I want to live permanently in Mexico as a retiree or through family union. What visa do I need?
Foreigners who wish to remain in Mexico indefinitely must apply in person for a Permanent Resident Visa at the Consular Office closest to their place of residence.
Please make an appointment at the Consulate at the email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and bring the following documents:
Requirements:
1. Visa application, printed double sided, and properly completed and signed.
2. Passport or valid travel and identity document, original and a photocopy of the page containing the photograph and personal data.
3. Original and a photocopy of the migratory document accrediting the legal stay in Canada (only for applicants who are not Canadian citizens).
4. One photograph measuring 3.9 cm x 3.1 cm, face uncovered, no eyeglasses, frontal view, in colour and with white background.
5. Payment of fees in cash for the issuance of the visa.
Important Notes:
- Family unity applications can only be accepted at a Consular Office if the foreigner with permanent/temporary resident in Mexico or the Mexican citizen accompanies the family member at the time the application is submitted.
- This category only applies to foreigners who are the children; parents; children of the spouse or common-law partner; or siblings of a Mexican citizen or foreigner with permanent residence in Mexico.
- Spouses or common-law partners of a foreigner with permanent residence, or mexican citizen, can only obtain a temporary residence.
- Foreign public documents to be submitted to the INM, in order to be valid in Mexico, with the exception of the passport or identity and travel documents, must be apostilled or legalized by the corresponding office.
- The documents must be legible.
- If one applicant may have an economically dependent spouse or kids. In that case you will need to present recent marriage certificate and or birth certificates. Make sure all names are exactly the same in all documents (passports, certificates, bank statements, etc.). Else you will need to get an AFFIDAVIT (from a Notary, commissioner, etc.). If those documents (certificates or bank statements) were issued in a third country (Nor Mexico nor Canada), you must have to do it legalized or apostilled or inserted in Quebec’s Civil Register.
- Each marriage or birth certificates must be translated to Spanish language (not mandatory by a certified translator, even a single translation by yourself is accepted)
Applicants must also present the following documents, depending on the category under which they are applying:
A. If you are the retiree:
- Original and photocopy of proof of investments or bank accounts with an average monthly balance equivalent to $410,685.00 CAD during the last twelve months to your appointment at the consulate, or
- Original and a photocopy of proof of monthly income from pensions in the amount of $10,672.00 CAD during the past six months to your appointment at the consulate.
Originals, if printed from an online banking account or at the bank, must bear the seal of the institution on each page, in order to render them authentic.
B. If you apply by family unity:
If the family member is a Mexican national
- Original and a photocopy of the official document proving family ties with the Mexican citizen.
- Original and copy of proof of Mexican nationality of the person you are related to.
If the family member is a foreigner with permanent or temporary residence status:
Original and a photocopy of the official document proving family ties with the foreigner with permanent status. (marriage certificate, birth certificate, notarized document stating common-law partnership. etc)
Original and copy of proof of the foreigner’s migratory status as a permanent resident in Mexico, and
Proof of economic solvency for the living expenses of each of the family members with
ü Original and a photocopy of investments or bank accounts proving a minimum monthly income of $2,053.00 CAD during the past twelve months, or
ü Original and copy of proof of employment or pension plan with minimum monthly income of $2,053.00 CAD for the last six months.
If you require additional information or you would like to request an APPOINTMENT FOR A VISA in our office in Montreal, please send an email to the visa department at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.