Living in Mexico
Mexican visas: the four options that matter
Tourist permit, temporary resident, permanent resident — and when you need each.
For short trips, US and Canadian citizens 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 tourist trips, US and Canadian citizens get an FMM tourist permit from Mexico's immigration institute, INM. Fill it out online before you fly (inm.gob.mx), or at the border crossing. It's printed in two halves: keep the bottom half — Mexican immigration takes it back when you leave. The Consulate of Mexico in Montreal says the border strip extends 21 km into Mexico and includes all of Baja California state and Quintana Roo, and that entering beyond it means screening by Customs and INM (Traveling to Mexico by Land).
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 for a set period. Many 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). On approval, confirm the next steps and the deadline with INM once you arrive.
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 the required period. 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 may be an option instead of 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. Confirm the current income and savings requirements with the consulate before you apply.
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, with its own limit on the length of stay.