A resident card is considered proof of the right to reside in Mexico for foreigners. As you know from other publications on our website, there are temporary resident cards and there are permanent resident cards. Many people want to get a resident card, leave Mexico and return to the country closer to the start of the citizenship process. But in order not to lose your residency status in Mexico and achieve citizenship, your temporary resident card must be renewed on time. Renewal of a resident card is only allowed in Mexican territory. Therefore, the relevant question is: on what line is a Mexican resident card issued? In other words, how long can you be away from Mexico between renewals?
Obtaining a resident card for the first time
In most cases, a temporary resident card is issued for the first time with a validity period of only1 year. Resident cards are issued for 1 year:
- upon invitation to work,
- according to economic viability,
- by marriage to a temporary or permanent resident of Mexico,
- for studies,
- on real estate ownership.
It is impossible to influence that on these grounds you will be issued a card with a validity period of more than 1 year — The electronic system of the migration service will not let you through. But there are several reasons when a card can be issued for a longer period:
- by marriage to a Mexican citizen — for 2 years (maximum card validity period on this basis),
- by invitation to work in very reputable companies — for 2 or more years,
- by relationship with a temporary resident of Mexico — for the same period as the card of such a resident. But much depends on the expiration date of the Mexican relative’s card and the decision of the migration service officer. If there are 3.5 years left until the expiration date of his 4-year card, the card will be issued for a period of only 3 years.
- under the settlement program — for 2, 3 or 4 years.
Settlement program — This is the only opportunity when it is possible to obtain a resident card for the maximum possible period — 4 years.
The Adult Permanent Resident Card does not expire and does not need to be renewed. It is allowed to receive such a card, leave Mexico and return at least 30 years later — the permanent resident card will still be valid. But for minors, the permanent resident card has a validity period of 4 years, and then it needs to be renewed.
Renewal of a resident card
The temporary resident card must be renewed, and after 4 years, a permanent resident card must be purchased. Most often, the principle applies here: the card can be renewed on the same basis on which it was received.
A temporary resident card based on an invitation to work can be extended only with confirmation of employment from the employer. Most often, employers agree to extend an employee’s card for only 1 year. To summarize, before receiving a permanent resident card, a temporary resident card based on an invitation to work will have to be renewed 3 times.
A temporary resident card due to marriage to a Mexican resident can be extended for as many years as the Mexican spouse’s resident card is still valid. Maximum — for 3 years. For renewal, a document confirming the preservation of the marriage is required.
A temporary resident card based on economic solvency, including real estate ownership, can be extended for 1, 2 or 3 years at once. The extension period depends on the decision of the migration service officer. You do not need to re-confirm your eligibility to renew.
A temporary resident card received under the settlement program can be extended for 1, 2 or 3 years at once. The extension period depends on the decision of the migration service officer. No confirmation is required for renewal.
The temporary resident card for studies can only be extended for 1 year. To renew, you need documentation from a Mexican university about your current course of study.
After 4 years as a temporary resident, it is possible to obtain a permanent resident card. No confirmation is needed for this; it is enough that you have been a temporary resident for 4 years. During this period, you could have from 1 to 4 temporary resident cards.
Permanent Resident Card
The permanent resident card for an adult does not need to be renewed, it does not expire.
A child's permanent resident card, which has a validity period of 4 years, can be renewed without any confirmation upon expiration of this validity period. In other publications, we raised the issue of the rationality of purchasing such a card for children whose parents do not plan to live in Mexico. In most cases, we are talking about families who had a child in Mexico, and the parents and older children obtained permanent residence on this basis. We believe that it makes no sense for older children to apply for a permanent resident card together with their parents if the parents do not plan to seek Mexican citizenship in the next 4.5 years, otherwise the children will have to renew their permanent resident card once again. It makes more sense for the children to receive their permanent resident cards before either parent applies for naturalization.