Living in Mexico
Mexican visas: the four options that matter
Tourist permit, temporary resident, permanent resident — and when you need each.
US and Canadian citizens don't need a visa for short trips to Mexico — you fill out an FMM tourist permit at the border or online. Anything beyond a tourist trip (working, studying, settling in) requires applying for a residente visa at a Mexican consulate before you arrive. The four levels — visitor, temporary resident, permanent resident, and family/work-specific — each unlock different rights, and the application happens at a Mexican consulate in your home country.
The FMM (Forma Migratoria Múltiple)
For trips up to 180 days, US and Canadian citizens get an FMM — a tourist permit, not a visa. Fill it out online before you fly, or at the border crossing. It's printed in two halves: keep the bottom half — Mexican immigration takes it back when you leave.
The FMM is for tourism, transit, and short business trips. Anything longer or with a paid Mexican income source needs a residente visa.
Temporary Resident (Residente Temporal)
Lets you live in Mexico from 1 to 4 years. Most expats start here. You apply at a Mexican consulate in your home country, show financial solvency (typically several months of bank statements meeting a threshold), and on approval, finalize the residency at a Mexican immigration office (INM) within 30 days of arrival.
Permanent Resident (Residente Permanente)
For long-term settlers. You can apply directly with higher financial thresholds, qualify by family ties to a Mexican citizen, or convert from temporary resident after four years. Permanent residents can work without a separate work permit.
Work and family visas
If you have a Mexican job offer, your employer sponsors a work visa. If you're joining a Mexican spouse or close family, the family-unit visa is faster than the financial route.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for a residente visa from inside Mexico?
Generally no — applications start at a Mexican consulate in your home country. There are narrow exceptions for family reunification.
How much money do I need to show for temporary residency?
Thresholds change yearly with the Mexican minimum wage. As a rule of thumb: roughly $4,000 USD/month in income for the past 6 months, or $70,000 USD in savings averaged over 12 months. Confirm the current numbers with the consulate before you apply.
What's the difference between visa-tourist and FMM?
Same thing in practice for US/Canadian citizens. The FMM is the actual tourist permit document; the “visa” reference describes the legal authority. You don't need a separately-issued visa for tourism.
Do I lose my FMM if I leave Mexico mid-trip?
Yes — the FMM is consumed on exit. Each new entry gets a new FMM, up to a 180-day limit per entry.
