Mexico Retirement Visa 2025: Requirements, Costs and Application Process

Mexico Retirement Visa 2025: Requirements, Costs & Application Process

If you want to retire in Mexico, do yourself a favor and get a retirement visa. While the process may seem complicated due to unclear regulations, it’s totally worth it.

Mexico has drawn the attention of retired expats from around the world due to its affordability, culture, tasty cuisine, and beautiful scenery.

A decade ago, I knew I wanted to retire in Mexico. At first, I was not interested in a retirement visa. My initial idea was to travel and live in Mexico on an FMM tourist visa for six months. After that, I planned to leave and return to the country every six months—rinse and repeat. 

It worked at first, but as I got older, it was not a great situation. Leaving the country every six months became a big hassle. So, I decided to look into a more permanent option—a retirement visa. 

In this article, I will share my experience on my journey to getting a retirement visa in Mexico, from the options available to you, how I did it, and how you can do it too. 

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Key Takeaways

  • There are two retirement visa options available in Mexico: the permanent resident visa and the temporary resident visa under the Economic Solvency route.
  • Both visas have a similar application procedure; however, the permanent resident visa requires higher financial proof, calculated based on Mexico’s minimum wage.
  • Unlike many countries, Mexico does not have a strict age requirement for retirement visas. That said, the permanent resident visa is generally granted to those at least 62 years old.
  • The temporary resident visa allows you to stay in Mexico for up to four years, after which you may apply for a permanent resident visa.
  • You must begin your retirement visa application process at a Mexican consulate outside of Mexico and then finish the rest of the process once you’re in Mexico.
  • Since the rules and regulations can vary between Mexican consulates, hiring an immigration facilitator can make the process smoother and more efficient.

Types of Retirement Visas

There are two retirement visas available in Mexico:

  1. Temporary Resident Visa via the Economic Solvency route
  2. Permanent Resident Visa via the Economic Solvency route

Please note that some may refer to it as the “financial solvency” route. They are the same.

Here’s the main difference:

  • A Temporary Resident Visa allows you to stay in Mexico for four years. It’s extendable. On the other hand, a Permanent Resident Visa allows you to stay permanently.
  • The Permanent Resident Visa has a higher financial requirement than the Temporary Resident Visa.
  • There’s an unwritten requirement that you need to be at least 62 years old to apply for the Permanent Resident Visa.

Both visa options have the exact same application process.

In my case, I went with the Temporary Resident Visa route since, at that time, I didn’t have enough financial proof for the Permanent Visa. In addition, I was still younger than 62 years old. However, I’m planning to change to a Permanent Visa in a few years after my current Temporary Visa expires. 

Mexico city
If you plan to retire in Mexico, get a retirement visa. Trust me. It’s one of the best decisions I’ve made since moving to Mexico.

Temporary Resident Visa

This is the type of visa I got when I moved to retire in Mexico many years ago. 

Here’s some good information to know about it: 

  • Allows you to stay within the country for up to four years.
  • After your first year, you will have the option to extend your Temporary Resident Visa for an additional three years.
  • After completing four years with a Temporary Resident Visa, you’re able to apply for your Permanent Resident Visa in Mexico.
  • You cannot work with just a Temporary Resident Visa; you must apply for a separate permit to work inside Mexico.

Permanent Resident Visa

I recommend applying for the Permanent Resident Visa right away if you are older than 62 years old. If you are younger than that, while it’s also possible to apply for it, you will get the Temporary Visa instead in many cases.

  • Allows you to stay in the country for as long as you desire. Once you obtain a Permanent Resident Visa, you never have to renew your status.
  • Your Permanent Resident Visa allows you to work in Mexico without applying for an additional work visa.
  • After five years of being a Permanent Resident, you can apply for citizenship.

Age Requirement

Unlike many countries in the world, there’s no age requirement for the retirement visa in Mexico. In fact, this is because Mexico doesn’t actually have a specific visa for retirees. Instead, people apply for a Temporary Resident Visa or Permanent Resident Visa under the Economic Solvency route. Anyone can apply for it as long as they meet the financial requirements.

Good to know: To get a Permanent Resident Visa under this route, there’s an unwritten requirement that you need to be at least 62 years old.

Visa Requirement

The main visa requirement is the financial requirement. As long as you can meet it, you should be able to get the retirement visa without any problem. Read the section below to find out more about the financial requirements.

Mexico Retirement Visa Application Process

Here’s how to apply for the Mexico retirement visa step by step. 

  1. Start your application outside of Mexico at the Mexican Consulate
  2. Prepare the necessary documents
  3. Visit the Mexican Consulate
  4. Get a pre-approved visa
  5. Fly to Mexico
  6. Visit the INM (Immigration Office) within 30 days
  7. Get a visa

More details can be found below. I’ll also list the documents you need in each section. 

Tip: It’s best to contact the Mexican Consulate of your choice to find out because each Mexican Consulate may require different documents and have different ways of processing your application. In my case, I applied from Denver, Colorado, since I lived there. The whole experience was quite smooth.

Step One: Start Your Application Outside of Mexico

Whether you’re applying for a Temporary or Permanent Resident Visa, you’ll need to start the process outside of Mexico at a Mexican Consulate.

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It’s important to know that many Mexican Consulate offices will only take applications from people in their area or state where they are located. In addition, from my own experience, each Mexican Consulate office works independently from each other and sometimes may require different forms of documentation. 

Here is a list of all Mexican Consulate offices around the world.

Making an Appointment

You’ll need an appointment with a Mexican Consulate. Some offices will require you to make an appointment through email correspondence directly with that Mexican Consulate office.

Others will only allow appointments that are made within their system called Mexitel.

To make an appointment through Mexitel in the USA, you can call or WhatsApp +1-424-309-0009 or go to the Mexitel website to schedule an appointment.

Step Two: Preparing the Documents

Now that I had an appointment, I needed to gather the correct documentation for my interview with the Mexican Consulate.

Here is a quick rundown of the documentation you’ll need to put together before your appointment:

  • Passport: A passport that is valid for six months (plus a copy).
  • Application form: You can find an application form here. The application needs to be filled out and printed double-sided. Do not sign the application until your interview.
  • Photograph: A front-view color photograph of your uncovered face with no glasses, earrings, or piercings, and with a white background. The size of the photograph should be 3.9 cm x 3.9 cm (1.53” x 1.2”). The photograph is not the same size as the one used for an American passport.
  • Financial Records: You will need financial records to show economic solvency. Some consulates will want to see a letter stating you’re retired, but this can be easily satisfied by showing your pension or Social Security documents. Check below for more information on the financial requirements.
  • Cash: The cost of applying for your interview at a Mexican Consulate office is US$53.

As mentioned earlier, it’s best to check with the Mexican Consulate where you are applying beforehand, as they may require different documents.

Step Three: Check Your Financial Requirements

In my opinion, this is the most important step. As long as you meet the minimum financial requirements and have good financial proof, you should be able to get a retirement visa without a problem.

The financial requirements set by the Mexican government for a Temporary or Permanent Resident Visa are calculated using the daily minimum wage in Mexico, which is MXN$278.80 in 2025

The economic solvency requirement is based on a foreign exchange rate of MXN$20 to USD$1.

Financial Requirements for a Temporary Resident Visa:
Monthly Income300 days x minimum wage or roughly USD$4,185
Investment Requirement5,000 days x minimum wage or roughly USD$69,750
Mexico Home Ownership40,000 days x minimum wage or roughly USD$557,600 (minimum value)
Financial Requirements for a Permanent Resident Visa:
Monthly Income500 x daily minimum wage or roughly USD$6,806
Investment Requirement20,000 x daily minimum wage or roughly USD$272,270
Mexico Home Ownership40,000 days x minimum wage or roughly USD$557,600 (minimum value)

The above financial requirements are NET (after taxes). You’ll only need to satisfy one of the requirements. Although Mexico home ownership is an option, very few Mexican consulate offices will allow this economic solvency measure to be used.

It’s also important to know that the exact number can vary by consulate.

2025 Mexican Consulate Financial Requirements List
Mexican Consulate LocationTemporary Resident/Monthly IncomeTemporary Resident/Savings or InvestmentsPermanent Resident/Monthly IncomePermanent Resident/Savings or Investments
Atlanta, GeorgiaUSD$4,182USD$69,700USD$6,970USD$278,800
Boston, MassachusettsUSD$4,200USD$70,000USD$7,000USD$279,000
Brownsville, TexasUSD$4,020USD$66,960USD$6,700USD$268,000
Calexico, CaliforniaUSD$4,078USD$67,967USD$6,797USD$271,868
Denver, ColoradoUSD$4,319USD$75,000USD$6,531USD$300,000
Kansas City, MissouriUSD$4,182USD$69,700USD$6,970USD$278,800
Las Vegas, NevadaUSD$4,084USD$68,066USD$6,806USD$272,270
McAllen, TexasUSD$4,111USD$68,501USD$6,850USD$274,005
Miami, FloridaUSD$4,049USD$67,480USD$6,748USD$269,921
New Orleans, LouisianaUSD$3,737USD$62,234USD$7,322USD$292,858
Raleigh, North CarolinaUSD$3,100USD$51,800USD$5,180USD$207,240
Tucson, ArizonaUSD$4,078USD$67,967USD$6,797USD$271,868

Showing Financial Records

It’s best to take originals certified by your bank and/or financial savings institution, such as Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or other companies.

Here’s what you need:

  • 6 months of original pay stubs or bank deposit records to prove monthly income. OR
  • 12 months of your latest investment statements (personal savings account, brokerage account, IRA, or 401-K) with balances dated within 30 days of your appointment.
  • You may also need a business card or a letter from your financial institution.

Only originals that have been certified or apostilled by a qualified financial institution are accepted. In many cases, you need to have a combination of copies and originals. Again, check with the consulate before your appointment.

In my case, I used my Roth IRA account from Fidelity to meet the financial requirements. The process was simple since Fidelity has brick-and-mortar locations for customers.

Good to know: While it’s easy to get your financial information online from almost any financial institution, it might not be easy to get some type of verification from the institution. I have spoken with expats who had a difficult time obtaining a business card or letter from their online financial institution.

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It’s best to address this issue with your financial institution in advance or visit the branch in person.

Step Four: Interview with the Mexican Consulate

If you have all the proper documentation when you arrive for your interview, the interview will usually last less than 15 minutes. You’ll want to bring additional copies of all documents with you for your interview.

Generally, the interview involves a review of your economic solvency to ensure you can sustain yourself while living in Mexico. During my interview, the officials asked several questions related to my application. I was truthful, and I had no problems communicating even with my limited Spanish skills.

Here are some questions that are commonly asked during the interview:

  • Where did you work?
  • How many children do you have?
  • Are you married (divorced or single)?
  • What level of education did you complete (university, trade school, etc.)?
  • What religion do you practice?
  • Do you still work (if so, in what field)?
  • What is your native language?
  • What is your fluency level in Spanish?

Please note that the questions vary between consulates. For example, I’ve heard of someone being asked about the location of a tattoo on their body. 

Step Five: Preparing to Enter Mexico

The processing time for your application varies from two to fourteen days. However, in my case, I received my pre-approved visa (aka CANJE stamp) in my passport on the same day as my interview.

It’s important to check all documentation before leaving the Mexican Consulate to make sure they give you the right stamp. While it’s uncommon, sometimes, the consulate may give you a wrong stamp.

After that, you will have 180 days to travel to Mexico to finalize the process and receive your Temporary or Permanent Resident Card.

At this point, I contacted my immigration facilitator in Mexico with my travel dates, and they began making appointments in Mexico for the final processing steps.

Mexico residency visa
Here’s an example of the visa you get after a successful interview.

Step Six: Entering Mexico with a Pre-Approved Visa

After you enter Mexico with a pre-approved CANJE stamp in your passport, you will have 30 days to begin your visa process in Mexico. Therefore, it’s best to prepare everything in advance. In my case, I used an immigration facilitator to ensure I could complete everything on time.

Important: When you enter Mexico, make sure the immigration officer knows you’re applying for a Temporary or Permanent Resident Visa and show your CANJE stamp in your passport. Otherwise, they may give you the wrong tourist stamp, which can create complications later. 

You can enter Mexico either by air or by land. Here’s how to handle each option:

By Air

In my case, I flew to Mexico. When I arrived at Mexican immigration at the airport, I spoke with an immigration agent that I had my CANJE stamp inside my passport before entering one of the immigration lines. They directed me to the immigration line for Mexican residents and citizens.

Before giving my passport to the immigration official at the airport, I opened it to the page with my CANJE stamp and explained to the immigration official that I was in the country to swap my CANJE stamp for my Temporary Resident Card.

When entering Mexico by airplane, you do not get a physical FMM. You must print a copy of your FMM for INM, which you will receive after booking an appointment through this link.

Important: Do not use the automated kiosk at immigration. Instead, go to a regular immigration booth so they can start your CANJE process. 

By Land

When you enter Mexico by land, you will be given an FMM marked with CANJE, and your visa will be valid for 30 days. Your pre-approved visa within your passport will also be date-stamped.

Note that if you drive to Mexico, you’ll need a Temporary Import Permit (TIP) for your vehicle. Here is how to obtain a TIP for your vehicle.

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Step Seven: Visit the INM in Mexico 

There are three steps involved with visiting the INM office in Mexico: making an appointment, preparing documents, and visiting the office. 

Make an Appointment 

Remember: You need to visit the nearest INM office within 30 days after entering Mexico. Click here for a list of INM offices in Mexico. Give yourself time and make an appointment as soon as possible with the nearest INM office. You can make an INM appointment here.

Here is the application form you’ll need to complete for your appointment with INM.

In my case, as stated earlier, I contacted my immigration facilitator in Mexico with my travel dates after I received my CANJE stamp. They took my flight information, made an appointment with the local INM office, and sent me the necessary documents through email to complete.

Prepare Documents

Once you have your appointment, you’ll need to gather some basic paperwork. This usually includes

  • Passport
  • Photographs
  • FMM form

Since Mexico has been updating and standardizing procedures, documents can be changed without a prior notice. You can check out the full list of documents on this INM website. In many cases, there are occasions when INM officials might request additional documentation.

Extra Tip: From my experience, it’s always a good idea to bring all your documents (including extra copies) from your visit to the Mexican Consulate in your home country. They may not be needed, but if the INM official has questions about your application, they can reference those documents. 

Interview with INM Officials

When you arrive at the INM office on the day of your scheduled appointment, be prepared to be patient. Your appointment is for the day, not a specific time slot. You should also you arrive early for your appointment since a queue can be long.

In my case, the overall appointment was made much easier by my immigration facilitator. They arrived early to secure a place in line for me and their other clients. They knew the INM officials by name. I spent about three hours at the INM office.

The process at the INM office typically includes the following steps:

  • Go to a counter to pay the visa fee, either by cash or a credit card (Visa or MasterCard).
  • Complete the biometrics process.
  • Participate in an interview.
  • Receive your residency card.

Interview Questions

During the interview, the INM official may ask questions about your application, such as where you plan to live, how many children you have, or your religion. These questions are typically to verify the answers you provided in your application.

Biometrics

You’ll also have biometrics taken at the office. This includes fingerprinting and taking photographs without glasses, earrings, or piercings.

Final Step: Receiving Your Temporary or Permanent Residency Card

After completing the interview, paying fees, providing biometrics, and having your application reviewed, you may receive your residency card on the same day or within a week. You’ll be notified by email or on the day of your appointment.

I received my one-year Temporary Resident Card on the day of my appointment.

Mexico temporary resident visa
Here’s my temporary residency card. I’m planning to get a permanent resident card in a few years after this card expired.

Caution: You cannot leave Mexico during this time. If you leave the country while your Temporary or Permanent Resident Card is being processed, you will need to start the application process over from the beginning.

Cost of a Temporary or Permanent Residency Card

If you applied for a Temporary Resident Visa, you’ll receive a Temporary Resident Card valid for one year. The fee for your first year is MXN$5,570/USD$268.

You can start the renewal process for your Temporary Resident Card 30 days before it expires.

After the first year, you can purchase up to three additional years. It’s highly recommended to pay for the remaining three years at once.

Renewal Fees for a Temporary Resident Card
One-Year RenewalMXN$5,570/USD$268
Two-Year RenewalMXN$8,347/USD$415
Three-Year RenewalMXN$10,571/USD$525

The fee for a Permanent Resident Card is MXN$6,789/USD$340. There are no future fees associated with a Permanent Resident Card.

Maintaining Your Temporary or Permanent Resident Card and Status

Maintaining your legal immigration status with a Temporary or Permanent Resident Card is relatively easy. However, there are a few situations that could affect your status in Mexico.

Carry Your Card at All Times
You must always carry your original Temporary or Permanent Resident Card with you while in Mexico.

Card Expiration and Renewal While in Mexico
Never let your card expire. If your Temporary Resident Card expires while you’re in Mexico, you have 60 days to apply for renewal at INM. The fine you’ll pay varies by INM office.

Renewal After Expiration While Outside Mexico
If you are out of the country, you must return to Mexico within 55 days of the expiration date. You need to make an appointment at an INM office within five days of returning to Mexico to renew your card. There is no fine.

Economic Solvency Requirement for Renewals
In either case, you may need to show economic solvency, and your renewal process will start again from year one.

Notification of Changes
As a Temporary Resident, you must notify INM of any changes to your name, marital status, home address, job, or nationality.

When I renewed my card after the first year, I chose to pay for the remaining three years. It was cheaper, and I won’t have to return to an INM office until I switch to Permanent Resident in 2026.

Do’s and Don’ts at the Airport and/or Land Crossings for Temporary and Permanent Residents:

Never use an electronic immigration scanner when entering Mexico with your Temporary or Permanent Resident Card. The scanners are designed to issue FMMs (tourist visas) to vacationers.

If you use a scanner, your Temporary or Permanent Resident Card becomes invalid, and you’re considered a tourist again.

Always use the immigration line at the airport or land crossing designated for Mexican nationals.

Ask an immigration agent at the airport or land crossing which line is best for you with your Temporary or Permanent Resident Card.

When leaving Mexico by airplane or land crossing, you must check in with the immigration agent at the airport or crossing. They will stamp your passport upon your departure from the country.

Here is the cost of a replacement resident card.

What to Do When Your Temporary or Permanent Resident Card is Lost?

If your Temporary or Permanent Resident Card is lost or stolen while you’re out of the country, you must file a police report.

You’ll need to make an appointment at a Mexican Consulate office where you can replace your resident card. Another option is to go immediately to an immigration agent at the airport or place of land entry in Mexico, show the immigration officer your police report, and request a meeting along with a 2-page letter called Acta de Internacion Aerea.

Ensure the immigration officer doesn’t record your entry as a tourist. You can then apply for a new resident card at your local INM office.

Additional Tips on the Financial Requirements

If you’re worried about meeting the financial requirements for your Temporary or Permanent Resident Visa, don’t be. There is another option for obtaining a Temporary Resident Visa without proving economic solvency.

The program is called Registro Nacional de Extranjeros (RNE) or simply Regularization.

You must apply directly at an INM office in Mexico. However, not all INM offices accept applications for this program. A friend of mine went through this program in 2022. I encouraged them to hire an immigration facilitator to assist with the process.

The requirements for the RNE program are straightforward:

  • Your FMM (tourist visa) expires while you’re still in Mexico.
  • You have visited Mexico at least once between 2016 and 2024. Some INM offices may require proof of two visits.
  • You can confirm your visits by showing your passport with entry stamps.
  • You do not need to prove economic solvency.
  • You must make an appointment with an INM office in Mexico.
  • You need to submit a letter to INM which you can generate here and fill out the resident application form or follow the instructions here.
  • If your application for Regularization is accepted, you’ll pay three fines/fees to INM using a credit card.
RNE Program Fees
Application Review FeeMXN$1,780/USD$90
Fine for Overstaying Your FMM (Tourist Visa)MXN$2,100-10,000/USD$105-500 (varies from INM office to INM office)
Four-Year Temporary Resident CardMXN$12,529/USD$625

The process was easy for my friend with the help of an immigration facilitator. The immigration facilitator my friend used charged MXN$9,000/USD$450.

The immigration facilitator communicated with INM before my friend’s appointment, prepared all the paperwork, made the necessary appointment with INM, and was present inside the INM office to assist with any questions.

Should You Hire an Immigration Lawyer or Facilitator?

In my case, I hired an immigration facilitator to help me get a retirement visa. I recommend hiring one if you have limited Spanish skills. You can expect to pay an immigration facilitator in Mexico between MXN$3,000-MXN$10,000 (USD$150-USD$500), but it makes the visa application process much smoother.

Facilitators aren’t licensed individuals and don’t have legal requirements like lawyers. However, in my experience, they are friendlier and more cost-effective than lawyers.

passport page
When I got my retirement visa, I hired an immigration facilitator. It cost me more money, but it significantly smoothed the visa process.

Since there are no government requirements for becoming a facilitator, these individuals tend to be professional people educated in various fields (some might have legal training, others might be business owners, medical professionals, and so forth).

There are many advantages to hiring a qualified person to help you once you’re in Mexico:

  • They help you schedule an appointment with the nearest INM office, where you’re required to complete the final steps of applying for your Temporary or Permanent Resident Visa.
  • They assist in preparing and providing all the necessary paperwork (in Spanish) for you to present to INM officials during your appointment.

The money spent on a facilitator saves you time, energy, and effort—especially if you lack competent Spanish-speaking skills.

How to Find an Immigration Facilitator

There’s no known registry or centralized site to search for a facilitator. It’s primarily word of mouth. My suggestion is to look at comments from various social media platforms. Focus on Reddit, Quora, and Facebook.

On Facebook, there are expat groups for almost every city in Mexico, such as Expats in Playa del Carmen, Expats in San Miguel de Allende, Expats in Guadalajara, and more. These groups often have members who can recommend facilitators. By reviewing the comments, you can judge whether a facilitator has a good track record of helping clients.

There’s also a group called Getting Mexican Residency, which focuses specifically on residency visas. This group discusses facilitators across the country and is a great resource for finding one in your specific area.

Reddit can also provide useful comments from its community, but it’s not as active or comprehensive as Facebook. Quora offers similar insights, but some responses may be outdated.

Here are some questions to consider asking your immigration lawyer or facilitator:

  • Will you help me understand all the paperwork in English?
  • Is your rate inclusive of all government fees?
  • Will you schedule the necessary appointments and interviews?
  • Will you serve as my official translator, or can you provide one?
  • How long does the process take from start to finish?

Easiest Mexican Consulates to Work With

Through research in expat groups on various social media platforms, it’s been determined that the following Mexican Consulate offices are easy to work with, from scheduling an appointment to processing your application:

Application as a Married Couple

Depending on the Mexican Consulate, married couples may or may not need separate appointments. If separate appointments are required, try to schedule “back-to-back” appointments.

If you’re applying for a Temporary or Permanent Resident Visa as a married couple and only one of you meets the financial requirements, the qualifying spouse can sponsor the other by showing an additional USD $500–1,300 in monthly income.

You will also need birth and marriage certificates that are apostilled.

Additional Benefits of the Retirement Visa 

Once I got my first retirement visa, my life in Mexico became much more convenient. It wasn’t just that I no longer needed to leave Mexico every 180 days; there were other benefits as well.

Here they are: 

Now, on to You

No matter where you plan to retire, it’s essential to plan.

As you can see, there are many advantages to retiring in Mexico. Both the Temporary and Permanent Resident Cards are affordable and easy to obtain.

When I first got my retirement visa, it made my retirement life in Mexico much easier. I highly recommend getting one as soon as possible. While the process can be complicated due to unclear information on official websites, it’s achievable. 

If your Spanish is limited or you want to ensure a smooth application process, do yourself a favor and hire an immigration lawyer or facilitator. It’s money well spent.

Daniel James Shosky
Daniel James Shosky is a freelance writer and historian who has resided in Mexico for the last 10 years. He’s traveled extensively around Central America and throughout Mexico absorbing the unique cultural traditions of each place he visits. He holds a master’s degree in history and a graduate certificate in historic preservation from the University of Colorado Denver.
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