Temporary Resident Visa

General Information

A temporary resident visa (TRV) is the first step if you want to stay in Mexico for more than 180 days but less than 4 years.

Once you arrive to Mexico, you must present the TRV at the National Migration Institute (INM) within the first 30 days of arrival, in order to receive a temporary resident card which will allow you to stay in the country for up to four years, depending on your circumstances.

A temporary resident visa does NOT allow the visa holder to work in Mexico (receive payment of compensation from any Mexican person, company or entity in exchange for their services), unless a working permit has been previously authorized by the INM, provided a sponsor company has filed the request to prospectively employ the visa holder. 

However, under normal circumstances it is possible to obtain a TRV and apply for a working permit once in Mexico, but be advised NO WORK IS POSSIBLE UNTIL MEXICAN IMMIGRATION AUTHORITIES HAVE GRANTED THE WORKING PERMIT, REGARDLESS OF THE VISA HELD BY THE APPLICANT.

All visas are processed at the Mexican Embassy (14 Perth Avenue, Yarralumla, ACT 2600), except for work visas. You may start the process by sending the necessary documentation by email. Once it is decided that the requirements are met, you will be required to appear before the Mexican Embassy for an appointment/interview. The physical presence of the applicant at the Embassy is an absolute requirement.

 

Requirements

1.    Visa application, which can be downloaded here.

 

2.    Copy of current passport.

 

3.    One passport size photograph with white background and visible facial traits (i.e. the hair not to cover the face)

 

4.    Copy of valid Australian visa, either stamped or electronic (for non-Australian citizens), as proof that you are legally residing in Australia.

 

NOTE: All applicants must be legally in Australia at the moment of applying for a Mexican visa.

 

5.    Proof of economic solvency.  Be advised very specific financial thresholds apply for this visa. A visa application that does not satisfy the financial requirements will be rejected. The amounts are set in Mexican pesos and converted to Australian Dollars, according to the current exchange rate. As of 2016, each one of the applicants would have to prove either of the following:

 

a.    An average monthly balance in bank accounts of at least 30,000 Australian Dollars for each and every single month for the past twelve months, counting backwards from the date of the application.

AND/OR

b.    Proof or regular, steady income for each and every single one of the past six months, counting backwards from the date of the application, of at least 1,800 Australian dollars (After taxes). Income has to be substantiated by presenting payment slips and bank statements that match the amounts indicated.

 

IMPORTANT: Documents that are not in either Spanish or English need to be accompanied by a certified translation into Spanish. Furthermore, any official documents that are not issued by Australian authorities need to be legalized/apostilled.

Be advised that very specific financial thresholds apply for this kind of visa. i.e., you will be required to demonstrate proof of income or average monthly balances in your bank accounts equivalent to specific amounts stated in Mexican pesos, and converted to AUD at the most recent exchange rates. After receiving the documents, the consular agent will advise on whether the financial threshold is met.

How to apply

1. Print, fill in and affix a passport size photograph to the visa application form (Visa form).

2. Scan and email the completed application form and the rest of the supporting documents (passport, copy of the Australian visa, etc.) to Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo..

3. If it is decided that the requirements are met, you will be required to appear before the Mexican Embassy with your passport and supporting documents for an appointment/interview. There is no visa processing done online or through mail.  If the person is a minor, the parents will need to appear as well.

NOTE: The original passport, application, photograph and all supporting documents will have to be brought to the embassy the day of the appointment

4. If the interview is successful, you will be required to pay the visa fees and it will be issued on the same day.

Costs

·         Consular fees are updated every month and you are required to check with the the updated cost of the visa before your appointment here (Visas gravadas a pasaportes extranjeros): Consular Fees

·         The visa is payable and issued on the same day of your appointment.

·         Visas will have to be paid in exact cash or with a money order, since consular officers do not have change. Card payments are not accepted.

Validity

·         TRV have a validity of six months from the day they are issued.

·         Upon arrival in Mexico, the TRV must be exchanged within the first 30 days at the National Migration Institute (INM) for a temporary resident card.

Additional information to take into consideration

·         Submitting the required documents does not mean that the visa will be approved. Further information might be requested by the Consular agent in charge of processing your application

·         Due to high demand, we advise that you start your visa application at least six weeks ahead of your planned travel date.

·         We strongly advise NOT to make any travel arrangements until a decision on your visa has been made. The embassy will not take any responsibility for any plane tickets purchased before your visa has been approved.

·         ALL THE DOCUMENTS SENT VIA EMAIL WILL HAVE TO BE PRESENTED IN ORIGINALS THE DAY OF THE APPOINTMENT. Bank statements and other financial information will have to be presented in its original paper form (i.e. paper statements). If the original comes from an electronic statement or file, a printout certified by the financial institution (e.g. stamped) will have to be handed to the Embassy during the appointment.

 

Different TRV

If you are planning on going to Mexico to undergo a scientific research, are invited by a public or private institution, own a property in Mexico or have investments in the country, please contact the Consular Section to learn the different requirements for your specific application.

Contact

 

If you have any further enquiries, please contact our consular section by email (Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo.) or telephone +61 (02) 6273 3963 ext. 229 / 228.