Legally-Married in Mexico Program
Teacher
Our micro-course helps you apply for a Temporary Resident Visa via the Family Unity program if you’re an applicant sponsored by:
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1) a Mexican National who is considered a spouse or
2) a spouse, parent/grandparent with a valid Mexican Permanent Resident visa.
This mini-course will help you navigate Mexico’s INM website, fill out your application forms online, pay your application fees, get photos and fingerprints, and pick up your newly minted visa card.
Welcome!
Our mini-course is an excellent choice for completing your family unity application for temporary residency in Mexico.
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This program is suitable for:
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Married spouses of a Mexican National (who have been married in Mexico or had their foreign marriage certificate legalized for use in Mexico).
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Married spouses of a Permanent Resident Visa cardholder (married in Mexico / with a foreign marriage certificate legalized for use in Mexico).
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Children of a Temporary or Permanent Resident Visa card holder (not a Mexican National).
Who this program is NOT for:
Please note, this program is not for foreigners who qualify for Permanent Residency (Residente Permanente) in Mexico.
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There’s a different set of procedures under Permanent Residency if you’re a:
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Parent of a foreigner who holds a permanent resident card; or
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Child of a foreigner who holds a permanent resident card provided that the child is under 18 years old; or
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Sibling of a foreigner holding a permanent resident card provided that the sibling is under 18 years of age; or
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Child of the spouse of a foreigner holding a permanent resident card provided that the child is under 18 years of age; or
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Child of a Mexican National in situations where the child is not entitled to Mexican Nationality, provided that the child is under 18 years of age; or the child of a spouse of a Mexican National, provided that the child is under 18 years of age; or
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Foreign parent of Mexican-born children; or the sibling, either minor or adult, of a Mexican National, including naturalized foreigners; or
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A child who has been declared incompetent and under the permanent resident card holder's legal care.
We’ll help you avoid any confusion or potential errors in submitting your forms and fees to Mexico’s Immigration Department (INM) correctly.
There are many ways the application can be declined or refused.
Our course will walk you through the areas to pay close attention to.
I married a Mexican, now what?
Marrying a Mexican does not automatically give you Mexican citizenship, but it will fast-track the immigration process.
Proving your marriage to INM will grant you a one-year Temporary Residency Visa, which you can renew for a total of two years.
Once the two years as Temporary Resident nears its expiration, you may then apply for Permanent Residency.
No financial records are required, and the process may be started and completed within Mexico.
If the Mexican citizen has sponsored a previous spouse, they must provide proof of a legal divorce or annulment. You may not apply for a family unity visa for more than one spouse in a certain period of time.
Common law marriage is recognized in Mexico, but it can be complicated to prove. The couple must provide a declaration and proof of their common law marriage (for example, a rental contract or joint financing; an income tax return showing they live as the common law; a life insurance policy listing the common-law partner as a beneficiary, etc.).
Sometimes, it is easier to just get married in Mexico than to prove a common-law marriage. We have a course on how to get married in Mexico if you are not able to or find it difficult to prove your common-law marriage.
Requirements to Apply
To apply, you or the applicant will need:
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A current FMM / tourist visa.
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Government-issued Passport, original, and copy
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(Note: The parent’s passport must match the parent’s name on the child’s birth certificate, and the child will need a passport and legalized foreign birth certificate, translated.
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Proof of address, original and copy (utility bill does not need to be in the applicant’s name)
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Marriage certificate and divorce documents, if applicable (all legalized for use in Mexico)
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Mexican ID for the Mexican national (if they are sponsoring you) or the ID of the temporary or permanent resident (if they are sponsoring you).
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The final step before issuing a residency card is to take digital photos and fingerprints (to verify a clear criminal record) and capture your signature digitally. Pictures are taken by a photographer at the INM office (in modernized locations), or you will need to provide a photo that is 2.5×3.0 cm before the application is accepted.
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Practice your signature! Tip: INM requires that your signature match the one on your passport when signing forms and inputting your digital signature. Otherwise, your application will be denied.
Here is the official requirements list published by INM: http://www.inm.gob.mx/static/Tramites/en/VISA_BY_FAMILY_UNIT.pdf
What they will not do is walk you through the process. We can, though!
Be cautious of instructions on how to do this procedure found on the Internet. Some websites are inaccurate and outdated, resulting in time and effort wasted.
What we’ll give you:
This course outlines the entire process on applying for a Temporary Resident visa via Mexico’s Family Unity program.
Our mini-course will help you:
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Navigate Mexico’s INM website
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Fill out your application forms online
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Pay your application fees
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Understand how INM takes digital photos and fingerprints
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Obtain your new Temporary Resident Visa card.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have access to the course?
Forever! Once you’ve enrolled and paid, you’ll have access to the course material for as long as you need. So devour it all in one weekend or take things slow. It’s your choice! Come back later and reapply when you need to renew, the process is constantly updating.
Does the Temporary Residency Visa give you permission to work in Mexico?
No. You will need to apply for “permiso para trabajar”, another process which will give you the right to work in Mexico.
What expats are telling us:
Testimonials:
“When it finally came time to figure out the immigration process, the Move to Mexico Guide was so helpful in providing accurate and reliable information all in one place. It saved me from having to figure out everything for myself.” – Kyle, a Canadian now living in Mexico City
About Move to Mexico Guide
If you’re interested in creating an incredible lifestyle in Mexico but not quite ready for your temporary resident visa application yet, learn more by subscribing to our helpful Move to Mexico Guide email series here:
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