How to Get an RFC in Mexico as a Foreign Resident
The RFC is Mexico's tax ID, issued by the SAT. Not every resident needs one, but employees, freelancers and landlords do, and banks often ask for it.
The RFC (Registro Federal de Contribuyentes) is the tax ID issued by Mexico’s Tax Administration Service (SAT). Foreign residents register for it at a SAT office with an appointment, bringing a valid immigration document and proof of address; registration is free. At the end you have your RFC and a tax status certificate (constancia de situación fiscal).
Who needs an RFC in Mexico?
You need an RFC if you earn income that Mexican tax law reaches, or if someone needs to invoice you. Common cases:
- Employees of a Mexican company: the employer needs your RFC to run payroll and issue electronic pay slips.
- Freelancers and business owners billing Mexican clients through electronic invoices (CFDI).
- Landlords renting out property in Mexico.
- Buyers and sellers of real estate, through the notary handling the deed.
- People who become Mexican tax residents and must file returns.
Banks, landlords and some phone companies also ask for an RFC, even when you have no Mexican income. Whether you owe tax in Mexico is a separate question, covered in our guide to Mexican tax residency for foreigners.
What documents does the SAT ask for?
SAT’s procedure for foreign individuals, Inscríbete en el RFC como persona física si eres extranjero, lists these items as of November 2026:
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Valid immigration document | Your temporary or permanent resident card, original |
| Passport | Valid; required together with an FMM if you register on a visitor entry |
| Proof of address (comprobante de domicilio) | Original; SAT sets a maximum age, up to four months for documents such as bank statements |
| Foreign tax ID | Only if your home country requires you to have one; certified, legalized or apostilled, with Spanish translation if needed |
| CURP | Requested in some SAT procedures; residents usually have it on the card |
If your resident card is still in process, SAT accepts INM’s application receipt showing the procedure number (NUT). Check the SAT page itself for the current list, because SAT updates its forms every year with the Miscellaneous Tax Resolution.
How do you book and complete the SAT appointment?
- Optional: start the online pre-registration (preinscripción) on the SAT portal, which lets you finish at the office.
- Book an appointment for RFC registration through the SAT appointments system at citas.sat.gob.mx, SAT Móvil or gob.mx. Choose an office in Mexico City or near your address.
- Bring originals of every document. Arrive early with a printed confirmation.
- At the office, the official captures your data, your tax address and your economic activity (or no activity, if you only need the ID).
- Leave with your RFC registration receipt and your constancia de situación fiscal.
Pick the economic activity carefully. Registering as self-employed or as a landlord creates monthly or annual filing duties; registering without an activity does not. If you are unsure, ask a contador (accountant) before the appointment.
What is the constancia de situación fiscal?
The constancia de situación fiscal is SAT’s certificate of your tax registration. It shows your RFC, name, tax address, tax regime and obligations, plus a QR code that others can scan to check it. Employers, banks and clients who invoice you often ask for a copy dated within the last few months.
You can download a fresh one from the SAT portal at any time once you have a password (contraseña) or an e.firma.
What is the e.firma and do you need it?
The e.firma is SAT’s advanced electronic signature: a certificate file, a private key and a password that let you sign tax filings and many other government procedures online. It is required for some SAT tasks and useful for many others, including some annual tax return steps.
Getting it takes an in-person SAT appointment with identification, because SAT records biometric data. Ask whether your office can issue the e.firma at the same visit as your RFC, and bring a USB drive and an email address you control. Keep the files and password safe; replacing them means another appointment.
What do you have to do after registering?
Registration creates a record that SAT expects you to keep current. If you move, file a change of tax address (cambio de domicilio fiscal) through the SAT portal or at an office. Set up SAT’s electronic mailbox, the buzón tributario, with a working email and phone, because SAT sends official notices there.
If you registered an activity, the filing calendar starts right away, even in months with no income. If you only needed the RFC as an ID, keep your constancia handy and review it once a year to confirm no obligations were added by mistake.
Bottom line
If you will earn money in Mexico or a bank asks for it, book the SAT appointment as soon as your resident card or INM receipt is in hand. Decide your tax regime with an accountant beforehand, and request the e.firma early, since many later tasks depend on it. This article explains SAT’s procedure and is not tax advice; SAT and a licensed contador decide individual cases.
FAQ
Does it cost anything to get an RFC?
No. RFC registration at the SAT is free. Paid services only help with paperwork or appointments.
Can I get an RFC online with my CURP?
SAT’s procedure for foreigners is in person with an appointment, with an optional online pre-registration. Online-only options are mainly designed for Mexicans with a CURP.
Will getting an RFC make me pay tax in Mexico?
The RFC itself does not create a tax bill. Your obligations depend on your residency for tax purposes and the activity you register, which is why the activity choice matters.
