Validity: The main difference is that Temporary Residency (TR) must be renewed, while Permanent Resident (PR) doesn’t need to renew.

Work Permit:  PR carries an implicit permission to work in Mexico, unlike the TR. Take into account that if you obtained TR without a work permit, you might process the permit to carry out lucrative activities later, complying with the corresponding requirements.

Car Permit: While TR may temporarily bring a car with foreign plates into Mexico, that Import Permit is temporary and remains valid only until the TR expires. PR may also bring a car into Mexico, but must be permanently imported, this means it has to get Mexican plates. Be advised, that you can find  quite difficult and costly legalizing a car in Mexico.

Step 1: Prior to moving to Mexico, you must go to a Mexican Consulate nearest to your home to request a Permanent Resident “Visa.” This single entry visa will be stamped in your passport and you will be able to use it within the next 6 months from its issuance. 

Step 2: Once you arrived in Mexico, you must apply for the Canje/Exchange application at an INM office, within the next 30 days, in order to receive a Permanent Resident Card which will allow you to stay legally in the country.

• When hiring our services, you will get an on line free consultancy, where you will obtain all the updated information requiered for this process.

Immigration laws grant both Temporary and Permanent Residents multiple entries and exits – with no time restrictions for remaining out of the country. 

Exception: Those who plan to apply for Mexican citizenship,must comply with the “absence computation” requirement, which is to remain outside the country for less than 6 months in total, during the two years prior to the application date.

• Both Temporary and Permanent Residents must notify to the INM of any changes of address, place of work, nationality, or marital status within 90 days of a change.
• Safeguard the documentation that proves your identity and immigration status, and show it to immigration authorities, when required.

Be aware that Mexican laws establish that a foreigner may not have two different immigration statuses at the same time; this means that you must show your Resident Card at any port of entry, otherwise you will be registered as a visitor (tourist) and this fact will represent the automatic cancellation of your Residency Permit. 

You may initiate the renewal process 30 days prior to the Expiration Date and must do so by that date. Otherwise, you will loose your current immigration status, and have penalties imposed. 

If your document expires while you’re outside Mexico, you may request its renewal for up to 55 days after the Expiration Date and within 5 days of your return to Mexico, with no imposition of penalty.  (Art. 160, Immigration Law Regulations)

If your residency card has expired during your stay in Mexico, Mexican immigration laws do not allow for the renewal of residency documents beyond their expiration date. However, there is an option to “regularize” your status, granting a new immigration status by paying a fine and meeting the corresponding requirements. This opportunity is available for people holding documents that have been expired for less than 60 days.