Home How To Guide How To Get Your Permanent Resident Visa

How To Get Your Permanent Resident Visa

by Brent May

Recently, Erin and I applied for our Permanent Resident Visas here in Mexico. This process has 2 stages and can take a bit of time. So, I thought I would share our experience with you, if you don’t want the inconvenience of having to leave the country every 180 days to renew your Tourist Visa.

You have two options for residency in Mexico, a Temporary Resident Visa (4 years) or a Permanent Resident Visa. The criteria for temporary vs. permanent vary slightly, but if you’re planning to buy or already own a home here in Mexico, I suggest you go straight to permanent residency.

Since we just completed this process, I’d like to share with you some important points and some “lessons learned” from our experience.

Lessons Learned

The first thing you’ll need to know is where to start the process, and it’s not where you might think. You actually have to begin the process outside of Mexico! Yep, that’s right. I know a lot of expats that come here ready to begin their journey to becoming a resident only to find out they now have to leave to do it!

The first stage of the resident visa process begins with you submitting an application and an interview at a Mexican Consulate beyond Mexico’s boarders. A lot of articles and experts will tell you that you have to begin the process in your home country. That’s not true! And, in fact, that didn’t work for Erin and me. We made our initial petition back home at a consulate in Canada, and we were denied!

For whatever reason, the officials at that particular consulate said, “No”. Which was more of an inconvenience than anything because there’s no “three strikes you’re out rule”. It just meant we needed to find another consulate where we could schedule another interview. So, on our following trip home, we visited a different Mexican Consulate in a different Canadian city. And, again, “Nope!”. Sigh!

Polling Other Expats

At this point, we started asking around. Polling our other expat friends who had been through the process to see where they had gone for their initial interview. We kept hearing the same city mentioned, again and again, Phoenix, Arizona. It seemed that, again, for whatever reason, the journey to residency was just easier if one took the path that leads through Phoenix.

Lucky for us, we had an International Living conference coming up in Phoenix! So, we made plans to arrive early and scheduled yet another interview. And it didn’t matter at all that we hold Canadian Passports.

And, you’re going to want your passport with you at the interview because that’s where they will attach your permission to continue with the next phase of the process once you’ve returned to Mexico.

But before you do anything, you’re going to want to make sure you qualify for residency first.

Do You Qualify?

Most permanent resident petitioners will qualify by one of these three means:

1. You are related to a permanent resident of Mexico or a Mexican by birth up to the 2nd level (i.e., grandparent, parent, sibling, daughter, son or grandchildren). In the case of siblings, it only applies if the applicant is under the age of 18 years old, is not married and is under the sibling’s legal representation.

2. You won’t be earning money in Mexico or are retired and can prove sufficient monthly income from your pension or other means to cover living expenses during your stay in Mexico or have sufficient savings/investments that allow you to maintain yourself living in Mexico.

3. You have held a Temporary Resident card for four consecutive years.

There are three other ways to qualify for permanent residency in Mexico, but I’m assuming, if you’re reading this, you’re not a political refugee seeking asylum. So, I’ll skip that one and a few others that likely don’t apply!

Enlist The Help Of A Professional

Once you know you qualify, you’ll want to gather the necessary documents to prove that to the officials who will be interviewing you. So, if you are qualifying based on income or assets, this means financial records. If it’s based on relations, birth certificates and family documents.

There are also several forms to be filled out (in Spanish) that make up your application.

Erin and I elected to work with a local lawyer here in Huatulco to help us prepare our documents and walk us through what to expect during the process. I highly recommend this. It will not only save you a lot of time but also a lot of potential headaches, especially if you don’t speak Spanish.

How Much Money Do You Need To Qualify?

In all likelihood, you’ll petition under the financial qualification, so here is some detailed information on what you will need to provide taken from a Canadian Mexican Consulate web page:

1. Original and a photocopy of proof of monthly income from pensions in the amount of $2,765.00 Canadian Dollars during the past six months, or

2. Original and a photocopy of proof of investment or bank accounts with an average monthly balance equivalent to $110,615.00 Canadian Dollars during the last twelve months.

These dollar amounts change a bit every year, so you’ll want to check for the most current information before you schedule your interview.

In Phoenix, we found the interview process very easy and pleasant. We were asked several standard questions and then asked to provide our application and documentation. It was clear we met the qualifications, and there were no issues with our paperwork. However, we still had to wait a few days (this can take up to 10 days) before we could return to the consulate and get our passports back with the special Mexican Visa sticker in them to let immigration officials know we’d soon be getting permanent residency.

Timing is Everything!

You’ll want to make sure you show that to the immigration officials upon your return to Mexico. From the date you get that special sticker in your passport, you have 180 days to return to Mexico. And once you enter the country, you have 30 days to start the next stage of the process, which will take place at a local immigration office.

In some cities, you may need to make an appointment in advance to begin the next. Here in Huatulco, we’re lucky, we can just walk in, and there’s never a long wait if any!

Since we had decided to work with a local immigration lawyer to help us, the rest of it was easy, but I wouldn’t say simple. It’s not like you’re just going to walk into your local immigration office, flash your shiny new visa sticker in your passport and it’s a done deal!

In-Country Process

Nope! You’ll make several more trips to the local immigration office, fill out more required forms, provide personal documents, supply passport photos and, of course, pay for your Permanent Visa (currently $4,828 Pesos). Which, by the way, you’re not going to do at the Immigration office, you’ll have to go to a bank to do that! You can also expect to provide your fingerprints to be kept on file before your Permanent Visa card is approved and printed. Then, you’ll wait a week or so and return to pick up your card, which looks a lot like a driver’s license.

Are you starting to see why it was a “no-brainer” to pay a local lawyer to walk us through the process and file our paperwork with us? Again… Highly recommended!

So, you’re probably wondering just how long this process could take. Well, it depends on how long you wait in between being granted your initial visa, the one in your passport, and when you re-enter Mexico, of course. But I can tell you once you’re in country and begin the process here it may take up to a month to complete the process and actually have your residency card in hand. And this is important to remember because you can’t leave the country while the process is on-going, or if you must leave, you’ll need to get special permission and documentation to do so.

Renewal & Benefits

Once you have your Permanent Residency card, you will have to renew it every ten years to keep your photo current.

It may seem like an intimidating process, but it’s well worth it. Once you have residency in Mexico, you are entitled to certain perks that go beyond not having to leave the country every six months. Such things as, access to the social health care system, and if you’re over 60, you can apply for a special seniors’ card that gives you deep discounts on travel, food, and in some cities even property tax and water bills!

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38 comments

mike April 18, 2018 - 11:25 pm

Brett, first congrats, second do you need both a pension and 110000 in the bank, and do u need double that for your spouse

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Erin May April 20, 2018 - 2:42 pm

Hello Mike, Here is information for couples applying for residency (taken from the internet): In the case that only one of you has the basic qualifying income, or account balance. You must, to include a spouse, add 100 to the number of days required for the valid Resident visa – per person. You will also need documentation proving the relationship (i.e., an apostilled marriage license).

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R.E. April 25, 2018 - 4:43 pm

Hi Guys, this may be too personal but you don;t look retired so how did you prove the $2765 from actual pensions each month or did you divert some money into that bank account to prove the required running balance for 6 months then return it to your investments or whatever? Can the $2765 be from sources other than defined pension plans or is that a MUST? Thx

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Erin May April 27, 2018 - 5:47 pm

Hello. You do not have to be retired to qualify for residency in Mexico. All you have to do is show the monthly required income, or the required larger amount in a bank account in your name. We were able to do that, so it was no problem. The amount of money is what is important, not the source.

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anonguy February 22, 2019 - 9:10 pm

wow….all this time i just skipped over the pension one because i thought you had to actually prove it is a pension……i wonder why they state it like that if the source doesn’t matter. also is it a problem if the income is from two sources? and how did you prove the income? you just highlighted the amounts in your bank statement?

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Christopher July 29, 2018 - 12:13 am

Hello Brent. If your in your 40’s or 50’s are you held to higher money standards than what you mentioned above, and/or are you more likely denied the visa?

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Erin May August 10, 2018 - 12:27 am

Hi Christopher,
No, that’s not how it works. You either qualify or you don’t. There are no benchmarks for age in the process.

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J-Bay November 19, 2018 - 4:11 am

Were you not provided any reasons why your first two applicatios were denied?
As far as finances go, I assume you need to show one or the other (monthly pension in the amount of $2,765 over a period of 6 months or bank roll average deposit balance of $110,615+ over a 12 month period) NOT both?
Does it make it any easier to apply/obtain a permanant residence visa if you first purchase/already own a property in Mexico to which Title is held in a Bank Trust? We have heard rumours that before you can purchase property in Mexco you must first obtain a permanant residence visa. Any truth to this rumour? Thx.

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Charlie Kamerman November 29, 2018 - 8:21 pm

Hi Brent, we just finished the permanent process and got our cards the day before Thanksgiving. Now we are leaving Mexico headed for Oregon to sell our home there. We own a home in Mexico already. Is there a time limit on how long we can be outside of Mexico? We sure do not want to lose them and have to start over.

I have searched and have not found a clear answer anywhere. Thanks

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Erin May December 1, 2018 - 5:10 pm

Hello Charlie, As far as I know, as long as you have already completed the process and have your cards, there is no limit on the amount of time you can be out of Mexico. Just be sure to follow the correct procedures prior to leaving Mexico, now that you are residents.

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Jill November 29, 2018 - 11:26 pm

Hi Erin, I would like to get a Permanent Resident Visa for Mexico by investing in Mexico as I have had no previous Mexican visa’s to live there so I cannot go from Temporary Resident Card to Permanent and would not be coming as a retired pensioner. (I’m 50 years old I want to still work and earn).
Let’s day I do meet the proof of bank accounts with an average monthly balance equivalent to $110,615.00 Canadian Dollars during the last twelve months held in a Canadian bank.
I have no Mexican relatives nor permanent resident friends etc.
Thanks, Jill

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Bill Chandler January 8, 2019 - 4:27 pm

Hi Brent,
Great insight, would you mind to elaborate on the interview process with the mexico consaltation? What sorts of aspects do they normally focus on?

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Erin May January 16, 2019 - 6:13 pm

Hello Bill,
The questions asked will be related to whether or not you meet the requirements for becoming a resident. And this will vary depending on where you go to initiate the process.

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Bill Chandler February 6, 2019 - 6:07 am

Thanks for the reply Erin, my situation is a bit tricky. I’m in my 20’s and would like to apply for the PR or TR status with my mother. She liked environment and temperature along with its close distance to the U.S. And I would like to apply it for the ease of visiting. We are all planning on using the sufficient fund method for the application. However, either of us has much of a history with Mexico. Based on your knowledge, do you think we will have a hard time getting approved through the interview process?

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David Black January 16, 2019 - 4:04 pm

>You won’t be earning money in Mexico or are retired and can prove sufficient monthly income from your pension or other means to cover living expenses during your stay in Mexico or have sufficient savings/investments that allow you to maintain yourself living in Mexico.

If you have sufficient funds, you CAN work in Mexico (i.e you are not really retired from working)?? I am a physician and would be interested in looking into working in a private hospital.

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Erin May January 16, 2019 - 6:11 pm

Hello David,
Certainly there are many foreigners who work in Mexico. Normally this requires you to do some paperwork with immigration to approve your rights to earn in Mexico. In your case, as a physician, you may also have to become board certified in Mexico to be able to see patients here. You will want to look into this and be clear on all that must be done in order to work as a medical professional here in Mexico.

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David Black January 22, 2019 - 4:45 pm

Thank you for your reply Erin! I read my question and it didn’t really express what I wanted to ask.
I was trying to ask if you can apply for perm res with the claim that you are ‘retired and have a pension’ but then once you get it, do you have the right to work? IOW you are no longer ‘retired’. I mean, will they forbid you from working bc you got the perm res on the basis of being retired.

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J-Bay January 27, 2019 - 3:48 am

Do you have apply for permanant residency in Mexico prior to purchasing a property there or can you purchase first and apply for permanant residency later? Is it easier to qualify for permanant residency if one applies after aquiring a condo in Mexico? What do you recommend?

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Erin May January 28, 2019 - 3:50 pm

Hey J-Bay!

You can do either or. We have had clients that have purchased and then gotten their residency but yes as you mention it is easier if you have already purchased a condo.

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Bill Chandler February 6, 2019 - 9:16 pm

Thanks for the previous reply Erin! My situation is a bit tricky. I’m in my 20’s and would like to apply for the PR or TR status with my mother. She liked environment and temperature along with its close distance to the U.S. And I would like to apply it for the ease of visiting. We are all planning on using the sufficient fund method for the application. However, either of us has much of a history with Mexico. Based on your knowledge, do you think we will have a hard time getting approved through the interview process?

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John February 22, 2019 - 2:47 am

Hi Erin and Brent! All very helpful, thank you. If you have a chance to answer this question, I’d appreciate it. I will do Googling on my own, but do you know if funds in IRAs/401Ks can count towards that $110K plus total? I am 51, spouse is 50, so we won’t be able to access those funds for a while. We just bought a house in Mérida and we were assuming we would just be there on tourist visas for now, leaving every six months, but if we could skip to permanent residency that would be great. I know I will be able to get freelance work which is what we will live on, but my clients are all in U.S. I don’t have any plans as of now to search for work with Mexican clients. Thanks again!

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Shelley March 3, 2019 - 8:42 pm

Hi Erin
We are in Canada and looking at applying for PR in México my husband is retired now and I will be retiring in 3 years or earlier, for the financial sum for a retired couple can we include our house which we will be selling prior to our permanent move to Mexico where we will buy a new property to retire in?

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Sooper May 21, 2019 - 5:27 am

Hello Erin And Brent
Good Day.
I am interested in Permanent Residency of Mexico. I have the amount in Banks required for Permanent Residency, for a decade in USD. But I am not from USA/Canada. I am Pakistani. Can i be eligible to apply for the Permanent Residency of Mexico, if i have the funds.
Shall i apply first for Visit Visa and then apply for residency once i reach Mexico. Or Shall i apply directly for Permanent Residency from the Home Country.
Please advice
Regards

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Erin May March 18, 2020 - 12:29 pm

Hey!

We would suggest you visit the country first. I do believe you do not need to apply for a visa to do so.

Cheers!

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Desi Desrochers August 14, 2019 - 8:15 pm

Hi Erin and Brent.

I’ve been looking for the PR and TR application but can’t seem to get them. Could you send me a link for the application. Thank you

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Brian Norman December 7, 2019 - 1:55 pm

Hi , we are retired Canadians who meet the financial requirements for a permanent visa and own a condo in Mexico. . However we were denied permanent status because we told the consulate we currently only stay 4 to 6 months in Mexico. We have had friends who stay the same 4 to 6 months who have been given permanent residency status at a different consulate. We don’t want to lie about our intentions, should we just try another consulate? Is there a standard length of time requirement for permanent residency? Thanks Brian

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Erin May March 18, 2020 - 11:57 am

Hey Brian,

Thank you for taking the time to read our article. Yes, this is unfortunately out of luck sometimes. I would try another consult.

Cheers!

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Ellie December 23, 2019 - 12:09 am

Hi, do you think it was the particular embassy you went to that allowed you to go for permanent residency off the bat? My local embassy won’t allow me to go for permanent residency unless I’m a pensioner.

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Erin May March 18, 2020 - 11:55 am

Hey Ellie,

I guess it is just one of those things of luck. We have had a couple of clients go to a few embassies before getting the okay.

Cheers!

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Marlene Robertson January 29, 2020 - 6:50 pm

Hi Erin and Brent, Thank you for the article – very helpful! We have completed the first stage of the process successfully here in Calgary. Soon we will return to Huatulco for the in-country procedure. You state in the article that you now complete forms, provide personal documents, etc. What personal documents are required? We do not want to find out that we need proof of something or other that is in the files at our Canadian home! Appreciate your help.

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Brad February 15, 2020 - 2:03 am

Hi Erin. I am a permanent resident of Mexico and have an apartment there. I have the permanent resident card, however, on two subsequent visits to Mexico, I did so as a tourist (not permanent resident) and Mexican Immigration did not question anything. I now know this not permitted but I did not know this at the time. Does that mean that if I go back to Mexico and show my Permanent Resident card, it will automatically be revoked? How can I check if my status as a permanent resident is still valid? Thanks

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Erin May March 18, 2020 - 11:47 am

Hey Brad!

I am glad to hear you enjoyed the article. This should not be an issue. If you have a permanent resident card you are fine. The only thing immigration likes to know about is your location. If you have moved to another area or home you are to inform immigration within 3 months.

Cheers!

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Dean February 22, 2020 - 7:27 pm

Brent and Erin, thanks so much for the excellent info. I’m so glad you broke it down so nicely. Just wondering – do you know if (the purchase price of…) purchasing a house in Mexico counts towards the $110,615.00 Canadian Dollars (bank account average monthly balance equivalent during the last twelve months)? In other words, if I buy a house for say $130,000 Cdn, do I still need to show the $110,615.00 Canadian Dollars (average monthly balance equivalent)? Thanks so much!

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Brian Finnegan August 7, 2020 - 1:51 pm

Hi Erin and Brent,
For a PR, once I am in Mexico to start the 2nd process for my PR visa in my passport, do I have to complete to ENTIRE process within 30 days of entering Mexico or only START the process within 30 days of entering Mexico?
Thanks

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Erin May August 7, 2020 - 4:13 pm

Hey Brian,

Thanks for taking the time in reading our blog. We will be glad to share further info viam email.

Talk to you soon!

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Brian Finnegan August 8, 2020 - 7:18 am

Thanks Erin, Jessica has kindly responded to me.

I did have a further clarification and have responded to Janessa.

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J Seagram February 18, 2021 - 9:15 pm

You mentioned you went to Phoenix. Are you both Canadians? If you are Canadian, can you go to a US consulate? THanks

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Kevin April 7, 2021 - 10:34 pm

Thanks for the info. Are you planning to get your Mexican Citizenship? If not, what are your thoughts on it and is the process different if we want to gain Mexican Citizenship so we can have dueal citizenship as suggested by many places, like International Living… Thanks

Reply

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