Mexican Consulate in New York: Residency Visa Requirements and Process

The Consulate General of Mexico in New York serves people who live in its consular district. Its visa department issues visitor, student, temporary resident, and permanent resident visas.

The consulate's 2026 temporary resident sheet says this visa is for you if you will be in Mexico for more than 180 days and less than 4 years, and you do not have a job offer or work authorization from Mexico. If you have a Mexican job offer, your employer starts the process at INM. See job offer visa.

Book a visa appointment through MiConsulado (citas.sre.gob.mx, or by phone or WhatsApp at +1 424 309 0009), the appointment system used by Mexican consulates in the US. For questions about requirements, the consulate's visa department can be reached at 212-217-6400.

Each applicant usually needs their own appointment. Book once your documents are complete.

The consulate's 2026 sheet lists these general requirements:

• The visa application form, completed in advance.
• Your valid passport, original and a photocopy.
• If you are not a US citizen: your valid US visa or ESTA, plus your I-20 extension, I-94, J-1, or I-797A, original and a photocopy.
• One passport-size photo: white background, in color, no glasses.
• The fee in cash.

For financial solvency, you also bring either an employment letter with your last 6 months of pay stubs, or your investment or personal bank statements for the last 12 months. If you plan to work remotely from Mexico, the employment letter must say you are allowed to work from abroad.

Mexico's visa guidelines, in force since August 9, 2025, set the financial tests in days of UMA. With the 2026 UMA of 117.31 pesos a day:

The New York consulate's 2026 temporary residency sheet lists:

• Income: a minimum of US$4,200 a month, shown with 6 months of pay stubs; or
• Savings: a minimum balance of US$71,500 in investment or personal bank accounts during the last 12 months.
• Family members: about US$1,400 in average monthly balance per dependent over 12 months, along with the family relationship documents.

These are the consulate's own conversions. Other consulates publish different dollar figures for the same peso rule. Use the solvency calculator and confirm the sheet is still current. The 2026 solvency thresholds page explains how the peso amounts are calculated.

The New York consulate's 2026 sheet lists the application cost as US$56, in cash, exact change. It is generally not refunded if the visa is refused.

A residency visa is valid for one entry within 180 days. When you arrive, tell the immigration officer you are entering with a residency visa. Then, within 30 calendar days, apply at the National Migration Institute (INM) for your resident card. See the canje.

For the full process by visa type, see temporary residency, financial solvency, and permanent residency for retirees. To compare booking methods and published figures across cities, see Mexican consulates.

Before your appointment, check the New York consulate's website for the latest version of the requirement sheet for your visa type. The sheet is updated during the year, and amounts can change after the UMA update each February or with exchange rates.

If you have a prior refusal, criminal record, or past overstay in Mexico, talk to a licensed Mexican immigration lawyer first.