Mexico's resident visas fall into two main categories: residente temporal (temporary) and residente permanente (permanent). Both call for proof of either a minimum monthly income or a set amount held in your bank account. For anyone who can meet that financial threshold, they're generally not difficult to get.

The application has to begin outside of Mexico, at a Mexican Consulate. You book your appointment online and then appear in person to file. Approval usually comes within 30 days — at some consulates, even the very same day. After approval, you have a few months to present your approval letter at the immigration office in Guanajuato, where your photo ID visa will be issued.

Some of our clients have finished the process after already arriving here, by booking an appointment at the Mexican Consulate in Laredo, Texas. They ride the overnight bus to Laredo, attend the appointment, get their approval letter that same day, and head back.

While the visa process is fairly straightforward, every Mexican Consulate handles things a bit differently, and the rules have shifted often in recent years. We suggest meeting with one of our agents, who will put you in contact with a visa specialist. These professionals stay current on rule changes, book your appointments, and help assemble the necessary paperwork. Their fees are usually modest — typically just a few hundred USD — and worth every penny for the time and hassle saved if a key requirement has changed.