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PLEASE NOTE THERE HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO THIS PROGRAM AS OF MARCH 14 2025- This was a surprise to everyone with no prior warning from the Mexican authorities. So I am sure there will be developments happening in the next few days/weeks. I will update this page with any new information.
- You must possess an expired FMM (tourist permit) to apply.
- *You must have been in Mexico since 2022 as a tourist- with no exits/entries in 2023, 2024, or 2025*
- No economic solvency is required. *This can change at any time*
- You get a 1-4 year Temporary Residency. Depends on each case.
- For children under 18, original birth certificates with apostille or legalization and certified translations are necessary.
- Upfront payment of immigration fees, approximately $17-25k Pesos, assuming you get a 4-year residency visa -(around $850-1,300 USD). This does NOT include the facilitator’s fees.
- The process can take 1 day and up to 4 weeks
You DO NOT need to prove economic solvency.
The RNE program was created to help all tourists who are irregular (illegally in Mexico), have a path to regularize their status (become a resident).
Therefore, the new changes in 2025 are SIGNIFICANT. But if you do qualify based on the current criteria, it is a game changer because you DO NOT need to prove a minimum amount of economic solvency to obtain a Mexican Residency
That’s huge!
You MUST Be in Mexico to Apply
This special regularization program is run in Mexico. Unlike the standard process for Mexican residency through economic solvency, which requires you to apply from a Mexican Consulate abroad- this program is different.
Prove You’ve Stayed in Mexico Since 2022 and Have NOT Left
Another important requirement is that you were in Mexico since at least December 31st, 2022 or before.
And that you haven’t left Mexico since. Meaning that you can no longer come to Mexico in 2025 and apply for this program if you are not currently in Mexico. You cannot have stamps or entries from 2023, 2024 or 2025 and qualify.
Also, you are only eligible for this program if INM can find you in their system. This means you don’t need to have old passports and proof of vacationing in Mexico. The only thing that matters is that INM’s immigration system has you registered in Mexico as a tourist during the timeframe. It’s also possible to qualify if you came before 2015 as long as INM can pull you up on their system as having come to Mexico.
Unfortunately, anyone who came on a cruise will not qualify because cruise terminals process tourists in a very different way than land borders and airports. Therefore, your cruise visit is not in the system.
You’re Required to Pay ALL Immigration Fees Upfront.
Because this special program grants a four-year residency in Mexico, you must pay all immigration fees upfront.
- The 4-year Temporary Residency Fee: $12,529
- An RNE Fee for Immigration to do a Study on Your Case: $1,780
- And a Fine For Overstaying your FMM Allowed Time: $2,171.40-$10,857- varies by case and by INM office.
A key part of accessing this program is letting your FMM (often called a tourist visa) expire to regularize your migratory situation. Overstaying it, of course, means there is a fine to pay as part of the program.
There is no consistency amongst INM offices around the country regarding the fine amount. One would think it should be calculated on a daily basis, but every office I’ve seen applies a set rate, and they vary widely.
San Miguel de Allende, Cuernavaca, and Oaxaca charge the maximum amount of 10,000+ MXN
Mexico City charges $10,748 MXN
Queretaro and Playa del Carmen charge 2,171 MXN
With those fines considered, the immigration fees will be around $17-25k Pesos or approx $850-1,300 USD– depending on the exchange rate.
The requirements to know if you qualify are pretty straightforward. However, the process is not that easy. You’ll have to write a letter in Spanish explaining why you want to live in Mexico. And you’ll have to know where to pay your fees and ensure the paperwork is done 100% correctly.
You May Be Interested In The Current Immigration Fees In Mexico
The Process Can Take Up to 4 Weeks
When you apply for this residency, many INM offices across Mexico will send your application to Mexico City for review. This process can take anywhere from a couple of days, 1 week, and up to 4 weeks for Mexico City to make a decision and send your application back to the INM office where you applied.
However, not all applications are being sent to Mexico City, and not all INM offices send their applications to the capital.
To get an idea of the wait times for the INM office you plan to apply to, we recommend talking with a reputable immigration facilitator in that office. If you need our directory of vetted immigration facilitators, check out our COMPLETE Mexico Relocation Guide.
You Can Apply For Permanent Residency
Another benefit of this program is, in most cases, you are given your temporary residency for 4 years. You won’t have to renew your residency visa. After 4 years, you can apply to become a Permanent Resident in Mexico.
You can also petition your family once you are approved and obtain your Mexican temporary residency card.
Do You Qualify?
To fully understand if you qualify, our recommended immigration experts can help you determine if you qualify since you will have to verify that INM has a record of any previous entries.
If you are certain you qualify, then I recommend working with an immigration facilitator to help you out right away. However, not all immigration facilitators know about this program. So hiring the right one can make all the difference. Get our list of recommended immigration facilitators in our COMPLETE Mexico Relocation Guide.
