The Mexican law establishes three migratory categories for the stay of foreign nationals in Mexico:
- Visitor
- Temporary Resident
- Permanent Resident
The Migration National Institute (INM) is the authority in charge of regulating the entry, stay and exit of foreign and Mexican citizens in Mexico.
In accordance with migratory regulations, the Consular Offices are granted functions to issue certain type of visas to foreign nationals wishing to enter Mexico as visitor, temporary resident or permanent resident in the following categories:
a) Visitor visas
1.- non-lucrative visitor visa (foreign nationals who require visa to enter Mexico as visitor)
2.- Long term non-lucrative visitor visa
3.- Lucrative visitor visa (work permit) authorised by the Migration National Institute in Mexico
4.- Visitor visa for adoption proceedings
b) Temporary residence visas
1.- Temporary resident visa by economic solvency (financial means)
2.- Temporary resident visa by Studies
3.- Temporary resident visa by family reunification
4.- Temporary resident visa by investment
5.- Temporary resident visa by acquisition of property (real estate)
6.- Temporary resident visa invited by a public or private institution or organisation located in Mexico
c) Permanent residence visas
1.- Permanent resident visa by family reunification
2.- Permanent resident visa for pensioner, rentier
d) other type of visas
1- Diplomatic or Official visas
2.- Visa por robo, extravío o destrucción de tarjeta de visitante o residente mexicana.
3.- Solicitud de acuerdo de readmisión a México, por haber sido deportado
A holder of a visa can enter Mexico provided that the visa has not expired.
The visitor visa can be issued for a validity of 180 days or ten years for multiples entries.
The temporary resident visa and the permanent resident visa is issued for one only entry with a validity of 180 days.
1.- Forma Migratoria Múltiple Digital (FMMD for its acronym in Spanish, Multiple Migratory Form)
Foreign nationals enter Mexico by air will have to obtain the Digital Multiple Migratory Form (FMMD for its acronym in Spanish), as a way of facilitating and expediting immigration procedures.
This registration form accredits the regular migratory situation in the modality of tourist, business visitor and others. The foreign national will have 60 calendar days to download their FMMD after entering the country.
The migration agents will review and stamp the passport or travel document and will place the estimated date of departure from the country, according to the temporary period granted.
In the event that the FMMD suffers a partial or total destruction, is stolen, lost or is not downloaded within 60 calendar days, a replacement process must be carried out. The foreign national will be able to view the QR codes in the immigration filters to access the following microsite: https://www.inm.gob.mx/spublic/portal/inmex.html
For obtaining the FMMD you need to create an access account on the following internet platform: https://www.inm.gob.mx/spublic/portal/inmex.html
Foreign nationals who wish to enter Mexico by land must fill up a FMME form which can be obtained online: https://www.inm.gob.mx/fmme/publico/en/solicitud.html Complete this form with your individual information.
At the port of entry to Mexico, the Migration official will determine the duration of stay in Mexico of the foreign national.
The maximum stay for visitors (tourists and business visitors) in Mexico is up to six months.
The maximum stay for visitors in transit is up to 30 days.
The holder of a temporary resident visa or permanent resident visa, within the 30 days after entering Mexico, must obtain, accordingly, the Temporary Resident Card or Permanente Resident Card before the Migration National Institute.
The Mexican migratory authorities have the faculty to grant or deny the entry into Mexico if the visitor does not fully comply with the migratory regulations. For additional information, please click on the following links: a) leaflet; b) requirements to enter Mexico (in Spanish)
The immigration officer will stamp the FMM form upon arrival. Please keep it in a safe place and do not lose it. You will be asked for FMM at your departure from Mexico, in cases of visitors; or to obtain the Temporary Resident Card or Permanente Resident Card, in cases of holders of temporary resident visa or permanent resident visa.
2.- Resident Cards
The permanent resident card will be valid indefinitely in the case of foreigners over 18 years of age, and for minors the validity will be as follows:
a) 1 year for children under three years of age, counted from their completion.
b) 4 years for persons over three years of age from their admission.
In the case of minors, the necessary renewals may be requested until they turn 18, subsequently, their permanent residence card will be valid indefinitely.
The temporary resident, temporary resident student, and visitor cards for adoption purposes, will be valid for 1 year from the internment of the foreign person.
The temporary resident card with permission to work will be issued for 2, 3, or 4 years as indicated in the job offer and in the Interinstitutional Agreement or other international instrument signed or approved by the Ministry of Interior.
After four years as a temporary resident in Mexico, a foreign national can apply for the "Permanent Resident status", which means he or she has his/her permanent residence in Mexico.
Migratory requirements and address of the INM can be found on the following link:
https://www.inm.gob.mx/mpublic/publico/inm-tramites.html
3.- Renewal of Temporary Resident card in Mexico
Applications for extension or renewal of a Temporary Resident card must be done at the National Institute of Immigration (INM) within 30 days before its expiry date.
For requirements and addresses of offices of the INM, consult: https://www.gob.mx/inm
REGULATIONS FOR MINORS (UNDER THE AGE OF 18) OR PEOPLE UNDER LEGAL GUARDIANSHIP TRAVELLING ALONE OR WITH A NON PARENTAL ADULT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN OUTSIDE MEXICAN TERRITORY more info.
According to Mexican Immigration Act which came into force on 9 November 2012, in cases of foreign nationals who are going to undertake “Lucrative Activities” the Mexican company/Institution must request the work permit at the Migration National Institute in Mexico:
"In the case of visitors entering Mexico to perform lucrative activities, the application for the entry permit is made directly before the Migration National Institute (INM) by the Mexican party interested in the visit of the foreign national. Foreign artists hired to perform presentations in Mexico as well as foreign nationals hired to work in Mexico request an entry permit from the INM". (It is understood that the process in Mexico it takes approximately 30 days).
If the INM authorises the entry permit (known as NUT). this authority will send to the applicant a notification informing that the foreign national has 30 days to contact the Embassy or Consulate to carry out the interview and obtain the visa. Useful information about requirements and offices addresses of the INM can be found on the following link: https://www.gob.mx/inm
If a foreign national wants to live in Mexico with his/her Mexican spouse who is living in Mexico, the Mexican national must apply for the entry permit of her/his spouse as Family Economic Dependant (Dependiente Económico) in Mexico before the National Institute of Immigration (INM). For visa requirements and offices addresses of the INM, please consult https://www.gob.mx/inm
If the foreign national lives with his/her Mexican spouse in the UK, he/she can apply for a Temporary Resident visa as a family member at the Mexican Consulate.
Foreign nationals exempted from visa to travel to Mexico as non-lucrative visitors (tourism, business visitor, in transit, correspondent, studies, medical treatment) for stay up to 180 days. Please click here
The list of the countries exempted of Mexican visa as non-lucrative visitor can be found on this Website or direct to the National Institute of Immigration Website http://www.inm.gob.mx/index.php/page/Paises_No_Visa