Buying a House In Mexico--First Step for a Temporary or Permanent Resident Visa

You can buy a house in Mexico with the basic tourist visa you are handed or ask for when you come into Mexico. There are good reasons to want to get a Temporary or Permanent Resident Visa which are explained in other posts in www.HowToBuyAHouseInMexico.com.

This post has a lot of specific and helpful information. Save it! Read it carefully!

Mexican Consulate appointments are often required to apply for a pre-approved Temporary or Permanent Resident visa. Appointments may be made by calling from Mexico 01-404-266-2233 (ext 250). Or via the web site by clicking the "appointments" button or calling the consulate. When making appointment on-line you may change the language in upper right corner. Each person needs a separate interview time including children but a family / couple will be seen together. You must tell the consulate staff you intend to retire. If you mention working in Mexico you will likely be declined. A very few consulates require a police report, background check.

​Consulate requirements:

1. Passport size photo with face uncovered, no glasses, front view, in color, white background.

2. In the U.S. $48 cash per person and in Canada $64.

3. Mexican consulate visa application form to be printed double-sided (one per person), completed and taken with you. On question 21, for a Temporary Resident pre-approval check more than 180 days and less than 4 years and for Permanent Resident check "DEFINITIVE"​. Complete questions 1- 25.

4. Passport plus copy.

​5. Financials: 12 months of individual printouts for savings/investments and/or 6 months of individual bank printouts showing income and/or proof of home ownership in Mexico. Take as much proof of financials as possible. You can not have too much. Your name must be on your financial statements and if a joint account both names.

6. Appointment confirmation form.

7. Original and copies of marriage licenses when sponsoring a spouse and birth certificates for children.

To cancel an appointment at a consulate you must call the consulate. Until you do, another appointment is not possible

The financial qualifying amounts below are per person but some consulates will accept lower financials for a spouse. Check the consulate website to confirm they are updated amounts. Consulates may use different amounts considering exchange rates. What I post here are Mexican Immigration laws. Consulates are not a part of Immigration. Some consulates want original financials and some want them notarized. You may also be asked for original marriage license and birth certificates. I recommend you review your MX consulate web site. I am not responsible for those variables and the mood, knowledge, politics or skills of the person at the consulate. Prior to leaving the consulate, please check your name is spelled correctly; your birthdate is accurate; male / female is indicated correctly; and, if you applied for Temporary Resident, that what you received is not Permanent Resident pre-approval which for those bringing a car is a huge issue. An error with any of the above may take weeks to resolve when you are completing your visa process.

Remember, the FMM is the name of the basic tourist visa card you are handed or request when you enter Mexico. Look at blogs on www.HowToBuyAHouseInMexico.com for more information about the FMM tourist visa for Mexico.

The pre-approval allows you to enter Mexico up to 6 months from time when pre-approved. Once you enter Mexico you have 30 days to start your visa process. Your pre-approved visa is for ONE entry and you may not enter a second time with it. When entering Mexico by car you must stop at the border and obtain your TIP (car permit) and FMM as above. When flying, at your point of entry, you will receive a FMM. In both cases, your FMM must be marked CANJE by Mexican immigration staff and date stamped along with a date stamp on your pre-approved visa in your passport. If this is not complete you will be told to return to the border to do so. Your FMM will indicate 30 days.