Connecta Consulting
Understanding Mexican Visas: What You Need to Know
Congratulations! You've decided to do business in Mexico or move to this beautiful country. That's a fantastic decision, but now you're likely wondering: Do I need a visa to conduct business or stay indefinitely in Mexico? Since Americans don't need a tourist visa, this question often arises once you decide to live or do business in Mexico.
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If you're in a hurry, here’s the short answer:
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For tourism: If you only want to visit Mexico, you don't need a visa (with some exceptions, outlined below).
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For business or residency: If you want to live in Mexico indefinitely or conduct business while in Mexico, you do need a visa. However, if you're conducting business with a Mexican corporation from the United States, a visa is not required.
Your new life in Mexico awaits you
Types of Mexican Visas
Mexico offers several types of visas depending on your needs:
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1) Tourist Visa without Business Authorization
This visa allows foreigners to enter Mexico through any international port of entry and stay for up to 180 consecutive days from the date of entry. However, it does not permit the holder to engage in any remunerated activities within Mexico.
Note: Americans do not need this visa for stays under 180 days.
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2) Visa for Temporary Employment
This visa authorizes foreigners to enter Mexico and stay for up to 180 consecutive days to engage in remunerated activities. It is particularly useful for American corporations with operations in Mexico that require a trusted supervisor to be in the country temporarily while establishing and regulating their business.
This visa is granted to foreigners who have a job offer, an invitation from an authority or institution in Mexico (academic, artistic, sports, cultural), or who are participating in seasonal work due to inter-institutional agreements with foreign entities.
3) Visa for Adoption Procedures
This visa allows foreigners involved in an adoption process in Mexico to enter the country and remain until the final resolution is issued, and the necessary legal procedures are completed (including registration of the child’s new birth certificate, issuance of a passport, and other documents required for the child’s departure from the country). This visa is only available to citizens of countries with which Mexico has an adoption agreement.
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4) Temporary Resident Visa
This visa allows foreigners to enter Mexico and stay for up to four years. It also permits the holder to work in Mexico, provided they have a job offer. The Temporary Resident Visa grants the right to enter and leave the country as many times as desired during its validity. Additionally, it ensures family unity by allowing the holder to either enter with or later bring in certain family members who can reside in Mexico for the duration of the visa. These family members include:
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Children of the temporary resident or their spouse, concubine, or equivalent, as long as they are minors, unmarried, or under the guardian's custody.
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Spouse of the temporary resident.
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Concubine or equivalent relationship, provided it is legally recognized under Mexican law.
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Parents of the temporary resident.
Family members will be granted temporary resident status, allowing them to live in Mexico, and they may also obtain a work permit based on a job offer. Temporary residents may bring their personal belongings into Mexico under the applicable legal provisions.
5) Student Temporary Resident Visa
This visa authorizes foreigners to enter Mexico and stay for the duration of their courses, studies, research projects, or training programs in educational institutions within Mexico's national education system. Holders of this visa can engage in paid activities as stipulated by Article 52, Section VIII of the applicable law.
6) Permanent Resident Visa
This visa allows foreigners to enter Mexico and reside indefinitely. It is ideal for those who wish to make Mexico their permanent home, providing them with the right to live and work in the country without time restrictions.