Many Expats enter Mexico to marry a Mexican National, or they fall in love while visiting Mexico.
Foreigners who are married to a Mexican National can apply for a fast-track to Permanent Residency (Residente Permanente). It’s important to note that marriage to a Mexican citizen does not automatically confer Mexican citizenship. However, it significantly streamlines the immigration journey. By proving the authenticity of the marriage, the foreign spouse can obtain a one-year Temporary Residency, which can be renewed for a total of two years. Once the two-year duration as a Temporary Resident is completed, the foreign spouse can transition to applying for Permanent Residency.
An advantageous aspect of this process is the waiver of financial record submission, which does require a monthly income or a 12-month bank statements showing an extremely large amount of savings in the bank. It also allows applicants to initiate and complete the procedure entirely within Mexican territory.
Note: If the Mexican citizen has previously sponsored another spouse, they are required to present proof of a legal divorce or annulment. Additionally, it’s important to mention that a family unity visa cannot be applied for more than one spouse at a time.
Mexico also recognizes common law marriages. Couples in such arrangements must provide a declaration and evidence of their partnership. Acceptable forms of proof can include joint financial documents, such as a rental contract or a tax return that reflects the common-law couple’s shared living situation, or a life insurance policy listing one partner as the beneficiary.
To immigrate as the spouse of a Mexican national, you’ll need:
- A valid passport
- Your birth certificate
- The marriage certificate
- And the Mexican spouse’s official ID
You will also need to start the process by applying for a temporary resident visa at a Mexican consulate or at a Mexican Immigration Office, which requires specific documents, such as passport photos and an application, and eventually leads to a temporary resident card before you can apply for permanent residency.
For the Visa application
- Your passport: Valid passport (original and a photocopy).
- Birth certificate (original and a copy, and if not in Spanish, it must be translated).
- Marriage certificate (original and a copy). Common-law marriage is also an option, but requires a declaration and proof of cohabitation.
- Passport-sized photos.
- Your spouse’s documents: Official Mexican ID (original and a copy).
- Application forms: Visa application form. Completed application for a Temporary Resident Visa.
- Fees: The applicable processing fee.
After Arriving in Mexico
Mexican Institute of Immigration (INM) process:
- You must apply for a Temporary Resident Card within 30 days of arrival.
- The Mexican spouse will be required to file an immigrant petition for you before the National Institute of Immigration (INM).
- You may need to pay the resident card fee and submit additional documents at the INM office.
- You must have the original and a copy of your passport, marriage certificate, birth certificate, and the Mexican spouse’s ID.
Path to permanent residency
After two years of legal temporary residency, you can apply for permanent residency. The application for permanent residency will be filed with the INM. The process for permanent residency will require additional documents, such as a recent medical certificate.
