SRE (Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores)
The SRE, Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores, is Mexico's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In immigration it runs Mexico's embassies and consulates, which issue visas, and it handles naturalization and some permits for foreigners.
Its role for foreigners
- Visas: Mexican consulates abroad, part of the SRE, interview applicants and issue residency and visitor visas.
- Nationality: the SRE issues the carta de naturalización and certificates of Mexican nationality by birth.
- Property: foreigners need an SRE permit to buy property through a fideicomiso in restricted zones, or to agree to the foreigner clause elsewhere.
- Passports: for Mexican citizens.
The SRE runs more than 50 consulates in the United States and several in Canada, so most readers deal with the SRE through a local consulate appointment.
The SRE does not run immigration inside Mexico; that is the INM. See Mexican consulates and naturalization in Mexico.
Frequently asked questions
Is the SRE the same as the INM?
No. The SRE handles foreign affairs and consulates; the INM handles immigration inside Mexico.
Where do I apply for Mexican citizenship?
With the SRE, which issues the carta de naturalización.
Does the SRE issue tourist permits?
No. Visitors get an FMM from INM at entry. Consulates issue visitor visas where needed.
Official sources
- SRE: Official sitegob.mx
General information, not legal advice. NorthAmericans.com is independent and not affiliated with any government.