Equivalences between former and current migratory status in Mexico (2011 reform)

In this graphic you can observe the former migratory status in Mexico which were usually defined as "FM2" or "FM3"

With the new migratory law valid since 2011, the FM2 and FM3 status were changed in to Temporary Resident and Permanent Resident.

If you were holding an FM2 or FM3, you need to go to the INM to update your status and change it to either Permanent Resident or Temporary Resident according to your case.

Thank you for reading; you are also welcome to visit our web page www.profectus.mx

How to apply for a work permit for Mexico

If you are interested in getting a work permit for Mexico, you should know that the application has usually three phases in which two of them work simultaneously or in “parallel”.

As a general rule, you should start the process outside Mexico or in your country of origin, while at the same time your potential employer goes trough another process in Mexico at the INM (Instituto Nacional de Migracion). Finally, you should attend a consular interview.

The steps usually go as follows:

•       You must go to the Mexican Representation abroad (Mexican Consulate) with the following information and documentation needed for the visa application:

a. Application (you can find it in the consulate or in the website http://www.inm.gob.mx/index.php/page/Solicitud_de_Autorizacion_Visas)

b.    Passport or international valid identity document and travel ticket

c.   Original job offer on letterhead with the following information: job position, temporality, place of work and salary

d.  Copy of the Employer Enrollment Certification Letter to the INM

•       At the same time, your potential employer must go to the INM and present the following documentation for your visa procedure:

a.    Application for a work permit authorization

b.    Job offer containing your name and nationality, job position, temporality, place of work and salary

c.     Employer Enrollment Certification Letter to the INM. In order to obtain it, the employer must present:

                        I.     Application

                       II.     Articles of Association of the company 

                     III.     Identity document of the legal representative (If needed)

                     IV.     Proof of address of the company

                      V.     Proof of registration at the Federal Taxpayer Registry and last tax return

                     VI.     List of employees and their nationality

The INM will review that the criteria established by law is fulfilled together with a background check of you and your potential employer.

At this stage the visa might be denied if you or your potential employer would not fit the conditions foreseen in article 43 of the migration law, otherwise the INM will inform the employer and the consular office that you can make an appointment for a consular interview.  (In case you do not meet all the requisites for the visa, the consular authority will inform it to you so the missing requisites can be fulfilled. If these are not fulfilled then, the application will be rejected.) 

•Consular Interview:

The interview will take place within the next 12 working days after the application is made.

During the consular interview, the authority will analyze the information and paperwork that you submitted. After covering the fee, you will get the visa in the next 10 working days after the interview. 

The visa will be then granted for 180. This means that after you get the visa, you have 180 days to come to Mexico but once you are in Mexico, you will have only 30 days to exchange this visa for a residency card at the Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM)

Thank you for reading; you are also welcome to visit our web page www.profectus.mx

Permanent resident (Mexico)

This Status will grant a permanent residency condition to the foreigner that fulfills some of the following requirements:

–      That the conditions for family union with Mexican, Temporary Resident or Permanent Resident are met.

–      Pensioner / Retiree as long as enough income is shown to cover housing and living expenses during the stay in Mexico.

–      That fulfills the category and the minimum required points to qualify in the points system.

–      That the Mexican Government would grant asylum to the foreigner.

Please note that if you fulfill all the conditions to be a Temprary Resident in Mexico, you will get a visa stamped in your passport but the process wont end there!!

The visa will be then granted for 180. This means that after you get the visa, you have 180 days to come to Mexico but once you are in Mexico, you will have only 30 days to exchange this visa for a residency card at the Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM)

Thank you for reading; you are also welcome to visit our web page www.profectus.mx

Temporary resident (Mexico)

If you would like to temprary live in Mexico, the Mexican Consulate in your country of origin will grant this visa if you fulfill the following conditions:

–      Enough solvencies to cover housing and living expenses during the stay.

–      That he or she belongs to a scientist research project or samples recollection in Mexico or Mexican territorial waters with the required authorizations.

–      That the conditions for family union with Mexican, Temporary Resident or Permanent Resident are met.

–      That has an invitation from an organization or institution (public or private) established in Mexico to participate in some activity which will not generate any income inside the country.

–      That has real estate in Mexico.

–      That has investments in Mexico such as:

a) Participation in a Capital Stock of a Mexican Company.

b) Real Estate or fixed assets used in a financially productive way.

c) Performance of any economical or entrepreneurial activity.

Take in to consideration that the Temporary Resident Permit, won’t grant a work permit, however under certain circumstances, it is possible to obtain the authorization.

Please note that if you fulfill all the conditions to be a Temprary Resident in Mexico, you will get a visa stamped in your passport but the process wont end there!!

The visa will be then granted for 180. This means that after you get the visa, you have 180 days to come to Mexico but once you are in Mexico, you will have only 30 days to exchange this visa for a residency card at the Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM)

Thank you for reading; you are also welcome to visit our web page www.profectus.mx

Temporary resident student (Mexico)

If you would like to study in Mexico, the Mexican Consulate in your country of origin will grant this visa.

For this purpose, it is necessary that the institution in which you will study, belongs to the Mexican educational system and that the study program that you aim to attend will be longer than 180 days.

The student will have to show an invitation or acceptation letter from the institution, which will mention: level, grade or areas to be absolved.

Also show enough money to cover the matriculation, housing and living expenses during the stay in Mexico (you are not supposed to work while you study). 

Solvency can be proven by the student, his/her parents or tutor (as long as the student is no older than 25).

Students, who were granted a scholarship by the Mexican Government, are not forced to prove solvency. In this case, it is necessary to have an authorization of the Mexican Foreign Minister.

Please note that if you fulfill all the conditions to be a student in Mexico, you will get a visa stamped in your passport but the process wont end there!!

The visa will be then granted for 180. This means that after you get the visa, you have 180 days to come to Mexico but once you are in Mexico, you will have only 30 days to exchange this visa for a residency card at the Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM)

Thank you for reading; you are also welcome to visit our web page www.profectus.mx