One of the main conditions for purchasing a Mexico tourist visa is confirmation of the applicant’s financial solvency. If you can confirm with a document that you have sufficient income or savings, you will definitely receive a visa. Usually, for confirmation, you need to offer the diplomatic mission a salary certificate from your place of work or a bank account statement.
The criteria for assessing the financial viability of applicants for a Mexico visa are calculated indicators and are revised annually based on the level of inflation (from 2026).
1. Based on the criteria specified in the official Guide to the issuance of visas (Lineamientos Generales para la expedición de visas que emiten las secretarías de Gobernación y de Relaciones Exteriores) as amended on July 25, 2025. Here the criteria are given in UMA units — a government-established unit of account used to determine fines, fees, benefits and other administrative and social obligations.
2. The size of the UMA unit for each year is published on the website of the National Institute of Statistics and Geography of Mexico (INEGI). For 2026, size 1 UMA = 117.31 MXN (Mexican pesos).
3. By multiplying the number of UMA units by the size of 1 UMA, we obtain the minimum criterion for the financial assessment of a visa applicant. Basic criterion — in Mexican pesos.
4. Next, we can recalculate this criterion into dollars, euros or any local currency.
This publication also provides financial coverage for obtaining resident visas for study and family ties.
In the tables below we provide an approximate calculation in US dollars based on the rate of 18 MXN = 1 USD. This rate may change throughout the year. Not all consulates promptly update data on their websites. We recommend using our figures as a guide, but asking your diplomatic mission to confirm the current requirements in local currency.
Guest (travel) visa
- visa validity period — 180 days
| MXN | USD | |
| The minimum salary indicated in the certificate of employment for the last 3 months (220 UMA), OR | 25 808 | 1 434 |
| Minimum stipend, for the last 3 months (for students, 130 UMA), OR | 15 250 | 847 |
| Minimum bank account balance per month, for the last 3 months (680 UMA) | 79 770 | 4 432 |
- visa validity period — 10 years
| MXN | USD | |
| The minimum salary indicated in the certificate of employment for the last 3 months (220 UMA), OR | 25 808 | 1 434 |
| Minimum bank account balance per month, for the last 6 months (680 UMA) | 79 770 | 4 432 |
Temporary Resident Visa for Study
| MXN | USD | |
| Minimum stipend or salary for the last 3 months (220 UMA), OR | 25 808 | 1 434 |
| Minimum balance in the student's or sponsor's bank account per month, for the last 3 months (2290 UMA) | 268 640 | 14 925 |
Resident visa — family member
- independent visa acquisition by a family member
| MXN | USD | |
| The minimum salary indicated in the certificate of employment for the last 6 months (220 UMA), OR | 25 808 | 1 434 |
| Minimum bank account balance per month, for the last 12 months (220 UMA) | 25 808 | 1 434 |
- the resident sponsors a family member
| MXN | USD | |
| Minimum bank account balance per month, for the last 12 months (220 UMA) | 25 808 | 1 434 |
Most often, to obtain a simple (tourist) visa you need either a certificate from your place of employment or a bank account statement. A bank account statement is required if the work has not been permanent over the past year. Pensioners and people with disabilities should not prove their financial solvency if the purpose of the trip to Mexico — tourism.
We would like to add that consulates do not always strictly follow the assessment of salary compliance with minimum requirements. Often you can get a visa with a lower salary, especially when you are traveling to Mexico on a tour and the main expenses for your stay in the country have already been paid. There are other ways to prove your financial solvency, even if you do not have an official job.
Financial requirements — are not the only ones when obtaining a Mexico visa. An important requirement is confirmation of the purpose of the trip.
The numbers presented do NOT apply to obtaining a Mexican resident visa (and permanent residence permit) based on economic ability.