As of June 2025, new immigration rules have come into effect that directly impact anyone moving to mexico from the U.S. or elsewhere. If you’ve been considering relocation, it’s crucial to understand these updated residency requirements, how they’re calculated, and what they mean for your application.

What Changed for Moving to Mexico in 2025?

Until recently, Mexico’s residency thresholds were tied to the daily minimum wage. But in 2025, the government switched to using UMA (Unidad de Medida y Actualización), an index published annually by INEGI, the national statistics agency.

Why? Because minimum wage has been rising aggressively every year as a social policy tool, while UMA offers more predictable, inflation-adjusted benchmarks. For anyone moving to mexico, this means residency requirements should now increase more gradually instead of jumping by 10–15% annually.

Residency Requirements for Moving to Mexico

Here are the updated financial requirements as of 2025 for those applying to move to mexico:

• Temporary Residency (Income route):

  • Show six months of deposits at least 76,900 pesos (~$4,132 USD) per month.

• Temporary Residency (Savings route):

  • Show 12 months of average balances at least 1.3 million pesos (~$70,000 USD).

• Permanent Residency (Retirees only):

  • Show six months of pension deposits at 130,000 pesos (~$6,900 USD) per month, or

  • 12 months of average savings balances at ~5.1 million pesos (~$279,000 USD).

The biggest change is that instant permanent residency is now reserved for retirees. Even if you meet the higher savings thresholds, if you’re under retirement age, you’ll first need to hold temporary residency for four years before becoming eligible for permanent status.

Why UMA Matters for Moving to Mexico

Switching from minimum wage to UMA impacts more than just visa applicants. It stabilizes government fees for both locals and foreigners, aligning them with inflation instead of rapid wage hikes. For people moving to mexico, this means fewer surprises and a more predictable path to residency.

Documents You’ll Need

Applicants moving to Mexico should prepare:

• 6–12 months of bank statements showing consistent income or savings.

• A signed bank letter on official letterhead validating balances.

• Proof of pension (for retirees applying directly for permanent residency).

It’s important to note: averages don’t count. If you’re applying under income, every month must show deposits above the minimum threshold—not just an average over time.

Why You Should Act Now if You’re Moving to Mexico

While these changes are relatively small, Mexico has a history of adjusting residency programs quickly—and sometimes without warning. Programs that were available one day have been shut down the next.

That means anyone moving to Mexico should take action sooner rather than later. Waiting could mean missing your chance if requirements rise again or entire pathways disappear.

Get Help with Your Move

Immigration in Mexico is complex, with different consulates applying rules inconsistently. Paperwork must be precise, often in Spanish, and errors can lead to denials. If you’re serious about moving to mexico, don’t navigate the process alone.

Our team offers white glove relocation support:

• Application prep and review

• Spanish translation and paperwork handling

• Airport pickup and housing during your residency card process

• Step-by-step guidance from start to finish

Book your free consultation at entrepreneurexpat.com/consult and download our free Moving to Mexico Guide at entrepreneurexpat.com/mexico.

Final Thoughts on Moving to Mexico in 2025

The new UMA-based requirements make residency more stable and slightly more accessible for some applicants, but restrictions on instant permanent residency are a major shift. If moving to mexico is part of your plan, the time to act is now—before future changes make the process harder.

Additional Resources:

Moving Abroad Resources:

👉 Moving Abroad Relocation Roadmap Guidebook that walks you through the five phases of moving abroad ($27): https://www.entrepreneurexpat.com/relocate

👉 Moving Abroad Relocation Blueprint Course which offers step by step guidance on everything from choosing the right country to immigration to taxes and everything in between: https://www.entrepreneurexpat.com/blueprint

👉 Want us to handle the details of your move abroad? Apply for our white-glove relocation services here: https://www.entrepreneurexpat.com/consult

👉 Free Moving to Mexico Guide: https://www.entrepreneurexpat.com/mexico

👉 Free Moving Abroad Checklist: https://www.entrepreneurexpat.com/abroad 

Remote Work and Online Income Resources:

👉 Expat Income Accelerator course which shows you the multiple ways you can make money globally based on our 15+ years of experience in online business, investing internationally and living in multiple countries: https://www.entrepreneurexpat.com/income

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👉 Free Make Money From Anywhere Guide: https://www.entrepreneurexpat.com/money-guide