From the Mexican Gov. website Portland Oregon Consulate
https://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/portland/index.php/spe/ve?sectionid=5&id=65
Please note there is conflicting information on this website. This should be considered a guide for reference for the steps required to acquire Permanent Residency. The Financial solvency information is subject to change and may differ depending on the Consulate and the region of Mexico you wish to reside.
FINANCIAL SOLVENCY
Monthly income from outside Mexico equaling five hundred days of pay at the Mexican minimum wage, approximately $3,200 USD or $103,000 USD in the bank. The process is the same as for Temporary Residency, except for the financial requirements. You do not need to become a Temporary Resident first. You can skip that step if you wish to become Permanent with no limitations on leaving and reentering Mexico. As a Permanent Resident, you cannot have a foreign-plated vehicle, meaning you would have to buy a local vehicle. You can apply to have your vehicle imported into the country, but it can be cost-prohibitive
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has automated Form I-94 at air and seaports of entry. The paper form will no longer be provided to a traveler upon arrival, except in limited circumstances. Travelers are provided a CBP admission stamp on their travel documents. If a traveler needs a copy of their I-94 (record of admission) for verification of alien registration, immigration status, or employment authorization, download it here.
https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home
The forms below are only needed if the Special circumstance noted applies to you.
EVERYONE
I-94 Your passport stamp when you arrive in Mexico from the United States.
STUDENTS
I-20 Proves that you are enrolled legally in a program of study in the United States.
https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/2015/02/what-form-i-20-and-when-do-i-need-it
EXCHANGE STUDENTS/WORKERS
J-1 Non-immigrant visa provided by the United States to students and professionals who engage in exchange programs.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/exchange.html
NON-NATURALIZED CITIZENS
I-797a Approval for the address change is evidence of the applicant’s lawful presence in the United States.
https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-guidance/form-i-797-types-and-functions
SPECIAL ALIEN STATUS
I-512L Authorization for Parole of an Alien into the United States.
● Fill out the Application form in English or Spanish.
● A valid passport and one photocopy of the pages containing personal information, the bearers photograph, signature, and expiration date/extensions.
● Last U.S. visa for multiple entries and one photocopy.
● Valid I-94 and, for the cases where it applies, valid signed I-20 or J-1 or I-797A or I-512L forms in original and one photocopy.
● One recent passport size photo (size 1.5 x 1.3/4 inches), in color, white background, no glasses, no smiling.
● Original financial records under the applicant’s name (financial documentation must show the applicant’s full name) and one photocopy of each, such as the last six months of bank statements (checking, savings, or investments) in U.S. Dollars with an average monthly balance of at least $2519.00 USD*, or last six months of employment or pension pay stubs with a monthly balance of at least $839.00 USD* after taxes and proof of stable employment for the past 12 months.
● If a company/organization in Mexico invited a foreign national, the applicant must submit an original invitation letter.** The invitation must have a letterhead, address, and signed in ink (Scanned or pdf versions are not accepted), accompanied by official documents that prove the applicant is qualified to carry out the activities stated in the letter. Ministers of religion should also submit an original letter of anuencia (consent) of the Ministry of Interior (Secretaría de Gobernación) from Mexico. The applicant must also submit a letter from the U.S. company stating that they will be responsible for the applicant’s salary during the visit. The company in the U.S. must also provide proof of financial solvency with the last 12 months of bank or financial statements with a monthly average balance of $5,000.00 USD *
● For short-term students (less than 180 days):
○ Original letter of acceptance from the School or University. The letter should be recent (no more than 30 days from the date of issue) and state:
■ Applicants full name, date of birth, and passport number.
■ Level and area of study to which the applicant is accepted.
■ The name of the course or program which the applicant is accepted.
■ The semester the applicant is accepted and the beginning and ending dates of the course or program.
■ Deadlines for enrollment and registration.
■ Tuition and fees.
■ School or the Universities information, including name, address, code number, phone numbers, email addresses, and names of the admissions office responsible personnel.
**INVITATION LETTER
● Original Invitation Letter from the company/organization based in Mexico must be addressed to the Consulate of Mexico in Portland requesting the visa and specifying:
● The company/organization’s primary activities/services/purpose.
● Applicants full name and nationality.
● The exact purpose of the trip to Mexico (the purpose should be directly related to the company/organizations activities/services/purpose).
● Length of the trip to Mexico.
● How the applicant’s expenses will be covered (if the company/organization covers expenses, must present proof of financial records for the past six months).
● Registration number of the company/organization, plus address, complete name, and contact information of the company/organization and its representative.
● Copy of ID of the person who signed the invitation letter.
The visa process can take up to ten business days after the application is submitted. After processing, you will be contacted with appointment information for an in-person interview. Filing an application does not guarantee the issuance of a visa. All cases are reviewed by a consular official, who will determine the approval of the visa issuance.
INCOMPLETE APPLICATION PACKAGES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT
Some cases require an additional review and approval from the Mexican Immigration Authority; this process can take up to ten working days beyond the original wait time.