Political Asylum (Asilo Político)

The application for Political Asylum (Asilo Político) is a discretionary process managed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores or SRE). Unlike refugee status, which requires you to be on Mexican soil, you can initiate this process from abroad.

Applying from Outside Mexico (Consular Route)

1. Submit the Request: Visit the nearest Mexican Embassy or Consulate. You must present a formal Written Request detailing the political motives for your persecution, the specific threats to your life or liberty, and why you cannot remain in your country.
2. Provisional Admission: The SRE will review your initial claim. If they find merit, they may grant you provisional admission.
3. Safe Passage: If you are currently inside an embassy and facing immediate danger, the Mexican government may negotiate a salvoconducto (safe passage) with your local government to allow you to travel safely to Mexico.
4. The Interview: You will undergo a formal interview with consular or SRE officials to verify the details of your political persecution.
5. Final Decision: The SRE, in coordination with the Ministry of the Interior (SEGOB), will issue a final decision. If approved, you will be issued documentation to enter Mexico as a permanent resident.

Applying from Within Mexico

1. File with the SRE: If you are already in Mexico or at a port of entry (such as an airport), you must submit your Written Request directly to the SRE headquarters or the immigration authorities at the border.
2. Interview and Review: You will be interviewed by officials to establish that your persecution is specifically for political beliefs, affiliations, or offenses, rather than generalized violence.
3. Resolution: While your case is pending, you are protected by the principle of non-refoulement (non-return), meaning Mexico cannot send you back to the country where you are in danger.
4. Status Granting: Upon approval, you will receive Permanent Resident status, which includes an unrestricted right to work.

The application for political asylum is entirely free of charge (gratuito) under Mexican law.

Item	Cost
Application Fee	$0.00 MXN
Issuance of Permanent Resident Card	$0.00 MXN
Interview and Processing	$0.00 MXN

Total Estimate: $0.00 MXN

Does not include: Costs for professional translation of evidence into Spanish, private legal counsel, or personal travel and living expenses while awaiting a decision.

Processing times for political asylum are not fixed by law and vary significantly based on the diplomatic sensitivity of the case.

• High-Profile Cases: Can be resolved in days or weeks if there is an immediate threat to life and high diplomatic priority.
• Standard Cases: Typically take several months to process through the SRE and SEGOB.
• Document Validity: Once granted, your Permanent Resident status does not expire. However, you must apply for naturalization (citizenship) if you wish to obtain a Mexican passport, which is generally possible after 5 years of residency (or 2 years for nationals of Latin American countries or Spain).
• The 30-Day Rule: While political asylum is more flexible than refugee status, it is highly recommended to submit your request within 30 business days of entering Mexico to demonstrate the urgency of your need for protection.