We hear this phrase several times a day. Not because Mexico is popular as a state for immigration. Rather, because many people have a misconception about Mexico as a country where it is easiest to realize this desire: come and stay. «Winterers» rent apartments in Cancun without thinking that upon arrival they can purchase permission to stay in the country for fewer days than the winter lasts. «What kind of work is possible to find in Mexico?» — another frequent question, but without understanding that it is generally not possible to come and get a job legally, and upon entry you can even get a refusal. The non-option to “extend the visa” also causes surprise and distrust.
But it's not all bad. Those who really want come and stay. This is not a quick process that needs to be planned. Mexico is still one of the countries with a fairly liberal migration regime.
In this publication, we will debunk several myths and remind you how to move to Mexico legally.
«You can stay in Mexico for 180 days».Options: electronic permit / visa provides a stay of 180 days, upon entry everyone is given 180 days. They did. Most, but not all. Now they also give it, but to a minority. If you are visiting Mexico for the first time, there is a chance that you will be allowed to stay in the country for 180 days, but there is no guarantee. First, they will check the date of your return ticket, then they will ask what you plan to do in the country for so long. And they will still give as much as they deem necessary. Despite the return ticket. Typically not 180 days.
«So what?», — you say. «I'll leave and come back again». If you've been to Mexico before, especially if you've been relatively recently, you'll never get 180 days upon re-entry. At most, you will be allowed to stay in the country until the date of your return ticket, plus/minus. You will continue to leave and enter, and someday it will happen that you will not be allowed in.
And only if you enter through a land border or fly in through a small airport, usually you will receive your 180 days. But you can't cross the land border with an electronic permit, and there are no flights from Europe to small airports.
In general, Mexico’s migration legislation does not say anywhere that a guest of the country has the right to stay in the country for exactly 180 days. They said up to 180 days. To be even more precise, exactly as much as the migration officer allowed upon entry. It is possible to influence his decision, but cannot be challenged.
«If you exceed the permitted period, you will pay a fine upon departure, and that’s all».Is it true! With one «but». Once your permitted period of stay has expired, you become an illegal immigrant. If you are stopped by an immigration check before you leave, you will be deported, with no options. In addition, they may impose a ban on subsequent entries.
Most illegal immigrants are never subject to immigration checks and have never even heard of them. But you have no way of knowing whether you will be among the majority or the minority.
«Guest country visa can be extended».In most cases this is not possible right now. There is a possibility if 1) treatment is required or 2) upon entry you received exactly 180 days. The last chance appeared during the coronavirus epidemic and will disappear as soon as the epidemic ends. But even if before departure you are ill with coronavirus and are therefore unable to become board a plane, your visa will still not be extended if the permitted period was less than 180 days.
To be fair, let’s say that until October 2021 you could extend your guest sovereign visa for up to 180 days, but not beyond this period. Now you can't at all.
Unlike many countries where the legality of stay in the country is confirmed by a visa stuck in the passport, in Mexico the legality of stay is confirmed by the FMM migration form, which is issued to everyone upon entry. Your visa or ePermit is no longer valid as soon as you receive the FMM. It is the migration form that many people incorrectly call a “travel visa.” The data from the migration form is stored in a database, and even if you lost the form and went to restore it, the new one will indicate exactly the same permitted period of stay as the lost one.
«It is possible to obtain residential status in Mexico without leaving the country».Yes and no. There are only 3 reasons why you can get a residence permit without leaving Mexico: 1) due to family ties with a citizen or resident of the country (gave birth to a child, got married or came to visit a resident spouse) or 2) as a refugee. The third perspective is temporary, it is unclear how long it will last, and in order to use it, you should have already come to Mexico in 2015-2023 (already cancelled).
In all other cases, you need to leave, obtain a resident visa at the Mexican consulate, return to the country and prepare your residency status based on the visa. These other cases are also not so many: 1) high salary or pension, 2) sufficient bank savings, 3) ownership of real estate in Mexico or a public company, 4) an invitation to work, 5) admission to a Mexican university. This is a comprehensive list. If you don't have a relative — Mexican, don't look for other reasons to get a resident card without leaving Mexico. We have also repeatedly written about the fact that you cannot obtain a residence permit by opening a company in Mexico.
In most cases, if you are currently in Mexico, it is easier for you to apply for a resident visa at the consulate in any neighboring country rather than fly to your home country. But the most ideal option is if you first think about why you have the right to obtain a residence permit, and only then plan your arrival or move to Mexico.
«Refugee status, and then permanent residence in Mexico is given to everyone».You are wrong! Obtaining refugee status in Mexico is quite difficult. More precisely, a serious reason is needed, and this reason — not politics. LGBT, persecution based on religion or race, persecution out of personal hatred with the connivance of the authorities — these are the reasons, and the political problems in your country — No. Mexico does not give “political asylum” to anyone, there is simply no such concept here.
Your asylum application will be accepted, no matter the reason. But they will not give you refugee status, as many mistakenly believe, but the status of a “temporary visitor for humanitarian reasons.” This status gives you the opportunity to legally stay in the country and even work while your application is being considered, while simultaneously imposing a number of restrictions. You are unable to leave Mexico or even the state in which you filed your petition and must report once a week. It may take a long time to consider your application. The coronavirus epidemic and the influx of refugees have further increased the processing time for applications, and now in the status of a «temporary visitor» You are allowed to stay for a year or two. It is not a fact that your application will be approved, but if they refuse, you will be ordered to leave Mexico. Forever. But while it is being considered, and you are in Mexico legally, you have a chance to find other prospects to stay in the country. And having found them, have time to withdraw the petition before consideration. Many manage to learn the language, find an employer, marry a Mexican woman or have a child.
So what steps can you take if you want to come to Mexico and stay?
- Evaluate your options for obtaining a residence permit in advance. If you do this upon arrival in Mexico, the permitted period of stay may simply not be enough. In addition, to obtain a resident visa, you will still have to leave.
- Don't be afraid to apply for a resident visa based on your income or bank account balance! It is a myth that such a visa is very difficult to obtain in Russia. It's difficult when you are unable to verify your source of income. One way or another, the maximum you risk — lose US$56 visa fee.
- Come to Mexico anyway. At the very least, you'll get a feel for the country and test your desire to stay. If you are sociable and communicate a lot, offers with opportunities to stay will find you on their own. Not all of them will be legal, and some are even designed for simpletons. In this regard, study documents, and not just posts on forums, consult with professionals, and not with friends.
- Don't expect to be able to move in and out endlessly while remaining a traveler. Everything is heading towards the fact that sooner or later this shop will be closed.
- If you are young, you can easily find a job in a bar or club. Tips can be sufficient to save the required amount. If you find an employer who agrees to issue you a job offer — great, if you don’t find it, buy such an invitation. Yes, this is not entirely illegal, but how many people received a residence permit in Mexico this way? Many! You will then travel to a neighboring country to obtain a work visa.
- If you are looking for «marriage abroad», Mexico — exactly the right place. Mexicans love Slavic women, and there are many examples of happy marriages. Do not respond to proposals for a fictitious marriage — you will bind yourself to bondage for at least the next two years. But if you give birth to a child in Mexico, you will immediately receive permanent residence.
- And the most important tip: ask yourself, why Mexico? If in doubt, choose another country to immigrate. In the modern world there are always alternatives. It was we who connected our lives with Mexico. And «winter workers» There is always a place to spend the winter and a place to return to.