Get help to plan your approach when you apply for residency in Mexico, and practical tele-assistance as you make your own way through procedures related to applying for legal residency in Mexico.

First-time residency applications in Mexico

Our associates can help you when you are planning to apply for residency in Mexico for the first time. (They can also help if you had residency before, allowed it to lapse, and want to re-apply for residency now.)

Mexperience offers detailed information about applying for residency, including the principal routes to residency and their qualification criteria.

How the Tele-Assistance facilitation service works

The tele-assistance facilitation service offered by our associates saves you time and helps avoid common mistakes made by applicants seeking residency in Mexico. You can use tele-assistance regardless of what location you plan to move to (or are currently situated) in Mexico.

The service facilitates your application at every stage of the process:

• An initial consultation by phone/videocall/email/chat to understand your situation and plan a workable approach for your residency application.
• Confirmation of the required procedures for a first-time residency application.
• Review of your supporting documentation for accuracy and completeness.
• Customized checklist of documents you’ll need to carry and present at each stage of the process.
• Assistance to identify a suitable Mexican consulate abroad, including help to book an appointment, and support to prepare for your residency interview at a Mexican consulate.
• After the consulate places a visa stamp in your passport, our associates continue their support when you arrive in Mexico to exchange your visa for a residency card.
• Our associate will co-ordinate your intended arrival date in Mexico and book an appointment for you at the immigration office in Mexico using the INM’s online appointment system.
• They’ll correctly complete the application forms and letters (in Spanish) that you’ll need when you arrive at the immigration office in Mexico to exchange your visa for a residency card.
• Our associate will provide detailed instructions/guidance about where to go and what to do at the Mexican consulate abroad and/or at immigration office in Mexico on your appointment date.

Get support through every stage of the application

The table below describes the support offered at each stage of the application process.

First Time Application Tele-Assistance Fees

Our associate’s first time application tele-assistance support package offers facilitation that is transparent and affordable, with fixed-fee pricing and no hidden charges.  All consulting and assistance fees exclude the government fees applicants must pay to apply for residency in Mexico.

Accompanied Option: The First Time Application service plan is also available as an Accompanied Assistance option at selected cities in Mexico.  Accompaniment is not available at Mexican consulates abroad.  See this page for details and fees.

Make a service request for Residency Assistance

To hire our associate to assist you with the facilitation of your first time residency application, please complete the request form below.

What happens next?

• After you complete the form, Mexperience will send you an email that confirms your request and introduces you to the associate who will assist you.
• The immigration assistance associate will respond to you directly and request payment for their service. When you’ve paid, they’ll schedule-in your initial consultation and the service will begin.

Auto insurance coverage valid in Mexico

Some auto insurance policies might contain wording that leads you to believe that you are covered in Mexico, but this out-of-country cover, if any is included, is limited to damage to your own vehicle and certain things you may be carrying inside your car.

The most important aspect of an auto insurance policy when you’re driving in Mexico is third-party liability, because claims for damages by third parties can be substantial.

Third party liability abroad needs a special policy

By law, US and Canadian insurers can’t provide third party liability and this coverage must be underwritten by a Mexican insurance company and be specially formed to be legally valid under Mexican law.

Third party liability covers any losses your actions might cause to others. These most commonly include (but are not limited to):

• damage to another person’s vehicle, or their property;
• injuries to another person in an accident; and
• damage to public property (e.g. road structures).

How much liability insurance is needed in Mexico?

While no one expects to be involved in an accident —and far less a serious one— when arranging coverage, it’s worth considering the worst-case scenario: that you accidentally cause serious injury or death of another person as a result of a vehicle accident.

Here in Mexico you can be made financially responsible to the other party (or their kin) if you unintentionally cause the death of another motorist, and reputable insurance brokers suggest that you have no less than US$300,000 in liability insurance and they will usually recommend US$500,000.

Get a policy covers more than just accidents

There are other factors besides financial liability to consider when you are arranging your auto insurance when you drive in Mexico.  The three most important aspects to consider when choosing a policy are:

Legal representation

If you’re involved in a serious road accident in Mexico, it’s common for those involved to be detained until the situation is assessed, fault is determined, and financial responsibility is assigned.

Due to this process, the legal representation which better policies offer will provide you with:

• local assistance to help you deal with the complex paperwork and procedures (in Spanish, and liaise with you in English);
• a fund to post a bail-bond and get you released as soon as practicable; and
• a legal team to negotiate on your behalf if fault and responsibility is assigned to you.

Medical coverage

If you or any of your vehicle’s occupants are injured in an accident, medical payments might or might not be covered. Medical coverage on auto policies vary and you’ll need to compare the choices to ensure you have an adequate amount of coverage, per person and in total.

Assistance for accidents and vehicle breakdowns

When an accident happens, what really matters is the practical support provided by an insurance policy.

If your vehicle breaks-down, or in the event of a minor accident which leaves your car damaged but readily repairable, a roadside travel assistance plan offered by the insurer can be an enormous benefit to you.

Roadside assistance can be purchased as part of an auto insurance policy and offers very practical help in what can be stressful and confusing circumstances.

• In the event of a breakdown or minor accident which leaves you stuck, help with things like gas delivery, a flat tire, a locksmith, or a tow truck to a nearby garage for essential repairs can be a phone call away.
• In the event of an accident, assistance can provide practical support and liaison with key personnel to help you recover more quickly and get back on your road trip as soon as practicable.

Learn more about driving in Mexico

Mexperience offers articles with insights to help you prepare for your road trip and drive confidently in Mexico.

• Insuring your vehicle for driving in Mexico
• Importing a foreign car or other vehicle to Mexico
• Getting a Temporary Import Permit (TIP) for your vehicle
• Your Mexico road trip checklist
• Latest articles about driving in Mexico
• Guide to auto insurance in Mexico

Taking a Mexican-plated car to the US & Canada

If you reside in Mexico, you might own a Mexican-plated vehicle, and you might want to drive it to the USA or Canada on short visits—usually up to six months.

Your Mexican insurance policy probably covers damage to your own vehicle and loss of any personal items inside of it when the car is outside of Mexico (check the policy); however, it will not cover third party liabilities in the USA and Canada in the event of an accident. A special top-up insurance policy is needed.

Short-term third-party liability insurance

Policies for Mexican-plated vehicles driving into the USA and Canada can be purchased on a short-term basis only—you select the number of days you intend to visit the US/Canada as part of the quotation process.

The insurance policy will:

• Cover you in the event of an accident in the USA or Canada and provide third party liability coverage up to the value of the coverage stated on the policy.
• Provide a limited amount of coverage for medical expenses—sufficient to cover very minor incidents, but insufficient for a serious situation, so a separate medical coverage policy is recommended.
• Provide roadside assistance in the event of a vehicle breakdown while you’re outside of Mexico, and legal assistance—as described in the policy.
• You can optionally purchase other defined coverages in addition to those listed above for an extra fee.

These policies are not intended to provide comprehensive coverage but instead top-up your Mexican insurance to cover you for damages in the event of an accident or other incident involving third parties while you’re driving in the USA or Canada.

Learn more about driving in Mexico

Mexperience offers articles with insights to help you prepare for your road trip and drive confidently in Mexico.

• Your Mexico road trip checklist
• Who can drive a foreign-plated vehicle in Mexico
• Insuring your vehicle for driving in Mexico
• Importing a foreign car or other vehicle to Mexico
• Latest articles about driving in Mexico
• Guide to auto insurance in Mexico

Get help to plan your approach when you apply for residency in Mexico and practical facilitation assistance as you make your way through procedures related to applying for and managing your residency status in Mexico.

Mexico residency facilitation and assistance support service

The tele-assistance support service saves you time and helps avoid common mistakes made by applicants.

Whether you’re applying for residency for the first time, renewing an existing residency permit, or need assistance with other procedures related to managing your legal residency in Mexico—our associates can help.

Our associates offer service packages for the most common residency-related procedures, with clear and transparent fixed-fees. (Consulting and assistance fees exclude the government fees applicants must pay to apply for residency in Mexico.)

Mexico residency assistance plans and fees

Learn about the service packages that our immigration assistance associates offer, with clear and transparent fixed-fees for each one.

Click on the service name for a full description of the service and procedures, and to make a service request.  Our associate will contact you directly.

A consultancy with Samantha will provide you with guidance and concise recommendations about what to expect from senior care support services on offer in Puerto Vallarta—whether you’re planning ahead and considering choices for yourself (or you and your partner) or want to learn more about senior care provision services for someone else close to you.

Consult with an experienced senior care professional

Samantha is fully bilingual and has over 25 years of professional experience on matters related to social care across a wide spectrum of client groups in both public and private organizations.  She has lived in Puerto Vallarta for over 10 years and specializes in attending to the needs of people seeking senior care services there.

Her consultancy offers in-depth knowledge about senior care services on offer in Puerto Vallarta, including recommendations about in-home care services vs local residential homes, through direct experience of working with elder care centers in the Vallarta area.

Working with individuals and families of those preparing for their retirement or changes in their lifestyle or health situations, her areas of expertise include:

• senior care planning and management in private residences;
• bilingual advocate services for those navigating doctors, finances, and end-of-life planning in Puerto Vallarta; and
• providing personalized consultancy to individuals, families, hospitals, and assisted living centers.

Get experienced advice, local insight, and concise recommendations

Samantha’s consultancy service offers local knowledge and clear, concise recommendations about how to plan ahead, prepare for, and explore the availability of senior care services available in Puerto Vallarta.

When you’re seeking choices for senior care provision in the Puerto Vallarta area, Samantha can help you to discover and explore the options available:

When you’re planning for retirement or changes in your lifestyle in Mexico:

• Undertaking an Initial Assessment to determine your current situation.
• Advice about key matters you need to take into careful consideration.
• Guidance about realistic choices on offer in Puerto Vallarta and available service options.

When you need to talk about plans for someone close to you

• Personal consultation to discuss your situation and how you may source the help you need.
• Practical matters you need to consider as someone ages and external assistance is required.
• How to meet needs and provide support whilst respecting autonomy.
• Potential service options and practical tips on exploring potential care homes in Puerto Vallarta.

Consultancy that flexes with your needs

Samantha offers a FREE initial 15-minute conversation to talk about your situation and to determine if the consultation service is right for your needs.

Personalized consultancy is offered at US$85 per hour, with a 1-hour minimum, and time billed precisely as used after the first hour.  Samantha keeps a detailed log of the support time provided to you.

How the consulting service supports you

The service is designed to provide you with a personalized consultation that focuses on your specific circumstances and needs and provides you with a post-consultation written brief. Typically, the consultation follows this path:

Free 15-minute conversation

Samantha offers a FREE 15-minute conversation to discuss your situation and to determine if the consultancy service is right for your needs.

Your personalized consultation

If you decide to proceed with a formal consultation, Samantha will send you a payment link for the first hour of consultancy and schedule your first formal consultation call (by telephone, Zoom, or Skype, as you prefer) at a mutually convenient date and time. If your situation is urgent, a priority consultation may be accommodated, but please only request this if the need is genuinely urgent.

Gathering key information

The personal consultation will be carefully structured to talk about your current situation and future plans, answer any specific questions you have, and identify the key matters and issues related to senior care within your individual circumstances.

Guidance to help you make informed choices

The initial assessment enables Samantha to offer concise recommendations about senior care service provision in Puerto Vallarta, including how the services work, what to expect, with insights to help you interact positively and creatively with the services available.

Post-consultation

After the call, Samantha will compose a written brief of the initial assessment and her comments and recommendations. She’ll send these to you by email so that you (and your family) can use this to plan and make some informed choices; the brief also serves as a helpful reference if you need to share key information with other professionals and caregivers.

Follow-up call

After you’ve had an opportunity to read the post-consultation brief, you can optionally schedule a follow-up call with Samantha to talk through the details and answer any further questions you may have.

Make a service request now

To proceed with a service request, please complete the request form below.

Samantha will contact you personally to organize your FREE 15 minute call, with the option to proceed with a formal consultation afterward.

Our auto insurance associate, MexPro, offers auto insurance backed by A-rated underwriters that provide adequate coverage and peace of mind for your road trips in Mexico—including all-important third party liability, and practical assistance services that support you in stressful situations.

Auto insurance that’s valid in Mexico

Some auto insurance policies might contain wording that leads you to believe that you are covered in Mexico, but this out-of-country cover, if any is included, is limited to damage to your own vehicle and certain things you may be carrying inside your car.

What MexPro auto insurance offers:

• Insurance from an established company specializing in Mexico auto policies underwritten by A-rated (financially sound) insurers.
• Coverage offered for Cars, SUVs, Pickups, Vans, Motorcycles, ATV/UTV, and Motorhome/RVs.
• Cover for towed units if needed.
• Choice of Liability Only and Full Coverage insurance packages to suit your needs and budget.
• Insure for a defined number of days, or choose a bi-annual or annual policy for multiple visits.
• Obtain cover for the physical damage and total theft of your vehicle, and get the all-important third-party liability—all with fixed deductibles.
• All policies include: Legal assistance (US$30,000 max); Medical expenses after an accident (US$25,000 max); Roadside Assistance and Travel Assistance.
• Trip interruption cover: Assistance to continue your trip if it’s interrupted by accident or total theft with return to place of residence; or car rental; plus lodging expenses.
• Policy wording in English with features and benefits you’re accustomed to and expect from an Insurance policy.
• Coverage terms are clearly provided by our associate, MexPro Insurance, when you get a no-obligation quote.

Do I need auto insurance for my road trip to Mexico?

Here are key points to consider when you intend to drive your car or other motorized vehicles to Mexico:

• You need to obtain an auto insurance policy that covers at least third-party liability in Mexico, because your US or Canadian policy, however comprehensive, cannot cover this.
• All MexPro’s plans cover third-party liability, and their full coverage policies will also cover physical damage and total theft of your vehicle while it’s in Mexico.
• Having roadside assistance will be invaluable if your vehicle breaks down or if you’re involved in an accident.  Legal assistance provides essential coverage while accident blame is assessed.
• Driving in Mexico uninsured is a risk, especially if you’re involved a serious accident—and whether or not the accident is your fault.
• Affordable policies are available to give you and your passengers peace of mind when you’re on the road in Mexico.

This article describes what a travel medical insurance plan is, and how you can use this type of insurance to obtain coverage when you’re in Mexico for shorter trips and extended stays not lasting more than 180 days.

What is a travel medical insurance plan?

Most trip protection insurance plans limit coverage to a maximum of 90 calendar days —three months— and if you stay over this, the insurance plan’s cover ceases to continue.

If you stay, or intend to stay, in Mexico for longer than three months, then an extended stay travel medical plan will cover you in Mexico for up to 180 days (6 months), and provide emergency medical expense coverage, including medically-warranted evacuation, during that time.

Our associate offers extended stay travel medical insurance plans to protect you from the costs of unexpected medical emergencies while you’re in Mexico.

What an extended stay travel medical plan covers

• Unexpected medical expenses while you’re on an extended stay in Mexico not exceeding 180 days.
• Emergency medical expense coverage in Mexico for physician’s fees, lab/x-rays, prescriptions, anesthetics, clinic/hospital costs up to US$100,000. Coverage for emergency dental expenses is also included up to US$750.
• Medically-warranted emergency evacuation to a hospital of your choice and covering up to US$500,000 of medical evacuation costs. Includes transporting a visitor from abroad to join you, and repatriation of minors.
• The plan extends coverage beyond Mexico to nearly all countries when you travel.
• If you unexpectedly pass away in Mexico, this insurance plans covers the cost of repatriation of your mortal remains.
• This plan does not cover prepaid trip costs (flights, hotels, cruises, tours & excursions, etc.) that you would typically find in a single-trip comprehensive protection plan.
• Premiums are based on the number of days you intend to stay in Mexico (maximum 180 days).
• Coverage limitations apply—terms are clearly provided by our associate, TME Insurance, when you get a no-obligation quote.

Is travel medical insurance plan right for me?

This plan is ideal for those who visit Mexico for extended stays up to 180 days and primarily seek protection from unexpected medical emergencies, with medically-warranted evacuation, and without seeking coverage for trip interruptions and other non-medical benefits that single-trip insurance typically offers.

If you take single trips or short visits to Mexico that will not last more than 90 days (three months), consider opting for short-term visit coverage options which offer emergency medical expense coverages in Mexico, trip-protection if your voyage is cancelled or interrupted in some ways, as well as medically-warranted evacuation to the nearest suitable facility.

If you live or stay in Mexico for over 180 consecutive days and have a medical plan that covers you in your home country, a Medical Evacuation plan for longer-term stays might suit your situation.

Consequences of driving uninsured in Mexico

If you become involved in a car accident in Mexico and you are not insured:

• you will become personally responsible for any damage to the third party’s vehicle (or vehicles, if it is determined that your actions were the cause of an incident involving several vehicles);
• the authorities will pursue you personally for costs related to the repair of the public highway; this includes things like road surface, barriers, signs, and lamp post repairs—and can get expensive;
• if someone is hurt or killed, all drivers will be arrested; if you are deemed to be responsible, third parties will pursue liability damages against you;
• the authorities may charge you with driving without third party insurance that is compulsory in Mexico.

What to look for in an auto insurance policy

Regardless of who you buy your auto insurance coverage from, you should check that your auto insurance policy includes these essential elements:

Financially sound insurance underwriter

Make sure that the insurance company underwriting your policy is financially sound. Policies from lesser-rated insurance companies might cost less, but that lower premium translates into a de facto higher-risk for the policy holders. Don’t just shop around for the cheapest policy—consider who’s insuring you to avoid surprises in the event that you need to make a claim.

Licensed broker

As all insurance policies are sold through brokers, ensure that the broker you engage with is licensed and that they provide full transparency of the policies they offer. You should be able to check the detailed terms and conditions of any policy before you are asked to buy.

Broker’s presence and infrastructure

Ensure that the broker you use is well established in the market.

‘Good infrastructure’ means that the broker has excellent customer services facilities, makes effective use of technology so that you can purchase your policy efficiently.

The policy ought to offer help and support services when you are in Mexico, in addition to the insurance coverage, to include local access numbers where you can call to make a claim, ask questions and report issues, and be able to talk to someone in English, especially if you don’t speak much (or any) Spanish.

Liability coverages, legal assistance, and bail bond

Ensure that any policy you purchase includes coverage for these three essential elements:

• Third party liability: the policy must cover third party liability, including your personal liability to any third parties.
• Legal assistance: good policies offer comprehensive legal assistance that will support you in the event of a serious accident or third-party claim.
• Bail bond: your coverage ought to include a ‘bail bond’ element that will cover payment of your bail bond if you become involved in a serious accident and are detained while the incident is investigated, and liability is assessed. If this process is protracted, the bail bond may get you released pending inquiries.

Local support when you need it most

In the event of an accident or incident and subsequent claim, the level of local support your broker’s insurer has in place in Mexico will make all the difference to you.

• The broker and their insurance company should provide easy access to local support services in Mexico so that in the event of a claim, you are able to call for help with the least amount of effort.
• They ought to offer support attended by an English-speaking service agent who will be able to manage your call efficiently and dispatch the help and support you need.
• The local support ought to coordinate all your needs including accident reporting, legal support, breakdown, and medical assistance (if you purchased these).

Breakdown and medical coverages

The better brokers will offer a comprehensive range of additional support services, which are optional, but are worth considering when you are driving in Mexico.  The two most important are:

Breakdown coverage

If your vehicle breaks down while you’re driving in Mexico, roadside recovery will provide you with the essential support you need to get your car repaired and mitigate risks of becoming stranded.

Roadside assistance may include things like delivery of emergency fuel, towing services, dealing with flat or damaged tires, locksmith support, jumpstart assistance, and provision of lodging and a rental car while you wait for your vehicle to be repaired, and repatriation to your home country in the event of a write-off.

Medical assistance on your road trip

A policy that provides medical coverage will provide round-the-clock medical assistance on your road trips, including in the event of a serious accident, land and air medical evacuation and coverages to support you and your travel companions, for example with accommodations and transport while you convalesce.

Making an auto insurance claim in Mexico

Your policy documentation should be clear about the procedure you need to undertake in the event of an accident or incident, and any subsequent claims.

Here is a summary of the most important points, which are relevant to terms on most Mexican auto insurance policies:

You must make the claim in Mexico

Some people wait until they get back to the US or Canada before making a claim, especially if it’s for something minor, for example, for bodywork or a hit-and-run incident in a parking lot. Insurance policies require you to make a claim while you are in Mexico and most will not process your claim if you wait until you return home, except in the most exceptional circumstances.

Calling the insurance helpline

The first call you make if you become involved in an accident should be to the insurance company’s helpline. In addition to registering your claim, they will be able to dispatch an insurance assessor to the scene of the accident, as well as plan for lawyers or other services to be put in place for you, in the event of a more serious accident.

They may also arrange for breakdown and medical services to attend the scene if you purchased these additional coverages, and they are required.

Paperwork and reimbursement

You may be asked to produce a police report as well as other relevant documentation as part of the claim procedure. In some cases, for example, for immediate repairs to get your vehicle back on the road, you may need to pay these out-of-pocket and get reimbursed when you return home.

Keep all receipts. Your insurance policy will be specific about what to do in these circumstances. In all cases, remember that you should lodge your claim in Mexico—don’t wait until you get back home.

Learn more about driving in Mexico

Mexperience offers guides and articles to help you prepare and drive confidently in Mexico

• Latest articles about driving in Mexico
• Your Mexico road trip checklist
• Dealing with minor and major road accidents
• Guide to driving in Mexico
• Guide to auto insurance in Mexico
• Get a quote for Mexico auto insurance

All Temporary residency cards —and Permanent residency cards issued to minors (aged under 18 years)— have expiry dates. To keep your residency card current, you will need to apply for residency renewal within the 30-day window before the card’s expiry date.

Qualifying for renewal of a residency card

Qualification for renewal of your residency depends on the terms of your current residency card. Learn more about Mexico residency card renewals.

Four Year Rule: If you’ve held a Temporary residency card for 4 consecutive years —or two years if married to a Mexican national— our associate can assist you to exchange your temporary residency card for a Permanent residency card: read this page for details about that service.

Expired residency card: If you allowed your residency to expire, you might be able to renew in Mexico without having to start over at a Mexican consulate abroad, depending on your current situation.  Read this article for details about that service.

Renewing your existing Mexico residency card

Our associates can help you when you need to renew a Temporary residency card (Residente Temporal) and/or renew a Permanent residency card (Residente Permanente) issued to minors.

• Residency card renewals must be filed by the card holder at an immigration office in Mexico; they cannot be renewed at Mexican consulates abroad and/or by proxies.
• The renewal must be filed in the 30-day window before the expiry date printed on the card. Requests cannot be filed sooner.
• If the card has expired you might be able to file for renewal in Mexico—see this page for more details.

How the Tele-Assistance facilitation service works

The tele-assistance support service offered by our associates saves you time and helps avoid common mistakes made by applicants applying to have their residency cards renewed. You can use tele-assistance regardless of what location you plan to move to (or are currently situated) in Mexico.

The service facilitates your application when you renew your existing residency card:

• An initial consultation by phone/videocall/email/chat to understand your situation and plan a workable approach for your residency renewal.
• Confirmation of the required procedures for the renewal of your existing residency card.
• Review of your supporting documentation for accuracy and completeness.
• Our associate will co-ordinate dates to file for your residency card renewal in time and book an appointment for you at the immigration office in Mexico using the INM’s online appointment system.
• Correct completion of the application forms and accompanying covering letter (in Spanish) that you’ll need to submit when you file for renewal of your Temporary Residency card in Mexico.
• Customized checklist of documents you’ll need to carry and present when you attend the immigration office in Mexico.
• Detailed instructions/guidance about where to go and what to do when you arrive at the immigration office to file for the exchange.

Get support throughout the residency card renewal procedure

The table below describes the support offered through the residency card renewal process.

Residency Card Renewal Tele-Assistance Fees

Our associate’s residency card renewal tele-assistance package offers facilitation that is transparent and affordable, with fixed-fee pricing and no hidden charges.  All consulting and assistance fees exclude the government fees applicants must pay to apply for residency in Mexico.

Accompanied Option: The Residency Card Renewal service plan is also available as an Accompanied Assistance option at selected cities in Mexico.  See this page for details and fees.

Make a service request for residency card renewal assistance

To hire our associate to assist you with the facilitation of your existing residency card renewal, please complete the request form below.

What happens next?

• After you complete the form, Mexperience will send you an email that confirms your request and introduces you to the associate who will assist you.
• The immigration assistance associate will respond to you directly and request payment for their service. When you’ve paid, they’ll schedule-in your initial consultation and the service will begin.

The visa sticker the Mexican Consulate issues in your passport gives you one-time entry to Mexico as a legal resident, and you must arrive at a port in Mexico before it expires (usually six months after its issue date), and you must exchange this sticker for a residency card within 30 days of your arrival in Mexico.

Assistance with the visa-to-card exchange process

A special process exists to exchange the residency visa sticker in your passport for a residency card, and this must be done in person at a local immigration office in Mexico.

The procedures involve completing some forms, and writing a letter (in Spanish) requesting the exchange and scheduling an appointment for your exchange. You must attend your local immigration office in Mexico with the paperwork correctly completed to finish the residency application process and exchange the visa sticker in your passport for a residency card.

Tele Assistance or Accompanied Assistance

Our associates offer a choice of tele-assistance that enables you to attend the immigration office in Mexico yourself fully prepared with all the forms and other paperwork duly completed and ready to file, and they offer accompanied assistance at selected locations in Mexico if you want someone to accompany you to file at the immigration office.

Time scales to exchange your visa for a residency card

You must arrive in Mexico and begin the exchange process before the visa expires, which is usually 180 days (six months) after its issue date, and within 30 days of your physical arrival in Mexico—and we recommend that you don’t leave it to the last minute!

Some immigration offices process exchanges and issue the residency card(s) on the same day you attend the immigration office in Mexico, and sometimes offices ask applicants to return, usually within 1-3 weeks after their filing date, to complete the process.

You can learn more about current time scales on this article.

Learn more and make a service request

Our immigration associates are experienced professionals who have helped thousands of people through immigration procedures over the years.

• Learn about our associate’s support services for residency applications
• Don’t have a visa yet? Apply for Residency for the first time
• Residency card renewal? Renew an existing residency card

Most applications for residency in Mexico must begin at a Mexican consulate abroad. Our associates can help you to identify a Mexican consulate to apply at, book your appointment there, and check your documentation before the interview date.

Consulate appointments for residency in Mexico

This service is ideal when you want expert help to:

• Identify a suitable Mexican consulate to apply at,
• Get assistance with making an appointment at the consulate, and
• Ensure your supporting documents are in good order before the interview date.

If you want to learn more about the application process, Mexperience offers detailed information about applying for residency in Mexico.

Appointment-making and availability at Mexican consulates

Some consulates use an online calendar to schedule residency interview appointments; others require that the applicant email them requesting an appointment date.  Appointment availability and lead times vary by consulate.

• If the consulate you apply at uses an online system, our associates will interface with that system on your behalf to book the appointment.
• If the consulate you apply at requires an email, you must send this from your own account and our associate will provide customized wording for the request and the email address to send it to.
• If there’s no (or limited) availability at your preferred consulate, our associate can recommend other consulates you might apply at, if you are willing to travel.

Get support through the consulate stage of your residency application

The tele-assistance facilitation service offered by our associates saves you time and helps avoid common mistakes made by applicants seeking residency in Mexico.

This service facilitates the consulate stage of your application and includes:

• An initial consultation to understand your situation, and identify a suitable Mexican consulate abroad you may apply at.
• During the consultation, our associate will confirm the process of the residency application interview at a Mexican consulate.
• They will assist you in booking the appointment using the booking procedure in place at the consulate you apply at.
• The service includes a review of your supporting documentation —official documents and certificates, bank statements, etc.— to cross-check these for accuracy and completeness.
• Our associate will provide you with a customized checklist of the documents you’ll need to carry and present when you attend the consulate interview.
• They’ll also give you detailed instructions and guidance about where to go and what to do at the Mexican consulate abroad on your appointment date.

Consulate Appointment & Document Check tele-assistance fees

Our associate’s consulate appointment and document checking support service offers facilitation that is transparent and affordable, with fixed-fee pricing and no hidden charges.  All consulting and assistance fees exclude the government fees applicants must pay to apply for residency in Mexico.

Make a service request for consulate appointment assistance

To hire our associate to assist you with the facilitation of your consulate appointment and document checking, please complete the request form below.

What happens next?

• After you complete the form, Mexperience will send you an email that confirms your request and introduces you to the associate who will assist you.
• The immigration assistance associate will respond to you directly and request payment for their service. When you’ve paid, they’ll schedule-in your initial consultation and the service will begin.

Policy wording for Mexican property insurance

Property insurance policies sold in Mexico differ from policies you are used to seeing in your home country. The policy wording is unique, and the types of coverage offered by insurance companies is different here, so some things that you would expect to be included as standard, might not be present if you purchase your insurance in Mexico directly from a Mexican insurer.

Familiar policies, fully underwritten in Mexico

To help foreign residents who own property in Mexico to purchase insurance products familiar to them, specialist companies based in the U.S. have developed property ownership insurance policies which reflect the wording, terms and covers included on US and Canadian policies.

The insurance policy is fully underwritten by a Mexican insurance company (by law, it has to be this way), but the U.S. companies work in partnership to create a product that is familiar to those purchasing insurance in the US and Canada, and which is legally sound under Mexican law.  The premiums are paid in US dollars and any pay-outs are also paid in US dollars.

Policies to suit your situation and needs

The home insurance policies available in the market offer a wide range of options, and you can choose what to include and what to exclude as part of your coverage plan.

Depending on where your home is situated in Mexico, the risks (and coverage) you need to insure against will vary. For example, homes near the coast should be insured against hurricane damage and earthquakes, whereas inland only cover for earthquakes (and perhaps flooding, if you home is situated near water) will be needed.

Home insurance policies cover a wide range of eventualities and the most common coverages include reimbursement of costs related to:

• Damage caused by hurricanes and earthquakes
• Damage caused by and wind storms and floods
• Injuries to housekeepers and other workers in your home
• Burglaries and vandalism
• Damages to third parties, e.g. falling trees
• Coverages for owner-specific liabilities, e.g. in condos

You can cover all risks or named perils

Policy options and choices include all risks versus named perils, whether to cover assets like outbuildings surrounding the main property, and the option to insure your personal goods.

• The better policies will include coverages for third party liability: this is  helpful in the event that someone who does not live at your home meets with an accident on your property, or where some damage is caused to a neighbor, e.g. by a falling tree.
• This article about third party liability in relation to your home shares more details.
• Other considerations to take into account when you’re assessing your insurance needs include purchasing cover for any watercraft you may own, as well as special arrangements for condos, where some liabilities are shared and some are owner-specific.

Regardless of the type of insurance you choose, the insurer underwriting the policy is far more important than the broker or agent selling you the product: in the event of a claim, the integrity of the underwriter will determine pay-outs, not the insurance broker.

Learn more about caring for and insuring your home in Mexico

Mexperience publishes extensive information to help you plan and care for your home life in Mexico through guides, articles and free eBooks:

• Free eBook: House maintenance and home security
• Latest articles about property insurance
• Articles about real estate in Mexico