What documents do I need to move to Mexico as a United States citizen?

Typical pathway: Temporary Resident

Last verified: August 5, 2026

Valid U.S. passport (original) plus photocopy of the biographical data page (before) — Source: https://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/washington/images/2025/visas/esp/RESIDENTE_TEMPORAL_2025.pdf
Original U.S. passport presented at the Mexican consulate interview, together with a plain photocopy of the main photo/data page. Consulates ask for both; the copy is retained in the file. Passport should remain valid well beyond the 180-day visa validity and the intended residency period.
Completed Mexican visa application form (Solicitud de Visa Mexicana) (before) — Source: https://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/houston/images/Visas/2025/residente-temporal-solvencia-economica-2025.pdf
The SRE visa application form, printed, completed and signed, presented at the consular interview. Some consulates provide their own current-year version of the form — download it from the specific consulate holding your appointment.
One recent color passport-style photograph of the applicant (before) — Source: https://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/washington/images/2025/visas/esp/RESIDENTE_TEMPORAL_2025.pdf
A single recent color photo, front view, white background, face fully visible and uncovered, without glasses. Some consulates specify a size close to 3.9 cm x 3.1 cm rather than U.S. passport dimensions — confirm exact size with your consulate, as this varies.
Twelve consecutive original monthly bank or investment account statements (savings route) (before) — Source: https://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/washington/images/2025/visas/esp/RESIDENTE_TEMPORAL_2025.pdf
Economic solvency option (a): original personal bank or investment statements for the last 12 months showing a month-end balance above the UMA-based threshold (roughly USD $69,000–$74,000 in 2025–2026 consular sheets; the exact peso figure is set per consulate and per exchange rate on your appointment date). Digital-banking users must bring statements stamped by a bank branch — plain home printouts are rejected.
Six months of pension/salary payment receipts with matching bank statements (income route) (before) — Source: https://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/washington/images/2025/visas/esp/RESIDENTE_TEMPORAL_2025.pdf
Economic solvency option (b), used instead of the savings route: six most recent pay stubs, SSA award/benefit statements or pension receipts showing net monthly income above the threshold (approximately USD $4,300–$4,500 per month in 2026), accompanied by the six matching bank statements showing the direct deposits. Some consulates also require an employment letter.
Consular appointment confirmation (citas.sre.gob.mx / MiConsulado booking) (before) — Source: https://citas.sre.gob.mx
Printed or digital confirmation of the individual visa appointment — one appointment per applicant, including each dependent. Must be booked at a Mexican consulate in the United States; jurisdiction rules and document expectations differ by consulate.
Receipt for the non-refundable consular visa processing fee (before) — Source: https://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/saintpaul/index.php/se/visesp/5-seccion/235-residente-temporal
Proof of payment of the visa application fee (around USD $54 in current consular sheets), paid by credit or debit card (Visa/Mastercard) at the consulate; some posts also accept cash. The fee is not refunded if the visa is denied.
Certified marriage certificate or birth certificate proving the family bond (dependent applicants only) (before) — Source: https://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/saintpaul/index.php/se/visesp/5-seccion/235-residente-temporal
Required only when applying through family unity or bringing dependents: certified copy of the marriage certificate (spouse) or original birth certificate (child/parent). U.S.- and Mexico-issued civil documents are accepted directly; documents from any other country need apostille/legalization plus certified Spanish translation.
Apostille and certified Spanish translation for non-U.S., non-Mexican documents (before) — Source: https://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/houston/images/Visas/2025/residente-temporal-solvencia-economica-2025.pdf
Any supporting document not issued in the United States or Mexico must carry an apostille or legalization from the issuing country, and documents drafted in a language other than Spanish or English must include an official translation. Verify with your specific consulate, as translation policies differ between posts.
Temporary resident visa sticker affixed in the passport (before) — Source: https://embamex.sre.gob.mx/espana/index.php/documentacion-a-mexicanos/64-secconsular/542-residente-temporal-autorizado-por-el-inm
The physical visa foil issued by the consulate after approval. It is valid for a maximum of 180 days from issuance and authorizes a single entry to Mexico to begin the residency exchange — it is not the residency itself.
Entry immigration form (FMM) endorsed by the officer as 'CANJE — 30 días' (during) — Source: https://www.inm.gob.mx/static/Tramites/expedicion_documento_canje.pdf
At the port of entry the immigration officer must record your admission as a canje (exchange) with 30 days, not as a tourist stay. Check this at the counter and ask for correction if mismarked; an incorrectly marked entry record is a common cause of failed card applications. Keep a physical and digital copy.
INM canje appointment with Número Único de Trámite (NUT) (during) — Source: https://www.gob.mx/tramites/ficha/expedicion-de-documento-migratorio-por-canje/INM811
Register the 'Expedición de documento migratorio por canje' request on the INM Micrositio de Trámites Migratorios to obtain a NUT, then book the in-person appointment at the INM office covering your address. The appointment must fall within 30 calendar days of entry; where possible arrange it before leaving the U.S.
INM 'Formato Básico' and printed, signed canje application (during) — Source: https://www.inm.gob.mx/static/Tramites/expedicion_documento_canje.pdf
The INM basic data format plus the trámite request form for the canje, downloaded from the INM site, completed, printed and signed, and handed in at the appointment together with the rest of the file.
Bank-stamped proof of payment of INM derechos (hoja de ayuda / SAT formato e5) (during) — Source: https://www.inm.gob.mx/static/Tramites/expedicion_documento_canje.pdf
Print the payment sheet, pay at an authorized bank branch (e.g. BBVA, Banorte, Santander) or by Visa/Mastercard at the INM office, and bring the stamped receipt. INM does not accept cash, and home-printed SPEI transfer confirmations are not valid proof. Card issuance fees rose substantially under the November 2025 fee schedule.
Biometric enrolment record at INM (photograph, signature, fingerprints) (during) — Source: Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM)
At the canje appointment INM captures your photo, signature and fingerprints in person; no self-supplied photos substitute for this step. There is no document to bring, but attendance is mandatory and the record is what generates your card and CURP.
Proof of Mexican address (comprobante de domicilio) (during) — Source: Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM)
A recent utility bill or signed lease in your name or your host's name, used to confirm the INM office with jurisdiction over you and later required by banks and RENAPO. Not listed on the federal canje requirement sheet — verify with your local INM office, as practice varies by delegation.
Tarjeta de Residente Temporal (physical residency card) (after) — Source: Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM)
The plastic card issued by INM after the canje, valid initially for one year and renewable up to a four-year total. It carries your NUE and your 18-character CURP printed on the front, and is your primary Mexican ID for banking, leases and travel re-entry.
Printed CURP certificate from the RENAPO portal (after) — Source: https://www.gob.mx/curp/
Although the CURP is generated automatically when INM issues your resident card, banks and government offices require the free letter-size printout downloaded from the official RENAPO/gob.mx CURP portal. Check the spelling of your name and date of birth immediately; corrections must be made in person at a RENAPO module with your passport and resident card.
RFC registration with SAT (Mexican tax ID) (after) — Source: Servicio de Administración Tributaria (SAT)
Needed if you will earn Mexican-source income, invoice clients, buy property or take formal employment; not needed by most solvency-based residents living on foreign income. Requires your CURP, resident card and proof of address.
INM renewal application filed at least 30 days before card expiry (after) — Source: Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM)
Temporary resident cards are renewed for 1 or 3 additional years, using an updated file plus a new derechos payment. Start the renewal before the current card expires — lapsing into irregular status triggers fines and can block future trámites. Note that solvency-based residents who wish to work in Mexico must separately request work authorization from INM.
Change-of-condition file for permanent residency after four years (after) — Source: https://www.inm.gob.mx/static/Tramites/cambio_residente_temporal-residente_permanente.pdf
To convert to Residente Permanente, INM requires the passport or travel document used to obtain temporary residence, a still-valid temporary resident card, proof of payment of the change-of-condition fee, and evidence of the qualifying ground. Time spent as a student temporary resident does not count toward the four years.

Not legal advice. Based on cached research — verify with official sources before making decisions.

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