Mexico Temporary Resident Visa guide

The basics

Based on available sources, the Temporary Resident Visa is a consular visa for foreign nationals who intend to enter Mexico as temporary residents. Entry is decided by an immigration officer at the port of entry, and holding a visa does not guarantee admission.

Validity

The St. Paul consulate page states the visa is valid for 6 months for a single entry into Mexico. Other pages reviewed do not state this.

Stay per entry

The Tucson consulate page describes the Temporary Resident Visa as for stays exceeding 180 days and up to 4 years.

Where you apply

A Mexican embassy or consulate, with an appointment generally booked through the MiConsulado portal (citas.sre.gob.mx). The Tucson consulate page describes a different process, by email or in person.

Fee

Consulate pages show USD $53.00 (Orlando) and USD $56.00 (Las Vegas, Tucson). Orlando and Tucson describe the fee as non-refundable, and amounts vary by consulate.

Who it's for

The Tucson consulate page describes the visa as for stays exceeding 180 days and up to 4 years. Rules vary by nationality, and some consulate pages list different supporting documents for non-citizens of the country where the consulate sits.

• Economic solvency (savings or income).
• Family unit, with a spouse, partner, child or parent who holds Mexican temporary or permanent residence, or a Mexican national (Las Vegas consulate).
• Ownership of real estate in Mexico above a stated value (Las Vegas consulate).
• Investors in a Mexican legal entity (Las Vegas consulate).
• Invitation from a public or private organization for an unpaid activity (Las Vegas consulate).
• Scientific research, international mobility instruments, and high-specialty technical assistance (Las Vegas consulate).

How to apply

Steps below are drawn from consulate pages and may differ by office.

• Gather your documents first. The Orlando consulate advises not scheduling an appointment until all documents are ready.
• Book an appointment through the MiConsulado portal (citas.sre.gob.mx) and choose the visas department. The Tucson consulate instead lists an email address and walk-in document review hours.
• Attend the appointment with original documents, and apostilles or certifications where required. A consular official reviews the file, conducts an interview and captures biometric information (Orlando).
• Pay the visa fee. Orlando states it is charged before document review whether or not the visa is approved, and is cash only.
• Processing is stated as 1 to 10 business days from the appointment (Las Vegas) or up to ten business days (Orlando). Consulates state the appointment or review does not guarantee issuance.
• After entering Mexico, the gob.mx page says the foreign national must apply within 30 calendar days for the residence card. The St. Paul consulate page says to go to the National Migration Institute (INM) office for the temporary resident card.
• The INM exchange procedure lists a valid passport, a valid FMM (Forma Migratoria Múltiple), a valid visa issued by a Mexican consulate, a completed basic form, and proof of payment of fees.

Documents

Requirements differ by consulate. The items below are those most consistently listed.

• Valid original passport, plus a photocopy of the data page, last page and any pages with seals or visas (Orlando).
• Completed visa application form.
• One recent photo, front view, forehead uncovered, no glasses, white background. Size is stated as 32 x 26 mm or larger (Tucson, Orlando).
• Proof of legal status or legal entry for applicants who are not citizens of the country where they apply (Tucson, Orlando).
• Economic solvency, by either a savings or investment balance over the previous 12 months, or monthly income over the previous 6 months. The amounts differ by consulate, see the section below.
• Bank statements in original with an official bank stamp or bank letter, showing the applicant's full name and street address (Orlando, Las Vegas).
• For income-based applications, proof of employment or pension, such as an employer letter, or proof of retirement or business license where relevant (Las Vegas, Orlando).
• Public documents issued outside Mexico, such as birth or marriage certificates, may need an apostille.

Fees and documents by embassy

Fees and solvency amounts differ by consulate and change over time, and some consulate pages are undated. Check the current page of your own consulate.

Fee, Las Vegas

$56 USD

Fee, Tucson

$56 USD, non-refundable

Fee, Orlando

$53 USD, cash only

• Las Vegas: $78,025 USD balance over 12 months, or $4,630 USD monthly income over 6 months.
• Tucson: over $73,215 USD balance (12 months), or over $4,393 USD monthly income (6 months).
• Orlando: $73,215 USD balance (12 months), or $4,393 USD monthly income (6 months). Employer letters must include agreement with the applicant's plans to reside in Mexico and work remotely.
• St. Paul: $69,450 USD average balance, or $4,410 USD monthly net income.

Stay and extensions

Official pages describe the residence as longer than 180 days and under 4 years. Sources reviewed do not describe extension or renewal procedures, or the validity of the resident card. Confirm current rules with INM.

The INM change-of-status form for moving from temporary to permanent residence lists a valid temporary resident card, proof of payment of fees, and a qualifying ground such as the points system. Sources reviewed do not state whether a traveler would qualify.

Things to confirm

• The current visa fee and solvency amounts at the consulate where you will apply.
• Whether your consulate takes appointments through MiConsulado or by another method.
• Card validity, renewal and extension terms, which sources reviewed do not state.
• INM fees and current processing times for the card exchange.
• Work rights under this visa, which sources reviewed do not confirm.
• Which supporting documents apply to your nationality and category.

Sources

Every claim above comes from these pages. Higher tiers carry more authority. How we tier sources.