(Settlement program completed)
Since 2022, Mexico has had a so-called program for resolving the migration situation. According to its terms, any non-resident who was already in Mexico in 2023 or in previous years can receive a temporary resident card for 4 years. You need to come to Mexico as a tourist, wait until your permitted stay expires, and then go to one of the immigration offices to apply for a resident card. In this publication, we have compiled everything you need to know about the Mexican settlement program.
Program norms
Have been to Mexico in 2023 or earlier,You are currently in MexicoThe authorized period of stay has expired (the most recent one, as indicated by the stamp in the passport or on the paper FMM migration form).
From March 2025, a resident card under the settlement program is issued under the only condition:you entered Mexico in 2022 or earlier and have not left the country since then.
Confirmation of economic viability is not required.
The settlement program also applies to those who previously had a Mexican resident card, but for some reason were unable to renew it.
Children are able to purchase a resident card both under the settlement program on the basis of their own entries, and after a parent receives such a card (then the original birth certificate with an apostille is needed) — depends on the migration service office.
State fees (3 payments) for obtaining a temporary resident card for 4 years under the settlement program range from MXN 16,572 (2025) — depends on the migration service office.
Not significant:
- Do you have an old passport with entry stamps or not?
- How many times have you been to Mexico before and after 2023,
- How long have you been in Mexico since your previous entries?
- After entering in 2023, you have traveled or never left Mexico,
- What is the authorized period of stay you received at your last entry?
Not taken into account:
- Entries on cruise ships,
- Entries that are not in the migration service database (for example, unregistered entries across the land border from the United States),
- Entries with a passport of another nationality.
Conditions in different states
There are no official program conditions, and each Mexican immigration office has the right to make its own other requirements. If you are not satisfied with the program criteria in a particular state, contact the immigration office in another state.
Permitted length of stay.Cancun may require you to apply for a residence permit under the settlement program only 180 days after entry, even if the authorized period of stay has long expired. Therefore, before requesting a short stay upon entry, find out which state will accept your settlement program documentation at the end of the short stay.
Number of entries.In Merida, a resident card under the settlement program is given to those who have previously had at least 2 entries into Mexico. Sometimes this is interpreted to mean that you must leave after your first entry. In most states, it is enough to have 1 entry in 2023 or earlier, but it is possible to have no exits.
Validity period of the resident card.In Playa del Carmen, the settlement program issues cards with a validity of only 1 year.
State duties.Mandatory payments under the settlement program include a penalty for exceeding the authorized period of stay. In Cancun and Queretaro, this fine is minimal — 2263 MXN, but in Mexico City, Oaxaca and several other states — maximum 11,314 MXN. However, even with the maximum fine, you can save by not renewing the card for 4 years.
Home address confirmation.In Cancun, you don’t need to provide utility bills to confirm your residential address; you just need to provide the address. But in Merida, Progreso and Cozumel they have the opportunity to check whether you really live at this address.
Witnesses.In Playa del Carmen, they ask you to bring two witnesses who will confirm that they know you as a respectable foreigner (without guarantee).
Financial solvency.In Mexico City and a number of states, the migration service has the right to ask whether you have the means to live in Mexico. It is enough to offer an extract from any account with any balance, but with account movement.
Deadline for obtaining a resident card.In Mexico City, Cancun and most Mexican states, a resident card under the settlement program is usually issued on the day of the first application. But in Merida the process can take up to 4 weeks.
Other subtleties
You must not leave Mexico after your last entry and until you have purchased a resident card. If you do not have the right to stay in Mexico now, postpone the registration of a residence permit under the settlement program to your next visit, after the new permitted period of stay has expired.
Once you have received your resident card, you have the opportunity to leave Mexico until almost the end of the card's validity period. There is no requirement to be in Mexico to maintain your residency status.
A temporary resident card obtained under the settlement program provides all the same rights and options as temporary resident cards obtained on other grounds. But unlike the work invitation card, it does not contain a work permit. Such permission can be obtained through a separate process.
Time limit to Mexican citizenship after purchasing a resident card under the settlement program — 5 years.
How to apply for a residence permit under the settlement program
The process of independently acquiring a residence permit in Mexico under the settlement program is described in thispublications. You cannot make an appointment to file settlement papers in advance or receive a situ (appointment) online. First, you need to physically queue up at the migration service office early in the morning and go to the information window.
If you need our assistance in obtaining a 4-year Mexican resident card under the Settlement Program, please write to us.