What residency documents or visas did I need if I will be in Mexico for a while?
We asked expats what residency documents or visas they need when settling in Mexico. They wrote...
"Here it is: Lived in northern Virginia about 5 mins from Washington, DC, so I was able to use the office downtown DC near Georgetown. My appointment/process took about 15-20 mins before they smiled at me and said that I was going to live in Mexico. I submitted the required payroll statements, which showed them being directly deposited into my bank account. I was still working (I think this might have been an advantage...not sure) These statements listed my 401K, as well. I did not point that out to them and they didn't ask. I didn't need to use my pension info, nor did I bring it with me. I didn't apply for Social Security until 6 months after arrival, so it was not used as income. They didn't ask for bank statements and I didn't volunteer. In addition, there was no need in Puerto Vallarta for me to submit financials again... I only listed what my current sources of income were. Keep in mind that this was over 5 years ago and I did it all myself. I just took the time to read and digest online what I needed to do, period," wrote a member who made the move to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

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Welcome Home Mexico occupies a niche in the market as a successful relocation and real estate firm helping expats moving to Mexico! As seen on CBS news, PBS, in the L.A. Times and more, we are one of the leading companies in this field. Welcome Home Mexico offers a wide range of services, multi-lingual knowledgeable brokers with experience, efficient and professional service.
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Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.
"If you plan to stay in Mexico for an extended period of time, you will need to obtain a Mexican residency visa. Depending on your country of origin, you may be allowed to enter the country on a tourist visa for a certain period of time and then apply for a residency visa from within Mexico. To obtain a residency visa, you will need to provide various documents, such as proof of address, a valid passport, two recent passport-sized photos, and a medical certificate. It is also recommended to obtain a registered Mexican address. Once your residency visa application is approved, you will need to renew it periodically in order to maintain your residency status," explained one expat living in Mexico.
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What residency documents or visas did I need if I will be in Mexico for a while?
If you live in Mexico, newcomers to Mexico would love to hear your answer to this question.
About the Author
Joshua Wood, LPC joined Expat Exchange in 2000 and serves as one of its Co-Presidents. He is also one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. Prior to Expat Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable (MSNBC and CNBC
Primetime). Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist.
Some of Joshua's articles include Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal, 10 Best Places to Live in Ireland and Pros and Cons of Living in Uruguay. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.