Immigration & Visas, Living, Retirement, Working

Special Procedure to Apply for Residency in Mexico (RNE)

Under a special procedure, you can ask to apply for Mexico residency in-country in some instances with an expired visitor permit. Here are the details

Temporary Residency Documents Mexico

Special Regularization Procedure Status Update 2024

We understand that this special regularization procedure remains in effect during 2024 “until further notice.” Special procedures can be altered or withdrawn at any time.  It’s known as the “RNE”—Registro Nacional de Extranjeros.

We are receiving mixed reports about how INM offices are dealing with requests for this procedure.  Some applications are being received, others are not.

This is a reminder that each immigration office retains absolute discretion about whether to accept or deny any application (and subsequently about whether to grant or reject any application that is accepted) made under any procedure, including special regularization procedures.

Mexico’s immigration institute, the ministry responsible for managing visitor and residency permits, has announced a special ‘regularization’ procedure, available to people currently in Mexico with expired visitor permits, that enables them to ask to apply for residency at an immigration office in Mexico, without having to leave the country.

What is the ‘regularization’ offer?

Under the Mexican immigration rules, an ‘irregular’ immigration status is one where your current immigration permit has expired, or you violate one or more of the rules associated with immigration law.

This special regularization procedure offers foreigners in Mexico holding an expired visitor permit (FMM) an opportunity to ask to apply for legal residency in Mexico in-country, without having to leave Mexico.

Who can apply under this special procedure?

This special procedure was originally announced by the INM in late spring of 2021, and in the fall of 2021 the criteria were expanded.

Through this special procedure you may ask to apply for Temporary Residency in Mexico without having to leave Mexico to apply IF:

  • You are currently in Mexico and in possession of a Mexico Visitor Permit (FMM) that expired in or before 2020 (some offices accept documents that expired in or before 2021);
    OR
  • You are currently in Mexico in possession of a Visitor Permit (FMM) that expired in or before 2020 (some offices accept documents that expired in or before 2021) AND you have entered Mexico before as a visitor on at least two separate occasions before January 1, 2020 (some offices accept visitor stamps in or before 2021).

Caution about Tampering with your FMM form (or stamp in your passport)

We’ve seen stories on Social Media that suggest some people might be manually altering the number of days written on the form, or on the stamp in their passport.  The form has a unique serial number printed on it that correlates to an electronic record of your entry to Mexico; your passport number is also associated with this record.  The number of days you are granted is stored on that record and the INM will not take kindly to anyone tampering with the form or passport stamp by altering the number of days written by the immigration official.

How do I apply?

This special ‘regularization’ procedure can be undertaken in Mexico without the need to leave the country and apply at a Mexican consulate abroad, as is normally required with most residency applications.

Note that your visitor permit (FMM) must be expired—i.e. you are past the date when you ought to have left the country. The INM will not receive your petition if your FMM is still current.

To request the special procedure:

  • Most INM offices require the applicant to attend the local INM office in person to ask for advice and guidance, and whether they are willing to consider the application. After the interview, the official will advise you whether or not the INM will accept an application from you.
  • Some INM offices allow a representative to ask on your behalf.  Our associates in Ajijic/Chapala, Guadalajara, Puerto & Nuevo Vallarta can do this.

If you are able to apply, the application begins with the completion of an online form and covering letter, and afterwards you have to return to your local immigration office to complete further steps of the procedure and get your temporary residency card, that will be issued for four years with no need to re-apply after the first year.

Assistance with your application

If you believe your qualify, our associate provides a pro-bono pre-qualification consultation.  If you are likely to qualify the associate can optionally provide:

  • Accompanied assistance with the procedure in selected locations; or
  • Tele-assistance to help you with the paperwork.

You can make a service request using the form at the bottom of this page.

Note that our associates cannot guarantee that your request for the special procedure will be accepted at your local INM office, or that any application that is accepted for processing will be granted.

Government processing fees

The special procedure requires you to apply for 4 years of temporary residency and each applicant will need to pay the usual fees for a 4-year temporary residency permit, (approximately MXN$11,985 pesos, about US$700 dollars) and you will also need to pay a ‘regularization‘ fee of about MXN$1,700 pesos, plus a fine of about MXN$2,000 pesos.

Economic solvency requirement waived

Temporary residency qualification usually carries income or savings requirements and foreigners usually need to leave Mexico to begin the residency application procedure.

However, this special procedure waives ‘economic solvency’ requirements for qualifying persons and makes it possible to ‘regularize’ your legal residency status here in Mexico, without having to apply from a consulate abroad.

Note that people who ask to apply and are accepted for residency through this special procedure will be granted four complete years of temporary residency and do not have to renew their temporary residency each year.  Near the end of the four year period, holders may optionally apply to exchange their temporary residency for permanent residency.

How long does the offer last?

The immigration institute has not stated an end date for this special procedure; it can be altered or withdrawn at any time, without prior notice.  If you are currently in Mexico and qualify under the criteria described above, and you wish to apply to stay in Mexico longer term through legal residency here, it’s best to ask to apply soon after your current visitor permit (FMM) has expired.

Make a service request

Our associates offer a pro-bono pre-qualification consultation.  If you qualify and want help with the procedure, they will give you a no-obligation quote for their service based on your situation.  To proceed, please complete the request form below.

What happens next?

  • After you complete the form, our immigration assistance associate will contact you directly.
  • Mexperience will send you an email to confirm your request.

    Complete the questionnaire to proceed

    What date did you arrive in Mexico using your current visitor permit?

    How many days were you granted on this current visitor permit?

    What year did you come to Mexico as a visitor for the first time?
    (You must have this date stamped in your passport)

    First Name (required)

    Last Name (required)

    Your Email Address (required)

    Your Telephone Number (required)

    (please include your area code and number)

    What is the Applicant's country of Citizenship*

    Special Procedure Pre-Qualification

    Where in Mexico are you currently situated (Town/City and State)

    Procedure/Service Plan and Applicants

    Choose Procedure / Service Plan

    Number of people applying together*

    You may use this space to share a brief summary of your current situation

    Request Confirmation

    Please check the box below to proceed

    Our associate will contact you directly about this service.
    The information you provide on this form will be passed to our associate so that they can contact you and progress your request.
    Mexperience will send you an email to confirm these details.

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