Post Study Work Options: How to Get a Work Visa in Mexico After Studies

Mexico is a North American country that shares a border to the north with the United States and a border to the south with the Central American countries Belize and Guatemala. The country also has very long coastlines with the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico and a short coastline with the Caribbean Sea.

Mexico is a very popular vacation destination for travellers from all over the world, especially the US and Canada, and earns the most from tourism of all countries in Latin America. The country has a wide range of natural features from sparkling ocean waters and beaches to rugged deserts and spectacular mountains.

Mexico is the largest Spanish-speaking country by population in the world. It offers the perfect mix of centuries-old traditions and contemporary lifestyles. Mexico’s rich, vibrant culture blends several indigenous populations with the Mexican people and that is all flavoured by a huge Spanish influence. A walk down any metropolitan street will display many different kinds of traditional attire and architecture.

Major industries include food and beverages, tobacco, chemicals, iron and steel, petroleum, mining, textiles and clothing, automobiles, consumer durables and tourism. International companies with offices in Mexico include AstraZeneca, Barclays, BP, Deloitte, GSK, HSBC, KPMG, Procter & Gamble, Intercontinental Hotel Group, Premier Oil and Unilever.

After completing your undergraduate studies, you may pursue a postgraduate study and renew your Student Temporary Resident Card.

If you want to stay and live in Mexico after completing your study program, don’t wait until you graduate before you begin the job search. As you near the end of your degree, start your job search well in advance of graduation. You should know that all foreign nationals who want to engage in gainful employment in Mexico need a work permit.

You have to keep on top of the rules and regulations around visas. The more you know about the work permit process, the different possibilities and deadlines,the more prepared and confident you will feel when applying for jobs.

Before you take the plunge, you should know your options so you can plan ahead. Check out your options or, if Mexico is not for you or you want to explore your other options, read our other blog posts on post-study options to know how to get a work visa for the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa!

Mexico Temporary Residence

There are several ways to obtain a Temporary Residence in Mexico for foreign nationals who want to stay in the country for more than 180 days. This permit is valid for a year and can be renewed.

Work Permit/Employment

Once you have a job offer, then your employer must apply for a Mexico Work Permit on your behalf at the National Immigration Institute. The process may take 3-4 weeks.

They must submit the following documents when applying for your work permit:

The Mexico Work Permit Request Form
The original job offer/contract, stating the full details of the job: your salary, the duration of your work, your position, the company’s address, etc. The letter must be written on the company’s letterhead.
A full photocopy of your passport
Your original diplomas, transcripts, and other certifications (legalised)
Your CV
Documents related to the company that’s hiring you
- The Articles of Incorporation
- A list of the employees and their nationalities
- Proof the company’s paid the due taxes
Any additional documents related to your job, studies, etc.

Once you have the work permit, you must request for a Temporary Residence Card which is valid for a year and can be renewed. To renew your temporary residence card, you should submit the application at least 30 days before your current card expires.

To change your Student Temporary Resident Card to Temporary Resident, you should fill out, print and sign the application here.

Investors

This permit will enable you to engage in commercial activities or buy property.

The documents required to prove investor status can be any of the following:

Deed legalised before a public notary indicating that the foreign investor participates in the capital stock of a company established in the country. Your stock participation must be greater than MXN $2,464,400.
Documentation that proves the ownership of real estate or fixed assets in Mexico, whose value must be equivalent to a minimum MXN $2,464,400.
Documentation that certifies the development of economic or business activities in Mexico. This may be proven through contracts, service orders, invoices, receipts, business plans, or proof issued by the Mexican Social Security Institute, indicating the employment of at least three workers.

Aside from the documents above, you should also prepare the following documents to apply:

Valid Passport
Passport size photo
Proof of Finances

*Additional documents may be requested

Mexico Permanent Residence

If you have lived in Mexico for at least 4 years with a Temporary Resident Card then you will be eligible for a permanent residence. This permit does not have an expiry date. it is issued for an indefinite amount of time. You should apply for a permanent residence at least 30 days before your temporary residence card expires.

With this residence permit, you can enjoy the following benefits:

allowed to work without having to get a work permit
apply for free health insurance.
you only have to apply once since it is indefinite, there is no need to renew it every one to two years
you can enter and leave Mexico as many times as you want

To apply, you need to prepare the following documents:

valid passport along with photocopies of the relevant pages (first and last page, any visas and stamps you have received)
Passport-size picture with a white background and taken in the last six months.
Valid temporary residence card
Proof that four years has elapsed since you were granted a temporary residence card

This is not an exhaustive list of requirements. The Mexico embassy may request any additional documents as they see fit.

To start the application, you must fill out, print and sign the application for the procedure in the National Immigration Institute.

Note that no permanent resident holder will be allowed to be outside of Mexico for more than 18 months within 5 years. In such a case, the residence will be withdrawn.

Naturalised Mexican Citizenship

You may apply for Mexican citizenship after five years of residency in Mexico, regardless of whether you have lived as a temporary or a permanent resident. Mexico allows dual citizenship, so you need to check with your home country if they allow the same rule.

The process includes a criminal background check,proof that you have a basic conversational level of Spanish, you know the history of the country and have integrated into the national culture. There will be a test about culture and history, although if you are over 60 years old, you may only be required to have an interview.

Once you file the application, the procedures take about a year to complete, and may take longer in some cases.

As a citizen, you would have full rights to vote and live without fear of being deported. The Mexican passport is also one of the strongest, allowing visa-free access to well over 100 countries.

What are your thoughts on the Post Study Options in Mexico? Is there anything we missed or anything you need clarification on? Comment below.

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