If you’re a resident of Mexico, whether holding Temporary Resident (RT) or Permanent Resident (RP) status, it’s essential to understand the rules for leaving and re-entering the country. After receiving your residency, it’s natural to feel unfamiliar with what you should or shouldn’t do when exiting or re-entering. Below are some common questions to help guide you through the process.
Before You Leave:
Q: What should I do before leaving Mexico as a resident?
A: Ensure your residency card is valid. At the airport, find the INM desk, present your residency card, and get an exit stamp in your passport, marked by an “S” for “Salida” (Exit
Q: What if no immigration officers are available to stamp my passport?
A: A: We always recommend finding an INM kiosk and getting an exit stamp when possible. However, if no officers are available—especially during late-night flights—don’t worry. You can still board your flight. The most crucial step is presenting your residency card when you re-enter the country. Some airports may not issue an exit stamp even upon request, so just focus on showing your residency card upon return.
Note: For those planning to apply for Mexican citizenship, whether in the next month or next year, keeping a detailed record of your entries and exits is essential. Ensuring you receive all exit stamps will streamline the naturalization process and help avoid delays.
Re-Entering Mexico
Q: What do I need to do when re-entering Mexico as a resident?
A: When arriving at an airport, you are allowed to use the Mexicans/Residents line, which is usually faster than the tourist line. When you are at the desk with the immigration officer, you must ALWAYS present your Residency Card along with your passport to ensure you’re processed as a resident. The officer will stamp your passport and write either ‘RT’ for Temporary Resident or ‘RP’ for Permanent Resident, officially confirming your status. Failure to present your Residency Card could result in being mistakenly registered as a tourist, which may void your residency or lead to complications with your immigration status, especially if you plan to renew or transition your residency in the future.
Q: What if the immigration officer mistakenly stamps me as a tourist?
A: A: If the immigration officer mistakenly stamps your passport as a tourist, politely request a correction before leaving the immigration area. Explain that you are a resident and should be stamped accordingly as “TR” (Temporary Resident) or “RP” (Permanent Resident). This step is crucial to avoid complications with your residency status.
If it’s not possible to resolve the issue at the airport, we highly recommend seeking assistance from an immigration professional as soon as possible. They can help rectify the situation and guide you on the necessary steps. Alternatively, you can visit your local immigration office, explain the error, and provide your residency documentation to ensure your status is correctly updated. Acting promptly is important to prevent any potential issues with your renewal or switching to Permanent Residents.
Q: Will I lose my residency if I use the tourist line?
A: If for any reason you use the tourist line but present your Residency Card to an agent (without using the self-check-in machines), you can still be registered as a Temporary Resident (TR) or Permanent Resident (PR). Ensure the agent correctly stamps your passport with “TR” or “PR” to confirm your residency status. This step is crucial to avoid being mistakenly registered as a tourist. Always double-check that the correct notation is made in your passport before leaving the immigration area.
Q: Should I use the self-check-in machines at the airport?
A: If you are a Resident Card holder, you MUST NOT use the machines , as they are not designed for residents. If used, you’ll be registered as a tourist, which will lead to complications. Currently only some airpors of the country use this kind of machines, such as Mexico City, Cancun, Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta.
Short clients
One of our clients with Permanent Residency recently arrived at the airport, where the National Guard (Guardia Nacional) instructed him to use the self-check-in machines. Unfortunately, this type of guidance from military personnel isn’t uncommon, as the army and other authorities sometimes assist immigration and customs officers without proper training in these matters. We understand that discussing or contradicting military authorities can be intimidating; however, it’s important to speak with INM staff, explain that you’re a Permanent Resident, and avoid potential complications with your residency. Fortunately, we were able to resolve this issue for our client, and he retained his residency status.
What should I do of lose my residency card before re entering Mexico?
A: Visit the nearest Mexican consulate to apply for a replacement visa, allowing you to re-enter Mexico and process a new residency card. This involves going through a replacement card process similar than a Canje process. The replacement process must be started at your local INM office within the next 30 days from your entry date.
Other Questions:
Q: Are there restrictions on how long I can stay outside Mexico?
A: No, for both Permanent Residents (RP) and Temporary Residents (TR), there are no restrictions on how long you can stay outside of Mexico. However, if you hold Temporary Resident (TR) status, you must ensure that you are in Mexico when it’s time to renew your residency. The renewal process can be initiated within a 30-day window before your permit expires, and it must be completed while you are in the country.
Additionally, if you’re planning to apply for Mexican citizenship, both TR and RP holders should be mindful of their time spent outside Mexico, as extended absences can impact eligibility for naturalization.
Bonus:
Did you know?
Residents can request a refund for the tourist tax (DNI), which is usually included in the price of international flight tickets. In 2024, this fee is $717 MXN. By presenting your residency card at the airline counter or following the airline’s refund process, you can avoid paying this fee or get it refunded!
The specific procedure, required documentation, and timing for refunds vary by airline, so it’s important to review their policies or contact their customer service department for details. By following the correct process, Mexican residents can ensure they aren’t unnecessarily charged the tourist tax.
Do you have other questions about leaving and re-entering Mexico as a resident? Feel free to leave them in the comments! We’ll be happy to answer them.
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3 thoughts on “Leaving and Re-Entering Mexico as a Resident FAQ”
Thank you for this! My family and I have RT and recently left Mexico via land. The INM agent had a bad attitude from the get-go and was in a really foul mood, but I remained calm and respectful. He was questioning why we were leaving Mexico and where we were going and what we were going to do in the US. He then stated that as temporary residents, we aren’t allowed to remain out of Mexico more than 90 days. (Our plan is to be in the US til the new year, just a couple of weeks more than 90 days, so this was disappointing to hear.) I had never heard this before and I think he could tell I was skeptical. He then told us to fill out FMMs but in the middle of doing so, my husband and I decided that we wanted to step outside so we could call the attorney who helped us with the RT process. I just wanted to ask him to look up the law and send it to me, because I really didn’t believe this INM agent at the border. We put down our forms and walked toward the door with our kids when a guard motioned to the agent, who came out from behind the window and blocked the door. I calmly said, I’d like to go out to my car and make a call. He asked who I was going to call and I just repeated that I wanted to make a call, then the 3rd time he asked I said “I want to call my attorney to confirm the information you just told me about not being allowed to remain outside of Mexico more than 90 days.” At that point he got really mad and ranted about how he’s been doing this job for 30 years and questioning my attorney’s knowledge. By now everyone in the place was staring and I felt super intimidated and pressured, so we filled out the FMMs, got our passports stamped, and left. I’ve never had an experience like that before when leaving Mexico and it really makes me not want to stop in to get my passport stamped when crossing a land border ever again!
What about when driving in and out as a TR? The couple of times I have done this, I haven’t had my passport stamped either way.
I am a permanent resident of Mexico. I recently, December 10th, re-entered at Cancun and was not allowed to use the Mexican line. I read an article about a policy change effective December 10th. Can you please tell me more about this as I often come and go through Cancun and Mexico City? Is this temporary?
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