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Residency planning.
Which visa track fits your income, timeline, and goals — and how to get through the application without the common mistakes that delay or derail it.
The three tracks
Track 01 · Standard
Temporary Resident
Valid 1–4 years. The right starting point for most people. Requires income documentation at a Mexican consulate before entry.
- ~$2,600/mo income (2026)
- Apply at consulate in home country
- Renewable; leads to permanent residency
- Work authorization available
Track 02 · Long-term
Permanent Resident
No renewal required. After 4 years of temporary residency — or directly with higher income or qualifying investment.
- After 4 years temporary residency
- Direct: ~$4,300/mo or retirement income
- Or via qualifying investment
- Unrestricted work rights
Track 03 · Accelerated
Residency by Investment
Direct permanent residency for buyers of qualifying Mexican real estate or financial instruments. Bypasses the 4-year track.
- Qualifying real estate purchase
- Or qualifying financial investment
- Direct permanent residency
- See Residency by Investment page
What residency planning covers
The upstream decisions most people skip.
Income documentation
How to document non-standard income
Self-employment, dividends, and retirement income all require different documentation strategies. Getting this wrong at the consulate is the most common cause of delays.
Track selection
Temporary vs. permanent — which first
Most people start with temporary. But if your income qualifies for the direct permanent route, skipping the 4-year track is worth understanding before you apply.
Dependent inclusion
Spouse and children on the same application
Dependents can be included with proper documentation. What's required varies by relationship — marriage certificates, birth certificates, apostilles.
Banking
Opening a Mexican bank account with residency
A residency card (tarjeta de residente) and CURP number are required to open most Mexican bank accounts. Timing this correctly matters.
Annual renewal
Maintaining your status
Temporary residency must be renewed annually or every 4 years depending on the term issued. Missing the renewal window creates complications.
Path to permanent
What the 4-year clock looks like
4 consecutive years of temporary residency, with limited absences. We help clients track this and time the permanent application correctly.
Book a consultation
Let's find the right track for you.
Income structure, timeline, and goals all affect which residency track fits. A consultation helps us figure that out before you start the application.
Getting the income documentation right before the consulate appointment is worth every hour of preparation.
Justin Keltner · Co-Founder