The process of becoming a Mexican resident usually begins outside the state. First, you obtain a visa from Mexican consulates abroad. This is a relatively quick process. This visa allows you to enter Mexico.
The second part of acquiring resident status takes place in Mexico. Here you take photographs, collect and prepare documents and submit them to the migration office (INM, National Institute of Migration), undergo fingerprinting, etc. This process can drag on for months, even if the migration office will tell you only “a few weeks.” By law, you must remain in Mexico during this entire time. However, if you have serious reasons for leaving the country while you are registering your residence, you need to follow certain procedures.
Procedure for obtaining exit and entry permits
If you are in the process of becoming a resident and wish to temporarily leave Mexico, you must apply to INM to obtain a permit to exit and subsequently enter the country. If you leave Mexico without such permission, your application to become a resident will be canceled.
1. You must apply for permission from the INM office where you started the residence process. Only under force majeure circumstances do you have the right to request such permission at other INM offices, in particular at the airport.
2. Cost of purchasing such a permit — see current ratesHere.
3. Documentation required to purchase a permit:
- Bid. It must be filled out electronically — sampleHereINM. Next, you need to print it and sign it.
- A copy of the application form for acquiring resident status with INM marks. It is also recommended to have with you the entire package of documents that you submitted to IMN to acquire resident status — originals and copies.
- Confirmation of payment for consideration of the application. This is usually a bank receipt or a check from OXXO.
- One color photograph for documentation measuring 2.5 x 3 cm.
- Evidence or a written description of the situation in which a foreign citizen who is in the process of obtaining residence is forced to temporarily leave the country. At the INM office you can obtain and fill out a form with spaces in which you enter your data and the necessary arguments (see image).
- Your itinerary outside of Mexico with dates. This is not required, but recommended.
If you have convincing arguments for leaving, after reviewing your application, you will receive permission. This usually takes a few days, although you may receive it the same day you submit your application. In fact, most often, even a simple argument that you should leave Mexico for your current job is enough.
The permit is valid for 60 days from the date of issue. During this period, you must return to Mexico. If you must leave and enter Mexico several times while your application for residency is being processed by the migración, you will need to prepare your exit and entry permit several times.
Procedure for exit and entry
When leaving and subsequently entering Mexico you must:
- Put migration stamps on the permit.
- Prepare an FMM (immigration card) upon departure or check with the immigration office at the airport or border — we wrote about thisHere. You do not need to fill out a new FMM upon arrival!
- Upon returning to Mexico, go to the INM office, report your return and show the immigration stamps on your permit and FMM.
In fact, the process of obtaining permission to temporarily exit and enter Mexico for those who are waiting to acquire resident status is very simple. However, acquiring such a permit takes time, and when going through immigration control you should be careful to get all the required stamps.