Relokato / Destinations / Mexico
🇲🇽 Mexico
Temporary and Permanent Resident routes, the INM canje, CURP, RFC and IMSS — with deadlines and the official source for each step.
20
Tasks in your Mexico playbook
30 d
To complete INM canje after arrival
4 yr
Temporary → Permanent residency
$0
To start your plan
Pick your route
Residence routes
published by INM.
Temporary Resident
Temporary Resident Visa
Apply at a Mexican consulate abroad. Prove ~$4,300 USD/month income for 6 months OR ~$72,000 USD in savings for 12 months (consulate-dependent). Initial 1-year card, renewable up to 4 years total.
Permanent Resident
Permanent Resident Visa
Apply at a consulate abroad. Prove ~$5,400 USD/month pension/income OR ~$290,000 USD in savings (consulate-dependent). Indefinite stay, work allowed, no renewals — but exiting via citizenship takes 5 more years.
Your roadmap
Four phases, in the
right order.
Phase 1
Consulate
- Background check + apostille
- Prove financial solvency
- Book consulate appointment
- Visa interview abroad
- Receive visa sticker (180 d)
Phase 2
Arrival
- Enter on resident visa
- Get FMM stamped at airport
- Find temporary housing
- Research neighborhoods
- Currency + first ATM
Phase 3
INM canje
- File canje within 30 days
- INM appointment + biometrics
- Receive resident card
- Get CURP at RENAPO
- Notify home tax authority
Phase 4
Settle in
- RFC at SAT (tax ID)
- Open Mexican bank account
- IMSS or private healthcare
- Exchange driving licence (state)
- Lease + utilities + phone
Critical step · Canje migratorio
Miss the 30-day INM canje and your visa is void.
Your consulate visa is just a sticker that lets you enter Mexico. You have 30 calendar days from your entry stamp to file the canje at INM (Instituto Nacional de Migración) and exchange it for your residency card. Miss the window and you have to restart the entire process from a consulate abroad.
Relokato tracks the 30-day deadline from your entry date, surfaces your local INM office, and walks you through the forms — so you don't lose months of work to a missed appointment.
30-day windowINM biometricsCURP + RFC afterResident card
Where you'll land
The four cities
most movers choose.
Mexico City
Capital & culture
Roma, Condesa, Polanco — biggest expat scene, world-class food, altitude, traffic. Best for jobs and community.
Mexico City data →Guadalajara
Tech & tradition
Mexico's Silicon Valley. Mariachi, tequila, lower cost than CDMX, growing remote-work hub.
Guadalajara data →Playa del Carmen
Caribbean & nomads
Riviera Maya, beach + Tulum, huge digital-nomad scene, USD-priced rentals, hot and humid year-round.
Mérida
Safest & calmest
Yucatán capital. Consistently rated Mexico's safest city, colonial centre, hot, slower pace, growing fast.
Mérida data →Common questions
Things people ask
before they commit.
Can I apply for residency from inside Mexico?
No. Almost all Temporary and Permanent Resident applications must start at a Mexican consulate in your country of residence. Entering on a tourist FMM and 'switching' is not a standard option — limited family-based exceptions exist.
How strict are the financial requirements?
Each consulate sets its own thresholds within INM's framework, and they change with Mexico's minimum wage. Some consulates are stricter than others. Check your specific consulate's published current figures before booking.
Do I need to speak Spanish?
Helpful but not required for the visa. After arrival, basic Spanish makes INM, SAT, RENAPO and IMSS appointments far easier — most are not in English, even in Mexico City.
What about my US/Canada/UK taxes?
Mexico has tax treaties with 60+ countries. If you become Mexican tax resident (>183 days), you're taxed on worldwide income. US citizens still file IRS returns globally. A cross-border accountant is strongly recommended.
Is Relokato a lawyer or notario?
No. Relokato is a planning tool — a personalised playbook with deadlines, official sources, and step-by-step guides. For the visa application itself and tax filings, we recommend working with a Mexican immigration lawyer or contador.
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México?
México?
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