Mexican Citizenship by Investment

This beautiful country in Latin America offers a wealth of opportunities for investors and business people alike. The country’s growing economy, in particular, is a rather attractive aspect for investors, and Mexico’s low manufacturing costs can be beneficial for those interested in the production of goods. In addition, the government has worked to stimulate entrepreneurship in the country by making significant investments in start-ups.

Mexico’s tourism industry is thriving, with many people from across the world choosing to visit the country each year. Real estate investors have also found their investments in Mexico’s real estate market to be rewarding, thanks in part to the country’s booming tourism sector.

These are just some of the reasons for the growing interest in Mexican citizenship. The road to becoming a Mexican is relatively straightforward. After five years of residency in Mexico, you can qualify for citizenship through naturalization.

 

Entering Mexico

There are many ways to enter Mexico as a foreigner. The right route for you depends on your circumstances and the reason for visiting the country.

Citizens from the United States, most of Western Europe, and certain Latin American countries can enter Mexico as a tourist, visa-free, for up to 180 days. Citizens from other countries will require a visa to enter, the cost of which is about $15.

During this period, you can stay in Mexico and can even work for a non-Mexican business (this includes remote online work). If you intend to work for a Mexican enterprise, however, you will require a work permit. To obtain a permit, you will need to have a job offer from a Mexican company and pay around $155. An important thing to note is that while you can work for a Mexican company with a work permit, you are not allowed to receive payment in Mexico for the work you do in the country. 

Other visa options include an adoption visa or a student resident visa, both of which allow you to enter Mexico. If you intend to move to Mexico permanently, you might consider applying for a temporary resident visa or permanent resident visa. 

To learn more about residency in Mexico, visit our article: Permanent Residency Mexico: Your Ultimate Guide.

Temporary Residency by Investment

Another way to obtain temporary residency (and eventual citizenship) in Mexico is through investments in the country, such as business, real estate, and the Mexican stock exchange. You will need to prove investments in both real estate and shares. These investments should amount to at least $123,330 in real estate and $86,000 in shares in a Mexican corporation. 

You will also need to prove that you have helped to develop Mexico’s economy using documents such as invoices, receipts, contracts, business plans, permits, and your registry with Mexico’s Social Security department, demonstrating that you have at least three employees.

This permit is granted for one year initially and can be renewed for a further one to three years. There is no physical presence requirement in Mexico to maintain your temporary residence card, and you can enter and exit the country without restriction. It is important to note that if you intend to apply for citizenship later on (using the citizenship-by-investment program), it would be beneficial to reside in Mexico for the majority of the year.

 

Obtaining Citizenship and Dual Citizenship

You may be happy to hear that Mexico allows dual citizenship, and the path to citizenship is very straightforward once you’ve obtained permanent residence.

The most common way for foreigners to qualify for Mexican citizenship is through naturalization, which takes five years of residency in Mexico. Both temporary residence and permanent residence can be counted during this five-year period. However, if you are from a Latin American country or the Iberian Peninsula, you can become a citizen through naturalization after only two years of legal residency.

You can also obtain Mexican citizenship by being born in Mexico (citizenship by birth), being born outside of Mexico to Mexican parents (or parents of Mexican descent going back two generations), marrying a Mexican citizen, or having Mexican children. 

 

The Process of Applying for Citizenship

The documents required to apply for Mexican citizenship include the following:

• DNN-3 form, completed in Spanish (two copies)
• Birth certificate
• Passport
• Mexican temporary or permanent residency card (depending on your circumstances)
• Letter listing all countries you’ve visited in the last two years
• Completed form proving a clean criminal record (you will need to visit your local Mexican police station and the police headquarters in Mexico City for this)

Ensure that you have extra copies of these documents, as the Mexican immigration office may ask for you to submit the originals. Some other forms or documents may be required depending on which Mexican consulate, office, or immigration office you submit your application to.

You may be asked to take a Spanish language test and Mexican history and culture test as part of your application. 

In conclusion, the Mexican citizenship-by-investment route is a great option for foreigners looking to obtain citizenship in Mexico by investing in the country’s real estate and businesses. The requirements are simple, the application process is straightforward, and obtaining Mexican citizenship is possible while still holding citizenship in another country!

How Global Citizen Solutions Can Help

Expats and foreign investors can encounter many difficulties when applying for second citizenship and a second passport, which is why it is worthwhile to have an expert on hand to provide personalized Mexican citizenship assistance throughout the application process.

Our specialists can help you with the following:

• Minimize the visits you have to make to the designated country
• Have someone who works solely on your behalf
• Reduce the hassle associated with putting your application together
• Acquire insider knowledge from someone with years of experience in the market

Let’s get you moving forward in your quest to obtain Mexican citizenship. Get in touch with us to book a free consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions about Mexican Citizenship

1. How much does it cost to buy Mexican citizenship?

While you cannot directly buy Mexican citizenship, you can opt for the Mexican citizenship-by-investment route. This requires you to invest $123,330 in Mexican real estate and $86,000 in shares in a Mexican business.

2. Can I get Mexican citizenship through investment?

Yes, you can obtain Mexican citizenship by investment. You must prove that you have investments in the country amounting to $123,330 in real estate and $86,000 in business shares to qualify for temporary residency in Mexico and eventual citizenship after five years. 

3. Is it easy to get Mexican citizenship?

The process to obtain Mexican citizenship is relatively simple. You can obtain temporary or permanent residency through several routes (such as investment) and apply for citizenship after five years. If you are a citizen from a Latin American country or the Iberian Peninsula, you can qualify for Mexican citizenship after only two years of residency.

4. Does Mexico allow dual citizenship?

Yes, Mexico is one of many countries that allow dual citizenship. The Mexican passport ranks 55th on our Global Passport Index and 73rd on our Quality of Life Index.