FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The honest answer depends on your lifestyle and destination. A single person can live comfortably in Mexico City for $1,500 to $2,250 USD per month including rent, food, transport, and healthcare. A couple typically spends $3,000 to $4,500 USD or more. Coastal cities like Playa del Carmen and Puerto Vallarta sit in a similar range; smaller colonial towns like San Miguel de Allende can cost meaningfully less. Beyond monthly living costs, budget for one-time setup expenses. ViaMexico provides a full cost breakdown as part of every discovery call.

Americans and most Western nationals can enter Mexico without a visa and stay up to 180 days as a tourist. For anything longer, you will need a residency permit. Most people start with a Temporary Resident Visa, which is valid for up to four years and renewable. After four consecutive years, you can apply for Permanent Residency. Both require proof of financial solvency, either a minimum monthly income or a qualifying savings balance, applied for at a Mexican consulate before you travel, usually in the country where you live (if you are not a national of that country, you will need proof that you are there legally). ViaMexico coordinates the entire residency process through vetted immigration lawyers.

Mexico tightened its residency criteria in 2025 (Lineamientos generales para la expedición de visas, DOF 25 July 2025). Requirements are now calculated using Mexico's UMA index and vary by consulate, but as a general guide: Temporary Residency typically requires a demonstrable monthly income of approximately MXN 79,771 ($4,676 USD), or savings of around MXN 1,344,373 ($78,800 USD), held consistently over the prior 12 months. Permanent Residency thresholds are higher. Exact figures vary between consulates and are updated annually. You can find out if you meet the income or savings requirements with our free Residency Calculator

Mexico City is home to more than 21 million people and a large, established expat community. Like any major city, safety varies significantly by neighbourhood. Polanco, Lomas de Chapultepec, Condesa, Roma Norte, and Santa Fe are where the majority of expats live and work, these areas have low street crime and are considered safe for day-to-day life. The risks that make headlines; cartel-related violence, are concentrated in specific regions of the country that expats have no reason to be in. Sensible awareness, good neighbourhood selection, and local knowledge are what matter. ViaMexico's Welcome Tour covers this in detail for every new arrival.

The timeline depends mostly on how quickly you can secure a consulate appointment, which varies by location. Some consulates have availability within days; others book out further. ViaMexico helps clients secure appointments efficiently regardless of where they are applying from.

Once your appointment is confirmed, the process moves quickly. Bring your documents to the consulate; some consulates say the visa is usually ready the same day, though the law allows up to 10 working days. The visa is valid for 180 days for a single entry, and once you arrive you have 30 days to start the final step at your local immigration office. Depending on the office, your physical residency card is typically issued the same day to two weeks after that appointment.

Permanent residency on the direct economic-solvency route follows the same consulate-first process. You cannot start that route from inside Mexico on a tourist permit. Family unity is a separate path and can begin in Mexico.

ViaMexico handles document preparation, appointment coordination, and the in-Mexico process from start to finish.

Yes, though it requires your residency card. You generally cannot open a traditional Mexican bank account on a tourist visa alone. Once you have temporary or permanent residency, BBVA México, Santander, and Citibanamex are the most accessible options for expats, with English-speaking staff in major city branches. The process requires your residency card, passport, proof of address in Mexico, and RFC (tax ID). Digital banks such as Nu México offer a faster route and can be set up with fewer documents, though with more limited functionality. ViaMexico coordinates RFC registration and bank account setup as part of every relocation package.

You do not need Spanish to get through the move itself. In major expat areas like Polanco, Condesa, and Playa del Carmen, English is widely spoken in restaurants, shops, and professional services. That said, Spanish makes a significant difference to your quality of life once you are settled. Bureaucratic processes, INM appointments, SAT registration, rental contracts, are conducted in Spanish, and navigating them without the language adds friction. ViaMexico handles all bureaucratic coordination on your behalf. For clients who want a head start, our packages include introductory Spanish lessons: we introduce you to a Spanish teacher we trust and pay for your first lesson.

CURP stands for Clave Única de Registro de Población. Mexico's national identity number, equivalent to a Social Security number in the US. Every legal resident in Mexico requires one. It is needed to open a bank account, register for healthcare, enrol children in school, obtain an RFC (tax ID), and access most government services. The application is straightforward once you have your residency card, but it is one of several administrative steps that needs to happen in the right sequence. Applying before your residency is confirmed, for example, creates complications. ViaMexico handles CURP and RFC registration as standard for all clients.

Each relocation journey is unique, which is why our concierge packages are individually priced based on your specific needs, timeline, and lifestyle. After an initial consultation, we provide a tailored proposal designed to offer you maximum value and peace of mind.

We provide end-to-end relocation concierge services including visa support, bank account setup, school and housing search, healthcare navigation, domestic staff, pet relocation, and ongoing lifestyle assistance.

Yes. We guide you through the entire residency process, connecting you with trusted immigration lawyers and ensuring your application is handled with care and compliance.

Absolutely. We assist with identifying top international or local schools and sourcing family-friendly housing that meets your lifestyle, location, and safety preferences.

Yes. From visa guidance and accountants to internet setup and coworking space suggestions, we help remote professionals hit the ground running.

We specialise in corporate relocations, handling legal compliance, banking, housing, and tailored onboarding so your team can focus on performance rather than logistics

Absolutely. We specialise in supporting retirees with a seamless transition from visa assistance and healthcare navigation to finding the perfect home in tranquil, retiree-friendly locations. Every detail is curated to match your pace, comfort, and lifestyle.

We’re the only premium concierge relocation service in Mexico offering fully bespoke support. ViaMexico was created by expats who’ve experienced the move firsthand and understand what truly matters.