North America · Immigration

Mexico

21 immigration routes

Mexico sits in North America. Its immigration system runs 21 distinct routes — led by work, family and short stay & visit, each set out in official law. 20 of them cite an official government source, shown on the route with the date we last read it. Who actually qualifies depends on your full profile.

Immigration routes
21across 10 route categories, each set out in official law
Source-cited routes
20 of 21cite an official government source, with the date we last read it
Largest category
Work3 of the 21 routes — see them under Work below
Region
North America
Capital
Mexico City
Population
131,946,900
Official language
Spanish
Currency
MXN
Time zone
3 zones
Source-cited pathways

Immigration routes

All 21 routes, grouped by purpose — 20 of 21 cite an official government source directly. Any route below without one says so on the route.

Work

3 routes

One-year multiple-entry card for eligible Guatemalan or Belizean nationals or permanent residents with work in Mexico's southern border states.

Official government source: gob.mx · checked 2026-07-27

Investment

2 routes

Talent & merit

2 routes

Study

1 route

Family

2 of 3 say who you can bring
3 routes

Permanent residence for specified close relatives of Mexicans or permanent residents, including qualifying refugee-derived family cases.

Can bring: children, siblings, parents
Official government source: gob.mx · checked 2026-07-27

Temporary residence through an eligible family link to a Mexican, temporary resident, student resident or permanent resident.

Can bring: spouse, partner
Official government source: gob.mx · checked 2026-07-27 · 2 sources

Visitor visa and post-entry card for an international adoption procedure under the Hague system or an applicable treaty.

Official government source: gob.mx · checked 2026-07-27

Independent means

2 routes

Residence-based status

1 of 2 says who you can bring
2 routes

Free movement

2 routes

Free five-year card for eligible nationals or permanent residents of Guatemala, Belize, Honduras or El Salvador visiting Mexico's southern border states.

Official government source: gob.mx · checked 2026-07-27

Short stay & visit

3 routes

Single-entry electronic visitor authorisation for eligible Russian or Ukrainian nationals travelling by air.

Official government source: gob.mx · checked 2026-07-27

Humanitarian protection

0 of 1 source-cited
1 route

Official sources

Compiled by António Mira, founder · How we verify our data · Not legal advice — immigration rules and thresholds change; confirm with the official sources above before deciding.

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