Regularisation on family grounds in Mexico
A way for a foreign national with irregular migration status to put their documents in order without leaving Mexico, where they have a close relative among the country's nationals or residents. The application is filed with the National Migration Institute. The authority checks the relationship, sets a fine for the period of the breach and grants temporary or permanent status. Even if the application is refused, the applicant is left with time to leave lawfully and the right to challenge the decision.
Source: gob.mx (INM) — Preguntas frecuentes para solicitar la regularización por vínculo familiar
Which family tie this works on
The right to regularisation is given not by any kinship but by a specific tie with a Mexican national or a recognised resident. Below are the two main cases in which applications are most often filed.
Through a spouse or partner
- Formal marriage to a Mexican national, a temporary resident or a permanent resident
- A civil union (concubinato) recognised under Mexican law, or an equivalent status registered in the applicant's own country
- A shared address and documents evidencing the family relationship with the partner
Through a parent, a child or guardianship
- Parent of a minor Mexican national or resident
- Child of a Mexican national or of a resident parent
- Guardian or carer of a Mexican or resident child by decision of a competent authority
When this programme is not suitable
You have not yet entered Mexico and want to invite a relative from abroad
The family unity visa (visa por unidad familiar) — arranged through the consulate before entry into the country
The status is irregular not because of kinship but because of an expired document or work without a permit, and there is no relative to base the application on
Regularisation on an expired document or unauthorised activity (regularización por documento vencido o actividades no autorizadas)
The reason for applying is humanitarian circumstances rather than a family tie
Regularisation on humanitarian grounds — it is free of charge and is handled under a separate procedure
What it costs
| Acceptance and examination of the regularisation applicationPaid on filing, before the interview | 1 847 MXN |
|---|---|
| Fine for breach of the migration regime, minimum rate (20 UMA days)The rate applies until 31 January 2027; the exact amount within the range is set by the INM officer at the interview | 2 346 MXN |
| Fine for breach of the migration regime, maximum rate (40 UMA days)The upper limit of the range of the fine | 4 692 MXN |
| Issue of a temporary resident card for 1 year, full rateThe amount rises with the term: up to 25,058 pesos for a 4-year card at the full rate | 11 141 MXN |
| Issue of a temporary resident card for 1 year, concessionary rate of 50%The reduced rate the authority applies to particular categories of applicant | 5 570 MXN |
| Issue of a permanent resident card, full rateAn alternative to temporary status where the family basis allows permanent residence to be obtained straight away; at the concessionary rate of 50% this line costs 6,789 pesos | +13 579 MXN |
| Total government feesThe sum of the mandatory rows in the table. “Issue of a permanent resident card, full rate” adds 13 579 MXN; the “Fine for breach of the migration regime, maximum rate (40 UMA days)” branch replaces the “Fine for breach of the migration regime, minimum rate (20 UMA days)” line — 17 680 MXN; the “Issue of a temporary resident card for 1 year, concessionary rate of 50%” branch replaces the “Issue of a temporary resident card for 1 year, full rate” line — 9 763 MXN. Charges with no official price list are in the list below. | 15,334–28 913 MXN |
Paid separately
- Certified translation of the documents into Spanish — Not part of the state fee — paid separately to the translator
- The services of a migration lawyer or consultant — The INM schedule does not include outside legal support
- Apostille or legalisation of foreign documents (a marriage certificate, for example) — Arranged in the country where the document originates, separately from the INM fees
Documents to gather
A general list for all applicants; the documents on the spouse or cohabiting partner and on the child, parent or guardian are needed depending on which tie is claimed — the rest are submitted by everyone.
- A written application stating the specific breach of migration status
- The original and a copy of the passport or other identity document showing the name, nationality, date of birth and photograph
- The receipt for the fee for acceptance and examination of the application
- The previous migration document — where the applicant held one
- The receipt for the fine set by the migration authority, except where there is an exemption from it
- For a spouse or cohabiting partner: a joint statement giving the shared address, a copy of the partner's identity document and the marriage certificate or a document on cohabitation
- For a child, parent or guardian: the birth certificate or the guardianship document
- The official exit permit for regularisation (oficio de salida) — where the applicant is applying from a migration station
How the process runs
The order of events is the same for every family tie, apart from a separate rule on the interview.
- 1
The application and preparation of the documents
The applicant completes the standard migration form on the INM website, prints it out and prepares a written application stating the specific breach of status, together with the set of documents evidencing the family relationship.
- 2
Filing the application at an INM office
The set of documents is filed in person at the National Migration Institute for the place where the applicant is — the programme is designed for those already in the country, not for the consular procedure.
- 3
The interview and determination of the fine
A migration service officer holds an interview with the applicant and at that interview sets the amount of the fine for the period of the breach of status. Applicants who already hold an official exit permit for regularisation (oficio de salida) are exempt from the interview.
- 4
Payment of the fees
The applicant pays the fee for acceptance and examination of the application and the fine set at the interview; both payments are accepted by bank card only — at INM cash desks or at a bank.
- 5
The decision on the application
If the decision is positive the authority states which further documents are to be brought in for issue of the migration card. If it is refused, between fifteen working and thirty calendar days are allowed to leave the country and the right to challenge the decision (recurso de revisión) is retained.
- 6
Notifying INM of changes in circumstances
Those granted permanent resident status must notify INM within ninety days of any change in marital status, nationality, address or place of work.
Timelines and rights
Work
A temporary resident requests the permit for paid activities separately from INM. A permanent resident works without a separate permit.
Who you can bring with you
The right to apply is given by one of the following ties — each requires its own supporting document.
Spouse or cohabiting partner of a Mexican national, a temporary resident or a permanent resident
Parent of a minor Mexican national or resident
Adult child of a Mexican national or of a resident parent
Guardian or carer of a minor Mexican national or resident
Trips, renewal and the grace period
The application is filed while in Mexico. If INM refuses it, up to 30 calendar days are allowed to leave the country.
The temporary resident card issued under this programme is renewed at INM for a further period; the amount of the fee depends on how many years the status is renewed for — from one year up to the maximum of four. For those granted permanent residence as minors the physical card is also subject to reissue as the child grows up — the authority's schedule has a separate line for that case.
How it differs from the routes next to it
The comparison is built from the official terms of the routes themselves — the source links sit on their own pages.
| Regularisation on family grounds | Permanent resident visa | Change to permanent resident status | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa term | Temporary residence is granted for up to 4 years, permanent residence indefinitely | The visa is exchanged for a resident card within 30 calendar days of entry | The permanent resident card has no expiry date and does not need renewing |
| Work | A temporary resident requests the permit for paid activities separately from INM | A permanent resident works as an employee or self-employed without a separate INM permit | A permanent resident works as an employee or self-employed without a separate INM permit |
| Residence | The application is filed while in Mexico | A permanent resident lives in the country with no time limit | Four consecutive years on a temporary resident card is the main route to the status |
What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship
Route to permanent residence
4 years after the temporary resident permit is issued an application for permanent residence is filed: 1,632 pesos for the examination, 6,226 for the card, decision in 20 working days.
Route to citizenship
After 5 years of residence with a resident card an application for the naturalisation certificate is filed with the SRE.
Frequently asked questions about Regularisation on family grounds
Is an interview at INM required?
What happens if regularisation is refused?
For how long is the status granted after approval?
Do changes in circumstances have to be reported to INM afterwards?
How does this programme differ from the family unity visa?
Other ways to move to Mexico
- Temporary resident visaResidence permit for financially independent people
- Permanent resident visaPermanent residence for financially independent people
- Change to permanent resident status inside MexicoPermanent residence by length of stay
- Visitor visa with permission to carry out paid activitiesWork visa
- Job offer visaWork visa
- Family reunification visaFamily residence permit
- Temporary resident student visaStudy visa
- Naturalisation: the naturalisation certificateCitizenship
Every route in one list — migration programmes: Mexico.
The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.