Moving to Mexico | Residency and Legal Services

Our work concerns Mexican law. It can continue after you obtain your visa or resident card when your move requires review of a lease or purchase agreement, legal review of Mexican real estate, verification of the proposed counterparty, fraud prevention, or advice on joining, starting or acquiring a Mexican company. We do not provide United States legal advice and do not claim a United States office or licence.

Temporary and permanent residence in Mexico

Mexican immigration law provides different routes for people who intend to live in the country for more than 180 days.

Temporary residence generally allows a foreign national to remain in Mexico for up to four years. Permanent residence allows an indefinite stay. The appropriate route depends on the legal basis available and the circumstances of the applicant.

At Molina y Asociados, we review your circumstances before the application is filed and determine which residence option can be supported by your actual documentation.

Retirees and financial solvency

Retirees, pensioners and other applicants with sufficient financial resources may qualify for residence under the financial criteria established in Mexico's visa regulations.

The applicable requirements depend on the type of residence requested and the financial evidence being used, such as pension income, bank accounts or investments. The official visa rules establish the documents and financial periods that must be demonstrated.

We can review your financial documentation before the consular application and prepare the case according to the immigration route being requested.

Family-based residence

Mexican law also provides residence options based on family relationships.

The procedure depends on the relationship involved and on whether the qualifying family member is Mexican, a temporary resident or a permanent resident. Certain family-based visa procedures require prior authorization from the INM before the applicant attends the Mexican consulate.

We assist with the immigration process and with related documents such as foreign birth certificates, marriage certificates and other civil records that may need to be apostilled, legalized or translated.

Employment, investment and business in Mexico

A person moving to Mexico for employment may require an immigration procedure connected with a Mexican employer and prior authorization from the INM.

Mexican visa rules also contemplate specific temporary-residence routes involving real estate ownership and investment, subject to the requirements established for those categories.

If your move involves opening, acquiring or investing in a business, our firm can also assist with the legal matters surrounding the company itself, including corporate organization, contracts, acquisitions and other business matters.

The immigration procedure is therefore only one part of the legal work that may be required when establishing a business or investment in Mexico.

Remote professionals and people working from Mexico

Many foreign nationals who work remotely consider moving to Mexico while continuing to receive income from abroad.

The current Mexican visa system should be reviewed according to the legal residence categories actually available and the source of income or other basis supporting the application. The SRE currently identifies temporary and permanent residence routes based on grounds such as financial solvency, family relationships, real estate and investment.

Working or conducting business from Mexico can also create employment, corporate or contractual questions that require analysis separate from the immigration application. Tax advice is outside the scope stated on this page unless a separately qualified professional is engaged for that issue.

From the visa application to your resident card

Many residence procedures begin with an application and interview before a Mexican consular office. Other cases, including certain employment and family applications, may involve prior authorization from the INM. After entering Mexico with a temporary or permanent residence visa, the foreign national generally has 30 calendar days from arrival to complete the resident-document exchange process before the INM and obtain the corresponding resident card. At Molina y Asociados, we can handle the immigration matter from the initial legal assessment through the consular procedure, entry into Mexico and issuance of the resident card.

Problems with a visa or residence application

We also represent clients when a problem arises during or after the immigration process.

Our intervention may include matters involving additional document requests, consular or immigration delays, visa denials, residence denials, problems entering Mexico, difficulties with the resident-card exchange, work authorization, immigration records or other acts by Mexican authorities that affect your ability to enter, remain or work in the country. In those situations, our lawyers can analyze the authority's decision and pursue the administrative or judicial remedies available under Mexican law.

Legal assistance after you move to Mexico

Obtaining Mexican residence is often only the beginning of the legal matters involved in establishing a life, investment or business in the country.

Our legal services can continue for as long as you need assistance in Mexico. Depending on the matter, our attorneys can advise and represent you in areas including:

• review of residential or commercial lease agreements;
• review of purchase agreements and the legal documents for Mexican real estate;
• review of the company or counterparty involved in a proposed transaction;
• legal review intended to identify fraud risks before a property or business transaction;
• incorporation or acquisition of a Mexican company and review of a proposal to join as a shareholder;
• commercial agreements and contracts governed by Mexican law; and
• related Mexican civil, commercial or administrative proceedings when they fall within the firm's confirmed areas of practice.

This allows you to work with a Mexican law firm that already knows your circumstances instead of ending the relationship once the immigration document has been issued.

Lawyers for your move and your life in Mexico

At Molina y Asociados, we can assist you before you move, during the immigration process and after you have established residence in Mexico. We can handle your temporary or permanent residence, family or employment immigration process, resident card and other immigration matters, while our attorneys remain available for the legal needs that may arise later from your property, business, family, investments or activities in Mexico.