You can't just come to Mexico and stay here. You cannot extend the authorized period of stay that you received when you entered Mexico. You cannot acquire residency status in Mexico without a reason.
In this publication, we would like to once again list all the possible reasons for acquiring a residence permit in Mexico. These grounds can be used by citizens of any nationality.
Childbirth
Upon the birth of a child in Mexico, his parents, minor brothers and sisters, and in addition grandparents receive permanent resident status in the country. You do not need to leave Mexico to obtain a visa. Time limit before obtaining Mexican citizenship — 2 years.
Marriage
Marriage to a Mexican citizen or resident provides the basis for obtaining a temporary residence permit in Mexico. You do not need to leave Mexico to obtain a visa. Time limit before acquiring citizenship — 2 or 5 years.
Family connections
If a close relative — A citizen or resident of Mexico, you can obtain permanent or temporary residence in Mexico. You do not need to leave Mexico to purchase a visa. Deadline before obtaining citizenship — 5 years.
Income
If your verified income or pension exceeds $4,432 per month for the last six months, you may be eligible for temporary residence in Mexico. If your pension exceeds $7,430 per month, you are eligible to become a permanent resident. You will need to leave Mexico to purchase a visa. Time limit before acquiring citizenship — 5 years.
Savings
If your bank account balance was at least $74,700 for each of the last 12 months, you are eligible to purchase a temporary residence in Mexico. If you are a retiree with an account balance of at least $299,000, you may be able to obtain permanent residence in Mexico. Departure from Mexico is required to obtain a visa. Deadline before obtaining citizenship — 5 years.
Income or savings must be outside of Mexico.
Real estate
Owning real estate in Mexico worth at least $598,000 entitles you to acquire a temporary residence permit in the country. You will need to leave Mexico to obtain a visa. Deadline before obtaining citizenship — 5 years.
Company
Owning a share of a public company in Mexico worth at least $299,000 entitles you to obtain a temporary residence permit in the country. You will need to leave Mexico to obtain a visa. Time limit before acquiring citizenship — 5 years.
Job
An invitation to work from a Mexican employer, issued by the Mexican Migration Service, provides grounds for obtaining a temporary residence permit in the country, and even with a work permit. You will need to leave Mexico to obtain a visa. Time limit before acquiring citizenship — 5 years.
Studies
Admission to a Mexican university provides grounds for obtaining a temporary residence permit in Mexico for the period of study. This period does not count towards the total period for obtaining Mexican citizenship. Requires travel from Mexico to obtain a visa.
Already been to Mexico («settlement program»)
(settlement program canceled in May 2025)
If you have already been to Mexico at least once in 2022 or in previous years and have not left the country after entering, after fulfilling simple conditions, you can obtain temporary resident status. Everything you need — come with your passport to the migration service. This is a temporary migration program. You will not need to leave Mexico to obtain a visa. Time limit before acquiring citizenship — 5 years.
Refugee
If you can prove persecution and personal threat to health and life in your country of citizenship, you will receive permanent resident status in Mexico. It's quite difficult to prove. Do not confuse humanitarian visitor status, which is not a residence permit and is given to all refugee claimants for 1 year, and permanent resident status, which is given to a few even after you have been granted refugee status. You will not need to leave Mexico to obtain a visa. Time limit before acquiring citizenship — 5 years.
Visitor status — this is actually temporary protection. But if you already have such status and have a job offer from a Mexican employer, you can exchange this status for temporary residence with a work permit.
Genius
If you have exceptional skills and abilities, you may be able to obtain temporary residence in Mexico. The decision to grant a residence permit is made by the relevant ministry. Requires travel from Mexico to obtain a visa. Deadline before obtaining citizenship — 5 years.
You can also acquire temporary resident status if you come to Mexico to conduct scientific research on the territory of the state or in Mexican territorial waters, on the basis of an intergovernmental agreement, as a clergyman, and for a number of other specific reasons.
All! This is a comprehensive list. There are no other grounds for obtaining a residence permit in Mexico. But you can also use a non-obvious combination of the above grounds: first apply for refugee, obtain visitor status for humanitarian reasons, and then change it to temporary resident status on another basis without leaving the state.
If you want to find out details about each basis for obtaining a residence permit in Mexico, follow the links in the text of thispublications. Read about obtaining a residence permit for those who have previously been in the countryHere.