Is the Regularization Program a Good Option for Residency in Mexico?
If you have thought about living in Mexico, getting a visa to live in the country is part of the process. Each year the requirements are set up, and if you have been following along, the financial requirements are going up each year for a temporary and permanent visas. There is one other option that has been available lately called the regularization program. We wanted to provide you with the best information about this, so we asked one of the most recommended immigration specialists in our area to comment about it. Below is information from one of the most popular immigration specialists in the area.
About Milly Arceo and Immigration Services
My name is Milly Herrera Arceo, better known as Milly Arceo. I have been working in immigration matters for the past 18 years, focusing exclusively on the Playa Del Carmen and Riviera Maya area. This means that I visit the immigration office every day to stay updated on the latest news, changes, regulations, and requirements. Believe it or not, the list of requirements is constantly changing.
Today, I’d like to talk about a new trend in immigration processes that has emerged, and what I believe is a “gift” from the pandemic. I’m referring to the Regularization Program.
What is the Regularization Program?
If you’re wondering what this is, it’s a new way to obtain residency in Mexico without leaving the country and without needing to prove ties to a Mexican citizen or submit bank statements. I know it might sound strange, but the phrase that best describes this program is:
“Become illegal to gain your legal status.”
In simple terms, the government has declared that if you were in Mexico between 2015 and 2023, even as a visitor, and your entry stamp has expired, you may be eligible to apply for temporary residency without work authorization. Each city has different rules for this program. Some immigration offices accept short stays, like stamps that are valid for only 7 days, while others may accept up to 180 days.
The Regularization Program: Pros and Cons
As amazing as the Regularization Program may sound, there is a downside. In some immigration offices, appointments are not immediately, and you may need to wait several weeks before you get one. So, what happens during that waiting period? Unfortunately, you are considered illegal, and there is a risk of deportation. The appointment itself doesn’t guarantee your legal status. I always recommend that clients stay in the city, avoid traveling within Mexico, and wait until their residency is approved.
While this program offers an easier path to residency, I always advise clients that if you are still eligible to apply from your home country with your bank statements at a Mexican consulate, it’s often better to do so. This way, you avoid the risk of being in an illegal status.
Temporary and permanent residency can be directly obtained through a Mexican consulate abroad, while in Mexico, the Regularization Program only offers temporary residency.
Consular Applications and Bank Statements
Some consulates make it difficult to get an appointment, or they may not respond at all. We always recommend that you directly contact the specific Mexican consulate you plan to visit, as each consulate has its own procedures.
My best advice for you is that no matter which path you choose to apply for residency, always come to Mexico prepared. Be sure to bring your marriage certificate with an apostille, and for minors, their birth certificate with an apostille. If applying through a Mexican consulate in your home country, ensure they properly stamp your name and birth date on your Mexican visa. Also, ask them whether you and your partner should apply as dependents or individually for economic purposes.
For more information about immigration to Mexico, see these articles:
- This is an article about the immigration offices in Playa Del Carmen and many details that are important.
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What is the difference between temporary and permanent visas for Mexico?
- Here is a full article about Milly Arceo and here immigration services.
If you would like to contact Milly Arceo about the regularization program or for help in acquiring a visa to live in Mexico, here is here contact information.
- If you would like to contact Milly Arceo you can visit her website here: http://www.legallyinmexico.com/eng/
- To directly email: [email protected]
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