Home > North America > Mexico > How To Get Residency In Mexico | A Complete Guide
How To Get Residency in Mexico | A Complete Guide
Capital: Mexico City
Population: 131,946,900 (2025, 10th)
Ethnic Group: Mestzo(60%), Indian(30%), White/European Mexicans(9%)
Area: 1,972,550 km2 (13th)
Offical Language: Spanish
Currency: Mexican Peso (as of June, 26th, 2025, 1 Peso = 0.053 USD)
GDP per Captial: $25,463 (2025 estimated, 77th)
Human Development Index: 0.789 (81st)
Country Profile:
Mexico, located just south of the United States, boasts the world’s largest Spanish-speaking population and is Latin America’s second most populous nation.
As an upper-middle-income country, Mexico’s economy is deeply intertwined with the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The World Bank projects Mexico to become one of the world’s top seven largest economies by 2050.
Visa & Immigration System:
Mexico’s immigration system generally follows a pathway where you first apply for a temporary residency permit. After living in Mexico for four years with temporary residency, you can then apply for permanent residency. Naturalized citizenship becomes an option after five years of residency.
Temporary residency permits in Mexico are typically valid for anywhere from 180 days to three years. They can be renewed based on the original conditions for a maximum of four additional years.
If you don’t have direct economic or family ties to Mexico, your options for obtaining a temporary residency permit primarily fall into three categories: income/investment visas, plus one special visa.
1. Income Residency (Solvencia Económica):
This visa type allows you to gain Mexican residency by demonstrating stable income or significant savings.
For 2025 applications, you’ll generally need to show:
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A consistent monthly income of at least 300 times Mexico’s Minimum Daily Wage (MDW) over the past six months, which is roughly US$4,185 (aiming for US$4,400 or more is recommended).
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Alternatively, you can prove sustained bank account deposits of at least 20,000 times MDW over the past 12 months, totaling around US$130,000.
If you’re already of retirement age, you might even qualify directly for a Mexican permanent residency card on your first application if:
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Your monthly income has consistently reached 500 times MDW (US$7,322) over the past six months.
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Or, your bank account has maintained over 40,000 times MDW (approximately US$300,000) for the past 12 months.
Mexico’s immigration system shares a common trait with many Latin American countries: the financial requirements for visas are directly linked to its Minimum Daily Wage (MDW), which is updated annually. On January 9, 2025, the MDW was announced as 113.14 pesos, a slight increase from 2024’s 108.57 pesos. As a result, the financial thresholds for all Mexican residency permits have also seen a minor uptick this year compared to 2024.
It’s also worth noting that since both income-based residency and investment visas require in-person interviews at various Mexican embassies or immigration offices, the exact financial figures might vary slightly depending on where you apply. However, they will always be based on the official MDW multipliers.
If you plan to include dependents, your income or deposit requirement will increase by 100 times MDW for each additional dependent, which is approximately $600.
2. Real Estate Visa (Real Estate Property in Mexican Territory):
This visa pathway requires you to fully purchase a property in Mexico. The property’s value must exceed 11.16 million Mexican pesos (approximately US$558,000).
However, if you establish a company in Mexico and purchase the property under the company’s name, you only need to invest half of that amount: US$279,000, to qualify for a one-year temporary residency permit.
3. Capital Investment (Investment Visa):
For this visa, you’ll need to invest in a Mexican company or local company stocks. The investment amount must be no less than 5.58 million Mexican pesos (approximately US$279,000).
4. Four-Year Special Residency Visa:
This is a unique “pandemic compensation” visa issued by the Mexican government. You may be eligible to apply if you visited Mexico prior to the pandemic, specifically before December 31, 2022.
Permanent Residency & Citizenship:
Foreigners can apply for Mexican permanent residency if they meet one of the following four conditions:
1. Economically Independent Retiree: As mentioned previously, you’ll need to prove a monthly income exceeding $7,322 , or have bank account funds reaching $300,000.
The closer you are to retirement age, the higher your chances of directly qualifying for permanent residency.
2. Direct Mexican Family Ties: You have immediate family members who are Mexican citizens.
3. Marriage to a Mexican Citizen or Permanent Resident: You have legally resided in Mexico for at least two years (spending more than six months each year in the country) and are married to a Mexican citizen or permanent resident.
4. Long-Term Legal Residency: You have legally resided in Mexico for at least four years (spending more than six months each year in the country).
Neither the Mexican temporary residency permit nor permanent residency has a minimum stay requirement. Visa holders don’t need to live in Mexico continuously; they only need to be physically present in Mexico when renewing their visa.
However, if you hold a temporary residency card and wish to apply for permanent residency, or if you have permanent residency and want to apply for citizenship, you must live in Mexico for at least half of the year.
After legally residing in Mexico for five years, foreigners can apply for naturalized Mexican citizenship if they meet these criteria:
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They have been a Mexican permanent resident.
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They have resided in Mexico for at least 180 days in each of the two years prior to their application.
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They pass a test on Mexican language and culture.
It’s important to note that naturalized citizens whose primary life focus is not in Mexico could potentially have their citizenship revoked in the future.
Dependents:
For all Mexican immigration visas, the primary applicant’s spouse and children under 18 can be included as dependents to reside in Mexico together.
Tax Implication:
Mexico’s tax system operates on a residency basis. If you’re considered a tax resident—typically by spending over 183 days in Mexico during a calendar year or having your “center of vital interests” there—you’re taxed on your worldwide income. Non-residents, conversely, are only taxed on income sourced within Mexico.
Key taxes include:
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Income Tax (ISR): For individuals, this is a progressive tax, with rates ranging from 1.92% up to 35% for higher earners. Capital gains for residents are taxed on worldwide sources, while non-residents are taxed on Mexican-sourced gains, often at a flat 25% on gross or 30% on net. Corporations face a flat 30% rate.
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Value Added Tax (VAT – IVA): The standard VAT rate is 16% on most goods and services, though reduced rates (e.g., 8% in border regions) and exemptions apply to certain items like basic foodstuffs and medicines.
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Property Tax: Varies by municipality.
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Social Security Contributions: Required for employers and employees.
Mexico does not levy federal inheritance, estate, or gift taxes.
For individuals from countries with a tax treaty with Mexico (like the U.S.), the treaty helps prevent double taxation and can offer benefits like reduced withholding tax rates on dividends, interest, and royalties. It’s crucial for residents of such countries to understand how these treaties can minimize their overall tax liability. Tax returns for individuals are typically due by April 30th annually.
Passport Power:
Mexico recognizes dual citizenship, and its passport ranks 23rd globally. Holders can enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 158 countries and territories worldwide. (As of June 24, 2025)
Useful Links:
Mexican Economic Solvency Visa：https://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/houston/index.php/tempresvisafinsolvency
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