Mexico Retirement Visa From Bangkok

[JimTripper]

Has anyone secured a Mexican Retirement Visa from the Bangkok Embassy?

 

Is that possible to do as a US Citizen without returning to the USA first?

 

I'm interested in getting the visa while in Thailand and just flying directly into Mexico on the new visa. The embassy website seems rather cryptic/unclear on the procedures.

Edited April 21 by JimTripper

[Smokin Joe]

This is from the AARP website and gives the details of financial requirements and a link to the visa application form. You could fill out the form and makes copies of proof of adequate finances show up on their doorstep. Maybe call first.

 

For retirees who want to live in Mexico, the first stop is to visit the nearest Mexican consulate and apply for a permanent resident visa. You’ll be required to:

• Fill out a visa application form and pay a $48 application fee.
• Provide a valid U.S. passport and a color picture.
• Provide proof of economic solvency — documentation that you have maintained bank or investment accounts with a monthly balance of $181,968 for at least the past year or that you have monthly income from work, Social Security or a pension of at least $4,549 after taxes over the past six months.

[JimTripper]

https://www.mexperience.com/financial-criteria-for-residency-in-mexico/

 

May have gone up to $293,000 to qualify now as a permanent resident, or $73,200 for a temporary resident (180 days).

 

It looks like one can go in as a temporary resident, then just renew.

 

Please note: Your first Temporary Residence permit will be granted for only one year. Renewals may be for 1, 2, or 3 years and is up to the discretion of immigration. Remember after 4 years of being a temporary resident you can apply for the permanent residency.

Edited April 21 by JimTripper

[JackGats]

Many consulates require proof of residency in the foreign country if you are not living in your home country. This may lead to a catch-22 situation if you are living in Thailand because what kind of proof of residency do you get from thailand? All you have to show is a Visa and a Visa is not a residency permit. Indeed if at the same time you no longer have any residency in your home country you might find there is no consulate anywhere willing to handle your application for a retirement Visa. Even the Mexican consulate in your home country might raise objections because you are no longer living in your home country.

[JimTripper]

22 minutes ago, JackGats said:

Many consulates require proof of residency in the foreign country if you are not living in your home country. This may lead to a catch-22 situation if you are living in Thailand because what kind of proof of residency do you get from thailand? All you have to show is a Visa and a Visa is not a residency permit. Indeed if at the same time you no longer have any residency in your home country you might find there is no consulate anywhere willing to handle your application for a retirement Visa. Even the Mexican consulate in your home country might raise objections because you are no longer living in your home country.

Residence certificate? May be more where I'm staying though, not proving residency. I'm not sure how strict they would be on that requirement.

Edited April 21 by JimTripper

[NoDisplayName]

1 hour ago, JimTripper said:

Residence certificate? May be more where I'm staying though, not proving residency. I'm not sure how strict they would be on that requirement.

 

You'd have to call the embassy to confirm, but often a person with a long-term visa in a third country is considered resident there for visa application purposes.

[impulse]

2 questions, the first rhetorical:

 

1) I wonder if there are visa "agents" in Mexico?

2) Is there a decent expat/visa blog?

 

[Jingthing]

Hi there,

Based on a report here some years ago, I think it probably IS possible to apply for temporary or permanent Mexican residency via the Mexican Embassy in Bangkok.

HOWEVER, as I recall from the report, as they don't do many of these in Thailand they send everything to Mexico for approval, and they will be interpreting the requirements in the most rigid ways. They don't want to send an application where there is any doubt. On the other hand at a Mexican Consulate in the U.S. it's all done right there. 

So probably possible, but arguably not recommendable.

If doing this in the US you are free to shop for a friendlier consulate. They each have different styles and even financial levels! Laredo Texas is reputed to be the most liberal.

If you try Bangkok let us know how it goes.

Where do you plan to live in Mexico?

Buenos Suertes.

 

Edited April 21 by Jingthing

[Jingthing]

32 minutes ago, impulse said:

2 questions, the first rhetorical:

 

1) I wonder if there are visa "agents" in Mexico?

2) Is there a decent expat/visa blog?

 

There are visa lawyers but to get the initial visa it must be done OUTSIDE of Mexico so that is not done with agents.

Once you're in Mexico, there are further processes to go through at Mexico immigration. Then there are renewals, possible citizenship applications. For the internal stuff, many people do use lawyers.

There isn't a forum comparable to aseannow for Mexico but there are lots of links and hundreds of youtube videos on the retirement process.

There are some cool things lawyers can help with.

For example, if you're married to Mexican including same sex, one person can get the temp or permanent residence and then later in Mexico, you can add the spouse without them qualifying and they get the same residence status.

There even a path to residence in Mexico without ever applying for the initial visa anywhere or showing any finances. It's based on living in Mexico for a long time for a specified time period and whether Mexico renews the program or not on an annual basis. So it's a crap shoot. It's called REGULARIZATION. 

Mexico's offer is great. With an initial temporary residence based on show money (can be in retirement accounts) outside of Mexico, you can begin a path towards permanent residency and even citizenship without ever showing money again and never an import to Mexico requirement. Or if you have the funds, get perm residence instantly.

Perm residence is for life.

Edited April 21 by Jingthing

[Jingthing]

Correction.

I meant married to a non Mexican.

Could be a Thai

 

If you're married to a Mexican you can get residency based on the marriage rather than retirement finances.