Move to Mexico the best tips for a new life or retirement

So you are a retired couple, baby boomers, single female or male looking to retire at some point and you want a place in the sun but you think you cannot afford it?  If you have visited Mexico or in the middle of planning a trip to Mexico to scope out whether you should move here. Here’s where you can learn how to move to Mexico and it’s much easier than you think.  

Moving to Mexico is relatively easy to do. Don’t be frightened off by the rumours of violence and trouble in Mexico, there are many areas of Mexico that are safer than any in North America or Europe for that matter. We lived and housesat on the gulf coast for a year and had great experiences in Chelem, Chuburna and Progreso as ex-pats and the Yucatan and Merida areas are said to be the safest in Mexico.

Moving to Mexico

All about the cost of living in the Yucatan

The media would have you believe there is some kind of apocalyptic hell taking place in Mexico. With their screaming headlines of murder and mayhem by the drug cartels, you would think that Mexico must be the worst country in the world for anyone to visit.

I am here to tell you something very different, and that, with sensible precautions, Mexico is as safe as if not safer than many other destinations you could choose to visit. Merida in the Yucatan is a perfect example – the safest city in Mexico and a haven for ex-pats the gulf coast area is a perfect place to check out retirement or living possibilities.

Pros and Cons of Living in Mexico

How to retire and move to marvellous Mexico

Moving to Mexico is easier than you think

The first thing I would recommend is doing some research about the particular area you might be intending to visit.  Certain areas of the country are considered safer than the U.S. Take the Yucatan, Campeche, Oaxaca, Quintana Roo or Chiapas regions.  An ideal way to see the country and scope out places you might like to live or just visit longer is backpacking and touring.

Fellow blogger Kate from the blog Our Escape Clause has written some excellent posts about Mexico. In particular, check out the 25 Reasons, You Should Backpack in Mexico, fantastic information here.

Move to Mexico the best tips for a new life or retirement

These particular areas also have the lowest crime statistics in the country and the best safety records with the crime against tourists being very low.  In these areas, much of the crime is petty or a “crime of opportunity”. In other words, leave your cell phone on a table and it might just be stolen but it might also be handed to you by a Mexican saying, “You forgot this”.

My blogging friend Cassie has recently moved to Merida and has loads of great tips on where to eat, what to see and do in the area. Check out, Mexico Cassie.

What Visa do you need to move to Mexico?

No Visas can be applied for when in resident in Mexico, all Visas must be applied for outside of Mexico but not necessarily in your home country.  There are ways to apply for a Visa outside of Mexico, for example in Belize which will be explained later in this chapter. A Tourist Visa allows you to stay in Mexico for 180 days, but you must leave before the visa expires, you can then return and obtain a Visa for an additional 180 days until you have applied for your Temporary or Permanent Resident Visa.

This is the link for the U. S. Visa Headquarters where you can find information on a Mexican Consulate near you. Much of what is written on the Canadian site links above will apply to U.S. citizens as well, but double-check before you go.

Campeche, Mexico. Independence Plaza in Old Town of San Francisco de Campeche, Yucatan heritage.

Retire to Mexico on a Temporary Resident Visa

(Mexico Retirement Visa)

In order to receive a Temporary Visa for Mexico, the applicant must have employment or a pension with a monthly tax-free income of at a minimum $1764.00 Canadian dollars during the last 12 months.  If you don’t have this income, you must have investment income with an average monthly balance of $29,407.00 during the past 12 months. 

If you have a spouse, child or elderly parent you must have an additional $588.00 income per month for the past 12 months to receive a Visa. This means a total income for you and a spouse or child of $2352.00 per month for the past 12 months.  We have been told by the Consulate that if your income falls somewhat short of the monthly target that they will look at cases where there is some investment income plus the monthly income requirements. Please note that financial requirements do change as they are dependent on the Peso and dollar exchange rates so do check at the Consulate before you apply.

a row of houses on a narrow street in Mexico

Here is what you will need to apply for the Mexican Temporary Visa

Download the online PDF application on one page, and make sure you fill in both sides.

You will require your original Canadian passport and one photocopy of the picture page with personal information this should be a black and white copy.

Original and a photocopy of the migratory document accrediting your legal stay in Canada (only for applicants who are not Canadian citizens)

One photograph, 3.9 cm x 3.1 cm with your face uncovered, no glasses, frontal view, colour with a white background.  This is 39 mm x 31 mm and is NOT a typical Canadian passport size photo so make sure you get the sizing right.

Payment of requested fees, fees change regularly depending on the Peso exchange rate so check carefully before you send in for the correct amount.

Originals and photocopies of investment receipts and bank statements clearly outlining the investment total and income. You will require the last 12 months of these statements.

Original and photocopy of pension income, preferably with a letter from the Pension organization detailing the pension amounts plus the bank statements that are original showing the Pension deposited to your bank account for the past 12 months.

Check with the Consulate you are applying through, generally, you will send in all the copies and originals of the documents along with photos, statements, and passports by registered delivery (UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc).  These originals should be returned to you within 10 days along with an appointment to visit the Consulate to process the paperwork and your temporary Visa.  In some cases, you can contact the Consulate and make an appointment to arrive with your paperwork to be processed; the processing can take up to 10 days.

Colorful buildings in Campeche, Mexico

Retiring to Mexico on a Permanent Resident Visa 

For the permanent resident Visa like the temporary, you must apply at your local Consulate outside of Mexico and you must have the following;

  1. Download the online application on one page, and make sure you fill in both sides.
  2. You will require your original passport and 1 photocopy of the picture page with personal information this should be a black and white copy.
  3. Original and a photocopy of the migratory document accrediting your legal stay in Canada (only for applicants who are not Canadian citizens)
  4. One photograph, 3.9 cm x 3.1 cm with your face uncovered, no glasses, frontal view, colour with a white background.  This is 39mm x 31 mm and is NOT a typical passport size photo so make sure you get the sizing right.
  5. Payment of requested fees, fees change regularly depending on the Peso exchange rate so check carefully before you send in for the correct amount.
  6. Original and photocopy of investment receipts or bank account statements showing an average monthly balance of $117,629.00 Canadian you will require the last 12 months of these statements. With a letter from the Pension organization detailing the pension amounts plus the bank statements that are original showing the Pension deposited to your bank account for the past 6 months
  7. Original and photocopy of proof of tax-free monthly income from pensions in an amount greater than $2941.00 Canadian during the last 12 months.
  8. If you have a spouse or child, you must add $588.00 Canadian to the above income and have the 12 months worth of bank statements to prove the amount.
  9. For foreigners who obtain a valid single entry visa, once they enter Mexican territory they must, within the first 30 calendar days, apply to the National Migration Institute for the residence card that accredits their legal stay in the country and allows them to remain in Mexico for a period greater than 180 days.

Getting your Mexican Residence Visa in Belize

You do not have to apply for your temporary or permanent resident visa in your home country; you can apply in any country as long as you are outside of Mexico when you apply.  For example, there are many U.S. border crossings where you can apply and some are very quick at processing the Visas. Laredo Texas is said to be a border crossing where they process your Visas within a few hours with the correct paperwork.

If you are already in the Yucatan and decide, you want to apply for your Visa you can go to Belize City, Belize to apply.  You must make an appointment with the Consulate by emails and there is a wait time of approximately 2 – 3 months before you will have your appointment.

Esquina de Newtown Barracks y Wilson St., P.O. Box: 754, Belize City Phone+501-2-2230193
+501-2-2230194  Fax+501-2-2278742

Email:  [email protected] OR [email protected]

You can get to Belize by car, flying or the ADO Bus does an overnight direct trip from Merida. The ADO bus leaves at 8 pm from Merida and the cost is around $40 US, and there are flights out of Merida Airport with the return cost ranging from $200 to $300 US and up depending on the airline.

Move to Mexico the best tips for a new life or retirement

A few warnings about going to Belize:

Try not to go when your Tourist Visa is set to expire you may experience some issues where Belizean officials ask for an incentive shall we say to allow you into Belize using a variety of trumped-up excuses. There have been stories of folks being told that the Consulate does not like people near the end of their Visas and using “Belize under false pretences of tourism” and asking for US dollars to allow them to pass through the border.

Living in Mexico an expat story

As an ex-pat living in Mexico for a year I had the pleasure of experiencing a great deal of fabulous Yucatecan foods, sites to see and simply exploring the area. I loved discovering all the new farmer’s markets that were beginning to flourish alongside some fantastic artisan crafts.  There is much to take in and explore in Mexico whether you decide on the Yucatan or any other region.  In the Yucatan, you can explore Mayan sites like Uxmal and a hidden garden, Dzibilchaltun and other Mayan legends. You can easily travel to Playa del Carmen and Tulum to explore the Caribbean side and experience cenotes and the superb Rio de Secreto.

There you have it, relatively simple to move to Mexico and it doesn’t cost a fortune to live there.

More articles on Mexico for you

What’s it like to live in Chelem? Retiring to Mexico & living in the Yucatan

Merida tours the best day trips from Merida Mexico

14 Must Do’s in Merida | Things to do in Merida the safest city in Mexico

Dzibilchaltun a Cenote and Mayan Site in Merida Mexico

The Phenomenal Mayan Ruins of Uxmal

Mysterious Aluxes the little people of Mexico Mayan Legends

The secret Templo de los Falos at Uxmal Mexico

The food of Oaxaca

What to drink in Mexico

Street food in the Yucatan

Beautiful Campeche Mexico a cotton candy coloured town

Author

  • Faith was born in Ireland raised in Canada and has lived in over 10 countries in Europe including England, Ireland, Scotland, France, Spain, Northern Ireland, Wales, along with Mexico, Antigua, the US and has slow travelled to over 40 countries around the world. Graduating with a degree in Anthropology and Women's Studies Faith is a student of history, culture, community and food and has written about these topics for over 40 years.

34 thoughts on “Move to Mexico the best tips for a new life or retirement”

  1. Hey This is very helpful, especially the detailed information about each and every visa types, because we nomadics need to know the type of visa first, I am planning for the mexico in June 2017, I hope I can think any good one from this types and give it a shot and probably get the visa. Thanks again for the wonderful post, Cheers! 🙂

  2. Leslie Walker

    Very informative post, will really help with the overwhelming process of paperwork! Thanks for sharing!

  3. Lovely tips!! its so informative this post 🙂 I love Mexico city … and i definitely move there ! Thanks for sharing with us

  4. This is very informational. I was born in México so I believe I would automatically qualify for Dual Citizenship (from U.S.). I would love to live in there for half a year someday. It’s so true what you say though. My husband and I go to Mexico all the time. We felt very safe in Yucatan and Quintana Roo. I even forgot my purse at a restaurant and the employees looked for me down the street to return it! I was surprised. ????

  5. Such a fantastic and helpful resource. If it’s possible, and I know it may not always be, but if possible I always recommend using a potential move as an excuse to take a holiday to the destination you’re considering for your move. That way you can scope out the place first hand, and know straight away if it’s for you 🙂

    Happy Christmas!

  6. Thank you for a very clear and comprehensive guide on what you need and what you have to do! I think it’s great that you stress from the start that Mexico is not what every says, i.e. apocalyptic!

  7. This post is extremely informative and helpful! I’ve never been to Mexico but it is somewhere I have always wanted to go. I’ve lived abroad before and living in Mexico is something I would not rule out!

  8. This post has so thorough information on how to move to Mexico. It is actually a guide for those seeking to move there. I will make sure to pass it on to friends who I know are planning something on these lines

  9. What a great post!! Its so useful… I love your experience!! If i want to move to Mexico , i will know 🙂 Thanks for sharing with us

  10. I lived in Texas for most of my life and have been to Mexico several times. There were a lot of small villages that I would definitely live in. This is such a great guide for those who are thinking of moving!

  11. Ance Antovska

    it is so useful information for those who are thinking of moving in Mexico. Great post.

  12. What a detailed account! I’d love to spend some quality time in Mexico, but I’m afraid these rules don’t apply to me (Russian passport here). But there are a couple of people I know who’ll appreciate this info, so I’m forwarding it to them 🙂

    1. Actually Anna these rules apply to everyone regardless of country – I just wrote this from a Canadian perspective so the money detailed is in Canadian dollars. I know many Russians, Swedes, Norwegians, Italians and so on who have moved to Mexico using the same visas these are available internationally. You just have to find a Mexican Consulate/Embassy and apply.

    1. don’t let the bad PR sway you – there are simply loads of safe places in Mexico that are better, easier and cheaper to live in than many of the major cities world-wide. I heard it all before I moved to Mexico but was really impressed by the safety of the country. I also met many ex-pats, solo traveleers who felt safer in Mexico than they did where they came from. Just do you homework and you are good to go.

    1. Cancun is a little touristy for my taste but I enjoy it for a visit – Playa del Carmen is lovely but you have to be careful on the plus side there are tons of rentals to give either place a try for a while. They may also be a tad cheaper than the gulf side funnily enough because there is way more people so way more inventory with a rental property.

  13. Mexico is such an amazing place to be in! I’ve been here for three full years since last month and everyday I’m grateful to wake up in such a beautiful city..

  14. Mexico is a beautiful place. I have a few friends living in Mexico. It so different from the US. I’ve been I few times and every time I go I discover something new.

  15. Mexico really awesome place. I love Mexico. Actually, Mexico culture is different. You share the information is really awesome. Helpful blog. Thanks!

  16. Great write up! Perhaps you can clariofor me a financial requirement. If you must have $30k in an account for the past 12 month, do you also need to be drawing the $3000 per month from it or another source?
    We are not retired yet but wish to quit and leave early. If we can show $250k in an account BEFORE we’ve even cashed out our pensions and sold our home, could we begin the process to get the retirement visa ??
    I will be funding our own retirement so there is no money at the moment coming in the form of pension as I’m working….

    1. you don’t need both an income per month and investment money all you need is one or the other. So you should be fine with what you have it is plenty.

  17. Mexico really awesome place. Lot’s of moving company are there in this area but which company are the best for moving. Most of the companies are higher fees. So don’t hire the people moving company. But you shared the right information about moving across the country. I am happy with your blog. Thank you so much.

  18. I want to get out of Kitchener Ontario Canada as soon as I can. What do I do. I have the finances. I don’t care which city I go to in Mexico.

    1. Contact the Mexican Embassy https://embamex.sre.gob.mx/canada/index.php/en/ they are in Ottawa and you can begin the process to get your visa for MExico. It’s not difficult really just paperwork, you can then decide where in Mexico you want to settle. I highly recommend looking up Facebook pages or groups of ex-pats in Mexico and asking some questions to see where you would like to live.

  19. Bummer, apparently I fall 500 per month short on tax free money…I’ll have to see what I need just living on my boat…

    1. I have heard tales of Yachties living very comfortably on their boats at a much lower cost than land folks so go for it.

Leave a Reply to Crystal Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Scroll to Top