Recently, the flow of emigration from the countries of the former Soviet Union to Mexico has increased markedly. Entire families are moving. In this publication, we want to talk about the features of obtaining Mexican visas and residence permits in this country for family members.
First we want to draw attention to an important point. To prove your family relationship, you must have the appropriate evidence: a marriage certificate, birth certificate, or guardianship or adoption documents. All documents must have an apostille stamp, without which certificates outside the state of your citizenship will not be valid.
In most cases, Mexico considers only spouses, their minor and unmarried children (under 18 years of age) and their parents (grandparents) to be members of the same family. If parents want to accompany a student who is going to Mexico to study, he must be no older than 25 years old. If the student is older, the diplomatic mission will consider that the parents do not have grounds to accompany the child and purchase a visa based on his studies in Mexico. But this applies only to a student visa; in other cases, the issuance of visas to relatives will be considered.
Guest sovereign visa
A guest sovereign visa is not directly related to obtaining a residence permit in Mexico. At the same time, in many cases, we suggest that you first come to Mexico as a tourist, look around, and then think about how to get a residence permit (although it’s better to think in advance). Without leaving Mexico, you can change your status from a guest of a state to a resident in only three cases: you gave birth to a child in Mexico, you married a citizen or resident of Mexico, or you received refugee status in Mexico. In all other cases, you are required to leave Mexico, obtain a resident visa from the consulate, and then use it to enter Mexico again to acquire a residence permit.
A travel visa to Mexico is needed for citizens of countries that do not have other visa grounds for entry. For example, citizens of Belarus, Moldova or Georgia.
It is important that when obtaining a Mexican visa at the consulate, you must personally present all family members who need a visa. Even small children. Parents sign their children's visa applications.
Choosing the right consulate — subtle point. Formally, you can only contact the diplomatic mission of Mexico that serves citizens of your country or is located in the country where you have a residence. Some consulates only accept you if you have a permanent, not temporary, residence in that country. Families have their own nuances. A few examples.
Husband — A Russian citizen, he needs either a visa or an electronic permit to enter Mexico. Wife — a citizen of Kazakhstan, does not have a residence permit in Russia and must purchase a Mexican visa in Istanbul. The consulate in Moscow will accept a wife only if her husband also receives a Mexican visa with her. We repeat, although an electronic permit is enough for my husband to enter Mexico.
Husband — a citizen of Kazakhstan, he needs to obtain a visa at the consulate in Istanbul. Wife — a citizen of Uzbekistan, she must purchase a visa from the consulate in Tehran. Together they have the right to apply to any of the two consulates.
Children have the opportunity to purchase a visa at any consulate where their parent will apply for a visa, regardless of their citizenship. In this case, you should have both parents present, even if one of them does not need a visa or is not going on the trip. If the parent already has a visa, he should show it to him. If the parent does not obtain a visa (can apply electronic authorization or has a Schengen visa), the children are required to apply for a visa at the consular office that serves their nationality.
The decision whether or not to accept visa documents from a citizen of a country that the consular department does not service is made by the consul on an individual basis. Therefore, in controversial situations, we recommend that you contact the diplomatic mission directly with questions. There are many examples when consulates make concessions.
When obtaining a tourist visa, the consular department requires so-called financial coverage — show a high payment or a certain amount on the account. You have the right to see the current amount of this financial coverage in our otherpublications. Each spouse is able to submit their own certificate of employment or bank account statement. But what if the wife does not work and does not have a bank account? Children also require financial coverage. In this case, the spouse is required to show an even higher salary or even greater savings. In fact, you will have to multiply the minimum amount required for him alone by the number of family members. Or the husband has the right to offer a certificate from his place of work, and for other family members to show the necessary amounts in the account or accounts. If very young children receive visas, consulates do not always require financial coverage for them either.
Resident visa
First of all, we are talking about visas based on economic solvency (rentier visa, ownership of real estate or shares in a public company) or a work visa. One family member is the recipient of such a visa. After entering Mexico, he will exchange his resident visa for a resident card, in other words, he will receive resident status.
For other family members, there are two options for obtaining a residence permit in Mexico.
1. Apply for relationship visas at the same time as the main recipient of the resident visa. The only justification will be papers confirming the family relationship.
Each family member will need financial coverage of approximately $1,434, which is supported by a bank statement or accounts for the last 12 months. Financial coverage — this is a kind of guarantee that family members will have something to live on, because they do not have the right to work in Mexico. There may be an unpleasant nuance here. Some consulates believe that the method for verifying financial coverage for family members must be the same as for verifying the economic viability of the main visa recipient. Then if he confirmed his solvency with a salary of $4,300, then for each family member his salary should be even higher by $1,434.
After obtaining resident visas and entering Mexico, the entire family receives resident cards at the same time.
We do not strongly advise using this option, based on the practice of the negative attitude of the consulate towards obtaining resident visas for a large family. If the consul doesn’t like something, they won’t give visas to anyone, including the main recipient (but, in particular, if they own real estate, they can’t refuse to give them).
2. The primary recipient enters Mexico on a resident visa, and family members — as a guest of the state. The primary visa recipient receives a Mexican resident card. Immediately after this, family members contact the migration service and receive their resident cards based on family ties with the main recipient. Or family reunification, whatever you want to call it.
In this case, financial coverage for family members is not required. However, now everyone is frightened by refusals to enter Mexico, and we are asked whether they have the opportunity to not let family members in? After all, they enter Mexico as visitors. No, we can't! The main recipient of the visa is almost a resident and is guaranteed entry. Family members can prove their family connection with marriage or birth certificates. No one will separate the family, and what justification can there be for the refusal if they have the right to stay in Mexico for a residence permit?
However, as tourists, family members still need to have a return ticket and accommodation reservation, and in addition, confirm the availability of funds to live in Mexico. The holder of a resident visa does not need any confirmation upon entry.
The difference in the cost of procedures between the first and second methods will be US$56 — That’s exactly what family members would have to pay at the consulate for a visa to Mexico. Here we accept that for a traveler (citizens of Ukraine or Russia) to enter Mexico, it is enough to purchase an electronic permit, which is free of charge. If family members need a tourist visa to enter Mexico, try to obtain one separately from the primary recipient applying for a resident visa.