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Temporary residence in Mexico: the seven routes, card terms from one to four years, renewals, travel and the 2026 fees

Last verified: 2026-10-26 · Status: Changing

Temporary residence lets a foreigner live in Mexico for more than 180 days and up to four years, through family ties, a job offer, RFC registered self employment, an unpaid invitation, economic solvency, real estate or an investment. The visa is issued abroad (or authorized by the National Migration Institute (INM) for job offers and family unity), is valid 180 days for one entry, and must be exchanged for a residence card within 30 days of arrival; cards run one, two, three or four years and can be renewed within the 30 days before expiry up to four years in total. Card fees in 2026 are MXN 11,141 for one year up to MXN 25,058 for four years, half for job offers from registered employers and family unity, and after four years the holder may move to permanent residence.

USD conversions use MXN 18.6638 per US dollar, the US Federal Reserve H.10 noon buying rate in New York for 23 October 2026 (FRED series DEXMXUS), the latest observation available when this page was verified. Conversions are for orientation only.

Key facts

Maximum length of temporary residence	4 yearsLey de Migración art. 52 section VII, as of 2026-10-26 · in force
Validity of a residence visa for the single entry before the card is issued	180 daysReglamento de la Ley de Migración art. 107, as of 2026-10-26 · in force
Window before expiry to apply for renewal of a temporary resident card	30 calendar daysReglamento de la Ley de Migración art. 156, as of 2026-10-26 · in force
Maximum days after card expiry that a resident abroad may still re enter on the expired card	55 calendar daysReglamento de la Ley de Migración art. 160, as of 2026-10-26 · in force
Temporary resident card, up to one year, 2026 fee	11141 MXNLFD art. 8 section VI a); RMF 2026 Annex 4, as of 2026-10-26 · in force
Temporary resident card, four years, 2026 fee	25058 MXNLFD art. 8 section VI d); RMF 2026 Annex 4, as of 2026-10-26 · in force
Change of condition of stay, 2026 fee	1847 MXNLFD art. 9; RMF 2026 Annex 4, as of 2026-10-26 · in force
Exit and re entry permit while a filing is pending, 2026 fee	591 MXNLFD art. 13 section II; RMF 2026 Annex 4, as of 2026-10-26 · in force

The rule

1. Routes to temporary residence. The visa and condition of temporary resident may be granted to a foreigner who proves one of these: family ties with a Mexican or a temporary or permanent resident; a job offer stating the occupation, duration, place of work and the employer's INM certificate data; RFC tax registration for paid activities that do not involve a job offer; an invitation from an established organization or public or private institution to take part in an unpaid activity (with solvency proven by the host or the foreigner); economic solvency to cover lodging and living costs; real estate in Mexico worth at least the amount set in administrative provisions; or investments in Mexico (capital in Mexican companies, business assets, or business activities that create formal jobs) above set amounts. For the job offer, RFC and invitation routes, the foreigner must show the experience, skills or knowledge required. A scientific research or sample collection project with the required permits also qualifies for the visa.
Cost to do it: Temporary resident card: one year MXN 11,141 (USD 597), two years MXN 16,693 (USD 894), three years MXN 21,143 (USD 1,133), four years MXN 25,058 (USD 1,343) (LFD art. 8 section VI, Annex 4 rounded amounts). 50 percent for family unity, job offers from registered employers and unpaid invitations.
Example: A Brazilian consultant invited by a Mexican university to teach an unpaid seminar series for eight months applies on the invitation route; the university's letter on letterhead states the activity, place, duration and that it will cover travel and living costs. / One year card about USD 597, or about USD 298 with the 50 percent reduction for an unpaid invitation at 18.6638.Reglamento de la Ley de Migración, DOF 28 September 2012 (Chamber of Deputies consolidated text, last reform DOF 23 May 2014); Ley de Migración, DOF 25 May 2011 (Chamber of Deputies consolidated text, last reform DOF 15 January 2026), Reglamento arts. 107 and 138; Ley de Migración art. 52 section VII, 2012-09-28 official text · verified 2026-10-26 · changed: Card fees rose from 1 January 2026 and the 50 percent reduction for family unity, registered employer job offers and unpaid invitations was added (LFD art. 8, decree DOF 7 November 2025).

2. Visa, entry and the card. Visas are requested in person at a consulate, except family unity, job offer and humanitarian cases, which may be filed with INM in Mexico. Consulates decide within 10 business days. The temporary resident visa is issued valid for 180 days with a single entry, and the holder must apply to INM for the residence card within 30 calendar days of entry; the card then gives access to a CURP population registry number. The card can be issued for one, two, three or four years counted from the authorization; with a work permit it lasts as long as the job offer. Children under three receive one year cards renewed annually.
Cost to do it: Consular visa fee charged abroad (Houston lists USD 54, San Diego USD 56); card fees as in the previous rule.
Example: A family that enters Mexico on temporary resident visas on 1 August must file for their cards at an INM office by 31 August. / Consular fee USD 54 to 56 per person.Ley de Migración, DOF 25 May 2011 (Chamber of Deputies consolidated text, last reform DOF 15 January 2026); Reglamento de la Ley de Migración, DOF 28 September 2012 (Chamber of Deputies consolidated text, last reform DOF 23 May 2014), Ley de Migración arts. 41, 59, 127 and 129; Reglamento arts. 107 and 156, 2011-05-25 official text · verified 2026-10-26

3. Renewals and travel. The holder may apply for renewal within the 30 calendar days before expiry, until four years from the original grant are completed, filing the current card, a sworn statement that the original conditions still exist (students add proof of continued enrolment) and the fee receipt, and appearing in person. A holder abroad when the card expires may re enter on it within 55 calendar days after expiry without a fine and must file the renewal within five business days of entry; after 55 days entry is refused. A holder with a pending filing who must travel may obtain an exit and re entry permit valid up to 60 days, not renewable. The card allows multiple entries.
Cost to do it: Renewal: same fee as the original card for the new term (LFD art. 8). Exit and re entry permit: MXN 591 (USD 31.67) (LFD art. 13 section II). Replacement of a lost card: MXN 1,780 (USD 95.37).
Example: A resident whose one year card expires on 15 June files for a one year renewal between 16 May and 15 June; if the resident must fly abroad while the renewal is pending, an exit and re entry permit costs MXN 591. / Exit and re entry permit about USD 32; card replacement about USD 95 at 18.6638.Reglamento de la Ley de Migración, DOF 28 September 2012 (Chamber of Deputies consolidated text, last reform DOF 23 May 2014); Ley Federal de Derechos (Chamber of Deputies consolidated text, last reform DOF 7 November 2025); Annex 4 of the Resolución Miscelánea Fiscal para 2026, DOF 28 December 2025, Reglamento arts. 156, 159, 160 and 161; LFD arts. 8 and 13 section II, 2012-09-28 official text · verified 2026-10-26

4. Family members and status changes. A temporary resident may bring or later sponsor a spouse or partner, minor children (including the spouse's) and parents, who receive temporary residence for the same period with the option of a work permit tied to a job offer. A temporary resident may ask INM to change the condition of stay. After four years as a temporary resident, or earlier as a retiree or pensioner with sufficient foreign income, the holder may change to permanent residence; a temporary resident student may change to temporary resident at any time.
Cost to do it: Change of condition of stay: MXN 1,847 (USD 98.96) plus the fee for the new card (LFD art. 9).
Example: A temporary resident who arrived in March 2023 and kept regular status for four consecutive years may apply in March 2027 to change to permanent residence, paying MXN 1,847 plus MXN 13,579 for the permanent card. / Change of condition about USD 99 plus about USD 728 for the permanent card at 18.6638.Ley de Migración, DOF 25 May 2011 (Chamber of Deputies consolidated text, last reform DOF 15 January 2026); Reglamento de la Ley de Migración, DOF 28 September 2012 (Chamber of Deputies consolidated text, last reform DOF 23 May 2014), Ley de Migración arts. 52 section VII, 54 section V and 62; Reglamento art. 141 sections VI and VII, 2011-05-25 official text · verified 2026-10-26

Card term	Full fee	With 50 percent reduction (family unity, registered employer job offer, unpaid invitation)
Up to 1 year	MXN 11,141 (USD 597)	about MXN 5,570 (USD 298)
2 years	MXN 16,693 (USD 894)	about MXN 8,347 (USD 447)
3 years	MXN 21,143 (USD 1,133)	about MXN 10,571 (USD 566)
4 years	MXN 25,058 (USD 1,343)	about MXN 12,529 (USD 671)

Temporary resident card fees for 2026 (LFD art. 8 section VI; Annex 4 of the 2026 Miscellaneous Tax Resolution; USD at 18.6638).

Worked example

A Colombian founder opens a Mexican S.A.S., registers with SAT, and wants to live in Mexico while running it for three years.
Options: the RFC registered paid activity route without a job offer, or the investment route if the capital contribution exceeds the published threshold (see the investor page).
On the RFC route the founder obtains the visa at a consulate, enters, and files for a one year card within 30 days (MXN 11,141, about USD 597), then renews for two more years within the 30 day window before each expiry.
After four years of regular temporary residence the founder may change to permanent residence (MXN 1,847 plus MXN 13,579).

Step by step

1. Pick the route that fits the facts and gather proof: job offer and certificate, RFC registration, invitation letter, bank statements, deed or company records.
2. Book the consulate appointment (or have INM authorize the visa for job offer and family cases).
3. Enter Mexico within the visa's 180 day validity and file for the card within 30 calendar days.
4. Obtain the CURP, and register with SAT and IMSS if working.
5. Diarise the renewal window (30 days before expiry) and the 90 day duty to report changes of address or workplace.
6. Plan the change to permanent residence after four consecutive years.

Common traps

Letting the visa lapse. The residence visa is single entry and valid 180 days; the card must be requested within 30 days of entry (Reglamento art. 107; Ley de Migración art. 59).
Missing the renewal window. Renewals are filed within the 30 days before expiry; abroad, an expired card allows re entry only within 55 days (Reglamento arts. 156 and 160).
Travelling while a filing is pending without a permit. An exit and re entry permit, valid up to 60 days, is required (Reglamento art. 161).
Working on a solvency or invitation residence. Those routes do not include permission to work; a separate work permit tied to a job offer is needed (Ley de Migración art. 52 section VII).
Expecting more than four years. Temporary residence is capped at four years; the next step is permanent residence (Ley de Migración arts. 52 and 54).

Sources

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