Immigration & Visa

Short stays as a visitor (up to 180 days as set by the authority) are not residence and generally do not allow local paid work. Longer stays or local work/investment typically need temporary or permanent residence (Migration Law art. 52) — often a consular visa first, then canje (exchange) to a residence card at INM within deadlines after entry.

Under the General Guidelines for visa issuance (DOF 25 Jul 2025, Procedure 5), solvency for temporary residence can be shown, among other ways, by: (1) employment or pension with monthly income free of liens above 680 UMA days over the last 6 months, or (2) investments/accounts with average monthly balance of 11,460 UMA days over the last 12 months. With daily UMA 117,31 MXN (from 1 Feb 2026) that is ca. 79.770,80 MXN/month income or ca. 1.344.372,60 MXN average balance. Other paths: invitation, investor, property, family unity, job offer, etc.

• Temporary for up to 4 years (renewals/card terms per INM practice)
• After entry with a visa: typically canje to a resident card within a deadline (often 30 days) — check current INM instructions
• Investor path: capital stake above 45,850 UMA days (ca. 5.378.663,50 MXN) — Procedure 5
• Property in Mexico: value above 91,710 UMA days (ca. 10.758.500,10 MXN) as one asset path

Direct permanent residence by solvency in the Guidelines (Procedure 7) is aimed mainly at retirees/pensioners: pension above 1,140 UMA days/month (6 months) ≈ 133.733,40 MXN, or accounts/investments with 45,850 UMA days average (12 months) ≈ 5.378.663,50 MXN. Other paths: 4 years as temporary + change of condition, family unity, points system (where operative), humanitarian grounds.

• Change from temporary to permanent: requirements and fees at INM
• Permanent status is indefinite, but documentary and reporting duties may continue

• Canje: visa → residence card at INM (appointment/portal) — mind deadlines
• CURP: personal ID code, often needed for banks, mobile, agencies — gob.mx/curp
• RFC (tax ID) is separate at SAT — do not confuse with CURP
• Do not cancel private insurance too early when changing status

General guidance for an international audience, not legal or immigration advice. UMA amounts change yearly; consular practice can vary on document formats and “average balance” readings. Primary sources: INM, SRE, DOF Guidelines.