MEXICO 🇲🇽 relocation services

Hi , If getting residency in Mexico is part of your plans, there are some important updates I want you to know about. And one of the biggest things I can tell you after helping people through this process for years is.. Expect the unexpected. Mexican consulates and immigration offices do not always operate exactly the same way, and their websites don’t always tell you everything you may be asked to provide. Our Quick Guide to Mexican Residency Visas Is Incredibly Useful All of the most important initial information for Residency & Dual Citizenship can be found on our Quick Mexico Residency Visa Guide. It's easy to follow, kept up to date, and can help you get the initial basics figured out. Read it here. Here are some of the latest things I am hearing about and seeing: Consulate appointments may get harder to find toward the end of the year Every year around October, some Mexican consulates begin reducing the number of residency appointments they make available for the remainder of the year. We’re already hearing reports of this from some consulates in the U.S. and Canada. That doesn’t mean you can’t apply. But if you want to get your residency process started before the end of the year, be flexible. You may need to travel to another consulate that accepts applicants from outside its local area. And if you’re unsure which consulate is best for your situation, this is one of the times when a good immigration facilitator can be extremely helpful. For example, someone who is self-employed, uses investment income, has joint accounts, or is relying on a pension may have a much easier time at one consulate than another. Also, WhatsApp appointments are becoming less common. Several consulates previously allowed residency appointments to be scheduled through WhatsApp, but we’re seeing more of them discontinue that option. Always check the individual consulate’s current instructions. Be overprepared for your consulate appointment A consular officer can request additional documentation even if it isn’t specifically listed on the website. If you’re wondering whether you can combine two accounts, use a 401(k), use joint statements, or what to do if your bank won’t stamp your statements, ask the consulate directly before your appointment. And don’t assume that because one consulate accepts something, another one will too. Once you’re approved, you usually have 180 days to enter Mexico After the Mexican consulate approves you and places the residency visa in your passport, you generally have **180 days to to enter Mexico and begin your Canje. That means you don’t necessarily need to wait until right before your move to start the consulate portion. In fact, starting earlier can give you much more flexibility. When entering Mexico for your Canje, DO NOT use the automated immigration kiosks This one is extremely important. If you have a residency visa stamped in your passport and you’re entering Mexico to complete your Canje, always go to a human immigration officer. The automated passport kiosks are designed for tourists and can register you incorrectly. Show the immigration officer your residency visa immediately. Processing times are all over the place Current Canje processing times we’re seeing include approximately: 1 to 2 business days and up to 20 business days or longer By law, the immigration offices (INM) have up to 20 business days to give you a resolution on your case. So while a 1-2 business day turnaround is nice, it isn't always the case.  That’s why I strongly recommend that you do not plan your travel based on someone in a Facebook group saying, “I got mine in three days.” Their case is not your case. Family Unity applications are getting more scrutiny too If you’re applying through marriage or because you have a Mexican-born child, be prepared for more verification. Immigration may interview family members separately and ask detailed questions about your relationship. If you’re using a marriage certificate or birth certificate from outside Mexico, I strongly recommend getting it apostilled before you move. And make sure the names on your certificates and passports match. Even something that seems minor can cause problems. Keep your original documents with you Whenever you have an immigration appointment in Mexico, bring your ORIGINAL documents. That means your passport, residency card, certificates, translations and anything else related to the process. Do not assume immigration already has a copy in your file. And if a document has to be officially translated in Mexico, immigration may require a translation from an authorized perito traductor accepted in that state. Temporary Residency renewals are not guaranteed for three years A lot of people assume that after their initial one-year Temporary Residency they will automatically receive a three-year renewal. That is not guaranteed. Immigration has the authority to issue one, two or three additional years. We’re currently seeing some offices, including Playa del Carmen and Cozumel issue one-year renewals instead of the three-year renewals many people have become accustomed to. That may change again in the future. And please do NOT buy property because someone tells you it will automatically get you residency I talked about this in the livestream because I continue hearing it from people. Owning a $500,000+ property in Mexico does not mean you should assume you will qualify for Mexican residency. While property ownership appears as an option under certain rules, in practice very few consulates routinely approve residency this way. I would never recommend spending your savings on a property thinking that purchase will solve your residency situation. Get your residency figured out first. Then buy property. Dual Citizenship If one of your parents was born in Mexico, you may be eligible to claim Mexican citizenship by descent. Without having to prove economic solvency. The process to register yourself in registro civil at a Mexican Consulate is free. You just have to pay for your passport. If only a grandparent was born in Mexico, your parent would generally need to claim Mexican citizenship first, and then you could apply through them. One important detail: make sure names on birth certificates, marriage certificates and passports match as closely as possible. Name differences can create delays and may require additional documentation, such as an affidavit showing you are one and the same person. If you qualify, it is absolutely worth looking into.  What else do you think should have made it to this list of Residency Visa Updates? Let me know. I hope this is helpful amigas y amigos. You Can Still Apply for Residency Before End of Year If getting your Mexico residency started before the end of the year is one of your goals, you still have time. But you have to have the right pieces in place. And if you want step-by-step help with not just residency, but the rest of your move too, take a look at our Complete Mexico Relocation Guide®. We’ve helped thousands of people move to Mexico THE RIGHT WAY with less confusion, fewer surprises, and a much clearer idea of what to do next. Inside the Guide, you’ll find continuously updated information on residency, moving logistics, banking, healthcare, insurance, renting, buying, driving, taxes, utilities, and much more.  because that information changes all the time! So you need the most up to date info if you want to make a move the right way. You’ll also get access to our private directory of vetted contacts across Mexico, including immigration facilitators who can help you with the process. If you’re hoping to get your residency process started before the end of the year, now is a great time to get organized. Get the Complete Mexico Relocation Guide®  Saludos Mariana Lange Mexico Relocation Guide How Can I Help You Move to Mexico? ❓Learn If You Are Eligible to Move to Mexico 💻 Buy our COMPLETE Mexico Relocation Guide. (*Includes our Directory of Vetted Contacts) ✈️ Book A Private Mexico Relocation Tour- Available in over 60 cities 🌎Not Sure Where to Live in Mexico? Try Our FREE City Matchmaker