2023 Mexican Immigration Visa Fees Still a Bargain
Tara A. Spears
One of the best things I ever did was to move permanently to Mexico in 2001. It has been such a great experience learning a new culture, embracing a more laid-back lifestyle, and meeting new people. I was in the best place to ride out the bizarre pandemic and global recessions – I felt safe and could still enjoy life not far from the beach.
All foreigners that wish to make Mexico their home need to have the proper paperwork, i.e. visa. While everyone that visits Mexico is familiar with the tourist visa (from the airport) longer stays require an application with the National Institute of Migration/ INM government agency. There are only two INM branches within reasonable driving distance from beautiful Jaltemba Bay.
Just a few months ago the INM underwent several changes that make it much more assessable and user friendly, one being that you can now pay with a credit or debit card right there in the office! This is a big time saver as previously customers had to wait for their turn to meet with the clerk, get the document with the account number, leave that office and go to a specific bank to make the government deposit and then go back to the INM office to turn in the deposit slip.
Yep, it was pretty aggravating. Another new perk is allowing a discount if you have a Mexican Senior card.
Before we look at the various categories of Mexican visas, it is important that you are aware of how the changing minimum daily wage (MDW) is significantly tied to the visas for immigrants. It should also impact what you pay your domestic workers for part-time service. Effect since January, Mexico continues to follow a pattern of inflation-busting daily minimum wage raise with an increase of 20% for 2023—to $207.44 pesos per work day. (For example, the 2017 MDW level was $80.04 pesos a day so it has risen significantly.)
*Note: Although it doesn’t relate to us in Jaltemba Bay, since 2019 Mexico has an additional higher minimum wage for the ‘Northern Border Zone’ that is a defined set of municipalities in Mexican states bordering the USA.
The effect of minimum wage is directly involved in residency application requirements.
The financial criteria required to obtain legal residency in Mexico are calculated using Daily Minimum Wage figures. Therefore, those foreigners applying for permanent residency visa have a higher income requirement for 2023. In order to apply for legal residency in Mexico, Mexican immigration law states that applicants for residency need to fulfill certain criteria.
Most categories of residency are granted on the basis of ‘economic solvency’ and these criteria intend to ensure that people applying for residency by this route have the means (income, or savings/investments) to sustain themselves in Mexico. The List of visa costs for applying and the corresponding income requirements are shared as jpeg in order for the reader to click and easily save the photo to your smart phone.
Be aware that regardless of the type of visa you enter on, you are supposed to notify INM of your intent to work and what you plan to do for work and pay for a work permit. Even if you rent/manage property such as an Airbnb in Mexico as a temporary resident, you have to ask INM for permission to work- because you are generating an income. The cost of this work permit for a Temporary Resident visa is $3,835 MXN. Permanent Residents are given permission to work without being required to obtain additional permits.
Don’t be surprised if you read different costs in various publications- it’s common for ‘economic solvency’ requirements to vary between immigration offices. Mexican consulates abroad and immigration offices in Mexico may apply distinct exchange rates that might not reflect these illustrations, and/or the latest market rates.
If the process to paradise seems daunting, yes, it is. Applying for a Mexican residency visa is time consuming, complex, and definitely requires Spanish. Contact a Mexican consulate or a professional Mexico Immigration Assistance Service (such as Adriana Hidrogo in Los Ayala 327 274 3624) for further advice and procedures about this route to legal residency. Adriana provides consulting, advice, and practical support that assists you through the entire residency application or renewal process, including visa exchanges, regularization procedures, and troubleshooting.
However, remember that an immigration facilitator’s fees are on top of immigration fees. And you can expect to pay an immigration facilitator anywhere from $3,000-$10,000 MXN per person. The pricing depends on who you hire, what services they offer, how much they will do for you or expect you to do on your own, how many people in your family they are helping, and a few other factors.
It’s been reported that a significant number of (but not all) Mexican INM offices are requiring applicants ‘to be retired’ to grant applications for Permanent Residency—even when applicants meet the economic solvency requirements. If the applicant has the economic means for permanent residency but is not considered ‘retired,’ the consulates will usually offer to grant Temporary Residency instead.
**Also note that just because you apply does not mean you will be awarded a Mexican visa even if you qualify. Not only that, but those that let their immigration documents lapse can be deported and deigned future legal entrance into Mexico.
*Be aware that every application is dealt with on a per-case basis and the Mexican consulate abroad or immigration office in Mexico retains the ultimate discretion to accept an application, and thereafter grant or deny a residency application.
When you decide that Mexico is where you are happiest, take the next step and move to the right side of the wall!