Comments on: Rights & Obligations When You Have Legal Residency in Mexico

By: Mexperience

Mexperience — Sat, 26 Sep 2026 18:24:38 +0000

Hi Allan,

A contact of ours passed through Mexico City’s international airport this week. There are plenty of in-person desks staffed by immigration officials.

The line for Mexican Citizens leads to a large bank of automated gates with just one or two staffed desks.

The line for Foreign Nationals leads to a bank of staffed desks.

If you are resident in Mexico use the Foreign Nationals line and get checked back in to the country by a staff member this way.

This was Terminal 1. We have no direct information at this time about T2, although residents should use a staffed desk to check in, or talk to directly to an immigration official at the airport if in doubt.

By: Allan Clark

Allan Clark — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 05:52:09 +0000

Can any permanent or temporary residents who have recently arrived from international travel at Terminal 2 in Mexico City’s airport in August or September 2026 confirm whether you have had challenges showing your residency card and passport to INM agents? I heard anecdotes that perm/temp residents are being directed to the automated kiosks, which are for tourists and Mexican nationals. Any info on your experiences would be helpful.

By: Allan C.

Allan C. — Sat, 12 Sep 2026 23:00:25 +0000

In reply to Colette Brown.

My Canadian passport was damaged while in Mexico and I got a replacement through the Canadian embassy. I hold Mexican permanent residency and when I left the country, the INM agent did not say anything about my blank passport when I got the exit stamp.

When I returned to Mexico with the new passport, I did not have any problems.

So, if you have a permanent residency card, then the expiry of your passport should not hinder your travel. As per the other piece of advise, change the visa sticker for a card.

By: JoAnn Jackson

JoAnn Jackson — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 04:31:54 +0000

In reply to Nancy C Glanz. No you do not need to return to the US for any specific time period. You may remain in Mexico as long as you wish, and return to the US at will, without restriction.

By: Derek

Derek — Sun, 31 May 2026 17:06:27 +0000

I know several Americans who live here permanently but don’t have legal residence.They do border runs about every six months to re-new their visa cards for another 182 days and then return to Mexico.I thought i read somewhere that Mexican immigration frowns on this practice.Is that true?

By: Gretchen

Gretchen — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 02:57:22 +0000

hi, I am also interested in learning what the consequences and penalties are of changing your marital status on an FM3 permanent residency late? I noticed a few people have asked. I did not know there was a deadline to make these changes..

By: Editor

Editor — Sat, 06 Dec 2025 00:09:09 +0000

In reply to Al.

Hello Al,
We have been receiving reports these last two days and just published an article about that, here
https://www.mexperience.com/permanent-residency-foreign-plated-vehicles-in-mexico/

We’ve also added an information box to this article for reference.

By: Al

Al — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 22:53:43 +0000

Is it true that they are confiscating vehicles in Baja California, if you are a permanent resident driving a US plated car?

By: Mexperience

Mexperience — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 20:18:25 +0000

In reply to Anne. Hi Anne, We recommend you find and talk to a local tax accountant who will be able to advise you based on your individual circumstances and in line with current tax rules.

By: Anne

Anne — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 19:48:37 +0000

What are the tax obligations once you become a permanent resident? I don’t want to pay income taxes twice, once to the US and once to Mexico.

By: Mexperience

Mexperience — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 23:44:06 +0000

In reply to Colette Brown.

Hi Collette,

If you are Permanent Residents holding residency CARDS, then the Visa Stickers in your passports are no longer relevant as they have been exchanged for residency cards already and you no longer need those visa stickers.

If you have not yet filed to exchange your Visa Stickers for cards, you MUST do this in Mexico before the passport/visas expire and within 30 days of your arrival date to Mexico.

By: Colette Brown

Colette Brown — Sun, 07 Sep 2025 17:38:39 +0000

My husband and I are permanent residents of Mexico. Our Canadian passports are up for renewal. We have the Mexican Visa attached in our passport. What do we do to renew the visa also? Thankyou for your help.
Colette Brown