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Mexico, officially known as the United Mexican States, is situated in the southern part of North America, ranking as the third-largest country in Latin America. Bordered by the United States to the north, Guatemala and Belize to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west, its eastern borders are marked by the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.
With an estimated population of 119 million people, the majority speak Spanish as their mother tongue, alongside 67 recognized indigenous languages. Mexico City serves as both the capital and the most populous city, boasting over 9 million inhabitants, and exceeding 20 million when considering the entire metropolitan area. The official currency is the Mexican Peso (MXN), recognized as the 8th most traded currency globally.
Obtaining permanent residency in Mexico offers numerous advantages, allowing individuals to reside in the country indefinitely. Here are several pathways to achieve permanent residency:
Direct Application: Some applicants, particularly retirees, may qualify for permanent residency directly through a Mexican consulate, primarily those located in the USA and Canada. This typically entails meeting financial requirements and undergoing consulate-specific procedures.
Transition from Temporary Residency: After holding temporary residency status for four consecutive years, individuals can apply for permanent residency through a change of condition process. This application can be completed at an Immigration Office (INM) in Mexico and involves submitting requisite documentation, including passport copies, residency cards, and photographs, along with payment of associated fees.
Parenting a Child Born in Mexico: Permanent residency may be obtained if an individual has a child born in Mexico. This process can be initiated at an INM office in Mexico, and applicants may apply with a tourist visa or during any stage of temporary residency.
Spousal or Partner Sponsorship: Individuals married to or in a long-term partnership with a Mexican citizen or permanent resident can apply for temporary residency first, valid for two years. Subsequently, they may transition to permanent residency following the procedures outlined above.
Parental or Child Sponsorship: Individuals under 18 with a parent who holds permanent residency may obtain permanent status through them at the INM. Similarly, parents of any age with a child who is a permanent resident can pursue permanent residency through this familial connection.
These various pathways offer flexibility for individuals seeking to establish permanent residency in Mexico, accommodating diverse circumstances and relationships.
Everyone who intends to move to Mexico for a period longer than six months must have a Resident Visa and a Resident Card, depending on the duration and purpose of their stay. Foreigners who want to settle in Mexico permanently must have a Mexican Permanent Resident Card.
The Permanent Resident Card for Mexico is a popular option among retirees, because it is issued after they obtain the Mexico Retirement Visa and move to Mexico.
A Permanent Resident Card gives the holder similar rights to an actual Mexico citizen, excluding the right to vote. As such, with a Mexican Permanent Resident Card:
You can become a Mexican resident if you fulfill one of the following conditions:
As a foreign citizen, you will receive temporary residence in Mexico (a Temporary Resident Card) if you find employment, want to join a family member who is also a temporary resident, or you start studying in Mexico. The Temporary Resident Card for Mexico is valid for one year initially, and can be renewed for a maximum of four years. After four years, you can apply for permanent residence (a Mexican Permanent Resident Card).
You are eligible for a Mexico Permanent Resident Card if you fulfill one of the following requirements:
The Permanent Resident Card for Mexico does not have an expiry date – it is issued for an indefinite amount of time. As such, it does not have to be renewed every few years, like the Temporary Resident Card does.
Within 30 days of arriving in Mexico, you must apply to convert your Permanent Resident Visa into a Mexican Permanent Resident Card. It is the Card which allows you to live in Mexico long-term, not the visa itself.
If you are already living in Mexico on a Temporary Resident Card, when your current Card is about to expire, you have to apply at the INM to switch it into a Permanent Resident Card (provided you have lived in Mexico as a temporary resident for four years). You must apply at least 30 days before your current residence card expires.
When you apply for Mexican Permanent Residence, you must have several documents which support your application, such as:
If you are applying for a Mexican Permanent Residence on the grounds of family reunion, you must present the following documents:
Keep in mind:
If you lose or damage your Mexican Resident Card, you must visit the local immigration office and apply for a replacement. You must have the following documents with you:
If you lose or damage your Mexican Resident Card while you are abroad, you must approach a Mexican embassy to request a replacement.
You may apply for Mexican citizenship after five years of residency in Mexico, regardless of whether you have lived as a temporary or a permanent resident. Mexico allows dual citizenship, so you do not even have to renounce your current citizenship to obtain it.
Mexico’s General Law of Population sets out the rights and obligations of foreigners, as well as the different statuses associated with foreign immigration.
There are broadly two kinds of immigration permit: Non-Immigrant and Immigrant:
Pick up tips on how to approach job hunting in Mexico, what you’ll need to be successful and what to expect from working life.
World Bank analysts have predicted that Mexico’s economy will be the fifth largest by 2050. The majority of jobs are in the capital, Mexico City, which is the base for most international companies and large Mexican companies, but you may also find work in Guadalajara, Puebla, Monterrey, Juárez or León. It can be challenging to find work if you aren’t experienced in a specialist field, though, and while English is widely understood, it will be difficult to secure a graduate job if you do not have a good grasp of Spanish.
Manufacturing plays a big role in Mexico, whether it’s food and drink, vehicles, silver, iron and steel, chemicals, pharmaceuticals or electronics. Other key industries are:
Popular employers in Mexico include:
International companies with offices in Mexico include AstraZeneca, Barclays, BP, Deloitte, GSK, HSBC, KPMG, Procter & Gamble, Intercontinental Hotel Group, Premier Oil and Unilever.
Working hours: Working hours are usually similar to in the UK: employees will arrive around 8.00 am, take half an hour to an hour for lunch and leave between 5.00 pm and 7.00 pm. A few companies may still follow the traditional Mexican working hours: 8.00 am to around 1.00 pm and 4.00 pm to around 6.00 pm with a long lunch (siesta) in between.
Holidays: you will be legally entitled to a minimum of six days’ holiday after a year of working for your employer. If you factor in your three-month probation period, it may be 15 months before you’re entitled to any annual leave. In reality, though, your employer, especially if it’s an international company, is likely to give you more holiday allowance and may not make you wait a year until you can take any days off.
You will be given the day off for eight public holidays. There are also six other holidays that are widely observed throughout Mexico, which your employer may give you off too.
Income tax: How much income tax you pay will depend on how much you earn. It starts at 15% and progressively moves up to 30%. Remember to check your UK tax and national insurance position with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to ensure that you are not losing any UK pension rights.
Cost of living: Salaries are lower than in the UK but the cost of living is cheaper. Workers in Mexico usually get paid in quinces, which means every two weeks, although some companies now pay monthly.
Currency: Mexican peso. One peso is worth 100 centavos. Peso notes often come in large quantities such as 500 or 1000, which can be hard to break. Get into the habit of always carrying some loose change, especially as you will need it for tipping people.
Healthcare: Visit your doctor at least four to six weeks before travelling to Mexico to check whether you need any vaccinations. Beware that in high altitude areas such as Mexico City you may feel a lack of energy, shortness of breath or a headache. Take the relevant medicines with you in case.
There is no free medical treatment in Mexico, even in emergencies, so it is very important to get good health insurance.
Private healthcare in Mexico is generally preferred by expatriates as it covers more expensive treatments than public healthcare and it is reasonable in comparison to the cost in other countries. Some companies offer their employees private health insurance.
Many companies in the US and beyond also have locations in Mexico or want to outsource some of their operations and labor to the country. If you’re considering hiring employees to work in Mexico, you need to know how to get a work visa. Following the right process will ensure that your employees stay compliant and can be productive from the start.
The National Institute of Immigration oversees all immigration in Mexico and issues work visas. Any foreigner who wants to work in the country must obtain a visa. For example, those working for Mexican companies need a residency visa with permission to work. Individuals working for a foreign company in Mexico for less than six months can instead get a visitor’s visa with permission to work.
Mexico has three different visas:
Most employees accepting a position with your location in Mexico will need a permanent resident visa known as the Visa de Residence Permanente. However, not all employees will meet the requirements, as they need to have family connections in the country, sufficient monthly income, or four years of regular status as a temporary resident. It may be wise for companies to apply for a temporary resident permit for employees who have been invited to Mexico to work or have real estate or close family ties in the country.
While some of the requirements differ between the two options, some common documents required include the following:
Coraledu’s mission is to empower internationals to thrive in their lives abroad. We offer tailored work and settlement solutions designed to facilitate success for individuals and their employers worldwide, with a particular focus on Mexico. Contact us to discover how we can support you or your employees in achieving both professional and personal fulfillment abroad.
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