Mexico Spouse of a permanent resident

For the foreign spouse or concubino/concubina of a permanent resident of Mexico. It gives temporary residence for two years, then permanent residence if the bond continues. ^{1 2 3 4 5 6 7}

What you must show and pay

• Savings of at least MXN 25,808.2 (≈ $1,410) · Applies only when the permanent resident holds a permanent-resident visa and not yet the resident card: investments or bank accounts with an average monthly balance equivalent to 220 days of UMA over the last 12 months, as proof of means to support the spouse or partner during the stay (220 UMA days x MXN 117.31 (≈ $6) daily UMA 2026). No money test applies when the permanent resident holds the resident card. ^{6 7}
• Income of over MXN 25,808.2 a month (≈ $1,410) · Applies only when the permanent resident holds a permanent-resident visa and not yet the resident card, in place of the bank balance: employment or pension income, free of liens, above the equivalent of 220 days of UMA per month over the last 6 months (220 UMA days x MXN 117.31 (≈ $6) daily UMA 2026). No money test applies when the permanent resident holds the resident card. ^{6 7}
• A fee of MXN 247.96 (≈ $14) · INM authorisation of a visa request by family unit or job offer, filed with INM (Ley Federal de Derechos art. 14 Bis). ^{5 6}
• A fee of MXN 990.79 (≈ $54) · Consular visa fee, Ley Federal de Derechos art. 22 (III d); paid at the consulate. ^{5 6}
• A fee of MXN 16,693.36 (≈ $910) · Temporary resident card for two years, issued by INM in Mexico (Ley Federal de Derechos art. 8 VI b). ⁵

Requirements

• Married to, or in a concubinato or equivalent partnership with, a permanent resident of Mexico. ^{1 2}
• Applying from outside Mexico: the permanent resident must accompany the applicant to the consulate. ²
• When the permanent resident holds only a permanent-resident visa and not yet the resident card, proof of means to support the spouse is required: a 12-month average bank or investment balance of 220 UMA days (MXN 25,808.20 (≈ $1,410)), or employment or pension income above that amount per month over the last 6 months. ^{6 7}
• Marriage certificate or concubinato proof issued under the law of the place where it was formed (original and copy). ²
• The permanent resident shows a valid resident card, or a valid permanent-resident visa when the card has not been issued yet (original). ⁶
• Consular interview; issuance depends on its result. ²
• Already in Mexico as a visitor or student resident: change status at INM. ³
• Temporary residence is granted for two years under the Migration Law. ¹
• After two years the spouse can obtain permanent residence if the marriage or concubinato still exists. ^{1 3}

Stay

• Temporary residence for two years; permanent residence available after that while the marital bond continues.
• Initial permitted stay: 24 months.
• Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.

Work

Temporary residents can obtain a work permit for an activity tied to a job offer; permanent residents may work for pay.

Family

Minor unmarried children of the permanent resident or of the spouse can also be admitted.

Checked 2026-10-12

Official sources

1. Ley de Migración (arts. 52 to 56 and 111; text as last amended DOF 29 April 2022) · Cámara de Diputados / Instituto Nacional de Migración · checked 2026-10-12
2. Lineamientos generales para la expedición de visas (DOF 10-10-2014) · Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores / Instituto Nacional de Migración · checked 2026-10-11
3. Cambio de condición de estancia a residente temporal por vínculo familiar · Instituto Nacional de Migración · checked 2026-10-11
4. Incremento a los salarios mínimos para 2026 · Comisión Nacional de los Salarios Mínimos · checked 2026-10-11
5. Ley Federal de Derechos, arts. 8, 11, 14 Bis and 22 (text current to DOF 7 Nov 2025, amounts for 2026) · Cámara de Diputados · checked 2026-10-11
6. Lineamientos en materia de visas (DOF 25 July 2025): Trámites 5, 6, 7, 10 · Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores / Diario Oficial · checked 2026-10-12 · published 2025-07-25
7. Comunicado 1/26: Unidad de Medida y Actualización 2026 (daily MXN 117.31) · INEGI · checked 2026-10-12 · published 2026-01-08