retired-couple
Adriana Vela

The permanent resident visa can be issued to a foreigner who intends to reside indefinitely (forever) in Mexico.

 

Foreigners granted permanent resident visas have the right to enter and leave Mexico as often as desired. This residency status never expires. They can also bring their personal property into Mexico in the manner and terms under the applicable law. However, this procedure must begin at a Mexican Consulate outside Mexico and end at an immigration office in Mexico.

 

Who Can Apply for a Permanent Resident Visa Straightaway?

Generally, pensioners or retirees can apply straightaway without prior temporary residency. However, they must prove sufficient monthly income or savings/investments to cover living expenses in Mexico.

What Are the Financial Requirements for an Individual?

 NOTE: The minimum wage in Mexico in 2024 is 248.93 Mexican pesos per day.

 

1. Proof of monthly pension, salary or monthly investment income that you have received for the last 6 months. Proof via pay stubs or financial statements showing at least 500 days worth of the Mexican minimum wage. 

OR 

2. Proof of financial stability via statements of investments, savings or checking accounts from the preceding 12 months. You are required to prove a monthly balance of approximately 20,000 days worth of the Mexican minimum wage. 

 

Consult the complete requirements here (in Spanish): Visa de residencia permanente | Trámites

Can a Married or Common-Law Couple Apply for a Permanent Resident Visa Together? 

For a married or common-law couple, each partner must show the qualifying income or investments above. However, if one partner is economically dependent on the other, then an additional amount  must be added to the original. This amount is the equivalent of 100 days of the Mexican minimum wage.

 

In absence of the additional amount, then the second partner should enter Mexico as a tourist. Once the first partner obtains residency, the second partner can apply for temporary residency, valid for two years. After those two years, they can then apply for permanent residency. Fortunately, at this point, there are no longer any financial requirements.

  

NOTE: The financial requirements vary slightly between consulates. This variation also depends on the exchange rate that the consulate applies. Find further information about permanent residency here.

For a quote or consultation, email Adriana Vela at info@immigrationtomexico.mx.

Enjoying our articles? Check out our last one on 10 Simple Reasons to Relocate to Mexico.

48 thoughts on “Can Expats from the US and Canada Get a Permanent Resident Visa in Mexico Straightaway?”

  1. I heard that recently the amount of required income has lowered to $1400 US and 3 mos of notorized statements. Please clarify.
    I am over the 65 retirement age but have continued to work part time due to the high cost of living in Los Angeles. So I am a combination of the various requirements where I am pulling social security but not any retirement funds yet. Any advice?

    Reply

    2. Select to enter the information manually. It says, if you don’t have a CURP or not Mexican, enter manually.

      Reply

  3. I’d like info on applying for permanent residency in Mexico straightaway while living in the US.
    Can I also apply for my wife and 5 children (all under 18) at the same time?
    My entire family are US citizens, have visited Mexico, and have current US Passports.

    Provided we meet the financial requirements, how would we proceed?

    Reply

  4. is this Permanent Resident Visa in Mexico Straightaway only for usa and canada?
    or i can make it …if i am resident in Saudi Arabia since 10 years but i am syrian.
    thanks

    Reply

    1. No, it is not just for US and Canada. Your consulate can tell you if you meet the requirements when applying.

      Reply

  5. The problem with a Permanent Resident Visa is you cannot drive your foreign-plated vehicle in Baja California. With a Temporal Visa you can.

    I got a Permanent Resident Visa and now I can not drive down with my dogs.

    I don’t know how to get there!

    Reply

      2. Did they travel in cabin or cargo area. And, if in cargo area, what kind of crate did you use and where did you buy it? Thanks, Rich.

        Reply

  6. I live in Gilbert, Arizona a suburb of Phoenix. So I would like to use the consolate in Phoenix.
    I have all the papers required and photo’s. I would like to get an appointment so we can go
    over the papers. I want a Permanent Resident Visa for myself and my wife.

    Reply

  7. Good afternoon.
    I am considering an application for Permanent Residency for Mexico; I am a retired person with an annual income of about $41,000.00 Canadian. Would I qualify?
    I will be 65 in October of 2022 and am thinking of a stay sometime after that to search for a home or residence.
    Any Information you can forward would be great.
    Can you also tell me when I should begin the application if I am looking at a year from now for travel?
    Thank you!

    Reply

  8. I would like to apply for a permanent residency visa strait away . I am a retiree and on a pension

    Reply

        1. 1. refers to monthly income via salary, pension, etc. ; 2. refers to minimum savings or investment amounts held for at least 12 previous months.

          Reply

  11. I do not speak Spanish. Is there an agency or person I can contact to assist in Mexico after I have gone to Canadian consulate.

    Reply

  12. Good day,

    Does either the temporary or permanent visa allow the applicant & family members the right to work without having a work permit, and what about studying at school & university?

    Thanks!

    Reply

  13. What happens if I apply for a permanent residency and am denied, can I get a temporary residency instead?

    Reply

  14. Hi,

    We are applying for permanent residency from Vancouver Canada.
    As for Economic solvency, Do the bank statements or pension statements need to be STAMP BY THE BANK/INVESTMENT COMPANY ??? we are confused as we get contradictory information.
    Thank You

    Reply

  15. Once my permanent residency is approved does it matter if I decide to get an Airbnb in a different city than I put on the application here in the US?
    Also exactly how do you prove your address at the Mexican Immigration office when going for your canje?
    And lastly I plan on moving around quit a bit my first year in Mexico to explore.
    Will I need to change my address or notify the Immigration office every time I move?

    Reply

    2. Hi Jim
      It doesn’t matter if your AirBnB address is different.
      You can prove your address with a utility bill or rental contract.
      Notify them when you are sure you will stay almost permanently in one location.

      Reply

  16. What about gay couples please? Do they qualify if they meet the financial requirements? Is it even a viable alternative?

    Reply

  17. What about a UK citizen wanting to obtain Mexican permanent residence permit straight away, what conditions will apply. Thanks

    Reply

  18. I am a U.S citizen that bought a condo in Puerto Vallarta in December of 2020. My wife and I are not retired will be in the next 2-3 years. Since we were only visiting for a week at time, we have only been there on a tourist visa. We were informed that we needed our RFC, but to get our RFC needed to be a Temporary Resident or a Permanent Resident. It was recommended that we should get our Permanent Residency straightaway. We meet the financial requirements, but are not retired. What is your recommendation?

    Reply

  19. I am younger than 62, meet the financial requirement, can I apply for PR without temporary resident first?

    Reply

    1. Hi Gracia, It depends on the consulate you choose. They will make the decision. Orlando’s Mexican consulate might be an option.

      Reply

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