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How US Retirees Move to Mexico

Friday, March 17, 2023
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Retirement is an adventure, and what better way to live your adventure than in Mexico! An exotic destination, great climate and new sights and sounds might be all you need, and retiring in Mexico has it all. The sea, the air, the food, and the culture, are all welcoming to those professional adults who are gearing up to become professional retirees. Mexico is South of the US, but you would have to go through a few minor hoops to move there. The hoops are necessary, but not too difficult. Here is how to retire in Mexico.

Duration of stay indicates the type of Mexican visa you will need

A woman in her 60s taking a walk next to a marketplace with colorful flowers and items on display

There are different types of visas offered to American retirees moving to Mexico. The type of Mexican visa depends on the duration of your stay, be it months, years, or the rest of your life. The shortest amount of time is 6 months with a tourist visa. This can be a good idea if you want to live in Mexico and another place during the year. 

There is also the temporary residence visa that is aimed at American retirees moving to Mexico. This one can last up to four years. All you need to do is visit your local Mexican consulate to get the process started. There are a few measures that you must meet first. 

These include proof that you can financially support yourself. The minimum monthly target is approximately $1, 620 net. You may have to provide banking statements for the last year to show an average of $27, 000. Speak to a professional who can advise you on what exactly you need for the process, so that you start on the right track. 

If your goal is to retire in Mexico and live there for longer than four years, then you should apply for a permanent residence visa. This can give you the chance to work in Mexico. You will need to show that you have investment statements with an average monthly income over the past year of $107, 000.

Likewise, you can also show that you have a monthly net pension, or income of at least $1, 620 over the last six months.  

Another option to apply for a permanent resident visa and retire in Mexico is by getting a temporary visa and living in Mexico for four years. This will make the transition to a permanent visa a lot easier. 

More about the permanent residence visa in Mexico

A street photography of Mexico with bright colored buildings with people selling items, walking around, and hanging out on it

Outside of the financial criteria for applying for a permanent resident visa in Mexico, you will also have to:

  • Be retired in your country
  • Plan on living permanently in Mexico. You cannot participate in gainful activities.
  • You cannot be a beneficiary of income from within Mexico. 

What you need to apply for Mexican visa

A cathedral in Mexico between colorful buildings and paved streets

In order to apply for a permanent resident visa you will need the following:

  • A cover letter (yes, you still have to make those) with your full name, passport number, and current address in the US. You will also have to write the address in Mexico that you are living in or plan to move to. This letter must be addressed to the Mexico embassy and be about your reasoning for wanting the visa. The letter must also include information about your pension. This means where you receive it from, and what the amount is. The travel date and how you plan on entering the country. Lastly, if you have any investments. 
  • Your last six months of bank statements.
  • Proof of your investments from the bank from the last 12 months, if need be.
  • If you have anyone dependent on you. For this, you must show that you have an additional 25% of your monthly income for them on a monthly basis as well. While you must also prove the family relationship in the form of marriage certificates, birth certificates, etc.  

Before retiring in Mexico and beginning the process of visa application, it is important that you speak to a professional in this field. This is so that you get all the correct information that you need to make the visa application a success. 

How to apply for Mexican retirement visa

Friends and family reunited for a launch in Mexico cheering and enjoying mexican food

When it comes to applying for a permanent resident visa in Mexico it is best to start the process a few months before you move. This is because it may take a week to a month to receive the Mexico Retirement Visa if you get accepted. If not, then you will have time to try again. 

If you are already on a temporary resident visa then it may be easier to get accepted, but it would be best to start the process before your four years run out. Do speak to a professional about the best timeline for your situation.  

Back to the topic of applying for a permanent resident visa. You will need to contact your nearby Mexico embassy in the US to set up an appointment. Then complete the visa application form on the Mexico embassy website or at the location itself. Make sure that you have all the necessary, and updated documents ready. This includes your US passport. 

From there you must submit the application as well as pay the fee for the visa. On the day of your appointment with the Mexico embassy, you may be interviewed, but you will have to give your biometric information.

When the process is done, you can go and pick up your passport which will have the visa affixed to it, if you are approved. Another step must happen after you have entered Mexico. This is where you have to convert your permanent resident card at the National Immigration Institute.

Healthcare while living in Mexico

A close-up of an elder grandfather holding and hanging his baby grandchild

Becoming a resident of Mexico means that you will have access to medical insurance plans, and the medical facilities in Mexico. Most of the medical facilities are private institutions, and you can find insurance plans from international and local providers. 

There are also some banks in Mexico that offer medical plans. It is best to apply for medical insurance before the age of 65 since, like in the US, it becomes a touch more difficult. Not impossible, but you would have to do research and speak to a professional.

Make Mexico your retirement home with Shyft’s moving help

A woman in her 60s standing next to a table with a huge, Mexican themed cake on it

While you may have experience in moving from one home to another, the task itself is still time-consuming. With AARP® Moving Services powered by Shyft, you can let the real people at Shyft organize the whole moving process for you. This will save not only your time but your money as well. Shyft will find you vetted moving companies, while also giving you comprehensive coverage tailored to your moving needs. 

To find out more you can get in touch with Shyft through the site, or by calling 1-888-838-5981. 

When you work with Shyft you will be given your own Shyft representative known as a Move Coach. This is a real-life person who is virtually there for you every step of the way in your moving process. Your Move Coach will give you a video call at the time you want by using the mobile app called Shyft Next

This app is free-to-download and it can work on your Android, or iPhone device be it a cellphone or a tablet.  

During this initial video call, you can see your Move Coach who will give you more information about the Shyft service, answer all your questions, and create your inventory list for you. This list will be 95% accurate and the whole call will take you about half an hour.

The inventory list is made through the app where all you have to do is show the Move Coach, virtually, around your current home. They are not physically in the venue, and they are mentally and virtually there.  

Your Move Coach will send your inventory list to you within half an hour from the end of the call. This is so you can make your list 100% suited for your moving wants and needs. You can add items, remove items, and even leave notes on some pieces. When you are happy with your inventory list, you can send it to your Move Coach.

A group of people in their late 60s putting there hands in a circle with smiles on their faces, all wearing formal work clothes

The Move Coach will take your list along with your moving details, excluding the personal ones, to Shyft’s secure move board where moving companies that are vetted by Shyft, and are also experienced gather. The moving companies gather on this move board so that they may bid on moving projects, yours included. 

It is through this process that Shyft will collect three or more moving quotes. Each moving quote is based on your inventory list. It is a fixed quote that will not change even if you add more to your list after the fact. Every moving quote comes from a different moving company. 

All the quotes will be sent to you, along with information about the movers. You can compare, and contrast to find the one that is best for you to move with.  

It is during this call that you will see and meet your real-life Shyft Move Coach. It is also during this call that the Move Coach will get to know what you want out of your move. The Move Coach will also create your inventory list during this first call.

This list will be 95% accurate, and it will be sent to you within half an hour from the end of the video call. You can check your inventory list, add items, remove items, and add notes if need be.

Three women in their late 60s standing by a kitchen counter with coffee cups, smiling at the camera

When you are happy with your inventory list you send it back to your Move Coach. The Move Coach will take the updated inventory list, and your moving details, not including the personal ones, to Shyft’s secure move board. This is where experienced, and legitimate moving companies bid on projects, yours included. 

It is through this process that Shyft will collect a lot of moving quotes. Each moving quote is from a different moving company. The quotes will be sent your way, along with information about the movers.  

You can also use the app to make your life easier when it comes to comparing moving companies against each other. Using Shyft to help with your Mexico move can also give you a discount of up to $250 if you are an AARP member. 

If you have any questions or want to know the progress you can contact your Move Coach and Shyft 7 days a week. Get in touch now with Shyft to get your move on to Mexico before all the sombreros are gone.

An elderly couple smiling while standing outdoors next to each other where the man has his arm over the woman’s shoulder
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