A Mexico student visa is issued to those who will study at one of the Mexican universities. Its main purpose — legalize the student’s stay while studying in Mexico. After obtaining a visa, you need to use it to enter Mexico and exchange it for a temporary resident card for study. It seems that this will be the same temporary resident card as the other cards, with the same capabilities. This is partly true. But from the point of view of extending legal status in Mexico after completing her studies, there will be problems with her.
Student Temporary Resident Card cannot be renewed if you stop studying
The student temporary resident card is always extended only for 1 year (maximum 3 times) and only on the basis of confirmation from the university about the extension of the educational process for another year. There will be no confirmation — It is not possible to renew the card.
This is very similar to a temporary resident card by invitation to work, which also cannot be renewed without confirmation from the employer. But here you are at least allowed to negotiate with some employer so that he gives you such confirmation. It is unlikely that it will be possible to come to an agreement with the university.
A Student Temporary Resident Card cannot be exchanged for a Permanent Resident Card
Usually, after 4 years in the status of temporary resident (RP), it is allowed to acquire a permanent resident card (PR), and only on the basis that the maximum period of temporary residence (4 years) has already passed. This rule does not work with a student residence permit. After 4 years, the student resident card cannot be renewed, nor can it be replaced with a permanent residence card.
There are ways to exchange a student temporary resident card for another temporary resident card, particularly through the settlement process. But they are not formal, and not every migration service office will agree to such an exchange. Under any circumstances, the years spent as a temporary resident — student will not be included in those 4 years after which you can automatically purchase a permanent residence card.
Duration of temporary resident status — student is not taken into account in the total period until naturalization
Typically, after 5 years as a resident, you can apply for Mexican citizenship. These 5 years will not include the years you spent as a temporary resident — student.
To begin counting the time until naturalization, you must first change your student card to a resident card on a different basis, as described above.
Exceptions apply to deadlines.
Marriage to a Mexican citizen. In this case, after notifying the migration service about the marriage, you can count on both permanent residence and citizenship. You can apply for citizenship 2 years after notification, but if you only need that, you will receive a permanent resident card in 2 years + the remaining period of validity of your current student card.
We gave birth to a child in Mexico. In addition, you need to notify the migration service about the birth of the child. You will be issued a permanent residence card as soon as your current student card expires. You have the opportunity to apply for citizenship when 2 years have passed from the date of registration of your student resident card for the first time, and if this has already passed, then immediately after the birth of the child.
But most often, a student visa and a Mexican resident card are only useful for legally living in the country while studying. But she doesn't appear to be a reliable start to staying in Mexico for many years.
We do not provide assistance in obtaining a student visa or a Mexican resident card for study purposes. To obtain such a visa, you must already be enrolled in one of the Mexican universities that are part of the national education system. If you were able to enroll in such a university, you do not need any assistance with obtaining a student visa and card; you can do everything yourself.
How to get a student visa yourself and obtain residency status in Mexico for study, we told you in thispublications.