Family Unity Visa (Temporary Resident)

The Family Unity pathway allows you to obtain Mexican residency based on your relationship with a Mexican citizen or a foreign resident. The process is generally split into two stages: a consular interview in your home country and a final registration process once you arrive in Mexico.

Stage 1: The Consular Interview (Outside Mexico)

If you are currently outside of Mexico, you must begin the process at a Mexican consulate.

1. Book an Appointment: Create an account and schedule your interview through the MiConsulado portal. Appointments can be scarce; check for new slots at the beginning of each month.
2. Prepare Your Documents: Gather your passport, the Visa Application Form, and passport-sized photos (3.9 cm x 3.1 cm). You must provide original apostilled (internationally authenticated) or legalized proof of relationship, such as a marriage or birth certificate. These must be translated into Spanish by a certified translator in Mexico.
3. Attend the Interview: Present your documents to a consular officer who will verify the "authenticity of the bond." You may be asked questions about your relationship or your plans in Mexico.
4. Receive Your Visa: If approved, a single-entry visa sticker is placed in your passport. This sticker is valid for 180 days, meaning you must enter Mexico within this timeframe.

Stage 2: The "Canje" (Inside Mexico)

Once you enter Mexico with your visa sticker, you have 30 days to visit the Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM) or National Immigration Institute to exchange your visa for a physical card.

1. Enter Mexico: At the border or airport, ensure the immigration officer marks your entry as Canje (exchange).
2. Submit the INM Application: Visit your local INM office to submit your residency card application. You will need to provide your passport, the visa sticker, and proof of payment for the residency fees.
3. Biometrics: You will be asked to provide fingerprints, a signature, and additional photographs at the INM office.
4. Collect Your Card: After processing, which takes 2 to 6 weeks, you will return to the INM to collect your Temporary Resident card.

Note: If you are already in Mexico on a tourist visa and are married to a Mexican citizen, you may be eligible for a "Change of Condition" to process your residency entirely at a local INM office without leaving the country.

Under the 2026 fee restructuring, Family Unity applicants receive a 50% discount on residency card fees to offset recent government increases.

Item	Cost
Consular Processing Fee	$54 USD (approx.)
1-Year Temporary Resident Card (Standard)	$11,141 MXN
Family Unity Discount (50%)	-$5,570 MXN
Total Government Fees (Estimated)	$54 USD + $5,570 MXN

Total Estimate: Approximately $330 - $380 USD depending on exchange rates.

Does not include: Costs for apostilles or legalizations in your home country, certified Spanish translations (typically $100–$300 USD), or the Permiso para trabajar (work authorization) fee if you intend to work for a Mexican company.

The total time from your first appointment to holding a physical residency card is typically 2 to 3 months.

• Consular Stage: 1 to 10 business days for visa issuance following a successful interview.
• Entry Window: You must enter Mexico within 180 days of receiving the visa sticker.
• INM Registration Window: You must start the Canje process within 30 days of entering Mexico.
• INM Card Issuance: 2 to 6 weeks depending on the specific office backlog (offices in Mexico City, Cancun, and Puerto Vallarta generally take longer).
• Document Validity: Marriage and birth certificates should be "recent," typically issued within 6 months of your application date.

Once obtained, your first Temporary Resident card is usually valid for 1 year. After 2 years (for spouses of Mexicans) or 4 years (for most other family categories), you may apply for permanent residency.