Business Visas:

All foreigners who wish to conduct business activities in Mexico must have a temporary business visa either an FMN or FMVC or a working visa. Terms and requirements may vary depending of the country of providence. 

We offer consultant and advisory services to people who want to retire, travel, live, or relocate to Mexico. We can help with paperwork, legal documents, immigration papers such as:

FMN Business Visa for US and Canadian Citizens who wish to travel to Mexico for business purposes for les than 30 days.

FMVC Business Visa for permanent residents of the US and Canada who wish to travel to Mexico for business purposes for les than 30 days.

Nonimmigrant Visas (FM3): for individuals who wish to prolong their stay for more than 30 days and have multiple entries. This visa is issued for one (1) year and is renewable for four (4) more. As a holder of an FM3 you are allowed to stay in the country as a NON IMMIGRANT for a period of one year. After the fifth year you may acquire the next immigration status (IMMIGRANT) or simply continue as an FM3 holder.

Tourist Visas:

FMT Tourist Visa: This visa is granted for those individuals visiting Mexico for a period of 6 months.    

Immigrant Visas (FM2): This document applies to the IMMIGRANTS. As an immigrant you're not a permanent resident but you are eligible to become an INMIGRADO (permanent resident - for residency in Mexico).

Mexican Visas

There are two kinds of permit: Non-Immigrant and Immigrant:
     • Non Immigrant Permits are for people who intend to visit Mexico for a specific purpose        and then depart;
     • Immigrant Permits are for people who wish to gain permanent residence in Mexico.

You do not have to surrender your natural Citizenship to be granted full resident status in Mexico. Full resident status entitles you to all rights and benefits of a Mexican National (live, work, claim state benefits and to pay taxes) but you cannot vote in Mexican elections.

Non-Immigrant Visas
FMT - Short-Term Non-Immigrant Visa
Short term visas are intended for visitors to Mexico on short term (6 months or less for tourists and 30 days for business trips) visits; usually tourists and short-term business trips. For trips of longer than 6 months, a non-immigrant or immigrant visa should be considered.

FM3 - The Long-Term Non-Immigrant Visa
The FM3 visa is a renewable long term (up to 1 year) permit which gives non-immigrant temporary residency status to the holder. It gives a person the right to live in Mexico (under the terms set out in the visa) but it does not lead to, and cannot be converted to, a visa leading to permanent residency.
There are various categories under which FM3 visas are granted, and these relate to the activities you intend to undertake while in Mexico. Under the terms of the FM3, you are authorized to only undertake certain, specific activities which may be lucrative or non-lucrative, depending on the visa's classification.

Once applied for and granted, the FM3 may be renewed for an additional four years (for a total of five years). After this period, a new FM3 may be applied for and, if granted, will serve for another (max) five year period, renewable annually.
The FM3 may not be exchanged automatically for a visa leading to permanent residency (FM2); a FM2 must be applied for separately. Any years accrued under a FM3 visa are not transferable towards FM2-residency status (see below).
You may apply for an FM3 visa while in Mexico and in possession of a short-term FMT (Tourist/Business Visitors Visa), *

Types of Non-Immigrant Visas
• Tourist Permits
• Traveler In Transit
• Visitors (Common for Business and Investors)
• Students
• Artists and Sports people
• Distinguished Visitors
• Local Visitors
• Provisional Visitors
• Correspondents and Journalists
• Religious Ministers

Tourist Permits
The Mexican Tourist permit is known at the "FMT" (see above); it is very simple to fill out, and available from airlines and ports of entry.
This permit allows visitors to remain in Mexico for a maximum period of 180 days. If the officer at the port of entry does not assign 180 days leave of stay at your point of entry, this permit can be extended to the maximum permitted stay if the original term granted (written on the form at the port of entry) was less than 180 days, by visiting one of the local immigration offices in Mexico, completing the paperwork and paying the administration fee.
You can use a FMT permit to enter Mexico for leisure and also if you plan to scout for and/or invest in Mexican real estate. When you are closing a real estate deal, you will need to show evidence to the Notary Public that your stay in Mexico is legal.

Temporary Business Visits
   Business travelers are usually given 30 days entry as standard.

Traveler in Transit
If you are in transit to another country, but will stay in Mexico for a short while, perhaps even just overnight, you can be issued with a traveler in transit permit, which allows a stay of up to 30 days and is not renewable. Available at all ports of entry to Mexico.

Visitors (Common for Longer Business Visits)
If you plan to visit Mexico on an extended stay for business reasons, you must apply for the Visitors permit (usually a FM3) through your company and state what the purpose of the visit is, and how long it is likely to take. There are also some forms to fill out and a handling fee to pay. Visitor's Permits are issued for up to one year, and are renewable four times, for a maximum of one year each time - for a total maximum period of five years. After the initial five year period, a new FM3 may be applied for (for use over a consecutive five year period) if necessary.

Students
If you want to study in Mexico, a FM3 non-immigrant permit which enables you to live and study in Mexico can be granted by the Consulate. You must be able to prove your ability to be self-sufficient by showing a certain amount of funds in a bank account. The exact amounts change yearly.

Artists and Sports People
These people can apply for an non-immigrant FM3 permit. Each case is considered individually and entry is at the secretary of the Interior’s discretion.

Distinguished Visitors
VIPs, Heads of State, persons on official visits, royalty, et al can be issued with special visitor permits that last for 6 months.

Local Visitors
Special permits for foreigners visiting maritime ports and border cities. The permit allows a maximum stay of 3 days, and you must stay within the 35km 'border zone'.

Provisional Visitors
If you arrive in Mexico without the proper documentation for normal non-immigrant entry (e.g. your passport was lost en-route) you can be issued a Provisional Visitor Permit that allows you 30 days to get the required documentation together necessary for application of normal entry. A deposit or bond is required to guarantee that you will return to where you came from.

Correspondents / Journalists
If you're involved in journalism or media, you can be issued with a FM3 Correspondent's Visa that enables you to carry out journalism work. The permit lasts for a year, but can be renewed as many times as required, provided that you are continuing your journalism work.

Religious Ministers
Religious Ministers or Members of Religious Associations can be issued with a FM3 that allows them to undertake religious duties and services, regardless of which religion it is, as well as social services. Persons wanting this permit will need to register and show their Ministry qualifications.

Mexico's Immigrant Visas
Immigrant Visas are issued to foreign nationals who have the intention of living in Mexico for long periods of time (over one year) and who intend to seek permanent residency in Mexico.

FM2 - The Immigrant Visa
FM2 visas are intended for people seeking permanent residency status in Mexico or those seeking Mexican Citizenship.
There are various categories under which FM2 visas are granted, and these relate to the activities you intend to undertake while in Mexico. Under the terms of the FM2, you are authorized to only undertake certain, specific activities which may be lucrative or non-lucrative.
You must hold an FM2 for a full consecutive five-year period before you may apply for immigrant status or Mexican Citizenship.
You do not need to have held an FM3 visa before applying for an FM2, and any years you may have accrued while living in Mexico under an FM3 permit do not count towards your five-year FM2 qualification period.
If your goal is to seek long-term residency in Mexico, or to become a Mexican Citizen, you should apply for FM2 status (or request a change of status from FM3 to FM2) so that your time starts counting towards the qualification period as soon as possible.
You may apply for an FM2 visa while in Mexico and in possession of an FMT (Tourist/Business Visitors Visa) or an FM3.
Following the five-year qualification period, you may apply for full resident status. When this has been accepted you are entitled to full rights and responsibilities as any other Mexican Citizen, with the exception of the right to vote; you may also, at this stage, begin your application for Mexican Citizenship.

Upon receiving immigrated status, you will receive a document called FM2 which enables you pass through Mexico's borders as if you were a Mexican National.
You do not, under Mexican law, need to surrender your national passport, which you'll use when you return to your home country: either for visits, or when returning home to dwell.
If you stay outside of Mexico for longer than 2 years, or for 5 years in any 10 year period, you will lose your permanent resident status in Mexico.
Listed below are the kinds of people who may apply for FM2 visas:

Retirees
If you are over 50 years of age, and want to engage in "non-remunerative activities" and you are receiving funds from abroad from a pension or other investments or fixed income at least $21,036 Pesos approximately $1,912 dollars a month and $10,518 pesos approximately 956 per month for each dependent (e.g. spouse, children). Amounts may change without notice.

Investors
You can receive an immigration permit if you are willing to invest your capital in Mexico. You investment can be directed at industry or services, and must equal a minimum of $1,267,340 pesos approximately $124,303 dollars. Amounts may change without notice.
Confidencial Positions.
To undertake any Confidential Position of management, sole administration or others of absolute confidence in a company or institution established in the Country prior judgment by the Secretary of the interior that there are no duplicity in the positions and that the service is requires the entry to the country.

Professionals
If you are a qualified professional, you can have your certificates validated by the Mexican Consulate and apply for an immigration visa to live in Mexico and seek permanent residence there. You must be sponsored by a company who must satisfy the authorities that you are essential to their operative requirements.

Technical or Scientific Professions
If you are a qualified technician or scientist, Mexico offers a category of visa which enables you to live and work in Mexico under sponsorship from a foreign company. For example, if the company wants to open an office or factory in Mexico, a person or persons representing that company may enter Mexico to manage the commercial operations on a long term basis.
Artists and Sports People
Artists or sports people who seek long term permanent residency in Mexico may apply for a FM2 visa. Each case is considered individually and entry is at the Secretary of the Interior’s discretion.

Relatives/Family
To live under the economic dependency of your spouse or blood relative, immigrant, Immigrated or Mexican in direct line without limitation and transversal to the second.
The immigrant’s relatives may be authorized by the Secretary of the Interior to perform the activities established in the regulations.
The children and brothers of the immigrants or Mexicans may only be admitted under this characteristic when they are under age, unless they have a proven impediment to work or study in a stable manner.

Assimilated
Tu perform any honest and legal activity, in case the foreigner has been assimilated to the national activities or have had or have a spouse or Mexican child and are not included in the abovementioned options.