Mexico Family Unity Residency: Joining a Mexican or Resident Relative

Mexico's Migration Law protects the right of families to stay together (preservación de la unidad familiar). Mexicans, temporary residents, and permanent residents can bring certain relatives with them or ask for them to join later. The status the relative receives depends on who the sponsor is.

Unlike other residency routes, many family cases can be handled inside Mexico at INM. Article 53 of the Migration Law lets visitors with a family tie to a Mexican or to a foreign resident change status, and Article 118 of the Migration Regulation lets a family member in Mexico file a visa request directly with INM.

"Minor" means under 18, unmarried, and under the sponsor's legal care. Common-law partnerships (concubinato) count when proven under the rules of the place where they were recognized.

Parents and grandparents of Mexicans by birth have their own route to permanent residency. See permanent residency through family.

It depends on the sponsor:

• Spouse of a Mexican citizen: no financial test. The Las Vegas consulate's 2026 sheet states that economic solvency does not apply to marriage with a Mexican national.
• Relatives of foreign residents: the resident must show funds to support each relative: 220 UMA days (25,808.20 pesos in 2026) as monthly income over 6 months or as an average balance over 12 months. The Las Vegas consulate lists this as US$1,498 per person; the Montreal consulate as CAD 2,090.

If you are moving as a family at the same time, the main applicant adds 220 UMA days per dependent to their own threshold. See financial solvency and the solvency calculator.

• Your passport, the visa application form, and a photo.
• Proof of the relationship: a marriage certificate, proof of common-law partnership, or birth certificates.
• Proof of the sponsor's status: a Mexican passport or other proof of Mexican nationality, or the foreign resident's valid visa or resident card.
• Proof of funds when the sponsor is a foreign resident.
• Proof of legal status in the country where you apply, if you apply at a consulate and are not a citizen there.

Certificates issued outside the US or Mexico usually need an apostille and an official Spanish translation. Some consulates also require the Mexican or resident relative to attend the appointment with you. The Montreal consulate, for example, accepts family unity applications only when the Mexican or permanent resident comes along.

At a consulate abroad. Book a visa appointment for family unity, bring the documents above, and pay the visa fee. After you enter Mexico, complete the canje at INM within 30 days.

At INM in Mexico. If you are already in Mexico as a visitor and your relative is Mexican or a legal resident, you can usually apply for a change of status at INM (see change of status). Your relative can also file a request at INM for you to receive a visa at a consulate.

Processing times and document lists vary by INM office and consulate, so confirm before you go.

Spouses and partners of Mexicans or permanent residents can change to permanent residency after 2 years as temporary residents, as long as the marriage or partnership continues (Migration Regulation, Article 141). The 2 years count from the date you became a temporary resident based on that relationship. See temporary to permanent residency.

A spouse of a Mexican can also apply for naturalization after 2 years of living together in Mexico. See Mexican naturalization.

• Missing apostilles or translations. Foreign marriage and birth certificates usually need an apostille (or consular legalization) and an official Spanish translation. Certificates from the US or Mexico may be exempt at US consulates; check your consulate's list.
• Names that don't match. Names on certificates, passports, and the sponsor's documents should match. Bring extra proof (for example a name change record) if they don't.
• The sponsor's status expires. Relatives of a temporary resident can only hold status for as long as the main resident's card lasts. Renew on time.
• Wrong route for parents. Parents of Mexicans by birth can get permanent residency, not temporary. Choosing the right category saves a later change.
• Not updating INM. Report a change of address, workplace, or marital status within 90 days.

Your status is based on the family tie. If a marriage ends before you reach permanent residency, you may need a different basis to stay, such as financial solvency or a job offer. Separation, divorce, or custody issues can be complicated; talk to a licensed Mexican immigration lawyer.