Mexico Family Unity Residency: Who Qualifies and How to Apply
Family unity (unidad familiar) lets relatives join a Mexican or a foreign resident without meeting the income test. Who counts as family, where to apply and what INM asks for.
Family unity (unidad familiar) residency lets close relatives of a Mexican citizen or a foreign resident live in Mexico without meeting the income or savings test. The Migration Law covers spouses, common-law partners, minor children and parents. Relatives apply at a consulate abroad or, as visitors in Mexico, through a change of status at the National Migration Institute (INM).
Who qualifies for family unity residency?
Who qualifies depends on the status of the person you are joining. The Migration Law (Ley de Migración) sets three lists:
| Joining | Relatives covered | Status they receive |
|---|---|---|
| A temporary resident (Art. 52, VII) | Spouse; common-law partner; minor unmarried children of the resident or of the spouse or partner, or children under their custody; the resident’s parents | Temporary residency for as long as the resident’s permit lasts |
| A permanent resident (Art. 55) | Parents; spouse; common-law partner; minor unmarried children of the resident or of the spouse or partner; minor unmarried siblings | Permanent residency, except spouses and partners, who get two years of temporary residency first |
| A Mexican citizen (Art. 56) | Parents; spouse; common-law partner; foreign-born children who are not Mexican; minor children of the spouse or partner; minor siblings | Spouses and partners: two years temporary, then permanent; parents and children: see Article 54 |
Article 54 adds direct routes to permanent residency for foreigners who have Mexican-born children, and for parents, grandparents, children and grandchildren of a Mexican by birth. A partner who is not married must prove the relationship under Mexican civil law or with an equivalent document from their home country.
What can family members do with this residency?
Relatives of a temporary resident can come and go from Mexico as often as they like and can get a work permit if they have a job offer. Relatives who receive permanent residency may work without a separate permit. Spouses and partners of Mexicans or permanent residents can move from temporary to permanent residency after two years, as long as the marriage or partnership continues; INM’s requirement sheet asks for a signed statement from both that they have shared a home during those two years.
How do you apply from outside Mexico?
From abroad, the relative applies for a resident visa at a Mexican consulate, then exchanges it in Mexico for a resident card. The steps match other residency routes:
- Book an appointment at the consulate that covers your place of residence and check its family unity requirement sheet.
- Bring the passport, the application form, the visa fee and proof of the family link, plus the ID or resident card of the relative in Mexico.
- After approval, enter Mexico with the visa and start the exchange (canje) at INM within 30 days of arrival.
Our guides to temporary residency and the INM canje in Mexico City explain the consulate appointment and the card exchange. Consulates apply the rules with some differences, so follow your consulate’s own list.
Can you apply from inside Mexico as a visitor?
Yes, family ties are one of the grounds on which INM lets visitors change status without leaving. INM’s procedure INM-03-010-G on gob.mx, a change to temporary residency through a family bond, is open to holders of visitor status or student residency. As of November 2026 it lists:
- Proof of payment of the fee for receiving and studying the change of status.
- The multiple migration form (FMM), visitor card or student card.
- The passport or travel document used to get your current status.
- INM’s online application form for residency procedures, printed and signed.
- Proof of the family link: birth certificate for parents and children, marriage certificate for spouses, or proof of a common-law relationship.
- Valid official ID of the Mexican relative, or valid resident card of the foreign relative.
INM lists a response time of 20 business days. The process has three steps: fill in the online form, book an appointment at the office for your address, and attend with the documents and the appointment QR code.
How much does family unity residency cost?
You pay two kinds of fees: one for INM to study the application and one for the resident card. The gob.mx page for INM-03-010-G shows a range from MXN 1,847 to MXN 25,058 as of November 2026, depending on the card and its length. INM’s 2026 fee table also sets a 50% rate for cards issued for family unity; for example, MXN 5,570 instead of MXN 11,141 for a one-year temporary card. Pay only through INM’s official payment form.
Which documents need an apostille or translation?
Civil documents issued abroad, such as marriage and birth certificates, generally need an apostille or consular legalization and a Spanish translation by an authorized translator (perito traductor). Order certified copies early; some countries take weeks. Names must match across passports and certificates, or you will need extra proof such as a name-change record.
After approval, every resident must tell INM about changes of address, civil status, nationality or workplace within 90 days; our guide to INM change notifications explains how. This page explains the law in general terms and is not legal advice; INM decides each application, and an immigration lawyer can review your case.
Bottom line
Check which list your relative falls under, gather apostilled and translated civil documents first, and decide whether a consulate application or an in-country change of status suits your timing. Ask for the 50% family unity rate when you pay for the card.
FAQ
Can my spouse get permanent residency right away if I am Mexican?
No. Under Article 56, the spouse or partner of a Mexican first receives temporary residency for two years, then can switch to permanent residency if the marriage or partnership continues.
Can adult children join a foreign resident through family unity?
Generally no. The lists in Articles 52 and 55 cover minor, unmarried children or children under custody. Adult children of a Mexican by birth have their own route to permanent residency under Article 54.
Do I need to show income for family unity?
The family unity grounds in the Migration Law do not include the income or savings test that applies to retirees and other applicants. The consulate or INM can still ask for documents that support the application.
Can a family unity resident work in Mexico?
Relatives of temporary residents can get a work permit with a job offer. Relatives who receive permanent residency may work without a separate permit.
