Requesting an Appointment with a Mexican Consulate
If you have ever attempted to call a Mexican consulate for information or to schedule an appointment, you know how frustrating it can be. Typically, you are not able to speak to a human being; you may receive a constant busy signal or a message stating they will not answer questions over the phone. However, did you know some consulates allow you to register and request an appointment online? Continue reading to find out how.
To apply for a residency in Mexico, either temporary or permanent, you need to request an appointment at a Mexican consulate. To do so, you are not necessarily required to visit the consulate located in your hometown for this; you may apply online for any Mexican consulate around the world.
In a few consulates, making an appointment is not required, some of them will accept walk-in procedures or appointment requests. However, in the majority of Mexican consulates, there are only three ways to request an appointment, and the appointment process is decided by the consulates individually. To know what option is available at the consulate of your choice, you can visit the Mexican consulate´s individual web page. The options include email, phone call, or online through MiConsulado (also called ConsulMex).
To schedule an appointment through MiConsulado, click on the following link:
On the MiConsulado website, create an account, fill in the form with the required information, and set up a password. Once the registration is completed, log in to your account, select the language, country, zip code, and schedule an appointment for the date you prefer among the consulate’s availability. To get an appointment through MiConsulado, you will also have to provide your complete name, date of birth, passport number, email address, phone number, and information of an emergency contact.
Note that in some consulates and during busy periods of the year, you will have to wait until the beginning of the month to see the availability for the month, in other cases the consulate will issue new appointment slots every week or a specific day of the month.
Immediately after completing the appointment formulary and choosing the date, you will be able to download the appointment slip and will also receive it through a confirmation by email; print it and bring this appointment slip to your appointment along with the other required documentation.
Example: https://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/shanghai/images/pdf/MiConsulado_2206_ENG.pdf
Requirements may vary depending on the consulate you are dealing with. For instance, in certain Mexican consulates, applicants may only qualify for temporary residency if they are investors in Mexico, and financial records may not be accepted for this purpose, unlike consulates in Canada and the US.
In all Mexican consulates, you are required to bring your valid passport with at least a six months validity left before the expiration date, the original, and one photocopy. A passport-size photograph: white background, clear view of the face (glasses or other accessories are NOT ALLOWED, filters or image alterations are NOT ALLOWED.), a completed and both sided printed visa application form, which may be downloaded online from the consulate´s website, and $53 USD for the visa application fee, typically required in cash or credit/debit card (we recommend you bring both methods of payment).
For financial solvency, in general, you are required to supply documents proving economic solvency such as:
- Original (notarized or stamped by the financial institution in many cases) and one photocopy of investments or savings account statements from the previous consecutive 12 (twelve) months.
or
If by income: Bank statements for the last 6 (six) months with a monthly income per person and must provide the corresponding document of the following:
- Original document proving employment or pension (employment letter; labor contract; payroll; pension voucher, etc.). If the applicant is retired: Must provide proof of retirement (an OFFICIAL DOCUMENT THAT STATES RETIREMENT).
- Self-employed persons must provide proof of commercial or business license.
- Individuals who are self-employed WITHOUT having a registered trade or business must provide proof of income with one of the following options: Submit a 1099 form from your client showing how much income you have generated with him/her; pay stubs; proof of direct deposits; rental agreement (if income is from rental property), etc.
All bank statements must be submitted monthly split and with a verification letter from the financial institution or bank.
The consulates require an average monthly balance of a determined sum of funds for the last 12 months or proof of a determined monthly income.
The financial requirements may differ between consulates and may fluctuate with the exchange rate. Generally speaking, to receive temporary residency, you need to prove you have investments or savings account statements of over $74,000 USD from the last 12 (twelve) months, or bank statements or paystubs from the last 6 (six) months. The monthly income must exceed $4,400 USD plus $1,500 USD average for each dependent.
Canadian and US Mexican consulates will accept property ownership in Mexico valued over $9,957,200.00 Mexican pesos or $575,000 USD average or ownership in a Mexican company with $290,000 USD average invested in shares or properties, including real estate property in the company´s name.
For permanent residency, the required financials are $290,000 USD in investments or savings, or $7,400 USD average of salary or pension per month.
Due to constantly changing requirements and false information about residency in Mexico, you may want to speak to professionals. Ensure your procedure is done correctly and efficiently; contact an immigration specialist at Mexlaw.