Mexico change from temporary student resident to temporary resident

A foreign national with a valid temporary student resident card who can document one of the listed grounds for the change.

• Valid student residence

  Hold a valid and current temporary student resident card; present the original.

  Sources disagreeSource

• Identity document

  Present the original and a copy of the passport, identity and travel document, or official document used to obtain the current residence status. A replacement document may be presented if it is valid and current.

  Sources disagreeSource

• Signed application

  Complete the immigration application form electronically, print it and sign it by hand. For an applicant under 18, the mother, father or person exercising parental authority, guardianship or curatorship must sign.

  Sources disagreeSource

• Qualifying ground

  Document at least one of these grounds: an employment offer, financial means, an invitation for unpaid activity, qualifying property in Mexico or qualifying investment.

  Sources disagreeSource

• Foreign public documents

  Foreign public documents other than the passport or identity and travel document must be apostilled or legalised and, where applicable, accompanied by a Spanish translation prepared by an officially recognised expert.

  Sources disagreeSource

• Payment evidence

  Present proof of payment for receipt and examination of the change-of-status application. The guidance also requires proof of payment for the temporary resident document for the period requested or authorised.

  Sources disagreeSource

• Employment offer optionSometimes needed

  If using an employment offer, provide an original offer on letterhead from a person or organisation formally established in Mexico. It must state the occupation, period requested in months or years, workplace and details of the employer registration certificate issued by the INM and duly updated. Record the occupation or activity using SINCO.

  Sources disagreeSource

• Financial means optionSometimes needed

  If using financial means, show either investments or bank accounts with an average monthly balance equivalent to 20,000 days of the current UMA over the last 12 months, or employment or a pension providing monthly after-tax income equivalent to 400 days of the current UMA over the last six months.

  Sources disagreeSource

• Unpaid activity optionSometimes needed

  If using an invitation, provide a letter on letterhead from a reputable organisation or public or private institution inviting the applicant to unpaid activity in Mexico. The letter must identify the applicant and organisation, describe an activity related to the organisation’s purposes, give its duration or approximate end date, and state responsibility for the applicant’s maintenance and return. Provide a copy of the signatory’s signed official identification and documents showing the applicant’s experience, ability, skills or knowledge for the activity.

  Sources disagreeSource

• Invitation financial evidenceSometimes needed

  For the invitation option, a private institution assuming responsibility must show investments or bank accounts with an average monthly balance equivalent to 20,000 days of the current UMA over the last 12 months. The page exempts the specified public, educational and research institutions and companies transferring staff to a Mexican parent, branch or subsidiary from presenting financial means. If the institution does not assume responsibility, the applicant must show an average monthly investment or bank balance equivalent to 10,000 UMA days over the last 12 months, or monthly after-tax empl

  Sources disagreeSource

• Property optionSometimes needed

  If using property in Mexico, provide a public deed showing ownership of real estate or acquisition of beneficiary rights under a trust, with a value equivalent to 40,000 days of the current UMA.

  Sources disagreeSource

• Investment optionSometimes needed

  If using investment, provide documentation of an amount equivalent to 20,000 days of the current UMA invested in the share capital of a Mexican legal entity; or documentation of ownership of movable property in favour of the foreign legal entity valued at the equivalent of 20,000 UMA days; or documentation of economic or business activity in Mexico together with an IMSS certificate indicating that the foreign national employs at least five workers.

  Sources disagreeSource

• Change-of-status application: first paymentSources disagreeSource$1,847 per person
• Temporary resident document, one year: full fee if approvedSources disagreeSource$11,141 per person
• Temporary resident document, two years: full fee if approvedSources disagreeSource$16,693 per person
• Temporary resident document, three years: full fee if approvedSources disagreeSource$21,143 per person
• Temporary resident document, four years: full fee if approvedSources disagreeSource$25,058 per person
• Temporary resident document, one year: 50% fee where the stated conditions applySources disagreeSource$5,570 per person
• Temporary resident document, two years: 50% fee where the stated conditions applySources disagreeSource$8,347 per person
• Temporary resident document, three years: 50% fee where the stated conditions applySources disagreeSource$10,571 per person
• Temporary resident document, four years: 50% fee where the stated conditions applySources disagreeSource$12,529 per person

1. Get ready

   • Check your student residence

     Make sure your temporary student resident card is valid and current.

     You’ll need: Temporary student resident card

   • Prepare your identity document

     Bring the original and a copy of the identity document required by the INM.

     You’ll need: Passport, identity and travel document, or qualifying official document, Copy of that document

   • Document your qualifying ground

     Collect the evidence required for the employment, financial means, invitation, property or investment ground you are using.

     You’ll need: Evidence for the chosen ground

2. Apply

   • Complete and sign the application

     Fill in the immigration application electronically, select the change from temporary student resident to temporary resident, print it and obtain the required handwritten signature.

     You’ll need: Printed, signed immigration application

   • Pay the initial fee

     Pay the fee for receipt and examination of the change-of-status application and keep proof of payment.

     You’ll need: Proof of initial fee payment

   • Submit your application to the INM

     Attend the INM in person with the application and required documents.

     You’ll need: Signed application, Identity document and copy, Valid temporary student resident card, Evidence for the chosen ground, Proof of initial fee payment

3. Settle in

   • Receive the decision

     Receive notification of the INM’s decision on the application.

   • Obtain your resident document if approved

     If approved, pay the applicable document fee, attend the INM for issuance and receive your temporary resident document.

     You’ll need: Proof of temporary resident document fee payment

Temporary residence for the period authorised, which may be one to four years; a separate route allows eligible temporary residents to apply for permanent residence after four years as temporary residents.

• gob.mx/public/tramites/detalleTramite.xhtmlOfficial
• Micrositio Tramites Migratoriosinm.gob.mxOfficial

Japper is an AI immigration assistant. It gives general information from official sources, not legal advice, and it can be wrong. For your own case, ask a licensed advisor.