Many of the these documents (whether on paper, digital, or on a website) are straightforward to deal with; but some that arrive might be confusing, especially if you don’t know much Spanish and a translation or AI scan still doesn’t give you clarity about what the document is telling you, asking for or demanding.

Document interpretation service

If you receive a document(s) in Mexico that you’re struggling to understand and respond to, our associate offers human assistance with document interpretation.

Whether you have received a physical document or email in Spanish, been given information online that is difficult to understand our associate helps by providing a clear explanation of the information to help you interpret it.

This service is designed for foreign residents or visitors in Mexico who would like personalized assistance understanding information, researching a topic cited in the document to obtain clear explanations in English about what the document is about and what it’s asking for so that you can make an informed response.

Example of situations our associate can assist with

Our associate will be pleased to receive your request and assess your situation when you have a document(s) in Spanish that you need assistance in understanding. Most typically these include:

• Understanding emails, physical letters, or other messages written/published in Spanish.
• Interpreting information found on or delivered on website portals.
• Translation and human interpretation of short texts and everyday communications delivered in Spanish. (If you need a certified translation read this.)
• Human review of forms, documents, instructions, and procedures, and clear interpretation offered for these

How the service works

To keep the service simple and focused our associate offers this personalized human assistance service using email.  They do not provide support by telephone, video meetings, or text-messaging support.

• Complete the request form below.
• You will receive an email introducing you to our associate, and providing you with their email address to which you can send the documents and other relevant information.
• Our associate will review your request, offer you a no-obligation quote, and if you decide to proceed, they will bill you directly.
• Typically, our associate quotes US$20-US$50 per request, depending on the situation and complexity.
• If you decide to proceed, our associate will interpret your document(s) and provide a written response by email.

Make a service request

Complete the request form below and our associate will contact you directly.

What happens next?

• After you complete the request form below, you’ll receive an email introducing you to our associate, and that provides you with an email address to which you can send the documents and other relevant information.
• Our associate will review your situation and offer a no-obligation quote for the service. (Typically between US$20 and US$50 per request.)
• When you’ve paid, they’ll begin work to interpret your document(s) and provide a written response by email.
• Mexperience will send you an email to confirm these details.

The ‘Hoy No Circula’ program

This program, that translates to ‘today (these vehicles) don’t circulate’ was originally introduced as means to reduce the number of cars circulating on roads in the Mexico City area. The restriction zone also encompasses 18 municipalities in the State of Mexico which are adjacent to the capital.

Restriction zone: View an illustrated map of the restriction zone

The restrictions are determined by three factors:

• the level of emissions generated by a vehicle, determined by a code on a holographic sticker on the vehicle; and/or
• the last number on the vehicle’s license plate; and
• environmental contingencies — enacted when air quality levels deteriorate in the Hoy No Circula zone.

‘Hoy No Circula’ Restriction Zone

The Hoy No Circula program is in force in all 16 Delegations of Mexico City (Google Map) as well as 18 Municipalities in State of Mexico (Google Map).

Restriction zone: View an illustrated map of the restriction zone

Mexican-plated vehicles not registered in these states and foreign-plated vehicles traveling in the restricted zone are not exempt from the rules.

Foreign (plated) vehicles

Any vehicle that does not have plates issued in an area where Hoy No Circula applies, whether the car is Mexican-plated or foreign-plated, is considered ‘foreign’ according to the rules.

‘Foreign’ vehicles cannot circulate:

• at least one day of the week, Monday through Friday —from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.— determined by
• a combination of the last number on the vehicle’s license plate and the code on its holographic vehicle emissions sticker.
• See the section below about ‘holographic sticker codes’ for more details

Furthermore:

• if your Mexican-plated vehicle does not have a holographic emissions sticker, or if your vehicle has non-Mexican plates: in addition to the above restrictions, you cannot drive in the Hoy No Circula zone every weekday morning between 5 AM. and 11 AM

Emissions test and holographic stickers

If you live in and/or intend to drive regularly in or through the Hoy No Circula zone, you will need to get your vehicle ‘verified’—an annual process that requires you to take your vehicle to an approved testing center.

After the test, you’ll be issued with a holographic sticker to place on your windshield; the number on that sticker will depend on the level of emissions the vehicle generates, and that will determine how often, and when, your vehicle can circulate in the Hoy No Circula zone.

Holographic sticker categories

There are five holographic sticker categories: 00, 0, 1, 2, and Exempt:

• If your vehicle is issued with a 00, 0, or Exempt sticker, you can drive without restrictions inside the Hoy No Circula zone, although note that if there is an environmental contingency in place, 00 and 0 stickered vehicles become restricted too;
• If your vehicle is issued with a holographic sticker bearing number 1, your vehicle is restricted one day a week depending on the last number of the license plate and two Saturdays a month—from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.;
• If your vehicle is issued with a holographic sticker bearing number 2, your vehicle is restricted one day a week depending on the last number of the license plate and every Saturday—from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.;
• If your vehicle is issued with an ‘Exempt’ sticker, there are no restrictions on when the vehicle can be drive in the Hoy No Circula zone;
• Use the online calendar tool to determine what days you can and cannot drive if your vehicle is not exempt.

Vehicles exempted from Hoy No Circula

Certain vehicles are exempt from the restrictions.  If your vehicle meets one of these criteria, it is exempt, and can circulate without restrictions inside the Hoy No Circula zone.

Important: Note that some of these exemptions may be withdrawn in the event of an environmental contingency in the restricted zone.

Exemptions include:

• the vehicle has been tested and ‘verified’ (see above), and has a holographic sticker displaying the number 00 or 0 on the windshield;
• the vehicle has a Tourist Pass (see next section);
• the car is solar/electric powered;
• the vehicle has Mexican-issued plates with disabled or ‘antique/classic car’ emblems on them;
• the vehicle has an ‘Exempt’ holographic sticker.
• Other exempt vehicles include: funeral hearses, federal transport vehicles, school buses, emergency vehicles, and vehicles displaying ‘trade plates’ (used by car dealerships).

Hoy No Circula ‘Tourist Pass’

If you intend to visit the Hoy No Circula zone for a defined period (or drive through it) you can apply for a ‘tourist pass’ for your vehicle.

A vehicle tourist pass:

• Exempts the vehicle from restrictions for a defined period;
• Can be requested only once every six months for 14 days each time; or twice every six months for 7 days each time
• Can be requested for 3 days during Mexico’s long-weekend holidays
• Foreign-plated vehicles can apply for the tourist pass, provided that the car was manufactured from 1993 onwards
• You apply for the tourist pass online. You’ll need to print out the two permits the system will send to you (one for Mexico City and the other for the State of Mexico) and display these prominently in your windshield when you are driving in the Hoy No Circula zone.

However:

• Vehicles less than eight years old with Mexican plates from: Mexico City, the State of Mexico, Querétaro, Puebla, Hidalgo, Guanajuato, Michoacán, Morelos, or Tlaxcala cannot apply for this pass as they can verify their vehicles in those states and obtain a holographic sticker with a 0 or 00.
• Tourist passes are suspended if there is an environmental contingency;
• Mexican- and foreign-plated vehicles manufactured before 1993 cannot apply for this pass.

Penalties for non-compliance

Traffic police in Mexico City and the State of Mexico are especially vigilant regarding this matter and are quick to pull drivers over for non-compliance.

If you drive your vehicle through the Hoy No Circula zone and you don’t have the prescribed permit or exemption, your car will be stopped, towed, and impounded (at your expense), and you’ll have to pay:

• a fine, that is determined between 20 and 30 days of UMA; plus
• towing and impoundment release fees that will add about an additional $2,000-$3,000 Mexican pesos; thus
• a violation will cost several thousand Mexican pesos (a few hundred US dollars) plus at least half a day of your life that you won’t get back—and significant hassle.

Further information

Here are some online resources about Hoy No Circula for further reference:

• Hoy No Circula information and online calendar
• Latest updates from CA Megalopolis, an integrated multi-state agency that keeps the public updated about Hoy No Circula
• Apply for a Tourist Pass online
• Tourist Pass FAQs
• Environmental contingency (air quality) news
• Vehicle verification info and testing centers

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

This article describes the typical time scales you ought to take into account when you intend to apply for a Mexico residency permit starting at a Mexican consulate abroad, as well as for residency-related procedures from within Mexico.

Principal factors that influence time scales

There are four principal factors that will influence the time scales involved in your application for residency in Mexico: from the initial application to receipt of your residency card. These are:

Supporting documentation: How long it takes you to gather the documentation required to support your application. The documentation varies depending on your situation, and may include official certificates, bank statements, investment account balances, letters of reference, etc.

Consulate appointments: If your application involves an appointment at a Mexican consulate abroad, the second factor that influences time scales is the availability of consulate appointments for your residency interview.  Availability varies by consulate and by season.  Some (but not all) consulates accept out of area applications, so if your nearest consulate has limited appointment availability, and you’re willing to travel to a consulate outside your area, you might be able to get an appointment sooner.  Our immigration associate can advise about consulates and help with appointment-making as part of their first time applicant support service.

Your arrival date in Mexico: When you have a residency visa stamp placed in your passport by a Mexican consulate abroad, you must arrive in Mexico and exchange your visa for a card before the visa’s expiry date.  Visas are typically valid for six months from the date of issue, but check the visa you are issued to be sure.

Immigration office procedures: The fourth principal factor that determines the time scales to complete your residency application is appointment availability at immigration offices in Mexico, and then the amount of time the local immigration office you file at takes to process your filing.  Some processes are completed the same day as the appointment, but can take between a few working days and 3-4 weeks to process applications at immigration offices in Mexico.  Time scales vary by location and the current workloads at that office.

More details about consulate appointments and immigration office timescales are described below.

Typical time scales at the Mexican consulate

Residency applications from outside of Mexico must begin with an appointment at a Mexican consulate.

Consulate appointments: It can take between a week and several weeks (and in some places, months) to secure an appointment for residency applications at a Mexican consulate. Lead times vary widely by location.

Procedures for consulate appointments: The procedures for booking appointments at Mexican consulates abroad varies by location:

• some consulates use an online booking system;
• others require an email request to be sent by the applicant; and
• others have walk-in dates.

Our associate can assist you with appointment scheduling as part of their application support service and in accordance with the policy and process in place at the consulate you apply at. They cannot ‘fast-track’ or get preferential treatment for any applicants.

Consulate visa time scales: Once you attend your interview at the consulate and file your paperwork, the consulate usually issues the visa sticker within 10 working days after your appointment date, if your application is successful.

Time scales at Mexico immigration offices

Mexico’s immigration offices use an online booking system for most (but not all) procedures.  Online booking is available for the most common procedures including visa-to-card exchanges and residency card renewals.

Visa-to-residency-card exchange: Although some visa-to-residency-card exchanges are processed the same day as the appointment, the ones which are not processed the same day are typically taking between 5-10 working days and may take up to four weeks in some cases to complete the visa-to-card exchange process (“canje“) in Mexico. Some offices might process the exchange the same day as your appointment, and some offices might also issue the card on the same day too—but we recommend that you allow between 5-10 working days and up to four weeks wait as part of your schedule planning, based on our associates’ recent experiences of helping others to process their visa exchange. Read more details about visa-to-card exchange time scales.

Other procedures: Time scales for other procedures, e.g. residency card renewals, vary by office location: 1-3 weeks appears to be typical at the moment; and as with visa-to-card exchanges, some offices might issue cards or complete the procedures on the same day as your appointment, but we recommend you build flexibility into your plans and scheduling as not all procedures are completed on the appointment date.

Leaving Mexico during the process

If you need to leave Mexico while you are waiting for your residency card(s) to be (re)issued, you can apply for an exit/re-entry permit after you have submitted your paperwork for the procedure and have a reference number for your filing.  There is an application form and a fee to pay for this permit.

Note that you cannot apply for this exit/re-entry permit before you have filed your paperwork at the local immigration office and been issued with a file reference number—known as a “Pieza.”  Also, you cannot apply for an exit/re-entry permit if your procedure is classified as a ‘regularization’ process.  You must also return to Mexico within 60 days or your process becomes void.

Learn more about Mexico visas and residency

Mexperience publishes extensive information about visas and immigration to Mexico, including:

• Our free and regularly-updated Guide to Mexico Immigration Guide encapsulates detailed information about applying for visas and residency permits
• Learn about exchanging your residency visa for a residency card
• Discover the principal routes for obtaining legal residency in Mexico
• Read our latest articles about residency and visas in Mexico

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

Medical insurance for short visits to Mexico

If you’re visiting Mexico for a short period —on a vacation or short business trip, for example— travel insurance policies which cover you for a limited time while you’re away from home should suffice.  These might be provided by your current healthcare provider—but double-check as many policies exclude or significantly limit out of country coverage.  Learn more about getting short-term emergency and medical expenses insurance coverage for your visit to Mexico.

Medical insurance for Extended Stays in Mexico

If you plan to be in Mexico for an extended stay —for longer than 90 days and less than 180 days— for example, you might take a sabbatical, a volunteer job, or plan to stay in Mexico part-time, then a short-term travel insurance policy won’t cover you as they are limited to 90-day stays in Mexico.  You can however obtain emergency & medical insurance for extended Stays in Mexico on a policy that will last for visits up to 180 calendar days, about six months.

Health insurance for foreign residents in Mexico

If you intend to apply for, or have, legal residency in Mexico, a travel insurance policy won’t be valid as these are designed for people who come to Mexico for a defined period and return to their country of residence, or travel back and forth between Mexico and another country.

Therefore, if you plan to reside in Mexico, you should consider health insurance coverages that will be valid and provide adequate care for your needs.  Here are the options:

Mexico’s IMSS medical coverage

Foreign residents (temporary or permanent) can apply for the Mexican public healthcare insurance system known an IMSS on a voluntary basis which provides access to certain doctors, clinics and hospitals in Mexico.  Some medications are also covered under this plan.

Coverage costs depend on your age; restrictions and limitations apply and, like all publicly-funded healthcare systems, patient demand is usually higher than the supply of services, so you may have to wait for care. (Note also that people who are enrolled in IMSS through an employer get priority over those who enroll voluntarily.)  This article explains the IMSS medical insurance system in Mexico.

Private medical insurance in Mexico

Most foreign residents who can afford to do so will take out a private medical insurance plan that covers their personal needs and gives them direct access to private doctors, clinics and hospitals in Mexico.

Policies are crafted to the individual situation of the person, couple, or family, and premiums depend on things like your age, term of coverage, coverages included, and the deductible you are willing to pay in the event of a claim.  Learn more about private health insurance providers in Mexico.

Medical evacuation from Mexico

If you are resident in Mexico and continue to have health coverage in your home country then you might consider a medical evacuation plan to enable you to get home for treatment and to convalesce close to your own doctors and family in the event that you experience a serious accident or health event (e.g. heart attack) while you are here.  Note that medical evacuation insurance coverages only cover evacuation costs in serious cases and so you’ll need to get routine or non-critical health matters attended to in Mexico.  Learn more about medical evacuation plans.

Can I cancel my US or Canadian auto insurance while I’m in Mexico?

Some people who drive their foreign-plated cars to Mexico and intend to stay for extended periods —or  live here for part of the year— ask us if they are able to cancel their US or Canadian insurance policy while their Mexican auto insurance policy is in force.

The answer is that you need to keep enough insurance coverage in place to maintain the vehicle’s legal registration in your home country.

For example, most US states require that you keep a policy in force that provides at least third-party liability coverage for the vehicle.  If you completely cancel your US insurance policy, most US states’ motor vehicle departments will automatically cancel the car registration, making the vehicle unregistered, and therefore illegal to drive in any country.

When you purchase Mexico auto insurance through our partner MexPro, the insurance remains valid for so long as the vehicle remains legal to drive—and this is true for other insurers, too.

Adjusting insurance coverage as you travel and back forth between Mexico, the US and Canada

Most people who intend to stay in Mexico longer term adjust their auto insurance coverage plan to maintain the minimum legal coverage requirements while the vehicle is situated in Mexico. (Precise requirements vary – check with the state your vehicle is registered with.) Then, whenever they drive back to the US or Canada, they call their agent and add the collision and comprehensive coverages back onto their home policy. So by working with your US or Canadian car insurance agent, you can reduce/increase the coverage limits as needed and end up paying less, while still maintaining insurance and keeping the vehicle registered/legal.

For full details about how to be properly covered on your next road trip in Mexico, connect to our Mexico Auto Insurance Guide, from which you can also link to live quotes and arrange your cover online through our partners, MexPro.

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

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.

By late June 2026, it was estimated that less than half of all lines were registered, and the government announced a new timetable that focuses on registration of pre-pay cellular telephony lines—that is, lines without a monthly contract.

New rules and timetable for registrations between August 15 and December 31, 2026

On June 25, 2026 the Mexican government announced a new timetable for registrations.

If you have an active Mexican cell phone number on a Pre-Pay System:

• Whether you are situated in Mexico or abroad (or travel between countries); and
• Whether that number is active with a physical SIM card or a virtual eSIM; and
• If you are on  prepay phone plan; and
• You want to keep the line active—
• You’ll need to act between Aug 15 and Dec 31, depending on the last digit of your phone number.

This article describes the revised rules as announced on June 25, 2026 and how to register your Mexican pre-pay cell phone.

Requirements for registration

Pre-pay cell phone numbers, that is cell phones with no monthly contract, must have a verified person associated with the number. A staggered disconnection timetable has been announced that will disconnect pre-pay phone lines starting Aug 15, 2026.

If your number gets disconnected, it won’t be cancelled immediately. It will be reactivated when you register, but telephone companies will likely cancel numbers that are not registered after a (presently undefined) period of time.

How to register

Mexicans: Mexicans can register their cell phones using their INE Card or their Mexican passport.

Foreigners:  Foreigners, whether visitors to Mexico or legal residents, will need to use a valid passport. If you are a legal resident of Mexico, the process will automatically match your name and passport details to your CURP.

New cell phone lines

Any new pre-pay cell phone lines will need to be registered within 30 days of their activation.

If you are a visitor or tourist to Mexico and purchase a local pre-pay SIM card (or eSIM) for use during your stay in the country, the registration that associates the number with your passport will be part of the activation process.

Home internet cellphone modems

If you have internet service at home that uses the mobile network (these modems are provided by cellphone providers and have a SIM card inside them) you probably don’t need to register this if it on a contract.  Contact your service provider for details.

Foreign cell phone numbers and landlines

If you roam in Mexico using a foreign-issued cell phone number, you do not need to register the number in Mexico. This requirement is only for pre-pay cell phone numbers issued by Mexican cell phone companies.

If you live in Mexico and have one or more landlines (from whichever provider) you do not need to register these.  Only Mexican-issued cell phone numbers need to be registered.

How to register your Mexican pre-pay cell phone number

Mexico’s telephone companies are offering users two methods to register:

• Online, using a special registration portal provided by each cell phone service provider; or
• In person at one of their service centers nationwide in Mexico.

Registering online

The quickest way to register your pre-pay Mexican cell phone number is to go online to your phone company’s official website (see links below) to register.  The registration process is similar to the one that e.g. banks use when you register online, and you will be asked for:

• An upload of a photo of your government-issued ID:
• Mexicans (and naturalized Mexicans) may use their INE card or Mexican passport.
• If you are not a Mexican national, you will need to upload a photo of your valid passport—no other ID is accepted.
• It’s possible that the online registration might also ask for the IMEI number of your device. The IMEI number can be displayed by accessing the phone’s settings.
• If you are unable to register online, you will need to visit a customer service center and register in person.

Registering in person

Cell phone companies operate service centers across all major towns and cities in Mexico.  If you attend a service center in person to register your number, you will be asked for:

• Government-issued ID.
• If you are not a Mexican national, you will need to present a valid passport.
• Mexicans (and naturalized Mexicans) may use their INE card or Mexican passport.
• The service attendant might also ask for the IMEI number of your device. The IMEI number can be displayed by accessing the phone’s settings.

Data protection

The online registration process states that personal data will be stored in alignment with Mexico’s data privacy laws.  The data are being stored by private companies (telephone companies) not the government; although government can request access to a user’s details at any time through a ‘due legal process’.

Mexico’s cell phone providers

To register your Mexican cell phone number, visit only the official website of your cell phone provider, most usually Telcel, AT&T, or Movistar.

We recommend that you do not click any links inviting you to register your Mexican cell phone number sent by SMS, social media and/or email messages.

Official website addresses of Mexico’s big three cell phone providers:

Telcel: https://www.telcel.com/

AT&T: https://www.att.com.mx/

Movistar: https://www.movistar.com.mx/

Learn more about keeping in touch in Mexico

Our guides and articles about communications help you keep in touch when you’re in Mexico: by phone, by internet and by post/courier.

• Mexican cell phone plans
• The cost of communications services in Mexico
• Learn about internet services in Mexico
• Wireless high speed internet at home via mobile and satellite
• How to dial numbers to, from and within Mexico

Temporary or Permanent residency

Regardless of which route you take to apply for residency in Mexico, if your application for residency is accepted, you’ll be granted either temporary or permanent residency here.

Some routes and situations enable the applicant to apply for permanent residency right away; other routes and situations may require you to apply for temporary residency first, and after four consecutive years of holding temporary residency, you may opt to exchange that for permanent residency.

See also: To learn about residency types read our article about temporary and permanent residency in Mexico.

Principal routes to obtaining legal residency

Here are the principal routes that most foreigners consider when they decide to apply for legal residency in Mexico.

Economic solvency

Most applications for legal residency are sought through ‘economic solvency’—proving that you have sufficient income or savings to sustain yourself in Mexico.  Our article about financial criteria for residency describes the amount of income or savings you are required to prove to qualify for residency this way.

If you don’t qualify for permanent residency right away under the ‘economic solvency’ route (and note that most Mexican consulates now require applicants to be ‘retired’ even if they qualify economically), after four consecutive years of holding a temporary residency card, you can apply to automatically exchange your temporary residency for permanent residency in Mexico.

See also: FAQS: Obtaining Residency in Mexico via ‘Economic Solvency’

Owning a house in Mexico

If you own a house in Mexico —free of any mortgage and liens— then you can apply for temporary residency in Mexico if the assessed value of the house is equal to or greater than the value required under the qualification rules.

The house must be situated in Mexico (not abroad) and it must be registered in the name of the applicant(s) seeking legal residency in Mexico.

You can only apply for temporary residency when you use the value of your Mexican home as the basis for qualification. After four consecutive years of temporary residency you may apply to automatically exchange that for permanent residency.

See also: Financial criteria for residency qualification (home value)

Family connections

If you have certain types of family connections in Mexico, you can apply for residency on the basis of ‘Family Unit.’

Whether you can apply for temporary or permanent residency right away will depend on the type of family connection you have and these types of applications carry a lower ‘economic solvency’ threshold (or none, depending on the type).

Applicants applying for residency through Family Unit are among the few applicants who can exchange a Visitor Permit for a residency card without having to leave Mexico.

See also: Our related article describes who qualifies for residency in Mexico under the Family Unit rules.

Making a capital investment in Mexico

If you have capital to invest in Mexico, there is a route to applying for temporary residency based on making that investment.

There’s a minimum capital investment required, the capital must be invested in one of a prescribed set of ways, and these applications tend to be more involved/complex than applications on the basis of economic solvency or family unit.

See also: You can find out what the current capital investment is on our article about financial criteria for residency.

Local job offer (employer as sponsor)

If you have a formal job offer in Mexico, the Mexican company that has agreed to hire you can make a special application to the INM for your temporary residency permit.

When this is approved, you are invited to attend a Mexican consulate abroad, who will place a visa sticker in your passport, and when you arrive (or return) to Mexico that sticker is exchanged for a residency card.  Note that your right to residency will be tied to that employment contract.

Humanitarian grounds and political asylum

It’s possible to apply for residency in Mexico on humanitarian grounds or under the auspice of political asylum.  These are very specialized applications and you should contact your nearest immigration office in Mexico for guidance and advice.

Applying for Mexican citizenship (Naturalization)

If you intend to apply for Mexican citizenship, then you will need to obtain legal residency first and then apply for citizenship after the qualifying period, which is two years of legal residency if you’re married to a Mexican national, and five years of legal residency if you’re not married to Mexican national.

See also: Obtaining Mexican citizenship.

Further information and resources

Mexperience publishes a comprehensive series of regularly updated articles to help you learn more about visas and legal residency in Mexico. They include:

• How to apply for residency in Mexico—detailed summary
• Learn about Temporary and Permanent residency in Mexico
• Find out the latest financial criteria for residency in Mexico
• FAQS: Obtaining Residency in Mexico via ‘Economic Solvency’
• Current fees and charges for residency visas and permits
• Applying for residency via Mexican consulate
• Applying for residency within Mexico
• Exchanging your residency visa for a residency card
• Time limits on Mexico visitor and residency permits
• Procedures for entering and leaving Mexico
• Renewing your temporary residency card
• Dealing with expired temporary residency cards
• Guide to Mexico Immigration (continually updated)
• Visa & Immigration FAQs page

Comprehensive and detailed guide to living and cultivating a lifestyle in Mexico, continually revised and updated. Free—no payment or subscription needed.

Complete and detailed guide to Living & Lifestyles in Mexico that’s continually updated

Our extensive guides and articles offer insights to anyone exploring prospects for living, working, retirement and cultivating your lifestyle in Mexico.

They provide practical insights, incisive local knowledge, and meaningful guidance that helps you to discover opportunities, consider your choices, and make informed decisions.

Discover what lifestyles Mexico offers, identify opportunities of interest to you, weight up the compromises, consider your options, and plot a course based on the things that are important to you.

Guides to lifestyles in Mexico, for all life stages

Our continually-updated guides help you to begin weaving together the key components which create a workable and realistic lifestyle plan in Mexico, whatever planning stage and life stage you are in presently:

• To those considering a move to Mexico, whether you are single, with your partner, or a family with young children, Mexperience helps you to discover the country and evaluate living and lifestyle choices available here.  Our guides also offer thoughtful guidance about setting out your intentions and reshaping your situations.
• To those planning their retirement or seeking a place to retire, Mexperience guides provide specific guidance about matters related to retirement planning and retirement lifestyles, as well as the practicalities of retiring in Mexico.
• When you’re already living in Mexico, our guides and articles provide practical insights that help you to settle-in, adapt, and cultivate your new lifestyle here day-to-day.
• Regardless of your life stage, the information we publish provides meaningful insights about the essential day-to-day practical matters of living in Mexico, adapting to the country, the climates and culture, and more—with extensive cross references and links to further information and helpful contacts who can help you to realize your Mexico plans.

Planning or redefining your lifestyle in Mexico

Obtain practical insights, get incisive local knowledge and meaningful guidance that helps you to consider opportunities, weigh up your choices, and make informed decisions about planning or redefining your lifestyle in Mexico.

Mexico as a place for your retirement

We publish comprehensive information to help you plan a retirement here, whether you’re planning ahead or already retired and considering Mexico as a potential retirement haven.

Exploring locations and finding a place to live in Mexico

Our extensive articles help you to consider key aspects as you explore your options and make choices about your lifestyle and potential location types in Mexico.

Getting your residency permit for Mexico

Mexico’s immigration laws are reasonable and allow non-Mexicans with the financial means or family roots, and/or skills, to live here legally. We publish extensive knowledge to help you, including:

Moving and settling-in to life in Mexico

When you’ve decided to move to Mexico and made key decisions about where and how you’ll live, there’s the move a period of adapting and settling-in.  We publish extensive guides and articles to help you settle.

Learn how to keep in touch when you’re in Mexico

Our guides include detailed information about how to keep in touch when you’re in Mexico: by phone, by internet, as well as using postal and courier services here.  Our local knowledge helps you to choose a mobile phone plan, explore choices for high speed internet in Mexico (even if you live in a remote area) and our cost of living guide includes a section about the cost of communications services.

Detailed insights into the practicalities of living in Mexico day-to-day

Our articles and guides also include comprehensive insights about day to day living in Mexico that help you to plan your lifestyle, settle-in, and make the most of your life and activities in Mexico.

Mexico’s living costs and managing your finances

Financial considerations are an important aspect of any move.  Mexperience helps you to calculate your cost of living in Mexico and offers practical tips for managing your money and finances here.

Mexico as a place for working-age professionals

Working-age professionals, especially those plying a trade in the knowledge economy, are also considering Mexico as a base to live and work.

And more… resources for Living & Lifestyle in Mexico

Mexperience offers you a comprehensive online resource of information and local knowledge to help you discover Mexico, explore choices, find opportunities and plan a new life in Mexico.  Our resources include:

• A regular Mexico Newsletter you can subscribe to for free
• Regularly-updated articles about lifestyle planning  in Mexico
• Insights about day to day living with Mexico Home Life

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.

Coasts feel cooler, mountains feel colder

From late September, autumn temperatures in places situated at higher elevation (over 4,000 feet above sea level) will feel generally cooler, and temperatures can begin to feel chilly and even cold during early morning hours and after sundown at elevations above 6,000 feet.

As a rule of thumb, when you’re visiting Mexico’s inland cities situated at elevation during the autumn and winter, you’ll encounter comfortably warm days (typically up to 22C/72F) and cool or chilled morning and evenings; temperatures can drop to near-freezing in some places overnight during winter months, especially in rural locations.

Overcast days brought about by temporary climate depressions will usually bring cool or chilly weather all day long this time of year. Overnight temperatures at these higher elevations begin to warm-up again from late February or early March.

Coastal areas vs mountain towns

For example, the Pacific coastal towns of Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo are situated just a three-hour drive from the highland colonial city of Morelia.  With Morelia situated at around 7,000 feet above sea-level —a mile-and-a-half up in the sky— autumn and winter there requires the use of pull-overs, fleece coats, and perhaps even some indoor heating for mornings and late evenings (locally, many people use log fires or small electric-powered space heaters to take the edge off colder hours).

By contrast, coastal areas like Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo and Puerto Vallarta —that swelter through the peak summer months— begin to yield their heat and humidity during the autumn, and temperatures become pleasantly warm; a principal reason why many ‘snow birds’ arrive at coastal towns across Mexico during this time of year with the intention of overwintering in Mexico.

Discover places to live in Mexico

You can discover locations across Mexico for living and retirement —as well as practical insights for choosing a location— on our section about Places to Live in Mexico.

Transition to the dry season

The rain season that begins in May or June comes to an abrupt end in October or November, and the transition from the rain season to the dry season begins.  When the rains stop, there remains plenty of moisture in the ground to keep the flora bright and fragrant for a time; however, by late December the absence of torrential rains becomes noticeable, and by late January the effects of the dry season can be readily felt in the air, and seen across the landscape.

Clocks no longer altered in Mexico

In 2022, Mexico’s congress and senate voted to abandon seasonal clock changes, which set the country’s clocks forward by one hour in the spring, and back again by one hour in the fall.

Some municipalities along the border with the USA will continue to move their clocks to synchronize with corresponding border cities in the US.

As we have remarked elsewhere in these pages, the clock change was never popular in Mexico, and the country’s geographical location offers naturally-long daylight all year, regardless of any clock-time adjustments.

Dressing for cooler weather

If you’re in Mexico between October and March, it’s wise to pack some warmer attire when you’re situated at any of the country’s highland towns and cities, which includes most of Mexico’s colonial cities as well as the three big cities of Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey.

If you’re traveling to one of Mexico’s coastal locations during these months, it’s advisable to pack a light pull-over for any cooler evenings which may come to pass, usually caused by temporary climate depressions that blow in from the north.

Autumn and winter temperatures inland and by the coasts will vary depending on the precise location: check individual travel guides for detailed climate summaries by season and location.

Discover Mexico’s weather and climates

Mexperience helps you to discover Mexico’s diverse topography and climate as you make your lifestyle and leisure plans:

• Learn about how Mexico is a land of three lands
• Discover Mexico’s climate through the seasons
• The rain season begins in May/June and yields to the dry season in October/November
• Check individual travel guides here on Mexperience for climate by location. You can get full details about the weather by region and season on our guide to climate in Mexico.
• Browse the latest articles about climate and weather in Mexico