A few questions about living in Mexico

2025-06-06T20:17:39-0400

I'm an older single female who wants to get out of the United States. The politics are certainly part of the reason, but the main reason is I have some complicated health issues, mainly autoimmune and genetic, and the cost of living(especially housing/rent). The healthcare here is horrible and I am basically being ignored and neglected by the medical system. Although I would like to seek health care elsewhere, I'm not expecting it as a given. At this point, I just want the rest of my time to be in a more comfortable, less stressful situation. I am low income so that limits my options more. I am aware of the cartel activity, and I live in a city overwhelmed with fentanyl, homelessness and crime, but am not part of that scene. It is likely, at this point, I am probably only eligible for a tourist visa, which I believe is 30 days. I would love to tutor, whether English or other subjects I have knowledge of,and am unsure if I am able to find employment, can I apply for a visa that allows for employment? Also, I do smoke cigarettes and was wondering how much of an issue it would be to get my nicotine fix. I do have other questions, but figured this would be a start, or if I should focus on other places. Thanks for any information anyone can provide.

Crawford · 2025-06-03T12:45:01-0400

How old is 'older'?
What work would you be intending to do?

Midnightgypsy · 2025-06-03T17:39:09-0400

In my 50s. I would like to tutor or teach, or work remotely if the right opportunity is available.

Crawford · 2025-06-03T18:00:56-0400

Do you work now...?

jrbllj946 · 2025-06-03T18:31:37-0400

What state do you live in now and where in Mexico would you like to go?

Crawford · 2025-06-03T19:56:08-0400

A temporary resident visa with work permit (work visa) will allow you to enter Mexico, receive a temporary resident card an undertake paid activities in the country. All temporary resident visas with work permit must first be requested from the National Migration Institute (INM) directly by the employer in Mexico.Mar 3, 2025

maesonna · 2025-06-06T20:17:39-0400

A tourist permit can be up to 180 days (a little less than 6 months) but you can’t necessarily count on getting that amount. You get whatever you’re given by the immigration agent upon entering Mexico. It may be 180 days, or 90 or 60 or 30, or fewer.

The path to getting permission to work in Mexico is only through residency. The process to get residency starts in your country, at a Mexican consulate. So you can’t enter as a tourist and then get permission to stay and work. But you can scout for jobs while you are a tourist, only knowing that you’d have to return to the US, however briefly, to submit your application for residency at a Mexican consulate.

Alternatively, if you can fulfill the financial requirements to become a temporary resident (which doesn’t grant permission to work) and later find a job, you can apply within Mexico to get authorization to work added to your residency. The employer must be authorized by INM to employ foreigners, or else they have to apply for that authorization.

Once you have been a temporary resident for 4 years, upon renewal for the 5th year your residency becomes permanent. A permanent resident can work in Mexico without needing any further authorization.

A few questions about living in Mexico

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