Mexico Student Visa: Temporary Resident Student Status

It depends on how long you study:

The temporary resident student status is defined in Article 52, section VIII, of the Migration Law. It covers courses, degrees, research projects, and training at institutions in Mexico's national education system (sistema educativo nacional).

Your school must be part of Mexico's national education system. Public universities are, and private schools join it when the Secretariat of Public Education (SEP) or a state authority grants official recognition of their programs (Reconocimiento de Validez Oficial de Estudios, or RVOE). Before you pay a deposit, ask the school to confirm in writing that your program is officially recognized and that its international office can issue the acceptance letter consulates expect.

Common student situations:

• Full degree programs (bachelor's, master's, doctorate): temporary resident student visa.
• Semester or year exchanges longer than 180 days: temporary resident student visa, even if your home university sends you.
• Spanish courses, summer programs, and short exchanges of 180 days or less: visitor status.
• Research stays at a Mexican institution: temporary resident student visa if longer than 180 days, with a letter from the host institution describing the project.

If you are moving with children who will attend school in Mexico, see schools in Mexico.

Requirements are set by Mexico's visa guidelines, and each consulate publishes its own list. Expect to provide:

• Passport and the visa application form, plus a photo.
• Proof of legal status in the country where you apply, if you are not a citizen there.
• An acceptance letter from the Mexican school. It usually needs to show your name, the program, its start and end dates, and the school's details.
• Proof of funds to cover tuition, food, and housing.

Funds rules vary. For example, the Embassy of Mexico in Canada asks for proof of job, pension, or scholarship income over CAD 2,090 a month for the last 3 months, or bank balances averaging CAD 21,760 over the last 3 months. It accepts parents' accounts for applicants under 25, and students holding a Mexican government scholarship do not need to prove funds. Check the figures at the consulate where you apply.

Minors need consent from both parents. Documents issued in a third country may need an apostille and a Spanish translation.

1. Get your acceptance letter from the Mexican institution.
2. Book a visa appointment at a Mexican consulate. In the US, appointments are made through MiConsulado. See Mexican consulates.
3. Attend the interview with originals and copies, and pay the visa fee.
4. Enter Mexico within the visa's validity (one entry).
5. Within 30 calendar days, apply at INM for your student card. See the canje.

Article 118 of the Migration Regulation says student visa requests cannot be filed directly with INM. You must go through a consulate.

The student card covers the length of your studies, up to the date you receive your certificate, diploma, or degree. The Migration Law says it must be renewed every year. At each renewal you show a letter or certificate from your school confirming you are still enrolled. See renewing your residency.

Yes, in limited cases. Students in higher education, graduate programs, or research can get permission to do paid work (Migration Law, Article 52). You need:

• A letter from your school agreeing to it (carta de conformidad).
• A job offer in an activity related to your field of study, from an employer registered with INM.

INM then adds work permission to your card. Students in lower-level programs cannot work. See work permits for residents.

• Entering as a tourist by mistake. When you arrive, tell the immigration officer you have a student visa. If you are admitted as a visitor instead, you cannot do the canje and may have to leave and apply again.
• Missing the 30-day window. Apply at INM within 30 calendar days of entry. Late applications can lead to fines or a refusal.
• Forgetting the yearly renewal. Apply within the 30 days before your card expires, with a current enrollment letter.
• Changing programs or schools. Your status is tied to the studies in your acceptance letter. Tell INM about changes and ask whether you need a new authorization.
• Working without permission. Paid work without INM permission can lead to losing your status.

Once you have your card, you can get a CURP and open a bank account more easily. See getting a CURP and opening a bank account.

Student residents have the right to family unity. Your spouse, minor children, and parents can apply to join you. See family unity.

A temporary resident student can change to regular temporary residency at any time if they qualify (Regulation, Article 141). This is useful if you get a job or want to stay after graduating.

Time spent as a student resident does not count toward Mexican naturalization, according to the Foreign Ministry's naturalization requirements. See naturalization.