Family reunification in Mexico
A visa for the foreign relatives of Mexican nationals and of permanent and temporary residents: it is the route by which they move to Mexico and obtain a status of their own. The procedure is started by the inviting side, and the relative receives the visa at a consulate abroad. The inviting party's status determines whether the residence will be temporary or permanent. The range of relatives is narrow: parents, spouses and partners, children, and sometimes siblings and people in care. After entry the visa is exchanged for a resident card at the migration service.
Source: gob.mx (INM) — Preguntas frecuentes para solicitar visa por unidad familiar
Which status the relative will receive
The resulting status depends on the migration status of the inviting side, not on the applicant's choice. It therefore makes sense to prepare the documents with an eye to exactly who is inviting the relative to Mexico.
If the inviting party is a Mexican national or permanent resident
- The relative receives a permanent resident visa straight away
- After entry into Mexico the visa is exchanged for a permanent resident card
- It is this line of kinship that has reunification with siblings available to it
If the inviting party is a temporary resident
- The relative receives a temporary resident visa
- After entry the visa is exchanged for a temporary resident card valid for a year
- The status can then be renewed and in time converted into permanent residence
When this programme is not suitable
An adult child without court-established guardianship (interdiction)
The programme does not apply to them — a student, work or other independent migration category is worth considering
A cohabiting partner with less than five years of cohabitation and no children in common
Wait until the required period of cohabitation has run, marry, or choose another basis for residence
A sibling, where the inviting party is themselves a temporary resident
Reunification with siblings is available only through a Mexican national or a permanent resident; this line of kinship is not available to a temporary resident
What it costs
| Acceptance and examination of the application at INM, including the authorisation for the consular interviewA one-off payment at the stage of filing the application inside Mexico; payment by card, cash is not accepted | 248 MXN |
|---|---|
| Exchange of the visa for a temporary resident card for 1 year — full ratePaid after entry into Mexico when the visa is exchanged for a resident card | 11 141 MXN |
| Exchange of the visa for a temporary resident card for 1 year — concessionary rate for family reunification casesThe 50% discount under article 8 of the Law on Federal Fees is due in family reunification cases, but is not applied automatically — it has to be claimed and evidenced with documents at the INM reception desk | 5 570 MXN |
| Exchange of the visa for a permanent resident card — full ratePaid after entry into Mexico when the visa is exchanged for a resident card | 13 579 MXN |
| Exchange of the visa for a permanent resident card — concessionary rate for family reunification casesThe same concession under article 8 of the Law on Federal Fees for family reunification cases; it requires a claim and supporting documents | 6 789 MXN |
| Total government feesThe sum of the mandatory rows in the table. the “Exchange of the visa for a temporary resident card for 1 year — concessionary rate for family reunification cases” branch replaces the “Exchange of the visa for a temporary resident card for 1 year — full rate” line — 19 397 MXN; the “Exchange of the visa for a permanent resident card — concessionary rate for family reunification cases” branch replaces the “Exchange of the visa for a permanent resident card — full rate” line — 18 178 MXN. Charges with no official price list are in the list below. | 24 968 MXN |
Paid separately
- The consular fee for the visa sticker at the Mexican consulate abroad — Set and charged by the consulate itself when the visa is issued; the INM schedule covers only acceptance of the application inside Mexico and the subsequent exchange of the document
Documents to gather
The full set is assembled by the inviting side; the specific list depends on how the relative is related to them.
- A valid identity document of the inviting party — a Mexican national or a foreign national with temporary, temporary student or permanent residence
- A legible copy of the passport or travel document of the relative for whom the visa is being requested
- For a parent — the applicant's birth certificate, original and copy
- For a minor child or an adult child lacking legal capacity — that child's birth certificate
- For a spouse — the marriage certificate; if the inviting party is a Mexican national, a Mexican marriage document is required
- For a cohabiting partner — proof of settled cohabitation for at least five years, or of children in common
- For a stepson or stepdaughter — the child's birth certificate, proof of the link between the parent and the inviting party, the spouse's passport and the other parent's consent to residence in Mexico
- For a sibling — the birth certificates of both, only where these are minors or adults in care
- Where there is guardianship — the guardianship document issued by the competent authority, original and copy
- The receipt for the fee for acceptance and examination of the application
How the process runs
The procedure begins in Mexico at the initiative of the inviting side and is completed only after the relative has entered the country.
- 1
Completing the electronic application on the INM procedures portal
The inviting side files the application online under procedure card INM75 and prints out the required format for filing.
- 2
Filing the documents and paying the fee
The set of documents evidencing the relationship is filed in person at the National Migration Institute; payment is accepted by bank card only.
- 3
Examination of the application by the Institute
INM checks the documents and the family relationship and, on the strength of that, either refuses the application or issues a letter of authorisation for the consular interview.
- 4
Booking the consular interview on the INM authorisation
30 working daysFrom the moment notice of the decision is given the applicant has 30 working days to book an appointment at a Mexican consulate abroad.
- 5
The interview and receipt of the visa at the consulate
The relative attends an interview at the Mexican consulate for their place of residence and receives the visa sticker in the passport.
- 6
Entry into Mexico and exchange of the visa for a resident card
30 calendar days after entryAfter entering the country the holder must apply to INM and exchange the visa document for a temporary or permanent resident card — which status applies depends on the status of the inviting party.
Timelines and rights
Work
The visa itself gives no right to work. A temporary resident requests the permit for paid activities separately, and only in Mexico, at an INM office.
Who you can bring with you
The range of relatives is limited, and each line of kinship has its own conditions.
Parents
Minor children, or adult children lacking legal capacity
Spouse
Cohabiting partner
Stepson or stepdaughter
Siblings
People in care
Trips, renewal and the grace period
A temporary resident lives in the country for no longer than 4 years and may enter and leave as many times as they wish. The card is obtained within 30 calendar days of entry.
The temporary resident card issued on exchange of the visa is limited in time and is renewed at INM at the same rates as the first issue — by years of temporary residence. After several years of continuous temporary status the holder may move to permanent residence, including on the concessionary family reunification basis. For holders of a permanent resident visa the residence status has no expiry date, and the card only has to be reissued when the physical document itself expires.
What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship
Route to permanent residence
4 years after the temporary resident permit is issued the status is changed to permanent resident at INM. The decision takes 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 Family reunification
Where is the family reunification visa application filed?
Does the application have to be completed online in advance?
What determines whether the relative receives temporary or permanent resident status?
How long is the INM authorisation for the consular interview valid?
Is a discount available on the resident card after entry?
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
- Regularisation of status on family groundsRegularisation of status
- 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.