Mexico Immigration and Visas

In general, foreign nationals are welcome to visit Mexico for a defined period of time to take part in non-lucrative activities (e.g. a holiday), and requirements for remunerative visits or longer stays (beyond 180 days) require special permits from the Mexican Consulate.

There are two kinds of permit: Non-Immigrant and Immigrant:

Non Immigrant Permits are for people who intend to visit Mexico for a specific purpose and then depart;

Immigrant Permits are for people who wish to gain permanent residence in Mexico.

You do not have to surrender your natural Citizenship to be granted full resident status in Mexico. Full resident status entitles you to all rights and benefits of a Mexican National (live, work, claim state benefits and to pay taxes) but you cannot vote in Mexican elections.

The next section describes the different types of Non-Immigrant and Immigrant Permits, and also discusses the issue of attaining Mexican
Citizenship.

The information on this page is intended as a guide only, and you should seek professional advice in regard to Immigration matters, as well as make contact with the Mexican Consulate in your home country.

Assistance with Residency Permits and Visas
The first thing you’ll need to begin your new life in Mexico is a visa. You’ll want to choose the right visa for your needs.

FM-T - The Short-Term Non-Immigrant Visa
Short term visas are intended for visitors to Mexico on short term (6 months or less) visits; usually tourists and short-term business trips. For
trips of longer than 6 months, a non-immigrant or immigrant visa should be considered -- see the sections below for details. FM-T visas
are issued by airlines and are also available at ports of entry.

The Mexican Tourist permit, known as the "FM-T" is very simple to fill out, and available from airlines and ports of entry. This permit allows visitors to remain in Mexico for a maximum period of 180 days. If the officer at the port of entry does not assign 180 days leave of stay at your point of entry, this permit can be extended to the maximum permitted stay if the original term granted (written on the form at the port of entry) was less than 180 days, by visiting one of the local immigration offices in Mexico, completing the paperwork and paying the administration fee.

FM3 - The Long-Term Non-Immigrant Visa
Mexico operates what is known as a FM3 Visa. The FM3 visa is a renewable long term (more than 6 months) permit which gives nonimmigrant temporary residency status to the holder. This means that it gives a person the right to live in Mexico (under the terms set out in the visa).

There are various categories under which FM3 visas are granted, and these relate to the activities you intend to undertake while in Mexico. Under the terms of the FM3, you are authorized to only undertake certain, specific activities which may be lucrative or non-lucrative, depending on the visa's classification.

Once applied for and granted, the FM3 may be renewed for an additional four years (for a total of five years). After this period, a new FM3 may be applied for and, if granted, will serve for another (max) five year period, renewable annually.

The FM3 may not be exchanged automatically for a visa leading to permanent residency (FM2); a FM2 must be applied for separately. Any years accrued under a FM3 visa are not transferable towards FM2-residency status (see below). You may apply for an FM3 visa while in Mexico and in possession of a short-term FM-T Visa, or directly from your home country via a Mexican Consulate.

FM2 - The Immigrant Visa
FM2 visas are intended for people seeking permanent residency status in Mexico or those seeking Mexican Citizenship. There are various categories under which FM2 visas are granted, and these relate to the activities you intend to undertake while in Mexico. Under the terms of the FM2, you are authorized to only undertake certain, specific activities which may be lucrative or non-lucrative. You must hold an FM2 for a full consecutive five-year period before you may apply for "immigrant" status or Mexican Citizenship. You do not need to have held an FM3 visa before applying for an FM2, and any years you may have accrued while living in Mexico under an FM3 permit do not count towards your five-year FM2 qualification period.

You may apply for an FM2 visa while in Mexico and in possession of an FM-T (Tourist Visa) or an FM3, or directly from your home country via a Mexican Consulate.

Upon receiving immigrant status, you will receive a document that looks like a Mexican Passport -- newer versions look like a driver's license -- which enables you pass through Mexico's borders as if you were a Mexican National.

Can I be granted Mexican Citizenship?
Acquiring Mexican Citizenship is an involved process. As a minimum, you must have been living in Mexico for 5 years with an FM3 or FM2 visa (2 years under special circumstances) and have applied for and been granted permanent resident status. Marriage to a Mexican national may allow Citizenship without the residency requirement. You do not, under Mexican law, need to surrender your national passport, which you'll use when you return to your home country: either for visits, or when returning home to dwell.

Following the five-year qualification period, you may apply for full resident status. When this has been accepted you are entitled to full rights and responsibilities as any other Mexican Citizen, with the exception of the right to vote; you may also, at this stage, begin your application for Mexican Citizenship. For matters concerning the acquisition of Mexican Citizenship, seek professional advice and contact your local Mexican Consulate.

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