Mexico Temporary Residency by Financial Solvency: Income and Savings Rules

Financial solvency (solvencia económica) means you can support yourself in Mexico without a Mexican job. It is one of the reasons listed in Mexico's Lineamientos Generales para la expedición de visas, the visa guidelines published in the Diario Oficial de la Federación (DOF) on July 25, 2025, and in force since August 9, 2025.

The guidelines state every threshold in days of UMA. The UMA (Unidad de Medida y Actualización) is a reference value that Mexico's statistics institute, INEGI, updates each February. In 2026 it is 117.31 pesos a day.

Many websites still quote older rules based on days of minimum wage (300 days of income or 5,000 days of savings). Those came from the 2014 guidelines, which were repealed. Use the UMA figures instead.

You need to meet one of the two tests. The guidelines treat them as alternatives.

The amounts go up each February when the new UMA takes effect. If you apply after February 1, 2027, check the new value first. The solvency calculator does the math, and 2026 solvency thresholds shows the timeline.

Consulates publish their own conversions into local currency. They use different exchange rates and update their sheets at different times. These are figures we found on official consulate requirement sheets in 2026:

These are examples, not a promise. Always use the current sheet from the consulate where you will apply, and aim to clear its figure with a margin in every month. See the list of Mexican consulates.

Remote workers. Mexico has no separate digital nomad visa, so remote employees and freelancers usually apply under financial solvency. Salary deposits count toward the income test. Some consulates ask for more: the San Diego consulate wants an employer letter that explicitly agrees to you living in Mexico and working remotely, and the New York consulate's sheet says the employment letter should state you are allowed to work from abroad. See remote work and digital nomads.

Retirees. Pensions, annuities, and Social Security count as income. If your after-tax pension is above 1,140 UMA days a month (133,733.40 pesos in 2026), or your savings average 45,850 UMA days (5,378,663.50 pesos), you may be able to skip temporary residency and apply for permanent residency as a retiree. If you are below that, temporary residency now and permanent residency after 4 years is the common path.

Requirements differ by consulate, but these are common:

For the savings test

• Bank or investment statements for each of the last 12 months, in your name.
• Many consulates want originals or statements with the bank's official stamp, or a signed letter from the bank listing each month's balance. The Vancouver consulate says it does not accept electronic statements unless they carry the bank's original ink stamp.

For the income test

• Statements for each of the last 6 months showing the deposits.
• Proof of the source: an employment letter and pay stubs, or a pension or Social Security benefit letter.
• Self-employed applicants may need a business license or proof such as client 1099 forms (the Las Vegas consulate lists these).
• If you work remotely, the San Diego consulate asks for a signed letter on company letterhead that explicitly agrees to you living in Mexico and working remotely.

General documents

• Passport, visa application form, and a passport photo.
• Proof of legal status in the country where you apply, if you are not a citizen there.
• Documents from a third country may need an apostille and a Spanish translation.

Yes. Under the family unity rules, your spouse or partner, minor children, and parents can come with you. For each dependent, add 220 UMA days (25,808.20 pesos in 2026) to the income or balance you show. The Las Vegas consulate lists this as about US$1,498 per dependent, and the Montreal consulate as CAD 2,090.

Bring marriage and birth certificates to prove the relationship. See family unity.

• One low month. The income test applies to each of the 6 months, and the savings test is an average over 12. A single short month can cause a refusal.
• Unstamped printouts. Some consulates reject plain online statements.
• Gross instead of net income. The guidelines say income must be free of taxes (libres de gravámenes).
• Names that don't match. The account holder must match the name in your passport.
• Using an old figure. Thresholds change every February and when exchange rates move.

The consulate's decision is final. If you are refused, you can reapply once you meet the requirements.

• Family ties to a Mexican or a foreign resident: family unity.
• A Mexican employer: job offer visa.
• Study: student visa.
• Shorter stays: visitors can stay up to 180 days. See tourist entry.

If your pension is high enough, you may qualify for permanent residency as a retiree instead.