Getting help with living in Mexico
Help from the Mexican government
For any questions about moving to or living in Mexico, you may be able to get help from the:
The UK government and the British Embassy in Mexico City cannot give personalised advice on moving to, living or retiring in Mexico.
Professional help in Mexico
You can also get help from English-speaking professionals in Mexico, including:
- lawyers
- translators
- notaries
- funeral directors
Help from the UK government
Read the travel advice for Mexico to understand the risks you may face if you live in or visit Mexico. This includes the latest information on:
- visas and entry requirements
- laws and cultural differences
- safety and security
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad.
Get help from the UK government abroad, including in an emergency.
Visas, residency and citizenship
Make sure you meet the entry requirements for Mexico before you travel.
Visas and residency
Check which Mexican visa you need to live in Mexico.
Read guidance on temporary residence visas (in Spanish).
You can get a visa to:
- work
- study
- retire or live in Mexico without working
- live with family in Mexico
- invest or do business in Mexico
If you want to extend your visa, contact your local office of the Mexican National Institute of Migration (INM) (in Spanish).
Getting your residence card
If you have a temporary or permanent residency visa, you must convert it to a residence card within 30 days of arriving in Mexico. You can do this at your local office of the Mexican National Institute of Migration (INM) (in Spanish).
If you have any problems or questions about getting your residence card, contact:
Permanent residency
You may be able to apply for permanent residency in Mexico if you meet the eligibility criteria.
To find out if you’re eligible and how to apply:
Citizenship
Mexico recognises dual citizenship. This means that you do not have to give up (renounce) your British citizenship to become a Mexican citizen.
To find out if you’re eligible for Mexican citizenship:
Help with visa, residency and citizenship applications
The British Embassy in Mexico City cannot help with Mexican visa, residency or citizenship applications.
For any questions or issues, contact:
Passports and travel
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- apply for a British passport from abroad
- travel urgently without your British passport
Dual citizens travelling to the UK
When travelling to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. Read guidance on dual citizenship.
Resident children travelling without a parent or legal guardian
Resident children aged 17 and under who travel in or out of Mexico without a parent or guardian must carry a departure authorisation form (‘Formato de Salida de Menores’) (in Spanish).
Read:
Consult your airline for any specific requirements.
Healthcare in Mexico
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- plan your healthcare
- take medicine abroad
Mexico does not have a reciprocal health agreement with the UK.
Make sure you either:
To find out how to get medical treatment:
Working in Mexico
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers working abroad, including documents you may need from the UK government.
To work in Mexico, you need a Mexican visa (in Spanish) that gives you permission to work.
If you have a job offer from a Mexican employer, they must request work authorisation (autorización de trabajo) for you from the Mexican National Institute of Migration. Once this is approved, you can apply for your visa at your nearest Mexican embassy or consulate. You can book an appointment online (in Spanish).
If you already live in Mexico on a temporary residence or student visa, you can apply for a work permit (in Spanish).
To apply for a job, you may need to apply for:
For more advice, contact an English-speaking lawyer in Mexico.
Recognition of qualifications
To work in Mexico, you may need to get your foreign qualifications recognised (in Spanish).
Driving in Mexico
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- drive abroad legally
- take your UK vehicle abroad
- get driving licence letters
If you’re resident in Mexico, you must apply for a Mexican driving licence. You can do this at a local Traffic or Highway Department in the state where you live in Mexico.
In most cases, you will need to do a one-day road education course. You may need to take a test if it is your first driving licence application.
The process and requirements for getting a driving licence may vary from state to state. For more information:
Your Mexican driving licence is valid throughout Mexico, regardless of where it was issued.
The Mexican government provides information on driving in Mexico, including:
You can also read about road travel in safety and security in the travel advice for Mexico.
Disabled drivers
You may be able to apply for a Mexican disabled parking card. State and municipal authorities manage disabled parking cards, so you will need to consult your local authority.
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Mexico, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.
Tax
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers tax, including paying UK tax and National Insurance.
The UK has a double taxation agreement with Mexico so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.
Contact the Mexican Tax Administration Service (SAT) (in Spanish) for any questions about double taxation relief.
Consider getting professional advice on paying tax in Mexico. To do this, find an English-speaking lawyer in Mexico.
Pensions
Claiming your UK pension
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:
- how to claim your UK State Pension
- where the UK government pays an annual increase in the State Pension
Claiming a Mexican pension
You may be eligible to claim a Mexican pension if you have made contributions to the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) (in Spanish).
For more information:
Benefits
Claiming UK benefits
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to claim UK benefits abroad, including Child Benefit.
Claiming Mexican benefits
You may be entitled to some Mexican benefits if you have made contributions to the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) (in Spanish).
To find out if you’re eligible and how to claim:
Buying and renting property in Mexico
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers buying and renting property abroad.
There are some restrictions on foreign nationals buying property or land close to the border or the coast. Read the Mexican Embassy’s guidance on buying property in Mexico for more information.
Contact an English-speaking lawyer in Mexico if you’re considering buying property or land.
Voting in Mexico
UK elections
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- vote in UK elections from abroad
- register as an overseas voter
Mexican elections
You cannot vote in Mexican elections unless you hold Mexican citizenship.
Studying in Mexico
If you plan to study in Mexico, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel.
For more information:
Children
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers moving abroad with children, including:
- getting permission to take your child abroad
- claiming UK Child Benefit abroad
- child maintenance payments if a parent lives abroad
Schools and education
The Mexican Secretariat of Public Education (in Spanish) provides information about the school system in Mexico.
All children must attend school or home school for 15 years in Mexico.
For information about enrolling children in schools, contact your local state education authority.
Childcare
The Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) is responsible for state-funded childcare services in Mexico.
If you are in formal employment and you pay social security contributions, you may be eligible for an IMSS daycare place (in Spanish).
Many people in Mexico rely on private childcare options.
Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships
Births
If your child is born in Mexico, register the birth with the Mexican authorities. You can do this at your local Civil Registry Office. Read the Mexican government’s guidance on birth registration requirements (in Spanish) in each Mexican state.
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- register the birth with the UK authorities to get a UK birth certificate
- apply for your child’s first British passport
Deaths
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:
- what to do after someone dies abroad
- how to register the death with the UK authorities
If someone dies in Mexico, read guidance on:
Marriages and civil partnerships
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get married or get a civil partnership abroad.
You can also read the guidance on getting married in Mexico in the Mexican Embassy’s information on services for foreigners.
Divorce and separation
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get a divorce or end a civil partnership.
Divorce processes vary from state to state in Mexico. Consider taking legal advice from an English-speaking lawyer in Mexico.
Documents for British people in Mexico
Read our guidance on documents for British people abroad. This covers:
- legalising and certifying UK documents
- marriage and civil partnership documents
- affirmations and affidavits
- witnessing signatures
Lawyers, translators and notaries
To find an English-speaking lawyer, translator or notary in Mexico, read guidance on professional services if you’re abroad.
Pets
If you want to bring your pet with you to Mexico, read guidance on :
Returning to the UK
Read returning to the UK permanently. This includes information on bringing family members back to the UK, tax and access to services.
Disclaimer
We provide this information as a guide only. For definitive information, contact the Mexican authorities.
Read our consular information disclaimer.
