Mexico Retirement Visa

Is there a Mexico Retirement Visa?

·         There isn’t a Mexico retirement visa specially created for foreign retirees

·         To retire and live in Mexico, you need to apply for a permanent resident visa

Find out all you need to know about the visa process to retire in Mexico the legal way in this article.

Do I Need a Mexico Retirement Visa To retire In Mexico?

If you want to retire and live in Mexico for the foreseeable future, you definitely need legal documents like a permanent resident visa or a temporary resident visa, but there isn’t a special visa issued to retirees. You can still live permanently in the country, though. The sure way to do so is to apply for a permanent resident visa or temporary residency at the consular office close to where you live.

Appointments can be made by sending an email to that consulate. We review the documentary requirements below.

Visa Application Form

There is a visa application form you have to fill out and sign. This form can be obtained online and completed before you print it out. The consulate will request the original and photocopies

Valid Passport

You will present your valid passport and photocopies of your photograph and personal data pages. The Passport must have at least 6 months of validity, and there should be blank pages where the visa will be affixed.

Photograph

A clear picture in colored form and white background with no eyeglasses or headgear. The full length and width of your face must be displayed to the camera.

Application Fee

The application fee is paid in cash or by bank transfer.

Alongside these documents listed above, the applicant must show proof of investment or an account with a balance that meets the financial criteria of the consulate over the last 13 months. The applicant also needs to attach proof of monthly income or pension to the tune of a minimum amount over the last 6 months.

The original statement of account must have the bank’s seal on each page.

Note: The financial criteria are different for all consulates operating in different countries of the world. Contact the consulate in your city/country to ascertain the financial requirements before applying for the permanent resident visa.

How To Apply For A Permanent Resident Card

If you wish to apply for a permanent resident card, you need to have obtained a visa first from the consulate in your home country. After arriving in Mexico, the next step is to visit the INM office within 30 days of your arrival.

You will tender the visa along with a completed application form to the officials, and in 15 working days maximum, a resident card will be issued to you.

The application fee for a Mexican visa is $36, equivalent to your local currency, and the fee can be paid in cash or bank transfer. As for the permanent resident card, the cost of the card is $250, or its equivalent in Pesos. While the first one is paid to the Mexican consulate aboard, the card fee is paid to the INM when you are already in Mexico.

Here are the requirements to get a permanent residency card.

·         Copy of the first and last page of your passport, including the visa page

·         A passport sized photograph taken within the last 6 months

·         Visa fee

·         Booked flight ticket (after the visa is approved)

·         Additional travel document as requested by the consulate

·         Cover letter to the consulate explaining your reasons for applying

·         Pension Information, including source and amount

·         Evidence of any investment

·         Home address

If you fulfill all the requirements as a retiree, a permanent resident visa will be issued to you, which you can convert into a permanent resident card at the INM office.

You also need to present financial documents to prove that you can afford the minimum monthly income criteria. Your average monthly balance in a foreign bank or a Mexican bank account will suffice.

Benefits Of Retiring In Mexico

There are several reasons why Mexico is a perfect destination for retirees.

Nice Weather

One of the commonly cited reasons why many retire to Mexico is because of the nice weather. This is a big deal for those who are from cold regions where it snows for most of the year. On the other hand, Mexico has temperate weather with the sun up for most part of the year.

Lovely Culture

Mexico is a hotbed of Latino and Euro-Spanish culture. Her cities are a cultural melting pot of European and South American civilizations. You enjoy the festivals and the tasty cuisines on offer.

Cheap Cost Of Living

If cost matters to you, you should consider getting a Mexico retirement visa and migrating to Mexico to live in affordable cities like San miguel de allende. This is because the cost of living here is far cheaper than living in the US or most European cities. Many come here and are surprised to see just how cheap life can be here. Rent, food, and transportation are far cheaper here than in many developed countries.

There isn’t a Mexico retirement visa, but you can still retire here by applying for a temporary visa at the nearest Mexican consulate. If you meet the requirements and are issued this document, you can live in Mexico indefinitely.