THE THREE MAIN CATEGORIES YOU ARE EXPLORING

Visitor

Generally relevant to:

• Vacations

• Exploratory trips

• Certain shorter stays

• People not intending to reside permanently

Important:

• Canadian citizens currently do not require a visa before travelling to Mexico for ordinary visitor purposes.

• Visitor status is generally authorized for up to 180 days.

• Do not assume you will automatically receive the full 180 days.

• Confirm the number of days granted at entry.

• Visitor status does not include permission to accept remunerated activity in Mexico.

Temporary Resident

Generally relevant to someone intending to remain in Mexico for longer than 180 days and no longer than four years.

Possible qualifying categories can include:

• Economic solvency

• Family unity

• Qualifying real estate

• Investment

• Invitation

• Job offer

• Other recognized circumstances

A temporary resident visa issued by a consulate normally needs to be exchanged for a Mexican residence card through INM after entry.

Permanent Resident

Generally relevant to people who qualify under specific pathways, which may include:

• Certain family relationships

• Retirement or pension circumstances

• Another legally recognized category

• A later change from temporary to permanent residency, when eligible

Wanting to live in Mexico permanently does not automatically mean someone qualifies for permanent residency immediately.

Important Distinctions

Visa-Free Entry Is Not Residency

Not needing a visa before travel does not make someone a Mexican resident.

“Up to 180 Days” Is Not a Guaranteed 180 Days

Check the authorized period granted when you enter.

Residency and Tax Residency Are Different Questions

Holding—or not holding—a Mexican residence card does not, by itself, answer every Canadian or Mexican tax question.

Residency and Work Permission Are Different Questions

The correct answer depends on where the income comes from and what activity you intend to conduct.

WHICH STATUS APPEARS RELEVANT TO YOUR PLAN?

Return to your Day 2 note.

Ask:

1. How long do I currently expect to remain in Mexico?

2. Is this an exploratory, seasonal, trial or more permanent move?

3. Do I expect to receive payment from a Mexican employer or Mexican source?

4. Do I have a Mexican spouse, child or other family connection?

5. Am I relying on income, pension, savings, investments, property or another basis?

6. Which Mexican consular office serves my location?

7. What does that office currently require?

8. What information do I need to verify before I could apply?

When reviewing financial requirements, record:

• The consular office

• The date you reviewed the information

• Whether the requirement refers to income, pension, savings or investments

• How many months of records are required

• Whether original or stamped documents are requested

• Whether appointments are currently available

• Whether the figures are expressed in Mexican pesos, Canadian dollars or another currency

Do not assume another consulate’s published requirements apply to your application.

IDENTIFY YOUR MOST LIKELY IMMIGRATION PATH

Today, you will identify the status that appears most relevant and save the official source you would use to investigate it.

You are not applying today.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Your Steps

1. Open the Notes app on your phone.

2. Open your Can I Really Move to Mexico? folder.

3. Create a new note.

4. Copy and paste the prompt below.

5. Review the official Mexican Embassy information.

6. Locate the Mexican consular office that serves your area.

7. Record the pathway that appears relevant and the questions you still need answered

Copy and Paste This Into Your New Note

DAY 7 — MY IMMIGRATION PATH

The kind of move I’m currently considering is:

Exploratory / Seasonal or part-time / Trial move / More permanent

The status that appears most relevant to me is:

Visitor / Temporary resident / Permanent resident / I’m not sure yet

My possible way of qualifying is:

Economic solvency / Pension or retirement / Family connection / Job offer / Property or investment / I’m not sure yet

Do I expect to earn money from within Mexico?

Yes / No / I’m not sure

The Mexican consulate that serves my area is:

Official link:

The most important question I still need answered is:

My next step is:

Save the official page / Contact the consulate / Gather my questions / Seek qualified advice

OPTIONAL DEEPER QUESTION

Am I choosing the immigration status that fits my actual plan—or trying to make my plan fit the easiest status I have heard about online?

EMBASSY OF MEXICO IN CANADA

Start with the official overview:

Embassy of Mexico in Canada: Visas and services for foreigners

This page currently includes information about:

• Visa-free entry for Canadian citizens and permanent residents

• Visitor status

• Temporary residency

• Permanent residency

• Work connected with a Mexican job offer

• Appointments and fees

Find the Appropriate Consular Office

Requirements, accepted documentation and procedures may differ between consular offices.

Search:

• “Mexican consulate [your Canadian city] temporary resident visa”

• “Consulado de México [province] visa residencia temporal”

• “Mexican consulate [city] permanent resident visa”

Confirm that the page belongs to an official sre.gob.mx or Mexican government domain.

Do not use an immigration consultant’s website as your only source for government requirements.

Vancouver Consulate Example

For participants served by the Vancouver consular office:

Consulate General of Mexico in Vancouver: Temporary Resident Visa

This is an example of why participants should check their actual consulate. It lists specific documentary and financial requirements that can be updated.

Government of Canada Entry Information

The Government of Canada’s Mexico advisory includes current entry and exit information for Canadian travellers:

Government of Canada: Mexico travel advice and advisories

Review the Entry and exit requirements section and recheck it before travelling.

Mexico’s National Institute of Migration

INM is the Mexican authority responsible for immigration processes inside Mexico:

Instituto Nacional de Migración

Use official INM information for residence-card processes, immigration documents and procedures conducted inside Mexico.

Useful Search Terms

• Mexico temporary resident visa economic solvency Canada

• Mexican consulate [city] temporary residency

• Mexico permanent resident visa pensioner

• Mexico residency family unity

• Mexico residency visa canje INM

• INM office [Mexican city]

• Mexico visa job offer remunerated activities

• Mexican immigration lawyer [city]

When reviewing any result, ask:

• Is this an official government source?

• When was it updated?

• Does it apply to my nationality?

• Does it apply to the consulate where I would apply?

• Is the person explaining the process qualified to give immigration advice?

• Am I reading a rule—or someone’s personal experience?

Today, you identified the immigration status that appears most relevant to your plan and found the official source you would use to verify it.

You do not need to apply yet.

You need to know which process deserves your attention—and which information should never be taken from an undated social-media post.

Tomorrow, we will explore how you would access and move your money:

• Canadian cards

• Mexican bank accounts

• ATMs

• Transfer services

• Exchange rates

• Fees

• The financial systems you may want to keep in both countries