We just completed our permanent residency process for Mexico, and I wanted to post how it went in case you're working on it.
First, we prepared the initial application in our home country of USA. They have an English version of instructions if need be. We made an online appointment at the closest consulate (I think it was a couple months out) and brought our application and supporting docs and in about an hour we had our 180-day visas in our passports. Now we had 180 days to present ourselves at an INM office in Mexico to complete the process and get our ID cards.
We decided to hire an agent to help on the Mexico side. We used Yucatan Expatriate Services in Merida and they were great. They made the INM appointment and prepared the docs we needed. I speak OK Spanish, so I could converse with the immigration officer, but if you don’t, the agent is waiting outside should any questions come up.
On arrival at the airport in Merida, we filled out both sections of the immigration form and got in the Mexico nationals line. (We read multiple places that you must go in that line, but later I asked the immigration officer at the INM office and she said it didn’t matter, at least at Merida airport. Might be different elsewhere. She also said when coming in with your resident card it doesn’t matter which line.) The officer stamped our visa page and INM form. He tore off the bottom portion, and wrote “canje” on it and gave it to us. The passport and this form must all go to the immigration office with you at your appointment. Don’t forget to also get a customs form and fill out prior to getting in the customs line.
We met with the Yucatan Expat Services agent on a Monday at their office to fill out the paperwork and pay them their fees and the Mexico residency fee. They don’t take cash at the immigration office, so everybody has to go pay into their account at a bank first and bring the receipt. Another reason to use an agent, just so you don’t have to hassle with that.
Our appointment at INM was on Thursday. We met with our agent about 15 minutes before our assigned time. Times are in half hour slots. When the time comes, they call in everybody for that time slot. They had a tent type thing set up outside where probably 30 people were sitting and then maybe 6 of us went inside. Note the agent cannot go in with you, but you can ask that they come in to answer a question if you get stuck. There probably won’t be any questions, just instructions to sign here or there. We connected with the agent on WhatsApp so we could just text her to come in.
We signed in with a security guard and then were given a plastic card with a window number. Then we went into the main processing area and waited until we were called. After sitting outside in the Spring Merida heat, the INM office felt like a refrigerator. Some officers were even wearing jackets.
You have maybe 3 or 4 papers to sign. They take your picture, front and both sides. They do electronic fingerprints, and you sign once with a tablet. This signature will show up on your card. The process takes a half hour to 45 minutes. Then we walked out with our cards. Done. Well one of us did the first time. It wasn’t all 100% smooth, however. They couldn’t finish mine because a system went down. It’s the system that assigns CURP numbers. It’s like the US Social Security number. So I had to come back the next day and it was thankfully back up. They just worked me in and that took maybe an hour and a half to get seen and finished up. I am assuming the process might be different in different offices, so just keep in mind this is how it went at the INM office in Merida. This is the office north of el centro. Everyone there was very courteous and helpful.
All in all an easy and effortless experience. Just get a good agent. And I will note some agents ask for a retainer up front. Yucatan Expat Services did not. We paid them in person, and it was very reasonable from my perspective for what they did. $380.
Oh one last thing. Upon leaving Mexico as a resident, you'll have to fill out another INM form and present it on exit. The officer will stamp it and hand the large part of it back to you to keep. You must present it upon your return to Mexico so hang onto it!
First, we prepared the initial application in our home country of USA. They have an English version of instructions if need be. We made an online appointment at the closest consulate (I think it was a couple months out) and brought our application and supporting docs and in about an hour we had our 180-day visas in our passports. Now we had 180 days to present ourselves at an INM office in Mexico to complete the process and get our ID cards.
We decided to hire an agent to help on the Mexico side. We used Yucatan Expatriate Services in Merida and they were great. They made the INM appointment and prepared the docs we needed. I speak OK Spanish, so I could converse with the immigration officer, but if you don’t, the agent is waiting outside should any questions come up.
On arrival at the airport in Merida, we filled out both sections of the immigration form and got in the Mexico nationals line. (We read multiple places that you must go in that line, but later I asked the immigration officer at the INM office and she said it didn’t matter, at least at Merida airport. Might be different elsewhere. She also said when coming in with your resident card it doesn’t matter which line.) The officer stamped our visa page and INM form. He tore off the bottom portion, and wrote “canje” on it and gave it to us. The passport and this form must all go to the immigration office with you at your appointment. Don’t forget to also get a customs form and fill out prior to getting in the customs line.
We met with the Yucatan Expat Services agent on a Monday at their office to fill out the paperwork and pay them their fees and the Mexico residency fee. They don’t take cash at the immigration office, so everybody has to go pay into their account at a bank first and bring the receipt. Another reason to use an agent, just so you don’t have to hassle with that.
Our appointment at INM was on Thursday. We met with our agent about 15 minutes before our assigned time. Times are in half hour slots. When the time comes, they call in everybody for that time slot. They had a tent type thing set up outside where probably 30 people were sitting and then maybe 6 of us went inside. Note the agent cannot go in with you, but you can ask that they come in to answer a question if you get stuck. There probably won’t be any questions, just instructions to sign here or there. We connected with the agent on WhatsApp so we could just text her to come in.
We signed in with a security guard and then were given a plastic card with a window number. Then we went into the main processing area and waited until we were called. After sitting outside in the Spring Merida heat, the INM office felt like a refrigerator. Some officers were even wearing jackets.
You have maybe 3 or 4 papers to sign. They take your picture, front and both sides. They do electronic fingerprints, and you sign once with a tablet. This signature will show up on your card. The process takes a half hour to 45 minutes. Then we walked out with our cards. Done. Well one of us did the first time. It wasn’t all 100% smooth, however. They couldn’t finish mine because a system went down. It’s the system that assigns CURP numbers. It’s like the US Social Security number. So I had to come back the next day and it was thankfully back up. They just worked me in and that took maybe an hour and a half to get seen and finished up. I am assuming the process might be different in different offices, so just keep in mind this is how it went at the INM office in Merida. This is the office north of el centro. Everyone there was very courteous and helpful.
All in all an easy and effortless experience. Just get a good agent. And I will note some agents ask for a retainer up front. Yucatan Expat Services did not. We paid them in person, and it was very reasonable from my perspective for what they did. $380.
Oh one last thing. Upon leaving Mexico as a resident, you'll have to fill out another INM form and present it on exit. The officer will stamp it and hand the large part of it back to you to keep. You must present it upon your return to Mexico so hang onto it!
