesos – This amount is paid when a temporary resident or a temporary resident for study purposes wants to engage in lucrative activities.
Where do we go online to fill out paperwork for the last step in mexico for the temporary residency? If we pay for 4 years we do not need to renew each year and at the end of 4years you are a permanent resident?
Thank you again for your advice!
CC, here: https://www.inm.gob.mx/tramites/publico/estancia.html
You cannot apply for 4 years; only for 1 and then for 3. After 4 complete years, you pay to become a Permanent Resident.
What are the financial requirements for a spouse?
Do adult children apply separately when moving with parents?
Lannie, if the spouse applies in Mexico, there are no financial requirements. Children can apply as economic dependents as long as they are younger than 18 years old.
We are planning a move to Merida.
With investments of $1Million and Social Security of $3790 per month, do my wife and I qualify for Permanent Residency?
Also, with Permanent I don’t think I can import a car permanently?
Gracias,
Michael, if both of you are retired, and if the 1 million investments are in both of your names over the past 12 months, yes you qualify for permanent residency. You can’t import a foreign plated car if you are permanent residents.
Does a work permiso have to be renewed annually? My wife and I surrendered our Residente Temporal to IMM for processing of the work permit. We have 2 years remaining on the Temporal. Will the work permit be issued to the remaining 2 years that we have on our residency cards? No one at IMM is able to answer that question. Their reply is that you will find out when you get the new cards.
Walt, if you have 2 years of temporary residency left, you will receive the work permits for that amount of time, unless the job offer you have is for one year only.
Hi, Thanks for the great article! My wife and I nearing the end of our 1st year on a Temporal. I retired last August. Is it possible to go to Permanente after 1 year on Temporal, or do we have to do the 3-year Temporal renewal before applying for Permanente?
Thanks in advance
Bob, you’re welcome! We’re glad you found it useful. Answering your question: yes, you can go for Permanent even if you have not reached 4 years of temporary, but you will need to prove that you are retired and you will need to show financial information pertaining permanent residency.
Thanks all the great information – most helpful! When requesting an appointment at an INM office for the canje process, do I have to do that in person or can it requested online like the Mexican Consulates do in the US?
Greg, you’re welcome! We´re happy you’ve found useful information on our site. To start the canje process you don’t need to request an appointment, you just show up at the INM office with your documents. When it is time to have your appointment for fingerprints, you will need to go in person to the INM office to request it, there’s no online option.
Hi, I’ve got a couple of questions. I’m planning a move to Progreso in a couple of months and I’m applying for a permanent residency VISA. (FM3?)
1. I’ve 3 cats and a dog that I’m planning on bringing in the country by RV. I understand the health certificate, parasite requirements, and vaccination requirements. How much will it cost me to bring more than 2 pets?
2. I’m taking an early retirement and I can satisfy the income requirements with over $100K in investments but I’m interested in doing some part-time online work to keep myself busy and fulfilled. What do I need to do to be allowed to do telecommuting work? And is there an additional cost for that if allowed to do so?
Oh, one more thing…how do I bring my fully paid for RV to Mexico and get it licensed there?
Deborah, FM3 is now known as temporary residency; the former inmigrado is now known as permanent residency. Answering your questions:
1. Please provide the border through which you will cross so that we can verify the amount.
2. If you get permanent residency, you’ll be authorized to work in Mexico. Also, if you’ll be working online and not getting income in Mexico, you would not need a work permit.
Deborah, you’d need to check the requirements with a customs bróker who you would also need to hire to do the permanent import. You can choose one from the list in this link, which is from the Latin American Association of Custom Brokers: http://www.claa.org.mx/nuestros-socios.html
Firstly I’d like to thank you for suggesting the consulate in San Antonio as an option when applying for a visa. We found them most helpful and the whole process went very smoothly.
Can you give me some advice about banks? I just read that I can have a bank account as a TR. Any suggestions for a good one? Thanks again for all your help.
SPS, you’re welcome! We are glad you had a good experience with the Consulate in San Antonio. About banking, we have worked very well with Bancomer, Banamex and HSBC.
A quick question on the renewal of a Temporary Resident Card. When filling out the GOB.mx online form, my Google Translate is having a bit of difficulty helping me select the proper option.
Under “extend my stay’ there are two options listed:
Expedicion de tarjeta de residente por renovacion
or
Expedicion de tarjeta de visitante por ampliacion
Which would be the proper option for a renewing a temp resident visa that hasn’t expired? Thanks for the help.
-R
RDB, it would be the first one: “tarjeta de residente por renovación”. The 2nd choice is for the visitors, not for the residents.
To obtain a permanent or temporal resident card, do we have to show proof of residence in Mexico at the INM office, such as electric bill or telephone bill?
We have completed the first part of the application in the US. Now I have been told we need the proof of residency, which we do not have yet.
Thanks!
Tonda, you will need to supply an address in Mexico to fill out the forms to present at the Immigration office, but you won’t need to show a utility bill. If you need assistance with your canjes, send us an e-mail to info@yucatanyes.com, we’ll be happy to help you!
Do you have to renew a permenant resident card yearly or at the end of four years?
Do you have to give up U. S. citizenship at the end of four years or can you wait?
Denise
Denise, permanent resident cards do not get renewed, unless you are under 18 years old. You don’t have to give up U.S. citizenship, permanent residents are not Mexican citizens.
Do you know what are the paperwork requirements for 2018 to become a Mexican citizen after completing 4 years of residencia permanente? My birth name does not match my passport, residencia permanente or social security cards. They all have my married name (40 years). Do I have to change these cards back my original birth name? Are the rules the same for all states in MX? I am from the USA and live in BCS. I m 67 years old. I can read & write Spanish but cannot sing the National Anthem. Help please. Thanks Creagh
Creagh, you need 5 full years with either temporary or permanent residency. Your names must match, from your birth certificate, your Passport and resident card. This is a must.
Hello,
in May 2018, I will be submitting my application in Progreso for Temporal. Do you know the typical wait time from submitting application to fingerprinting? And then wait time from fingerprinting to finish? Much Thanks
Gilbert, if it is a “canje” procedure, an estimate is 2-3 weeks from submitting application to fingerprints and then 1-2 weeks from fingerprints to getting the card.
What information will I need to bring to the INM when renewing my residente temporal after one year?
On my online application that I bring with me do I insert ” Canje DE FMM POR TARJETA DE VISITANTE O DE RESIDENTE” ?
Thanks in advance!
Tony, you will need to present the online form (extensión de residencia temporal), letter in Spanish requesting the renewal, original and copy of your passport, original temporary resident card, basic form (formato básico) and the payment of fees for the renewal.
After getting an application approved in Houston for a permanent resident, then going to the Mexican INM office in Cancun and submitting the documents, can one leave the country while waiting for an appointment to be fingerprinted?
Elizabeth, yes you can leave the country but only with an exit permit that you need to request to the INM office.
Hello,
We are thinking of applying for permanent residence. Our daughter is a student, still living and travelling with us. She is 24. We are retired. Does she have to apply separately or can we apply as a family. We own property in mexico and what is the amount that qualifies for property?
Penny, she will have to apply on her own as she is not under age.
Owning Real Estate in Mexico works if you were applying for temporary residency, not for permanent. If you wish to apply for temporary through the Real Estate option, it must be worth at least 190,000 USD.
Can you tell me how much it costs to apply for permanent residency directly without ever doing the temporal? There are costs posted above but I was under the impression it was close to $1000 cad or more?
Cari, it costs 1,266 pesos for the change of status from tourist to permanent resident and 4,828 pesos for the cost of the card. In total it is 6,094 pesos.
Is it possible to start with residencia temporal, and then apply for residencia permanente after the first year? Or are you locked into four years of residencia temporal before being eligible for residencia permanente? (As a retiree, I could apply for either, but was going to start with temporal because it seems to make a few things, like sending a household shipment, somewhat easier). Thank you!
Laurel, yes it is posible, but you will need to prove you are retired and you will need to show financial information pertaning permanent residency; the bank account statements will have to be translated to Spanish by a certified translator.
Maria September 29, 2018
My husband and I seniors are both retied with citizenship of Canada. Where can we apply for
Permanent Resident Card for the first time. We do have enough qualified for 12 months bank account statement and any other documents required? What do we have to do first, and can we apply in Canada for the Permanent Resident Card? Thank you in an advance.
Maria, you have to apply at a Mexican Consulate abroad, so yes, you can apply in Canada. When you contact the Mexican Consulate for an appointment, you can also ask them about their specific requirements. After you get the visa, you will have 180 days to come to Mexico to do the 2nd part of the process, through which you will receive your resident card.
Hi
When I renew my temporary residency after the year will I have to show again proof of earnings? I have heard that some have done this but it’s not stated in the requirements.
Jackie, as you say, it is not stated in the requirements in the Immigration Law but recently we heard of a case at the Immigration office in San Luis Potosí, where they requested financial information for the renewal process.
I’m near the end of my first year as a temporary resident. I’m thinking of extending for 3 years and then applying for permanent residency. During the next 3 years, am I required to spend a certain number of months in Mexico each year?
Thanks in advance. : )
Nigel, no, there’s no established amount of days you must spend in Mexico during those 3 years in order to get permanent residency.
Hi – My first year residente temporal is expiring March 17, 2019. I would like to begin the renewal process now, but what I’m reading online it seems as though I can not start earlier than 30 days (February 17th) – is this correct? Thank you for your help.
Tracey, yes that is correct, you cannot start the renewal process earlier than 30 days before the expiration date.
Thanks for your reply! I appreciate your help. : )
Nigel, you’re welcome!
If I’m on a temporary resident permit and I’m out of the country for several months, do I need to inform IMS? I know they ask that temporary residents update them if they change addresses. Thanks for your help. : )
Nigel, you will need to notify them when you change your address in Mexico.
We American retiree couple just bought a house in Ajijic Mexico. We got the 4 year temp approved at the Mexican Consulate. What is the procedure to get electric service in our name if we’re not yet permanent expat approved?
What tv cable company do you recommend? I heard it’s a Canadian satellite company.
Phyllis, you just approach the electricity company (CFE) in Ajijic, it won’t affect that you don’t have your permanent resident card yet. Just take the deed of your house, which should show your name, your passport and tourist visa (original and copies).
Regarding tv cable company, we don’t know, since we are not in Ajijic, we are in Merida, Yucatán.
Thanks for your reply. I will stop renting my current apartment in Mexico and spend about 6 months in Canada. In this case, do I need to inform Immigration? Or would I inform them of my new address once I return to Mexico?
You’re welcome Nigel. You will have to inform them once you have your new address in Mexico, within the next 90 days.
Hello again,
I put in my application at immigration here in Playa del Carmen to receive my temp resident card the 15/12/2018 and it still says “sin resolucion” when I check the status. The immigration officer did say that it would take up to 2 months I just wanted to confirm that this time frame is correct. I know that for some of my friends the waiting period wasn’t so long.
Thanks so much for your patience!
Jackie, yes, it could take 2 months, timing depends on how busy the Immigration office is and typically from December to March, it is busy.
Thanks, good to know. : )
My husband has permanent residency and I have had temporary residency for 1 year. If I renew my residency can I apply for permanent residency under my husband. Thank you
Nita, if you apply through family unit because your husband is permanent, you will get 2 years of temporary residency and then you can request permanent residency; you can’t get it right away.
Good afternoon. I am trying to understand the economic solvency portion of the Temporary Resident Visa. I understand that we have to have either a certain amount of income per month OR a set amount of $20200 USD in savings for the past 12 months. Is that correct? How much is it for one person, + spouse, + 2 dependents? If we want to apply for the second year do we still have to have that amount of money again or is it just a matter of renewal?
If I work online for a NZ company, do I need a different type of visa? Thank you so much.
Amanda, yes it is correct. But the savings amount increased a bit in 2019 due to the increase in the mínimum wage in Mexico, now it is around 27,000 USD. This amount is per person and per each economic dependent, you should add 500 USD.
In the second year, when you renew, technically you would not need to show the same amount, but lately we have heard of 2 Immigration offices in Mexico where they have requested it.
If you work online for a company abroad and you get paid abroad, you don’t need a different type of visa.
My husband, who is about to have surgery, and I just realized our temporary residency cards expire in 9 days. We are in the US and can’t go to Mexico before his surgery. Can we renew at our US Consulate that is near us? If not, is there a way to just pay a fine and renew when we return to Mexico in 2 months? Or do we have to start the process all over? Thanks for any help!
Susan, you can’t renew your status at a Mexican Consulate abroad, you must do so in Mexico. However, If you are renewing temporary residency status and not changing to permanet yet, you have a 55 day grace period to come to Mexico and start the process (once you arrive in Mexico, you’ll have only 5 days to approach the Immigration office).
Thank you thank you thank you. I can now finally get some sleep. I was so worried. I appreciate your service to us expats. You are wonderful people!
“Lbrestar@hotmail.com
We applied for our temporary residence cards 3 years ago. We missed the renewal on the 2nd year due to my surgery in America. When we got here we realized that the date on the card was for one month earlier then when we actually received the first card. Because our attorney didn’t respond immediately when we arrived we missed the 5 day window. Did we need to start all over or could we just have paid a fine.
You’re welcome Susan!
Linda, you needed to start all over.
Trying to find out if the fee of $1325 for paperwork review at start of transition to Permanent status is in addition to, or part of the fee quoted at $5056. Thanks for info!
Caroline, the 1325 pesos fee is additional to the 5056 pesos.
I am planning my move for next year and will apply for a temp residency. Denver has the closest consulate but the reviews are bad and I can’t find any info on their site. Any recommendations? Also I found a pdf that has financial requirements that are higher from a general mexican consulate site $103,616 or $2072/month. Can you clarify?
Camille, here’s the link to the requirements to apply for temporary residency at the Consulate in Denver: https://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/denver/index.php/non-mexicans/visas
I had a slow time and difficult in the Atlanta office for visa. Someone said in Las Vegas they walked in one day and left with thier Visa card..
Should I spend the money and go to Las Vegas?
My temp card is expired and I want a permanent visa. I only frent but have adaquate funds in bank. I want to have a Airbnb rental on my property and funds will be paid directly yo my us bank account.
Veags or my local sliw Atlanta office?
And can I be “retired” in Us but make money with Aurbnb exoerience?
Thank you!
Mary
Mary, we’ve heard too that the Mexican Consulate in Las Vegas is very friendly and easy to deal with.
Thanks for very good information. I want toy comment on how long it took Playa del Carmen to complete the Temporary Residency for me. I visited the US Consulate in Dallas Texas July 2018 to start the residency process. It took me 2 weeks to get the appointment for the Dallas Consulate. This has to be done via email. As a result of the lengthy time I had to spend three weeks extra in Dallas that I had not planned on. It would have been best to get the appointment before arriving in the city/country as it became quite expensive for my additional, not planned for accommodations. The process was smooth at Consulate. From time I started contacting them untill I picked up my Visa Approval it took four weeks. I made my first visit to INM in Playa del Carmen in September 2018. I had all needed paperwork. It was not until January 2019 that I was approved and could then go to INM to make appointment for fingerprints. When I returned for fingerprinting I submitted the last needed paperwork. Then it was 14 days before I could pick up the Temproal Residente card. I went to pick it up at designated time but their card machine broke down so I had to return a week later. So it took six (6) months! Slow, I know, but I’ve been told they are slow in Playa del Carmen. As indicated by many online articles, INM, will send you an email when it is time to return there to make appointment for fingerprints to complete process. I never received any emails. I found out about the approval by visiting the INM website and then going down to INM, in person. All in all the process was smooth and I’m so glad to finally have legal residency. For one of my visits I did have a Spanish speaking friend. It helped considerably. All other visits I managed to use Google Translate. There are few English speakers there but they are very patient and there is usually a “customer” who will help you a bit if you ask for help.
Alice, thank you for sharing your experience with us!!
If you get a work permit and a temporary residency for a year, can you leave the job that hired you to begin with and find work at a different place, and renew your temporary residency with the new job?
Holly, yes, as long as you notify the Immigration offices within the 90 days after you change job. If you don’t notify and it comes the time to renew your residency, you won’t be able to renew it becasue in their system it appears that your employer is other tan the current one. Also, it is very important that your new employer has the “Constancia de Inscripción de Empleador” which enables him to hire non-Mexican employees.
Hello,
Firstly I definitely have to agree with Alice on the lengthy process here in PDC! Thank you though for stating that it’s smooth because that also is true.
I would also like information regarding what types of local ID I can obtain to prove that I am a resident here in Quintana Roo. I will hopefully very shortly obtain my temp resident card and I wanted to obtain some type of local ID. I know that a driving license is one but I don’t currently have a car. I would really appreciate your advice on this.
Thanks so much
Jackie
Jacqueline, our apologies but since we are in Yucatán and not in Quintana Roo, we are unfamiliar with the ID’s you can get there. We Will post your comment in case any of our readers can help you with your question!
I am in my second year of RT status and have been offered an opportunity to be a distributor for products produced by a Mexican company. I can’t find any information on applying for permission to work for someone who already has residency. I would be an independent distributor – able to establish my own prices, promotions, etc. What would be the procedure?
Linda, if you are located in Yucatán, please write us here to set up an appointment: info@yucatanyes.com, it Will be clearer to explain this in person than in written.