v256.0 · relocation checklist · US → MX · verified 2026-04
United States to Mexico — relocation checklist
14-step ordered checklist covering visa, banking, healthcare, housing, taxes, schooling, shipping, and pets. Written for the US retiree, remote worker, or family seeking Temporary/Permanent Resident visa + lower cost of living.
From
To
Total cost
USD 3,500-12,000 — visa, deposit, shipping
Timeline
6-14 weeks pre-arrival, 4-6 weeks post-arrival
Typical profile for this pair
US retiree, remote worker, or family seeking Temporary/Permanent Resident visa + lower cost of living
Step-by-step checklist (14 steps)
Pre-departure (8-14 weeks out)
- Choose visa — Temporary Resident (1-4 year, income >USD 4,300/month or savings >USD 73,000), Permanent Resident (>USD 7,200/month income or >USD 290,000 savings), Family Unit, Work Visa
Pre-departure (6-10 weeks out)
- Apply at Mexican Consulate in US (multiple in CA, TX, AZ, IL, NY, FL) — appointment + interview required
Pre-departure (4-8 weeks out)
- Document apostille — birth certificate, marriage cert, FBI background; financial statements (6 months bank statements typical)
Pre-departure (3-6 weeks out)
- Pre-arrival US tax planning — file Form 8854 if intending eventual expatriation; FEIE preparation; FBAR + 8938 ongoing
Pre-departure (2-4 weeks out)
- Housing research — Lake Chapala (Ajijic), San Miguel de Allende, Puerto Vallarta, Tulum, Cancún popular expat hubs; Mexico City urban; ~USD 500-2,500/month rent depending on location
Pre-departure (1-3 weeks out)
- Ship household goods — Mexico permits 6 months of duty-free household imports for new residents (Menaje de Casa); USD 2,500-6,000 for 20ft container
Pre-departure (1-2 weeks out)
- Pet — APHIS USDA health certificate within 5 days of travel; rabies vaccine; microchip optional but recommended
Arrival (Week 1)
- Enter Mexico on visa-conversion entry; visit INM (Instituto Nacional de Migración) within 30 days to exchange visa for resident card
Arrival (Week 1-2)
- Get CURP (Clave Única de Registro de Población) — needed for banking, healthcare, utilities
Arrival (Week 2-3)
- Open Mexican bank — BBVA México, Banamex (Citibanamex), Santander, HSBC México; bring passport + resident card + CURP + proof of address
Arrival (Week 3-4)
- Set up health insurance — INM may require IMSS voluntary or private (GNP, AXA Mexico) or international (Cigna Global)
Arrival (Month 2)
- Children enrollment — bilingual + international schools widely available in expat hubs; Mexican public schools free
Arrival (Month 3-6)
- US 1040 (citizenship-based) + Form 2555 FEIE + FBAR + 8938; Mexican IETU/ISR ITR April
Ongoing
- Permanent Resident after 4 years on TR; Mexican citizenship after 5 years (2 years for spouses of Mexicans)
Cost breakdown
| Mexican Resident Visa application | USD 51-330 (varies) |
| INM resident card exchange | USD 110-300 |
| Document apostille | USD 100-300 |
| First month rent + 1-month deposit (San Miguel 2BR) | USD 800-3,000 |
| Shipping (sea freight 20ft) | USD 2,500-6,000 |
| Pet relocation | USD 200-1,000 |
⚠ Gotchas + watch-outs
- US CITIZENSHIP-BASED TAXATION — must file 1040 regardless of Mexican residence
- Mexico worldwide income taxation after 183 days residence
- US-Mexico DTAA prevents double taxation but FATCA reporting overhead
- Income thresholds 2024 levels — verify with consulate before applying
- TR card must be renewed annually; PR card permanent
- Some US banks close accounts of Mexican residents — keep US bank accounts
- Mexico Tax Identification (RFC) needed for income > USD 4,800/year
Official sources
- Mexico INM — https://www.inm.gob.mx/
- IRS Tax Guide for Aliens — https://www.irs.gov/publications/p519
See also: United States profile · Mexico profile · all relocation checklists · Mexico digital nomad visa · Mexico healthcare
Last verified 2026-04. Immigration, tax, and banking rules change frequently — verify with official sources before acting.