MEXICO GUIDE 🇲🇽

Hola! If you’re new to researching Mexico residency (temporary or permanent), I want you to hear this loud and clear: Mexico residency is doable… but you need to expect the unexpected. One of the trusted facilitators I recommend sends me updates regularly about what’s changing (and what’s catching people off guard), and I wanted to pass this along to you because it can save you a lot of time, stress, and expensive mistakes. ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE TRYING TO HANDLE RESIDENCY ON YOUR OWN. Consulate reality check: websites don’t tell you everything A lot of people assume the consulate website has the “official checklist” and that’s the full story. But the truth is: Consulate websites do NOT provide 100% of the documentation you may be asked for A consular officer is legally allowed to request additional documents Even if someone else got approved with one set of paperwork, you may be asked for something different You should be over-prepared and triple check directly with the consulate what their current requirements are. You could ask them things like: “Can I use two different accounts to meet economic solvency?” “Can I use my 401K / retirement account?” “What if my bank refuses to stamp my bank statements?” "What statements are required for self employment?" That one email can prevent you from showing up with “almost correct” paperwork and getting turned away. Also—good news: Consulate solvency requirements did NOT increase at 13% as expected, so at least that means you will see requirements similar to 2025. See if you qualify for residency here The Canje process: the airport step matters more than you think If you get approved at a consulate and receive the visa sticker in your passport, your next step is the Canje process in Mexico (this is the “exchange” where you turn that visa into your residency card). Important airport rule When you arrive in Mexico, you MUST: ✅ See a human immigration officer 🚫 Do NOT use the automated passport kiosks Those kiosks are for tourists, and using them can cause issues. When you speak to the immigration officer, you need to show your passport with the visa immediately. They should write: “CANJE” “30” That “30” is critical because it means you have 30 days to complete your residency exchange process. Also important Many consulates are still not familiar with the exact Canje steps in Mexico, so don’t panic if the person you speak with seems unsure or if they give you different info than what is posted on my site or what you talk with your facilitator.  Family sponsorship: apostilles + exact name matching are NOT optional If you are sponsoring a spouse or child (or doing residency through family unity), this is where people get blindsided. If you’re bringing family on your residency Bring: Marriage certificate or birth certificate Apostille (from your country of origin) Translated into Spanish by a certified translator IN MEXICO (perito traductor). And here’s the part people miss: Your names must match EXACTLY Your name on your: passport birth certificate marriage certificate …must match perfectly. If your name doesn’t match exactly (missing middle name, different last name format, etc.) you may need an affidavit confirming it’s the same person. If your names don’t match, immigration can decline the process. Family unit cases: interviews are getting deeper If you’re applying through: marriage having a Mexican-born child regularization / change of status …you should expect more scrutiny than people assume. Immigration may conduct separate interviews with both parents and ask questions like: names of wedding witnesses where and when you met names of in-laws relationship details If you have a Mexican-born child It is now being required in some cases that: your baby attends the appointment your baby has a Mexican passport And these processes often take weeks, not one day, because certificates may be verified with issuing authorities. There have even been cases where minors are interviewed separately using questions that doesn’t always make sense for kids — so just know ahead of time that it can happen. Renewals: don’t assume you’ll automatically get 3 years If you’re renewing in certain offices (like Cancún), some applicants are randomly being asked for: last 3 months of bank statements full printed statements (not just the cover page) Good news here: Statements can be from your foreign bank They do not need to be translated into Spanish And you do not need to have a minimum amount But here’s the important part Getting a 3-year renewal is NOT guaranteed by law. It’s up to the officer reviewing your case, and there are recent cases where people requested 3 years but were only approved for 1 year. This is random, and it is up to the immigration agent who oversees your case.  Work permits: your contract must match your pay If you receive a work permit through a sponsoring company: Make sure you receive a contract The salary in the contract must match your pay stub exactly Mismatch = problems. RNE update: don’t count on it If you’ve been waiting for RNE to return, there isn't anything posted currently about it being brought back.  I know people keep hoping, but you shouldn’t plan your move around it. I will let you know if this changes.  Small things that can delay you (but happen all the time) These are the “random” issues that can mess up your appointment: Biometrics You may be asked to remove: earrings piercings necklaces eyeglasses And yes — some offices will NOT proceed if you try to cover piercings with skin-colored tape. People have literally had to find a shop to remove locked piercings the same day. Online appointment confirmations Your appointment confirmation is linked to your application form (“pieza”). If your form has an error and you bring a new one, there’s a chance immigration will tell you to reschedule. If you’re using a facilitator You should update them immediately if anything changes, especially: your travel dates which passport you’re using  changes in your application, etc If you gave details for one passport but enter Mexico with another, it can change everything; including your forms and the way your entry record is pulled. Over communicate with the expert you hired! Bring original documents every time This is non-negotiable: Mexico immigration expects original documents. Not copies. Not laminated copies. Not color printouts. Even if you think “they already have it on file,” you still need to bring the originals for: renewals replacements change of condition basically anything This also applies while traveling in Mexico- carry your original residency card.  Before you go any further, check if you’re even eligible And honestly… is your head spinning yet? Don’t worry. That’s exactly why I recommend leaving the research to us.  Having one trusted source of information helps you avoid all kinds of mistakes (and prevents you from getting stuck in the confusing rabbit hole of outdated or incomplete advice online). I made a simple page that helps you quickly figure this out: 👉 Go here to check your eligibility: https://mexicorelocationguide.com/are-you-eligible-to-move-to-mexico/ It’ll help you understand what matters most (and what doesn’t), so you don’t waste months chasing the wrong path. And one last thing that sounds silly but matters: Practice your signature In Mexico, your signature is your official signature, and you should sign documents the same way you signed your passport. If it doesn’t match, it can cause issues (I know- annoying right?) What did I miss that you guys have learned? Let me know. Saludos, Mariana