Moving from the US to Mexico: the complete 2026 residency checklist
Facts last verified on against 8 sources (8 official). By the Relocate+ team.
Short answer
To live in Mexico for more than 180 days, you apply for a resident visa at a Mexican consulate in the US, then exchange it for a residence card at Mexico's immigration institute (INM) within 30 days of arriving.[5]
Since the July 2025 guidelines, financial requirements are set in UMA days. For temporary residency in 2026 that means monthly income of about MXN 79,771 or an average balance of about MXN 1.34 million; the Las Vegas consulate converts this to US$4,630 a month or US$78,025.[1][2][3]
Key facts at a glance
Visa options
Temporary resident visa (economic solvency)
Best for: Most Americans: remote workers, early retirees, people trying Mexico for 1–4 years.
Requirement: Either tax-free monthly income above 680 UMA days for the last 6 months (≈ MXN 79,771) or an average monthly balance of 11,460 UMA days over the last 12 months (≈ MXN 1,344,373). Consulates publish their own US-dollar figure, e.g. $4,630 or $78,025 in Las Vegas.[1][2][3][5]
- Temporary residency covers stays longer than 180 days and up to 4 years.
- Dollar amounts move with the exchange rate and differ between consulates.
Permanent resident visa (retirees / pensioners)
Best for: Retirees with a large pension or substantial savings who want to skip temporary residency.
Requirement: Tax-free monthly pension income above 1,140 UMA days for the last 6 months (≈ MXN 133,733) or an average balance of 45,850 UMA days over 12 months (≈ MXN 5,378,664).[1][2]
Family unit
Best for: Spouses, partners and children of a temporary or permanent resident.
Requirement: Proof of the relationship (marriage or birth certificate) plus 220 UMA days (≈ MXN 25,808) of savings or income per relative. At a consulate, this only works when the sponsor is abroad and applies together with the relative.[1][2][4]
What changed recently
New migration guidelines published in Mexico's official gazette on 25 July 2025 switched the financial requirements from minimum-wage days to UMA days and set new multipliers (680 and 11,460 days for temporary residency).[1]
The 2026 UMA of MXN 117.31 per day took effect on 1 February 2026, so peso thresholds rose again this year.[2]
Step-by-step timeline
- 1
3–6 months before
Check which threshold you meet
Pull your last 6 months of income statements and 12 months of bank statements and compare them with your consulate's current dollar figures. If you're close to the line, remember the USD amounts move with the peso.[1][3]
- 2
2–3 months before
Book a consulate appointment
Appointments are booked through the Foreign Ministry's system (citas.sre.gob.mx). Bring your valid passport, the completed application form, original or certified documents for your category and proof of your legal status in the US if you aren't a citizen.[3][4]
- 3
Appointment day
Interview and pay the fee
Consulates charge a non-refundable processing fee, for example $56 in Las Vegas and San Diego (cash only in San Diego). Approval is decided by the consulate after reviewing your documents.[3][4]
- 4
Visa issued
Fly to Mexico on the visa
A visa doesn't guarantee entry: you present it at the border, where officers may interview you and check your requirements again.[5]
- 5
Within 30 days of arrival
Start the canje at INM
Apply for your residence card at an INM office within 30 calendar days of entering Mexico.[5]
- 6
First months
Set up tax and banking
Work out with an adviser whether you become a Mexican tax resident, and keep filing US returns and FBARs as required.[6][8]
Document checklist
- Valid passport + copies of required pages[3][4]
- Completed visa application form[3]
- Recent passport-style photo[4]
- 6 months of income statements OR 12 months of bank statements[1][3]
- Proof of legal status in the US (non-US citizens)[4]
- Marriage or birth certificates for family members (family unit)[1][4]
- Appointment confirmation from citas.sre.gob.mx[3]
Official fees
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Consular visa processing fee (Las Vegas / San Diego, 2026)Other consulates publish their own amount (Presidio lists $54). | $56[3][4][5] |
We list only official consulate fees. INM also charges for the residence card itself during the canje in Mexico — check the current amount with INM. Living costs depend on your city and housing, so we don't estimate them.
Tax basics
As a US citizen you keep filing US returns while living in Mexico. The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion for 2026 is up to $132,900 of earned income.[6][7]
Mexican bank accounts count toward the FBAR: if all your foreign accounts together exceed $10,000 at any point in the year, you file FinCEN Form 114.[8]
Residency status and tax residency are separate questions in Mexico. Get advice from a Mexican accountant before you start earning or selling assets there.[6]
This is general information, not tax or legal advice. Rules depend on your situation — speak to a qualified adviser.
Moving with family
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using 2024 numbers. The July 2025 guidelines changed the formula to UMA days with higher multipliers, so older blog posts understate what you need.[1]
- Assuming every consulate uses the same dollar figure. Each consulate converts the peso amounts itself; check the page of the consulate where you'll apply.[3][4]
- Missing the 30-day INM deadline after arrival.[5]
- Treating the visa as guaranteed entry. Border officers can still interview you and check requirements.[5]
Frequently asked questions
How much income do I need for Mexican temporary residency in 2026?
Tax-free monthly income above 680 UMA days for the last six months — about MXN 79,771 at the 2026 UMA of MXN 117.31. The Las Vegas consulate lists this as US$4,630 a month. Alternatively, show an average balance of 11,460 UMA days (about MXN 1.34 million; US$78,025 in Las Vegas) over 12 months.[1][2][3]
Can I apply for Mexican residency from inside Mexico?
The route in this guide starts with a resident visa from a Mexican consulate outside Mexico. Once the visa is issued and you enter Mexico, you have 30 calendar days to apply for your residence card at INM. If you're already in Mexico, ask INM or an immigration lawyer whether any in-country route applies to you.[5]
Can retirees get permanent residency in Mexico straight away?
Yes, if they meet the pensioner threshold: tax-free monthly pension income above 1,140 UMA days (about MXN 133,733) for six months, or an average balance of 45,850 UMA days (about MXN 5.38 million) over 12 months.[1][2]
How long can I stay on temporary residency?
Temporary residency is for stays longer than 180 days and up to four years.[5]
Sources
Every fact on this page links to one of these. Official = government, consulate or official gazette.
- [1] Lineamientos para trámites y procedimientos migratorios (DOF, 25 July 2025) — Consulate of Mexico in Houston (copy of the official gazette text)Official · checked 18 October 2026
- [2] UMA 2026 values (in force from 1 February 2026) — INEGIOfficial · checked 18 October 2026
- [3] Temporary Residence Visa 2026 — Consulate of Mexico in Las VegasOfficial · checked 18 October 2026
- [4] Residente temporal – unidad familiar (2026) — Consulate of Mexico in San DiegoOfficial · checked 18 October 2026
- [5] Visa de residencia temporal — Consulate of Mexico in PresidioOfficial · checked 18 October 2026
- [6] U.S. citizens and resident aliens abroad — IRSOfficial · checked 18 October 2026
- [7] Notice 2026-25 (2026 foreign earned income exclusion: $132,900) — IRSOfficial · checked 18 October 2026
- [8] Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR) — FinCENOfficial · checked 18 October 2026
Immigration rules change often. Always confirm requirements with the consulate or authority that handles your application before you book or pay for anything. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.