If you are considering starting your Mexican immigration journey, set yourself up for success before you begin! Based on years of experience as immigration facilitators, we share the most up-to-date tips to make the process easier – for you, and the various agents you’ll encounter.
Understand Mexican Immigration Requirements
Check with your consulate of choice what the requirements are. This may vary from consulate to consulate. Each consulate has their own website. A simple search of Mexican Consulate + city name should display the correct result. In particular, if you are applying via economic solvency, check first that you meet the financial requirement.
Consulate Appointments
If you are eligible to apply, financially and otherwise, then book a consular appointment, via MiConsulado, or email/telephone. Most appointments are made online, but options vary with the consulate. Learn more about appointments in our article: Tips on Booking a Mexican Consulate Appointment, and More
Be persistent! If appointments aren’t available, continue to search until you obtain one.
Preparation
Do not delay. Plan well in advance. Once you have obtained your visa from the consulate, you only have 180 days to complete the process in Mexico. However, you will need a local immigration appointment, documentation preparation, flights, accommodation, and flexibility for unexpected events. Don’t leave these arrangements to the last moment.
Documentation
In Playa del Carmen this year: if one of the partners depends on the other financially, immigration require a marriage certificate and birth certificates of children. These documents must be apostilled in their country of origin, and translated by a Mexican perito traductor. This may not have been initially required by the consulate, as these documents are from the country the consulate is based in. However, in Mexico, these are foreign documents. For this reason – in Playa del Carmen – they now request apostilled and officially translated certificates. At Immigration to Mexico, we can assist with translation for this purpose. This process can take time, so again prepare for it well in advance of your entry into Mexico.
Entering Mexico
When entering Mexico for the first time to complete the residency process: ensure you show the immigration agent the visa in your passport. They should stamp your passport and give you a 30 day stay.
IMPORTANT: Ensure the agent does not give 180 days, instead of 30 days to exchange their visa. In this case, the completion procedure (canje) can be delayed significantly, or even cancelled when the prospective resident is registered as a tourist, instead of for canje. Read more in our article: I Got My Mexican Visa at the Consulate – Now What? The Canje Procedure Explained
Local Immigration Office Appointments
Local immigration office appointments must be made approximately three weeks in advance. Do not expect to obtain an appointment with less notice. Advise your immigration facilitator in good time what dates you intend to travel to Mexico, to avoid disappointment.
Expect the Unexpected
In general, and especially in Playa del Carmen and Progreso, be prepared for delays. The standard waiting time to receive your resident’s card is 2-3 hours. If the system is slow or malfunctions, waiting time can be a few days. Leave enough time for unexpected delays. Learn more about the INM offices in Playa del Carmen and Mexico City.
The 4 Ps
Remember the 4 Ps throughout your Mexican immigration journey: be prepared; be persistent; be patient; be polite.
For a quote or more information on immigration to Mexico, email Adriana Vela at info@immigrationtomexico.mx.