What it takes to Qualify, Apply & Get Approved for Mexican Residency at your Local Mexican Consulate

[@300rivers4]

OMG!! This was so helpful. I have my appointment here in the states scheduled for June. Really glad I finally got with the program. Things change so much that you really have to strike when the iron is hot or you could end up paying a great deal more or missing out all together.

[@freelatinlife]

Thank-you for that kind comments! SO glad you found it helpful! We are excited that you are pursuing your dream. We would really like to hear about your experience and now that goes! Over a few years I have noted that other programs for residency have gotten more expensive and some have gone away entirely. The program in Mexico has been climbing in requirements (not actual cost) but is still attainable for many people. Even if you don't plan on moving for a while, you can qualify for residency and then have it for when you are ready. Here is our experience following through the second part of the process at INM in Merida, Yucatan: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qaW3kIyjbLeLrqc Thank-you for watching and please do share your experiences as well.

[@karenhoskins9067]

Thank you for your informative videos, you have inspired us. Next week we have appointments at the Vancouver consulate for temporary residency..so excited to have an option in this ever changing world..enjoy Mexico and all the beautiful experiences it has to offer!,

[@freelatinlife]

Super cool. Thanks for your note. Please keep in contact and let me know how it goes. Maybe we can do a video chat and share your experiences with the channel.

[@quintinjansevanvuuren9638]

Happy to support the channel! Planning a move to Mexico myself so I will keep a keen eye on your growth man.

[@freelatinlife]

Hi Quintin! It’s exciting times we are in. Mexico is an amazing country to explore and so many engaging and welcoming people. We are interested to hear of your experiences and questions you have about Mexico. I notice your Dutch name. I married a pretty Dutch girl whom you will see in the videos. Glad to have you along as we explore and learn!

[@quintinjansevanvuuren9638]

@@freelatinlife Not so much a question as a slight observation I've made. But I try and get my information from youtube channels such as yours and base my findings off of first hand accounts from people who've already gone through the process. I don't necessarily want to believe what a government website tells me as objective truth when the reality could be different. And you're right the name is Dutch! I'm an Afrikaaner so I'll be relocating from South Africa.

[@freelatinlife]

Let us know when you are through the process then. We'd love to hear how your experience went.

[@keithhannah8695]

Hola! Just subscribed! Had my interview at the Toronto Mexican Consulate three weeks ago. The photos you brought were attached to the residence application forms you filled out. My appointment was at 10 a.m. and I returned at 1 p.m. to receive my passport with the residence stamp!! Whoo hoo ! 🥳 In the process of downsizing and getting ready for the big move. Will complete the secondary process in Mexico with the help of a lawyer. Keep the videos coming. Viva la Mexico!!🇲🇽

[@freelatinlife]

Hi Keith. Glad to have you aboard! Yeah, the photos I brought were attached to my application ... I could be wrong and have miscounted them but still don't think they took one of them ... they photographed us at the consulate. Downsizing is HARD but is SO freeing! Where are you planning for a destination? We've done some exploring of other areas beyond Merida and have some videos coming from those travels too. We'd LOVE to hear of your experiences! Glad to have you along and keep in touch!

[@keithhannah8695]

@@freelatinlife Hola! Watched all your posted videos, I'd have a field day in that bakery shop your visited! I'm looking at the Pacific side of Mexico, my brother's father-in-law was originally from Vancouver, but has lived in Sayulita for 25 plus years and tells me the sunsets are amazing. My top locations for scouting out my new home town are Bucerías, Mazatlán, and the Huatulco coastal area. Possible also Puerto Escondido, any one of those beach towns in that area. Will check out each area for a month or two and decided what's best for me. Definitely renting first before buying anything long term. Will be flying into Mexico first, but have plans to return to Canada and drive my pickup truck down with some personal items. It's going to be a busy summer and fall, but all good.

[@freelatinlife]

We have friends further up the coast from buscarías and spent a little time there last week. Huatulco is a super cool area. We have a very good contact there for rental or buying homes. Let me know. Thanks for watching!

[@davidsebastianelli1326]

@@keithhannah8695 You should know that if you get a Permanent Resident Visa you cannot drive your foreign plated truck into Mexico without having to pay thousands of dollars to be able to import it. You or your spouse can drive a foreign plated vehicle back and forth with no problem on a Temporary Resident Visa. You do need to purchase a TIP or Temp. Import Permit though. BTW-The hipper surf town of Puerto gets hot along with the more quiet town of Huatulco. Bucerias is getting bigger fast and has a lot of new condos being built. You probably already know Sayulita is a pretty small town. Mazatlan is beautiful with perfect weather in the summer months with more things to do but it still gets pretty hot in the summer. I moved to Ensenada from LA last year and the weather here is better than most other beach communities in Mexico. You don't need ac to live here. I've surfed and beach camped throughout Baja and parts of mainland Mex for over 40 years so I knew what I was getting myself into. I have friends who have lived in Merida, where it was 101 degrees today and know I would rather be able to go outside than spend more money than needed to run my ac all day. Buena suerte!

[@davidsebastianelli1326]

Buena suerte y buen viaje desde Ensenada!

[@freelatinlife]

Hi David. Thanks for watching!

[@profeagayu]

Thanks for sharing your experience

[@freelatinlife]

Glad it’s helpful! Is this something you are considering? I’m interested in your story. Thanks for watching!!

[@profeagayu]

@Free Latin Life I plan on moving to Mexico with my family of 4 by the end of the summer. Since I am the only one with US citizenship in the family, I discovered it's easier to book an appointment in the US, get the residency, then send for the family later. I already have an appointment for next month at the McAllen Consulate so hopefully everything goes smooth. However, it is good to hear the experiences of others during this process. Since we live between the Dominican Republic and Ecuador, we are eligible to apply in those countries, however it is impossible to get and an appointment at the consulate in DR and extremely difficult to get one in Ecuador. That's why I decided to go to McAllen instead. Also, I hear it is better to send for the family one you have the residency.

[@freelatinlife]

Yes, strangely it seems that if you apply including your family, the financial requirements are higher, but, if you get residency and then bring your family in you can get them residency from yours. You will need to 'legalize' or apostile their documents (passports, birth certificates and marriage certificates) before bringing them in.

[@profeagayu]

@@freelatinlife Will do. Thanks for the advice and I appreciate the good info as well as sharing your experience.

[@freelatinlife]

You are very very welcome. We love sharing what we have learned as others have done with us. Where in Mexico will you be going?

[@babysweetcheeks6384]

Your video was very informative. I'm in search of a good immigration facilitator. Could I please have her name? I am moving to Merida soon and want to complete residency also😊

[@freelatinlife]

Sorry for the delayed response if you’re still looking reach out by email, and I will make the connection personally

[@michellog]

can't you just apply for permanent residency? wondering why did you apply for temp. residency?

[@SoronQuenta]

Because that’s the process, the permanent residency it’s unlocked after 4 consecutive years of temporary residency.

[@freelatinlife]

We didn't try right off. Apparently you can go to the trouble of showing a larger portfolio of financial assets and skip right to permanent residency, or you can get temporary residency and renew after a year and then (in most cases) convert to permanent residency once you renew after another three years. I have heard that some folks are showing the requirements for permanent but only being given temporary, have to confirm that with our immigration lawyer. I have been considering juggling all that around and showing the requirements and then just being done and having permanent in place. But, that's why ... just what Soron Quenta said.

[@davidsebastianelli1326]

Sometimes it's to your benefit for either you or your spouse to get a Temporary Resident Visa to start off. You can then drive your foreign plated vehicle for the four years until you exchange it for a Permanent Resident Visa. You get a TIP (Temp. import permit) and can come and go as you please. If you start with a Permanent Resident Visa you have to sell your car and buy one down there if you need to come back for anything.

[@freelatinlife]

Hi David. Interesting observation! I never thought of that! Thanks for watching!

[@yomeroc9713]

So officially are you immigrant in mexico or are you xpat?

[@freelatinlife]

Good question. Maybe there isn’t a difference but we viewed our plan as adopting a new country, culture and language and not simply living somewhere else. No problem just living somewhere else but this is our thinking.

[@fernandozome1750]

There are mexican INM Lawyers, that get all your paper work done, without any hustle..

[@freelatinlife]

Hi Fernando. Yeah that can help. In fact our lawyer was a ton of help. I was just freaking out about qualifying so triple over prepared. Then it all went off without a hitch. Thanks for the comment Fernando and thanks for watching!

[@nycgetsocial]

Hi. May i have your immigration facilitator's contact information.

[@freelatinlife]

Our facilitator has a small problem right now. She can complete your paperwork and coach you but can’t attend INM with you. When you attend INM your facilitator has to stay outside and can only come in if you have trouble and ask to bring her in. We have attended twice now; once for temporary residency and once to renew. She explained how it works so well that we don’t need her to come in. She is very familiar and gave us good coaching. We were very comfortable with attending without here there the second time. The first time she just waited outside until we were done. I can still get you in contact with her if that works. She had been knowledgeable and taught us what we needed to know. What would you like?

[@putheflamesoutyahoo1503]

Temp permit? Better get a deal if you buy a home...

[@freelatinlife]

Thanks for watching. Sorry I didn’t understand your question or comment.

[@davidsebastianelli1326]

FYI-You don't need to be resident to purchase property in Mexico.

[@freelatinlife]

Surprisingly David many people don’t know this! There are also misunderstandings about buying in a trust.

[@avasco5918]

Hey bienvenido! Now just find a job, get to work and…pay taxes😝.

[@freelatinlife]

Yes sir! ;-). Thanks for watching!