You bring the dream. We chart the way.
Work permit experts for foreign nationals. You are not making this journey alone: we guide you step by step until you have your work permit in Mexico.
Nadime and Jaime answer you themselves. Not a system.
We guarantee our service. Fees are charged exclusively when the process is successful.
Who guides you
You are not making this journey alone.
We are Nadime Esma and Jaime Hernández, work permit experts for foreign nationals. Every case is unique: we review yours carefully and tell you what to do before each appointment.
Serving Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya
Who a work permit is for
For those coming to Mexico to work.
- Engineering
- Technology
- Business management
- Industry
- Teaching and research
- Gastronomy
- Design
And any position a company in Mexico wants to hire you for.
Some of the countries we serve
We work with people from any country. Each one requires different documents; these are some examples.
01Argentina HolaYour documents are already in Spanish.
- As a tourist, you cannot work in Mexico. To work, the route is the job-offer visa, which the company initiates.
- Apostille: it is requested online through Trámites a Distancia, at the Colegio de Escribanos of your province or at an Argentine consulate.
- Criminal record: the certificate valid abroad is the one from the Registro Nacional de Reincidencia.
- Your documents are in Spanish. They do not need translation.
- If you hold two nationalities, we decide with you from the start which passport the whole process will use.
02United States HelloCertificates, with your state; FBI records, with the Department of State.
- Apostille: your certificates and notarized documents are apostilled by the Secretary of State of the state that issued them.
- FBI background check: it is a federal document. It is apostilled by the U.S. Department of State, not by your state.
- Translation: your documents in English are submitted in Mexico translated into Spanish. We tell you how.
- Your consulate: the appointment is booked through MiConsulado, at the Mexican consulate that serves your area. If you hold another nationality, bring your U.S. residency document.
- Coming as a retiree or a remote worker? That is a different residency, based on financial solvency. As a tourist, you cannot work.
03Canada Hello · BonjourSince 2024, your documents are apostilled in Canada.
- Apostille since January 11, 2024: your Canadian documents are now apostilled in Canada. They no longer go through the Mexican consulate.
- Who issues it? Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan apostille their own documents. Federal documents and those from the rest of the country are apostilled by Global Affairs Canada.
- Translation: your documents in English or French, including those from Quebec, are submitted translated into Spanish. We tell you how.
- Your consulate: there are offices in Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary and Leamington. The appointment is booked through MiConsulado.
- Already living here with a residency based on financial solvency? If a company in Mexico wants to hire you, the work permit is requested in Mexico, without leaving the country.
04Colombia HolaOnline apostille and documents in Spanish.
- Colombia is the third nationality with the most work-based temporary residencies in Mexico. In 2025 there were 1,687.
- As a tourist, you cannot work in Mexico. To work, the route is the job-offer visa, which the company initiates.
- Apostille: it is requested online on the Cancillería website, wherever you are.
- Your documents are in Spanish. They do not need translation.
- Your consulate: the consular section of the Embassy of Mexico in Bogotá serves by appointment only. Book it with your name exactly as it appears on your passport.
05Spain HolaAppointment in Madrid or Barcelona, documents in Spanish.
- As a tourist, you cannot work in Mexico. To work, the route is the job-offer visa, which the company initiates.
- Apostille: notarial documents are apostilled by the Colegio Notarial. The Ministry of Justice apostilles other public documents and, for some certificates, does so online.
- Your documents are in Spanish. They do not need translation.
- Your consulate: the Embassy of Mexico in Madrid, or the Consulate in Barcelona if you live in Aragon, Catalonia, the Balearic Islands or Valencia. You attend the interview in person.
- Your family can come with you. Your spouse, minor children and parents can live here as temporary residents for as long as your permit lasts.
06China 你好The consulate appointment is free of charge.
- China is the nationality with the most work-based temporary residencies in Mexico. In 2024 there were 4,102 out of 21,214.
- Apostille: since November 7, 2023, your Chinese documents are apostilled in China. They no longer go through the Mexican consulate.
- Translation: documents in Chinese are submitted translated into Spanish. We tell you how.
- Your name: we make sure your surname and given name are in the correct order on your CURP and your RFC. Correcting it later is a separate process.
- The consulate appointment is free of charge. The Embassy of Mexico in China itself warns against third parties who charge for it.
07Russia ЗдравствуйтеThey are apostilled there and translated into Spanish.
- Apostille: Russia remains in the Apostille Convention. Your documents are apostilled in Russia and translated into Spanish.
- Bank cards: since March 2022, cards issued in Russia do not work outside the country. Plan how to cover your first weeks.
- Bank account in Mexico: with your resident card you can open accounts. Each bank reviews its own requirements.
- What we do not do: we do not give opinions on sanctions or handle refugee applications. If your case requires it, we tell you where to turn.
Our guarantee
Before accepting your case, we review it. We only take on cases we know we can bring to a successful outcome.
That is why we guarantee our service.
Fees are charged exclusively when the process is successful.
- 30% down paymentThe rest when your process is complete.
- In writing your feesA quote based on your case, before we begin.
- One month on averageIn our experience, about one month on average.
The guarantee covers all our fees. Government payments are non-refundable.
See the 2026 government payments
Government payments 2026 In Mexican pesos (MXN)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Employer Registration Certificate (paid by the company)Registration of the company with the INM so it can hire foreign nationals. | $391.10 |
| Visa application based on a job offer (filed by the company)The INM reviews the offer and authorizes the visa. You and the company agree on who covers it. | $247.96 |
| Visa at the consulateSet in pesos by law; the consulate charges it in US dollars or local currency at that month’s rate. | $990.79 |
| Temporary resident card, 1 yearYour residency document with permission to work. | $11,140.74 |
| Total the first time | $12,770.59 |
| What you payWithout the company certificate. (from $6,809.12 MXN with the discount) | $12,379.49 |
The law provides a 50% discount on the card when your residency is based on an offer from a company with a valid certificate and you claim it with the INM: total from $7,200.22 MXN. The discount does not apply to the certificate, the application or the visa. We confirm the exact amount for your case.
Afterwards: renewals and permanent residency
| Renewal for 1 yearfrom $5,570.37 MXN with the discount | $11,140.74 |
|---|---|
| Renewal for 2 years (uncommon)from $8,346.68 MXN with the discount | $16,693.36 |
| Renewal for 3 years (uncommon)from $10,571.29 MXN with the discount | $21,142.58 |
| Change to permanent resident, once you complete 4 years as a temporary resident$1,847.13 MXN for the change of status plus $13,578.96 MXN for the card | $15,426.09 |
Your first card is valid for 1 year. Renewing every year is the most common path. The law allows applying for 2 or 3 years at once, but the INM seldom grants it; if your case allows it, we will tell you. The 50% discount also applies to the renewal when your company’s certificate is still valid. Fees are set by the Ley Federal de Derechos (Federal Fees Law) and are updated every year.
Rates in effect in 2026, in Mexican pesos (MXN). When paid, each amount is rounded to the nearest peso. These are government payments, not fees. Source: Ley Federal de Derechos (Federal Fees Law), arts. 8, 9, 13, 14 Bis and 22; 2026 rates. Information reviewed: October 2026.
How we work
Clarity at every step. And with every peso.
- 01Through official channelsEvery step goes through the official INM and consulate channels. Your process, in order from the start.
- 02We take care of itForms, payments, deadlines and every detail. You focus on your new job.
- 03Partner lawyersIf your case needs a lawyer, we tell you from the start and refer you to them.
The details
What we take care of for you.
- Checked letter by letterEvery detail on your forms, matched against your passport before it is filed.
- Your arrival, preparedWhat to say and what to check when you land at Cancún or Tulum airport.
- Your deadlines, in writingA calendar with every key date in your process.
- A kit for your employerA guide so Human Resources knows what to prepare.
Your journey, step by step
You live every step. We guide you through each one.
First, your work permit. Then, renewals and permanent residency.
Illustrative imageStep 0
Your case review
- You
- You send us your details on WhatsApp.
- Hernández Esma
- We review your case and tell you whether we take it on. We only take on cases we know we can bring to a successful outcome.
Illustrative imageStep 1
The company
- You
- A company in Mexico wants to hire you.
- Hernández Esma
- We register the company with the INM, with the documents it requires.
See details
- What the INM does: it issues the Employer Registration Certificate (Constancia de Inscripción del Empleador). It has up to 10 business days to resolve.
Illustrative imageStep 2
The offer
- You
- You receive the offer letter without leaving your country.
- Hernández Esma
- We review the letter with the company and follow up on the visa application until there is a response.
See details
- What the INM does: it reviews the application submitted by the company. If approved, it issues an official letter (oficio) with a case number for the consulate appointment.
Illustrative imageStep 3
The consulate
- You
- You are interviewed at a Mexican consulate.
- Hernández Esma
- We prepare your file and explain what to expect. The appointment is personal and free of charge.
See details
- What the consulate does: it interviews you and places the temporary resident visa in your passport. The appointment must be requested within 30 business days of the INM notice.
Illustrative imageStep 4
Arrival
- You
- You arrive in Mexico with your visa. You have 30 days for the exchange.
- Hernández Esma
- We tell you what to bring to the INM office and follow up until your card is ready.
See details
- What the INM does: on entry, you receive an immigration form marked for exchange (canje) for your resident card. You have 30 calendar days to exchange it for your temporary resident card. The INM resolves within a maximum of 15 business days.
- Illustrative image
Step 5
Your permit
- You
- You receive your work permit, printed on your resident card.
- Hernández Esma
- We tell you the order and what to bring: CURP, RFC, IMSS and bank.
See details
- What you receive: a card stating that you have a work permit.
- What comes next: CURP, RFC, IMSS registration by your employer, and a bank account.
Illustrative imageStep 6
Putting down roots
- You
- You renew your card and, once you complete 4 years as a temporary resident, you can apply for permanent residency.
- Hernández Esma
- We let you know well in advance, before each expiration date.
See details
- What the INM does: the first card is usually valid for one year. After that, the norm is to renew it year by year, up to four years in total. Once you complete 4 years as a temporary resident, you can apply to change to permanent resident.
The time frames cited are the maximums set by the regulations. Actual times depend on each consulate and each INM office.
Cases we have handled successfully
How we have handled cases of three nationalities.
Argentina
Restaurant manager
A restaurant group in Playa del Carmen wanted to hire him.
What we took care of: he held Argentine and Italian passports. Before the appointment, everything was unified under a single passport.
See their path
- The company was not yet registered with the INM: we started there.
- With the company ready, his work visa was requested.
- We prepared him for the interview at the Embassy of Mexico in Buenos Aires.
- He arrived in Mexico and exchanged his visa for his card, with his work permit.
For confidentiality, we do not publish names or personal data.
China
Sales manager
A hotel chain in the Riviera Maya hired him to serve guests from Asia.
What we took care of: his name was entered in reverse order the first time. The CURP was corrected before applying for the RFC.
See their path
- We coordinated the INM application with Human Resources.
- He had his interview at the Mexican consulate, free of charge.
- Once in Mexico, he exchanged his visa for his card, with his work permit.
- Later, his wife and son joined him, with their certificates apostilled and translated.
For confidentiality, we do not publish names or personal data.
Russia
Software developer
A technology company with an office in Playa del Carmen hired him.
What we took care of: his Russian bank cards did not work in Mexico. We let him know before he traveled so he could plan ahead.
See their path
- He requested his criminal record certificate remotely, with a Russian apostille.
- We translated it into Spanish and put together his file.
- He had his interview at the Mexican consulate.
- He arrived in Mexico and exchanged his visa for his card, with his work permit.
For confidentiality, we do not publish names or personal data.
Frequently asked questions
What people ask us most.
Official sources: Instituto Nacional de Migración · Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores
Our most asked questionI am in Mexico as a tourist, I found a job and I want to stay. Can I change my status here? Why do I have to leave Mexico and come back in?
As a general rule, a work permit based on a job offer is requested through a Mexican consulate abroad. There are exceptions that do allow you to change here.
Why it works this way
Mexico’s Immigration Law (Ley de Migración) separates two statuses. As a visitor (tourist), you can stay in Mexico for up to 180 days, without permission to work (art. 52, section I). The work permit belongs to residents (art. 52, section VII).
Article 53 states that visitors cannot change their status within the country, with two exceptions. That is why the job-offer route works like this: your company requests the authorization from the INM, and a Mexican consulate issues your visa (Regulations, art. 115).
When you can change while in Mexico
- If you have a family tie to a Mexican national or to someone who is a resident in Mexico. For example: you are their spouse or partner, their son or daughter, or their father or mother, depending on the case.
- For humanitarian reasons. For example, if your health, or that of a close family member in Mexico, requires it.
If your case fits here, the process is done in Mexico, and we review it with you in detail.
Immigration Law, art. 53; Regulations, art. 141.
The trip is planned, and you are not on your own
- Your company requests the authorization from the INM.
- You attend your appointment at a Mexican consulate and receive your visa.
- You enter Mexico with your visa and, within the following 30 calendar days, exchange it for your resident card with a work permit (Immigration Law, art. 59).
The trip is usually short and planned. We tell you what to do at each step and help you plan your trip.
Ley de Migración (in Spanish), art. 53 · current text, Chamber of Deputies
Also see the Regulations, art. 141: when status can be changed within Mexico (in Spanish)
How much do I pay in total?
There are two parts. Our fees: a quote based on your case, in writing before we begin. Government payments: the first time, in 2026, the total is $12,770.59 MXN. Of that amount, the employer certificate ($391.10 MXN) is paid by the company. What you pay: $12,379.49 MXN (from $6,809.12 MXN with the discount). The law provides a 50% discount on the card if your company has a valid certificate. We confirm the exact amount for your case. The full breakdown is in the government payments table.
See the 2026 government paymentsIs the card valid for 4 years? Does it cost more each year?
Renewing year by year is the norm: your first card is valid for 1 year, and after that you renew it every year (1 + 1 + 1 + 1). The law allows applying for 2 or 3 years at once, but the INM rarely grants it: it depends on your case and on your company backing that term. If it is possible in your case, we will tell you. Each renewal pays the 1-year fee; fees are set by the Ley Federal de Derechos (Federal Fees Law) and are updated every year. Once you complete 4 years as a temporary resident, you can apply for permanent residency.
| Reference cost | 2026 fee | With the discount |
|---|---|---|
| Each 1-year renewal | $11,140.74 MXN | $5,570.37 MXN |
The 50% discount applies when your company’s certificate is still valid. 2- or 3-year renewals have their own fee, shown in the government payments table.
See the 2026 government paymentsWhat is processed first if I am outside Mexico with a job offer?
First, the company obtains its Employer Registration Certificate (Constancia de Inscripción del Empleador) from the INM. It then submits the offer and the visa application. With the INM’s authorization, you attend your appointment at a Mexican consulate.
How long does it take?
In our experience, about one month on average for the INM process. The consulate appointment and the exchange depend on each office’s schedule. The maximum time frames for each step are in “The path, step by step”.
See the path, step by stepDo you speak English and French?
Yes. We assist you in Spanish, English and French on WhatsApp. Write to us in the language you prefer.
What guarantee do you offer?
We guarantee our service. Fees are charged exclusively when the process is successful. The guarantee covers all our fees. Government payments are non-refundable.
Do you take every case?
No. We review each case before accepting it; that is how we can guarantee our service.
I already live in Mexico as a temporary resident for another reason and found a job. Do I have to leave?
No. You can apply for your work permit with the INM without leaving the country. You need your valid card and an offer that includes the details of the employer certificate.
Do you handle the whole process?
Yes. With your written authorization, we prepare your file, submit your process and follow up until the end. Some steps are personal, such as the consular interview and fingerprinting. For those, we tell you exactly what to bring and what to expect. That is how we can guarantee our service.
Can you assure me that I will be approved?
The final decision rests with the INM or the consulate. What we take care of is that your file goes in complete, correct and on time, which is why we review your case before accepting it. And we guarantee our service: fees are charged exclusively when the process is successful.
How are appointments scheduled? What do you do with my passport?
Appointments are booked through the official INM and consulate systems, free of charge. We help you schedule them at the right moment of your process. We receive your documents by WhatsApp or in person, after sharing our privacy notice with you. If there is sensitive data, we ask for your written consent.
Will my card say that I can work?
Yes. When residency is obtained through a job offer, the card states that you have a work permit. The permit covers the activity of that offer.
Can I practice my profession with the card?
If your profession requires a degree or a professional license (cédula) in Mexico, such as medicine, that registration is a separate process. The card alone does not authorize it.
Can my family come with me? Can they work?
Your spouse or common-law partner, your minor children and your parents can live in Mexico as temporary residents for as long as your permit lasts. To work, each person needs their own job offer and their own permit.
See more questions
I have arrived with my visa. How long do I have for the exchange?
You have 30 calendar days from your entry into Mexico. Within that period, you exchange your immigration form for the temporary resident card at the INM office for your place of residence.
How long is the first card valid?
Usually one year. After that, the norm is to renew it every year. In total, temporary residency does not exceed four years.
When should I renew?
Within the 30 calendar days before your card expires. Renewal requires you to appear in person to sign and give your fingerprints.
What happens if my card expires while I am traveling?
The regulations allow a short window to return and apply for renewal. Write to us before you travel and we will review your dates.
When can I apply for permanent residency?
Once you complete 4 years as a temporary resident. It is a separate process, with its own government fee. You apply while your temporary card is still valid. It is not automatic.
Is there another way to reach permanent residency before four years?
Yes, in some cases. For example, through a family tie to a Mexican citizen, or as a retiree or pensioner. We review it with you.
Can I leave and re-enter Mexico?
Yes. With your valid card, you can enter and leave as often as you like. If you have a process underway, such as a renewal, you first need an exit and return permit. That permit is valid for 60 calendar days.
What changes must I report to the INM?
Your address, your workplace, your marital status or your nationality. You have 90 calendar days to report them. The notice carries no government fee. Not reporting may result in a fine.
To get started
Four documents to start your work permit.
Illustrative image- 1Valid passportA PDF of the page with your details and photo.
- 2CVThe INM asks for proof of your experience for the position.
- 3Arrival dateThe estimated date you would arrive in Mexico.
- 4The companyIf you already have one: its name and a contact person.
Send them by WhatsApp or hand them to us in person. Never through this website. Before that, we share our privacy notice with you.
Your work permit starts with a message.
Every case is unique. We review yours personally.
If you prefer a call
Leave your details and we will contact you
If you would rather not write now, leave your details. We will message you on WhatsApp to learn about your case and tell you where to start.
Or message us now on WhatsApp