The essentials

  • Each Mexican consulate publishes its own residency thresholds. Among those we've verified, the monthly income requirement for temporary residency ranges from $4,049 (San Diego, CA) to $4,647 (Washington, D.C.).
  • Savings requirements range from $68,241 to $77,444 — a gap of more than $9,203.
  • Some consulates publish fixed dollar amounts; others publish pesos and convert at the official rate on the day of your appointment.
More things to know
  • You can apply at any Mexican consulate in a country where you're legally present — many applicants choose based on thresholds and appointment availability.
  • Every figure below is transcribed from the consulate's own published document, linked on each page.
In this guide

Mexico's immigration law sets residency thresholds as multiples of a Mexican index, but each consulate converts and publishes them its own way. The result: the same applicant can qualify at one consulate and be refused at another. This hub compares consulates side by side using their official documents.

ConsulateMonthly income (6 mo)Savings (12 mo)FeeSource
San Diego, CA$4,049Lowest$68,241Lowest$562026
New York, NY$4,200$71,500$562026
Houston, TX$4,342$73,189$54v.2025.10.27
Orlando, FL$4,393$73,215$532024
Older sheet
New Brunswick, NJ$4,500$75,500$562026
Washington, D.C.$4,647
MX$83,640 · varies with rate
$77,444
MX$1,394,000
$562026

Peso-based consulates are converted at the rate you enter (default 18 MXN/USD); the consulate will use the official rate on your appointment day. Temporary residency figures shown; see each consulate for permanent residency where published.

How to choose a consulate

  1. Check eligibility: you must be legally present in the country where the consulate is located. Non-citizens bring proof of status (e.g., green card, visa, I-797).
  2. Compare thresholds: if you're close to the line, a consulate with a lower published figure may make the difference.
  3. Compare document rules: some consulates require bank-stamped originals; others accept a signed bank letter. Remote workers in San Diego need an employer letter that explicitly approves working from Mexico.
  4. Check appointment access: booking methods differ — online system, phone/WhatsApp, or email.
  5. Plan for processing time: some issue same day; others take up to 10 business days and keep your passport.

Why the numbers differ between consulates

The thresholds are defined in Mexican units — days of the UMA or, in some documents, days of the minimum wage — and each consulate converts them to local currency using its own exchange rate and update schedule. For example:

  • Houston states its thresholds as 680 and 11,400 days of UMA, with approximate USD equivalents.
  • Washington, D.C. publishes peso amounts (MX$83,640 and MX$1,394,000) converted at the official DOF rate on your appointment day.
  • San Diego, New York and New Brunswick publish fixed USD figures.

Our residency calculator lets you check yourself against a specific consulate's figures.

Consulate guides

$4,049/mo · $68,241

San Diego, CA

Consulate General of Mexico in San Diego

$4,342.08/mo · $73,188.95

Houston, TX

Consulate General of Mexico in Houston

$4,200/mo · $71,500

New York, NY

Consulate General of Mexico in New York

$4,393/mo · $73,215

Orlando, FL

Consulate General of Mexico in Orlando

$4,500/mo · $75,500

New Brunswick, NJ

Consulate of Mexico in New Brunswick

MX$83,640/mo · MX$1,394,000

Washington, D.C.

Consular Section, Embassy of Mexico in Washington, D.C.

Other consulates (not yet verified)

We only publish figures we've verified from a consulate's own documents. For these consulates, use the official site for current requirements:

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply for Mexican residency at any consulate?

Generally you can apply at any Mexican consulate in a country where you are legally present, not only the one closest to your home. Each consulate sets its own appointment rules and published amounts.

Which Mexican consulate is easiest for residency?

Among the consulates we've verified, San Diego, CA publishes the lowest monthly income requirement for temporary residency. "Easiest" also depends on appointment availability and document rules, which vary.

Do consulates accept online bank statements?

Many don't accept simple printouts. Washington, D.C. and New Brunswick require original statements, stamped by your branch if you bank paperlessly; San Diego and Houston require stamped or certified statements or an official bank letter.

Why did the consulate use a different exchange rate than I expected?

Peso-based consulates convert at the official rate on your appointment day, so the USD amount moves with the market. Keep a 10% cushion.

Sources & official references

This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. Consulates interpret rules differently — confirm with your consulate or a licensed professional before acting.