Mexico offers more or less immediate access to a permanent residence permit for those able to demonstrate relatively modest incomes or assets. Though qualification through investments in real estate or equities are also possible, no investment is required as proof of income is alone sufficient.
The program offers a path to Mexican citizenship in as little as five years. The Mexican passport enable visa-free travel to 158 destinations, including the Schengen countries.
Though no physical presence is required to maintain the residency status, those who wish to eventually naturalize must spend no less than 180 days a year in Mexico.
Program Type | Independent Means Visa |
Time to citizenship | 5 years |
Time to permanent residency | Immediately upon approval if income requirement met |
Minimum investment | None. Proof of US$1,415 monthly income |
Physical presence requirement | None at residency stage (See Path to Citizenship) |
Application processing time | 2-3 months |
Citizenship grants visa-free travel to | 158 destinations, including Schengen countries |
Contribution types available | No investment required |
General program requirements
The financial criteria required to qualify for a legal residency permit in Mexico vary depending on what type of residency permit type the applicant wants to acquire; temporary or permanent. Permanent residence permits are available immediately upon approval for those who can demonstrate a higher income. Temporary residence permits are issued initially for 1 year, while subsequent ones have a validity periods of up to 4 years.
Ways to qualify include:
Proven monthly income based on the Unidad de Medida y Actualización (UMA):
$1,415 (UMA) per month for temporary residence;
$2,358 (UMA) per month for permanent residence;
$472 (UMA) proof of income per month per dependent, including spouse and children under 18.
Proven Savings (cash or investments):
$23,584 (UMA) for temporary residence;
$94,337 (UMA) for permanent residence;
$472 (UMA) proof of income per month per dependent, including spouse and children under 18.
The applicant must demonstrate a minimum monthly balance over the last 12 months.
Real Estate Investment
$188,674 investment which cannot have any debt, charges or mortgage attached. The investment only allows for a temporary residency permit;
$472 (UMA) proof of income per month per dependent, including spouse and children under 18.
Capital Investment:
$100,000 investment into private Mexican-owned company or a company or companies listed on the Mexican stock exchange;
$472 (UMA) proof of income per month per dependent, including spouse and children under 18.
Application fees depend on the visa you obtain:
$260 Permanent residency;
$240 Temporary residency 1 year;
$320 Temporary residency 2 year;
$400 Temporary residency 3 year;
$480 Temporary residency 4 year.
Program benefits
Requirements to qualify for citizenship
If the applicant has resided in Mexico for 5 years continuously he may apply for citizenship through naturalization. For naturalization, the applicant must have been physically present in Mexico for eat least 180 days a year during each of the preceding five years.
The applicant will need to ensure they have a good knowledge of Mexican culture and history, as there is an exam required. There is an exam to test comprehension of Spanish language. Minors, those over 60 years old, and refugees are exempt from the exam.
Applications for this program may be directed to:
The National Institute of Immigration (INM)
Legislation upon which this program is based:
Migration Law 2014 Article 3
No statistics available yet for this program.
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Programs that offer citizenship within months in exchange for investments or donations, with minor/no physical presence requirements.
Programs that offer citizenship in exchange for investments following a 1-2 year period, with minor/no physical presence requirements.
Bulgaria Investor Program (discontinued)
Malta MEIN
Programs that offer residence permits within months in exchange for passive investments, with limited physical presence requirements.
Andorra Residence Without Lucrative Activity
Anguilla Permanent Residency Program
Australia BIIP Investor Streams
Bahamas Economic Permanent Residence
Barbados SERP Program
Bermuda Economic Investment Certificate (EIC) Program
Brazil Investor Visa (VIPER)
Cambodia My 2nd Home
Cayman Islands Investor Visa
Colombia Investor Visas M and R
Costa Rica Investor Visa
Curaçao Investor Permit Program
Cyprus Golden Visa
Georgia Investor Visas
Greece Golden Visa
Guernsey Investor & Entrepreneur Residency
Ireland Immigrant Investor Program (discontinued)
Italy Investor Visa
Latvia Investor Visa
Luxembourg Investor Visa
Malaysia M2H Visa
Malta Permanent Residence Program
Mauritius Permanent Residency Program
Monaco Carte de Séjour
Netherlands Investor Visa
New Zealand Investor Visa
Nicaragua Investor Permanent Residency Program
Panama Qualified Investor Visa
Philippines Special Investor Residence Permit
Portugal Golden Visa
Russia Investor Visa
South Korea Investor Visa
Spain Golden Visa
Taiwan Golden Visa (APRC Plum Blossom Card)
Thailand Elite Residence Program
UAE Golden Visa
UK Investor Visa (discontinued)
United States EB-5
Programs that offer residence permits within months to those who can demonstrate income or personal wealth above a certain level, usually requiring that the holder not take up employment locally.
Argentina Rentista and Pensionado Residency
Austria Independent Means Visa
Barbados Welcome Stamp
Gibraltar Category 2 HNWI Residence
Greece FIP Visa
Indonesia Retirement Visa (KITAS)
Ireland Independent Means (Stamp 0)
Italy Elective Residency Visa
Jersey High Value Residency
Mexico Legal Residency Visa
Nicaragua Pensionado and Rentista Visas
Panama Rentista Retirado Visa
Paraguay Permanent Residency Program
Portugal D7 Visa
Spain Non-Lucrative Visa
Uruguay Independent Means Visa
Programs that offer residence permits within months to those who physically relocate to start and/or run a business. Startup and entrepreneur visas fall under this category.
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