Mexico Residency Income and Savings Requirements for 2026

The visa guidelines do not list a dollar or peso amount. They set a number of days of UMA. The UMA is a reference unit that INEGI (Mexico's statistics institute) updates each year for inflation; Mexican law uses it instead of the minimum wage for fines, fees and legal thresholds.

A consulate works out its figure in three steps:

1. Take the number of UMA days in the guidelines (for example, 680 for temporary residency income).
2. Multiply by the current daily UMA (117.31 pesos in 2026) to get the threshold in pesos.
3. Convert the pesos into local currency at the exchange rate the consulate chooses.

Step 3 is why figures differ between consulates and can change during the year. Some consulates also round or ask for extra documents. Always use the figures published by the consulate where you will apply.

Why the minimum wage is not the basis any more

The repealed 2014 guidelines used days of minimum wage, and many websites still quote those old multiples: 300 days (income) or 5,000 days (savings) for temporary residency, and 500 or 20,000 days for permanent residency. Those figures are outdated. Since August 9, 2025, every solvency threshold is stated in UMA days, and no official source says any consulate still uses the minimum wage. The 2026 minimum wage matters for wages and employment, not for visa solvency.

For a temporary resident visa based on economic solvency, you meet one of these two tests. See temporary residency by financial solvency for the full process.

The exchange rate of 17.23 pesos per US dollar is the rate implied by the Mexican Consulate in Las Vegas' 2026 requirement sheet, which lists US$4,630 in monthly income or US$78,025 in savings. It is shown only as an example. Your consulate may use a different rate.

A consulate can issue a permanent resident visa directly to retirees and pensioners (jubilados o pensionados). You meet one of these tests. See permanent residency for retirees.

Note that the income test for permanent residency asks for pension income, not salary. People who do not qualify as retirees usually reach permanent residency after 4 years as a temporary resident or through family ties. See temporary to permanent residency.

• The threshold rises every February with the UMA. In 2025 the temporary income test was 680 x 113.14 = 76,935 pesos; in 2026 it is 79,771 pesos.
• Exchange rates move the dollar figure too. A stronger peso means you need more dollars to meet the same peso amount.
• Consulates are not identical. Two consulates can publish different figures in the same month and ask for different statement formats.
• Borderline cases are risky. Aim to clear the threshold with some margin in every month of the review period.
• Remote workers use the same test. Mexico has no separate digital nomad visa; see remote work and digital nomads.

1. Pick the consulate where you will apply. Consulates generally serve residents of their district; see Mexican consulates.
2. Download that consulate's current requirement sheet and note its figure, currency, and the number of months it wants.
3. Gather 6 months of income records or 12 months of account statements that show you clear that figure in every month.
4. Use the solvency calculator to check your numbers, then confirm with the consulate before your appointment.
5. If you apply after February 1, 2027, check for the new UMA value first.