Mexico Temporary Resident visa requirements
Most retirees move to Mexico on the temporary resident visa: a consulate checks for a pension or income over MXN 79,770.80 a month, or savings of MXN 1,344,372.60, then INM issues a card for up to 4 years.
What the law asks for, what the government charges, and how the application runs. Checked against Mexico's official sources on Oct 8, 2026.
- Minimum income
- MXN 79,771/mo (about $4,410) A job or pension paying more than 680 days of the UMA a month, free of liens, over the last 6 months. The UMA is MXN 117.31 a day from February 1, 2026, and changes each February. Consulates publish their own currency equivalents; San Diego asks for $4,510 a month in 2026.. SRE; INM; Visa guidelines 2025; INEGI; San Diego consulate. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
- Savings
- MXN 1,344,373 (about $74,300) investments or bank accounts with an average monthly balance of 11,460 days of the UMA over the last 12 months, instead of the income. Consulates publish their own currency equivalents; San Diego asks for $75,950 in 2026.. SRE; INM; Visa guidelines 2025; INEGI; San Diego consulate. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
- Residency
- One-year card, renewable to 4 years SRE; INM; Visa guidelines 2025; INEGI; San Diego consulate. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
- Government fees
- MXN 75,544 (about $4,180) Temporary resident card on arrival (canje of the visa) and Renewal of the temporary resident card and Renewal of the temporary resident card and Renewal of the temporary resident card and Change from temporary to permanent resident: application and Permanent resident card after the change. INM fees 2026. Checked Oct 7, 2026.
Who qualifies for the Temporary Resident visa
Most retirees start on Mexico's temporary resident visa, issued by a Mexican consulate abroad to people who show economic solvency, either a steady income such as a pension or savings and investments. It allows a stay of more than 180 days and less than 4 years, and work is allowed only if the pay comes from abroad.
You need MXN 79,771 (about $4,410) a month: a job or pension paying more than 680 days of the UMA a month, free of liens, over the last 6 months. The UMA is MXN 117.31 a day from February 1, 2026, and changes each February. Consulates publish their own currency equivalents; San Diego asks for $4,510 a month in 2026..
The amounts are set in days of the UMA, a unit INEGI updates every February, so the peso figures rise each year and each consulate converts them at its own exchange rate.
The visa allows work in Mexico only if the pay comes from abroad; a job paid in Mexico needs the employer to apply to INM.
The card first issued on arrival is valid for 1 year from entry.
After 4 years in a row as a temporary resident you can apply to become a permanent resident.
Temporary Resident visa documents
Every residence permit
- Basic application form, filled in online, printed and brought to the INM office
- Passport or travel document, valid, original and a copy
- Multiple Immigration Form (FMM) received on entry, valid
- Proof of payment of the card fee under the Ley Federal de Derechos
- 3 photos, 2.5 x 3 cm, two from the front and one of the right profile, white background, no glasses or earrings
INM. Checked Oct 7, 2026.
This visa
- Passport or identity and travel document, valid
- One photo
- Proof that you are a national of the country where you apply, or that you live there legally
- Documents proving economic solvency, such as proof of a pension or other income, or of savings and investments
- Payment of the visa fee set by the Ley Federal de Derechos
SRE. Checked Oct 7, 2026.
The consulate sets out the exact solvency documents and may ask for more; apply in person at a Mexican consulate in the country where you are a national or a legal resident. Ask your lawyer whether a document must also be translated.
Temporary Resident visa fees
| Visa application at the consulate, not refunded | $56 |
| Temporary resident card on arrival (canje of the visa), 1 year | MXN 11,141 (about $620) |
| Renewal of the temporary resident card, 1 year | MXN 11,141 (about $620) |
| Renewal of the temporary resident card, 2 years | MXN 16,693 (about $920) |
| Renewal of the temporary resident card, 3 years | MXN 21,143 (about $1,170) |
| Change from temporary to permanent resident: application | MXN 1,847 (about $100) |
| Permanent resident card after the change | MXN 13,579 (about $750) |
San Diego consulate; INM fees 2026. Checked Oct 8, 2026. Lawyer and agency fees are not set by law; ask for a fixed written quote.
How the application runs
- Gather proof of solvencyPension letters and 6 months of statements showing over MXN 79,770.80 a month, or 12 months of statements averaging MXN 1,344,372.60, in your consulate's currency.
- Apply at a consulateIn person at a Mexican consulate in the country where you are a national or a legal resident, and pay the visa fee.
- Enter MexicoEnter with the visa in your passport; you receive the Multiple Immigration Form (FMM).
- Get the card within 30 daysWithin 30 calendar days of entry, file the form at an INM office, pay MXN 11,141 and give fingerprints and photos.
- Renew, then go permanentRenew for 1 to 3 years at a time; after 4 years, or earlier as a pensioner, apply to become a permanent resident.
Spouses and children
Your spouse or partner, parents, children under 18 and stepchildren under 18 can get a temporary resident visa through family ties with you once you hold the temporary resident visa or card. Each person pays their own card fee. For each family member you show an extra 220 days of the UMA, MXN 25,808.20, as a monthly income over 6 months or an average balance over 12 months.
SRE; INM fees 2026; Visa guidelines 2025; INEGI. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Other ways to live in Mexico
Permanent resident visa (residente permanente) for pensioners
Retirees and pensioners with a pension can apply at a Mexican consulate for permanent residence straight away, with no renewals; the card does not expire. A temporary resident who is a pensioner with income from abroad can also change to permanent inside Mexico.
SRE; INM; Visa guidelines 2025; INEGI. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Temporary Resident visa questions
Is there a visa for temporary residency for retirees in Mexico?
Yes. The temporary resident visa is issued by Mexican consulates to people who prove economic solvency: income from a job or pension over 680 days of the UMA a month (MXN 79,770.80 in 2026) for 6 months, or an average balance of 11,460 days of the UMA (MXN 1,344,372.60) for 12 months. It covers a stay of more than 180 days and less than 4 years, and INM issues a card within 30 days of arrival for MXN 11,141 for the first year.
What are the requirements for an American to retire in Mexico?
A valid passport, a photo, proof that you live legally in the country where you apply, proof of economic solvency and the visa fee. Pensioners can instead ask for a permanent resident visa from the start, with a pension over MXN 133,733.40 a month or an average balance of MXN 5,378,663.50.
Can I work in Mexico as a retiree on a temporary resident visa?
Only for pay that comes from abroad. A job paid inside Mexico needs the employer to apply to the National Institute of Migration (INM).
Do I need a lawyer?
No. SRE states the temporary resident visa can be requested directly at any Mexican consulate, and you collect the card yourself at an INM office.
