Step-by-Step Guide to Permanent Residency in Mexico

Recently, the idea of relocating to Mexico has grown, probably because of the quality of life in the country. Anyone who intends to stay in Mexico beyond six months must possess a residency card or visa. Whereas, if you’re planning permanent relocation to Mexico, you’ll need to obtain permanent residency, which gives you similar rights to a Mexican citizen. 

The process of obtaining Mexican permanent residency is stricter than that of temporary residency. However, getting permanent Mexican residency can still be pretty straightforward. The whole process begins at the Mexican consulate and ends in Mexico. In addition, once you obtain your permanent residency permit, there’s no need for renewals.

Let’s get into the details of how you can obtain permanent residency in Mexico.

Who’s Eligible for the Mexican Permanent Residency?

You can obtain a permanent residency card after living in Mexico for four years on a temporary residency permit. However, you can be eligible through other means listed below.

• Family ties: You’re eligible if you have close family bonds in Mexico. For example, having a parent, child, or sibling who is Mexican or has a permanent residency card means you’re eligible.

You’ll be issued a temporary residency visa if your partner is Mexican or holds a permanent residency permit. Maintaining this temporary residency visa for the next two years means you can later request a permanent residence permit at the National Migration Institute.

• Retirement: The Mexican permanent residency permit is a popular option among retirees. Mexico allows retirees to obtain the Mexico Retirement Visa after moving to the country. Retirees will be allowed to obtain the permanent residency card if they intend to live permanently in the country without income from Mexico.
• Point system: This is another means through which professionals and skilled workers can move into the country. Using this method, you’ll be accessed based on a point system that scores you for every question asked. This scoring system majorly focuses on educational background and work experience.

In addition to the above criteria, applicants must be citizens of the country they’re applying from. You should also submit a passport photograph and must be able to prove your financial stability through your bank. Also, you’ll need your bank’s account statements for the last twelve months to verify this claim.

Application Process for the Permanent Residency in Mexico 

Applying for Mexican permanent residency starts in your home country. You’ll need to visit the Mexican embassy in your country for an interview after getting the required documents ready. If you pass the interview, you’ll be given a permanent residency visa which you must show when entering Mexico.

When you’re in Mexico, you’ll need to apply for a permanent residency permit at the country’s immigration institute (National Immigration Institute) upon arrival. Once in the country, it’s time to convert the permanent resident visa to a permanent resident card.

The card offers you the full privilege of a permanent stay in Mexico. Therefore, you need to convert the visa to a permanent resident card within 30 days of arriving in Mexico.

If you already hold a temporary resident card and have lived in Mexico for four years, apply at the INM (Instituto Nacional de Migracion) to convert your temporary card to a permanent one. Ensure you apply at least 30 days from the expiration of the temporary residence card.

Documents Needed When Requesting for Visa at the Mexican Embassy

You’ll need the following documents at the consulate when applying for the visa.

• The visa online application form is available at any Mexican embassy or on Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. This form must include the signature of the original applicant. In the case of minors, a parent or guardian can sign.
• An authentic international passport and other genuine travel documents. You should have photocopies of the relevant sections of the passport. Also, the passport should contain some blank pages so the Mexican embassy staff can attach your visa.
• Passport photographs with a minimum dimension of 3.2 x 2.6cm and a maximum dimension of 3.9 x 3.1cm. The passports should have a white background and shouldn’t be older than six months.

Furthermore, applicants must maintain a neutral look. Glasses, headgear, and earrings are not allowed in passport photographs. In addition, pictures should be clear and shot with a standard camera. Using phones to take passport pictures will be disallowed.

• Applying for a Mexican visa means you’ll pay a non-refundable visa fee. The payment method can depend on your country’s embassy. Some require payment beforehand through the bank, while others accept cash. In addition, the precise Mexico fee can change based on the embassy.

Documents Needed When Applying for Mexican Permanent Residency

When applying for permanent residency, either as a retiree or young adult, there are some important documents you’ll need to tender. You’ll need to prove you’re okay financially to be approved. As a result, the following are the documents you’ll need when applying for a Mexican Permanent Residency. They include:

• Original and Photocopy of Documents Showing Proof of Pension: This applies to retired people who wish to stay permanently in Mexico. The applicant must have documents showing the accumulated pension over six months to be sustainable. Note that pensioners can apply for permanent residency without a temporary resident visa.
• Original and Copies of Documents Showing Bank Statements: You’ll need to show proof of bank statements and investments. This financial evidence should indicate a good bank balance over the past twelve months.

Benefits of a Mexican Permanent Residency Card

Having looked at the processes for securing a permanent Mexican stay, here are the attached benefits.

• No need to renew since its indefinite
• You can apply for free health insurance 
• Ability to work without getting a work permit
• Entering and leaving Mexico as many times as you wish.

Conclusion

Getting a Mexican permanent resident card gives you almost all the rights of a regular citizen. You get to work without a permit and enjoy the country’s free health insurance, amongst other benefits. However, there’s still a slight difference. A Mexican permanent resident card holder cannot exercise voting rights regular citizens enjoy. Nonetheless, this is still a good middle ground for some foreigners.

Depending on your situation, there’s more than one way to relocate. If you have close family bonds in Mexico, it becomes easy to migrate and work out your permanent residency. Nevertheless, aside from family ties, you can secure Mexican permanent residency through other means like the points system and the Mexico Retirement Visa (for pensioners).