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If there was ever a time to have a plan B to move to Mexico, it is now!
Thousands of foreigners relocate to Mexico every year mainly because of the increasing cost of living in the US and Canada. Coupled with the rising tensions in politics that divides the common people. Many are looking for a better life in Mexico!
But moving to Mexico is not as easy as packing your bags, showing up, and starting a new life sipping a margarita by the beach. Although we wish it were
The Mexican immigration and bureaucracy are challenging, especially with limited Spanish. And with the end of year coming soon, we can almost guarantee that there will be changes in 2023. Because historically there has always been a change to immigration requirements in Mexico since we’ve been in business.
Now, I am not one to usually write articles or give advice which makes someone act fast. That’s not my style. I always advise you rent before buying a home, visiting before moving here, and doing a lot of research before settling on any one place.
Bu when it comes to immigration and resident visas in Mexico, I’d hate for someone to miss out because they didn’t know that changes happen often. That’s why I think if you’ve been thinking about living or retiring in Mexico, you should really move fast on getting a residency.
Here’s why
The time when expats in Mexico could be perpetual tourists doing border runs every six months is coming to an end. Mexican Immigration is no longer handing out 180-day entries to every visitor.
Plus, if you plan to live in Mexico, you will need a residency visa anyway.
You’ll need residency to open a bank account, get a driver’s license, sign up for Mexico’s healthcare system, get certain private health insurance policies, work in Mexico, get a retiree discounts card, even buy a car, and for many other activities.
While there are several ways to get residency, the most common option is through financial solvency. Mexican authorities use a formula based on the current daily minimum wage of MXN $207 to determine financial solvency.
Residency Qualifications in 2023
For temporary residency, you need a minimum monthly income of $3,300 USD or $52,000 USD in Savings/Investments.
For permanent residency, you need a minimum of USD $5,400 a Month.
To make Mexican bureaucracy even more complicated, Mexican residency income requirements vary by consulate.
Also, some consulates only issue temporary residency even if you qualify for permanent residency.
And because things are changing so quickly in Mexican immigration procedures (almost daily, it seems), it’s never been more important for you to apply for residency sooner rather than later. Just because you qualify in 2023 for Mexican residency doesn’t mean you’ll qualify in 2024.
Are you interested in approx moving to Mexico costs? Read this post: How to Move to Mexico: 5 Steps.
My advice: apply sooner rather than later.
You are not required to live in Mexico to remain a resident. So even if you have plans to move to Mexico years in the future, I’d recommend securing your residency visa first.
And while it may seem very simple to qualify for residency, unfortunately, the process isn’t. Mexican bureaucracy can be complicated and very inconsistent. Because of this, we recommend hiring an immigration facilitator familiar with local customs, laws, and requirements.
Others may tell you that hiring an immigration facilitator isn’t needed. And while that may have been the case 10 years ago, things change so rapidly today that it’s easy to make a mistake.
Oftentimes the worst mistakes are made by the people you think you should trust the most: the employees at immigration, who are usually poorly trained. So hiring the right person who is up to date on immigration requirements and will know the law better than most is almost a no-brainer.
Who Do You Hire?
If you need a reputable immigration facilitator recommendation, we have a directory of them throughout Mexico in our COMPLETE Mexico Relocation Guide.
Our online guide has more than just information on how to get your residency in Mexico; it also connects you to the right people that can help you. That way, you’re not spending your precious time figuring out who to hire. Or making mistakes hiring the wrong people.
Move to Mexico the right way with the COMPLETE Mexico Relocation Guide.
I don’t know if it will make this article too long, but I think it might be helpful to at least mention the savings/investments option. I didn’t really have a way to show the required income, but because I’ve been saving for retirement for decades, I was able to show economic solvency through savings/investments. And now, six months later, I’m sitting in Mexico :-).
great point! I will update it
Oh! Thank you for reminding me!! Great point!
Thanks Mariana Lange, we have been following you for two years on YouTube. Your information and insights have been very helpful to us. We are coming to Guadalajara in January 2023 to obtain our permanent residency at the immigration office. We are looking forward to relocating to Mexico. Thanks for all your awesome videos that helped us receive our permanent residency visas. Wishing you all the best.
Hi! Just made the decision to move to Mexico in 2023. I’m a bit older – 78 years old – but very active and healthy. I’m definitely interested in a group tour next year – how do I find out the dates and sign up soon?
Hi Cecile
All of our tour information can be found on this page. Although I should let you know that we offer private relocation tours only
Mexicorelocationguide.con/tours/
Hi, my name is Tina Brady, and I am interested in joining your group, and using your services, as I am interested in moving to Mexico. I have been following you for a while, and feel confident about your ability to guide, and assist me.
Hi Tina! Welcome
We would love to help you. If you need the steps to move to Mexico and our directory of contacts check out our COMPLETE Mexico Relocation Guide
mexicorelocationguide.com/guide/
Hello, Mariana! I’ve just returned from Ajijic, where I had a consultation with your recommended immigration attorney. (She is delightful to work with and her scope of knowledge is impressive!) I recognize the sense of urgency, however the roadblock at this point is the Seattle Consulate.
An update, if anyone else is planning to work with Seattle: They are still not processing applications for residency visas and aren’t responding to queries about when they think they will start again. (I’ve been “on hold” with them since early July, when they thought they’d reopen in September, but others have been waiting even longer.) Turns out Seattle is the smallest Mexican Consulate office in the US (!!!) and it’s simply a waiting game. The immigration attorney I consulted said it took one of her clients six months to get an application appointment.
you may need to travel to a different consulate at this point.
They have currently opened appointments at the Seattle consulate.
You are so right Mariana. I got my permanente April 2020 during the height of Covid. The financial requirements jumped lots from 2019 to 2020 and have increased significantly yearly since then. I still have my home in the USA but am glad I can move to Mexico any time I want. Please don’t wait!
Hi Mariana. Love your channel. My husband and I are in our 70’s and plan to relocate to Queretaro ASAP. Just waiting on our passports. We have never had one.
We plan to use both our retirement incomes to prove financial solvency since our
bank statements are from several joint accounts. This way, he would quality for permanent residency for himself only. After he has been approved, we plan for me to apply via family unit. My question is, will we need to show another or “different” source of income on my application, since he has already used my income for his application?
Hi Audrey!
Thanks for watching my videos!
There are a few ways to go about it
If you both apply together at a Mexican consulate near you, then yes most likely each one of you will need to prove economic solvency individually. it depends on the consulate you go to. Each one has its own special requirements.
However, if only one of you qualifies based on income, then one of you gets residency first. And then the other spouse no longer have to “prove” economic solvency if you do the family unification petition for residency in Mexico.
They have currently opened appointments at the Seattle consulate.
In the past I attempted to get an appointment at other consulates and was told they would not accept anyone not residing within their area.