Mexico sits in North America. Its immigration system runs 21 distinct routes — led by work, family and short stays and visits, each set out in official law. 20 of them cite an official government source, shown on the route with the date we last read it. Who actually qualifies depends on your full profile.
All 21 routes, grouped by purpose — 20 of 21 cite an official government source directly. Any route below without one says so on the route.
One-year multiple-entry card for eligible Guatemalan or Belizean nationals or permanent residents with work in Mexico's southern border states.
Temporary residence for employment longer than 180 days after the Mexican employer obtains INM visa authorisation.
Paid visitor visa for employment of up to 180 days after an INM employer-filed authorisation.
Temporary residence based on qualifying investment or an operating enterprise in Mexico.
Temporary residence for an applicant who owns qualifying real property in Mexico.
Temporary residence supported by a qualifying Mexican organisation or institution that assumes responsibility.
Temporary residence for authorised scientific research conducted in Mexican jurisdictional waters.
Residence for study longer than 180 days at a Mexican educational institution.
Permanent residence for specified close relatives of Mexicans or permanent residents, including qualifying refugee-derived family cases.
Temporary residence through an eligible family link to a Mexican, temporary resident, student resident or permanent resident.
Visitor visa and post-entry card for an international adoption procedure under the Hague system or an applicable treaty.
Indefinite residence for a pensioner or retiree who meets the applicable financial-solvency standard.
Residence for more than 180 days and up to four years based on sufficient financial resources.
In-country permanent-residence change for a temporary resident whose qualifying marriage, partnership or other family link continues.
In-country change to permanent residence after four consecutive years as a temporary resident.
Free five-year card for eligible nationals or permanent residents of Guatemala, Belize, Honduras or El Salvador visiting Mexico's southern border states.
— No eligibility summary published for this route yet
Single-entry electronic visitor authorisation for eligible Russian or Ukrainian nationals travelling by air.
Long-validity visitor visa for specified financially established, frequent-traveller, family, diplomatic-family or corporate-supervisor profiles.
Short-stay visitor route for tourism, transit, business, unpaid technical work, treatment, events or study up to 180 days.
Protection application to COMAR or INM, with humanitarian visitor documentation during the case and permanent residence after recognition.
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