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Changes are happening fast in Mexican Immigration these days!
And not every immigration office does the same thing. So, it’s hard for you to know how to navigate your process!
Here are some of the changes and some solutions. Plus, there is a special bonus, but you have to read it until the end.
Mexican Consulates Change Their Income Requirements for Spouses
If you don’t know this yet, most consulates require you to be financially solvent to qualify for residency in Mexico. You can find the Mexican residency income requirements here.
But what if you are married?
Most Mexican consulates only require about $500-1,500 USD a month extra for a spouse or other dependents. And if you can’t prove that additional income for your spouse, it isn’t a problem. You can petition them in Mexico once you become a resident- without having to prove economic solvency for them.
But changes are happening fast, and a few consulates worldwide are now requiring both people in a marriage to meet each financial solvency income requirement.
So what happens if more consulates start making these changes? That may seem like lost hope to many of you- but there’s a solution!
Mexican immigration law allows a Mexican National or Resident to petition for their spouse or child under family unification or “union familiar,” which means that as long as one of you qualifies to be a resident, you can petition for your spouse from within Mexico without having to prove economic solvency.
INM Appointments
Anyone processing their “canje” or residency visa exchange in Mexico must travel to Mexico first, schedule their appointment, and then wait for that appointment in Mexico.
Depending on the immigration office you are visiting, you may or not be able to get an appointment on the same day. If they don’t give out same-day appointments, you will be asked to return on a future date.
However, immigration usually considers the time you have left on your FMM to ensure you get an appointment before your FMM expires.
To save you time and hassles, we have a good directory of immigration facilitators who can schedule your INM appointment ahead of time online or help you expedite the process in specific cities of Mexico. When you buy our COMPLETE Mexico Relocation Guide, you get instant access to this directory of contacts.
Please consult with your immigration facilitator for this process since each office varies.
If you aren’t working with an immigration facilitator, we suggest getting in line at your local INM office or “delegacion” as early as 6 am to be one of the first people in line.
Some INM offices only issue a limited number of appointments a day, making it even more important that you get in line as early as possible.
Again, your immigration facilitator can guide you through the local steps.
Why We Recommend Applying for Residency Sooner Rather Than Later!
As more and more changes happen within immigration and the Mexican consulates worldwide, we want to help as many people fulfill their dreams of living in Mexico.
However, some of you may not be ready to move to Mexico full-time. We recommend getting your residency as soon as possible while you still qualify.
We don’t know what the future holds. Changes are usually made so fast that very little (if any) notice is given to the public by immigration officials. Plus- you don’t have to live in Mexico full-time to remain a resident.
So, if you have the resources and the time, we recommend getting your residency in Mexico before any other changes happen.
If you need help, we have taken all the guesswork out of your move to Mexico with our COMPLETE Mexico Relocation Guide.
In it, you will get a step-by-step plan that is easy to follow. You will also get instant access to our directory of contacts across Mexico who can help solve some of the most common topics, such as:
- Immigration and Mexican Residency
- Pet Transporters
- Moving Companies
- Locals to Help You Get Settled Across Mexico
- Relocation Tours
- and a variety of other things you may need assistance with.
Helping You Stay Up To Date!
So how can you stay up to date?
If you didn’t already know this, I have a regular newsletter that goes out to all my subscribers. That’s the fastest and best way for you to know about the updates I share with everyone. I also share a variety of tips about moving to Mexico. Subscribe to it here.
Mariana, will the relocation facilitator be able to obtain INM appointment in advance for us in Cabo San Lucas? We plan to be there on September 5 to October 8 to complete step 2 for our Permanent Resident card.
We have enjoyed your YouTube channel!
Thank you,
Marvin and Evelyn Jacobs
Hi guys
I would recommend reaching out to one of our recommended facilitators in Los Cabos to consult how long you should plan to be in Mexico.
Things change quickly regarding immigration, so one thing to keep in mind is that whatever is true today can be wildly different by September.
https://mexicorelocationguide.com/mexico-kb/recommended-immigration-lawyers/
I have my Permanent visa stamp in my passport. I’ll be going to Merida in September, & need the address of an INM OFFICE there to complete the process. Can you provide this with a phone number as well? A contact person fluent in Spanish would also be a great help – for a fee if necessary. Thanks,
Bruce
Hi Bruce
Yes absolutely- all that information is in our COMPLETE Mexico Relocation Guide
when you buy the guide you get access to the INM offices around Mexico and you also get the contact info for immigration facilitators that can help you out
mexicorelocationguide.com/guide/
I took Marianna’s advice and got my visa in February and did my canje in April.
As someone who has experience working in a government bureaucracy I was unexpectedly surprised and impressed with the organization and operation of the Mexico City INM office. The staff seemed to be universally engaged in their work, openly friendly and happy with each other, and very helpful to those of us there to complete our immigration processes. Two hours later I had my permanent residency card in hand.
The on-line appointment system seems to be a big success. I used it. For Mexico City the appointments became available approximately two and a half weeks before the appointment date I wanted. I recommend signing on to the cite starting about 3-4 weeks before or earlier. That way you can check the availability of dates and see what the practice and flow of appointments are for the particular office in which you want to do your canje. I was able to do so, and had a broad range of appointment times available when I logged on early in the morning that my desired cita became available.
I ended up paying about $404 total for the immigration process. I did not use a facilitator, but really spent multiple hours studying Marianna’s and a few other excellent content providers’ materials. It’s a personal choice and I’m more comfortable feeling like I know what’s involved. But it could have been more time effective to use a facilitator. One thing to keep in mind is that if you get permanent residency, you no longer have to pay the Mexican entrance fee, which in April of 2025 was $44+. So, even if you never relocate, the cost of the residency option is effectively even less than the reasonable fee charged to complete the immigration process.