The essentials

  • Temporary residency: $4,200 per month over the last 6 months, or $70,000 in savings over 12 months.
  • Permanent residency (retired applicants): $6,940 per month or $279,000 in savings.
  • Visa fee: not stated in the sources we reviewed — check with the consulate.
More things to know
  • Appointments: Check the consulate's visa page for the current booking method.
  • Processing: Not stated in the sources we reviewed.
In this guide

Temporary residency requirements

RouteRequirementPeriod
Monthly income (salary or pension)$4,200Last 6 months
Savings or investments$70,000Last 12 months

How it's calculated: Fixed USD amounts on the consulate's visa page.

You show either income or savings, not a combination.

Permanent residency requirements

Eligibility: Retired applicants.

RouteRequirement
Monthly income$6,940
Savings or investments (12 months)$279,000

Minimum monthly pension income for the last six months. If it comes from Social Security, also bring a Benefit Verification Letter stating the exact amount you receive.

Documents to bring

  • Completed visa application form
  • Valid passport, plus a copy of the data page
  • One recent passport-size color photo, white background, no glasses
  • If you're not a citizen of the country where the consulate is: original and copy of proof of legal status
  • Income route: employment or pension income, free of liens, for each of the last six months
  • Savings route: monthly statements for the last 12 months with the minimum balance every month — only the first page of each statement is required
  • Visa fee: check the current amount with the consulate

Documents issued in a country other than the one you're applying in generally need an apostille and an official Spanish translation — confirm the rule with the consulate.

How Denver compares

Of the 12 consulates we track, Denver has the 3rd-lowest published income requirement for temporary residency, at about $4,200 a month. The range runs from Dallas (about $4,130) to Montreal (about $4,666).

ConsulateIncome / monthSavings
Dallas (older sheet)≈$4,130≈$69,597
New York≈$4,200≈$71,500
Denver≈$4,200≈$70,000
Houston≈$4,342≈$73,189
Orlando (older sheet)≈$4,393≈$73,215
London≈$4,435≈$74,737
New Brunswick≈$4,500≈$75,500
San Diego≈$4,510≈$75,950
Las Vegas≈$4,630≈$78,025
Washington, D.C.≈$4,647≈$77,444
Vancouver≈$4,666≈$78,646
Montreal≈$4,666≈$78,618

Amounts published in pesos, Canadian dollars or pounds are converted to US dollars at 18 MXN/USD, 13 MXN/CAD and 23.3 MXN/GBP. A lower figure isn't the only thing that matters: appointment availability, processing time and document rules differ too. See the full consulate comparison.

Do you qualify? Worked examples

  • Income of $4,700 a month after tax: about 10% above Denver's figure — comfortably over the line, as long as six months of statements show it.
  • Income of $4,000 a month: just under. Consulates don't round up, so either wait until you can show the full amount or use the savings route.
  • Savings of $77,000: qualifies on the savings route if the balance stayed above $70,000 in each of the 12 months.
  • A couple where one partner earns: the earner applies on income and the partner through family unity.

Applying at Denver, step by step

  1. Check you qualify against Denver's figures, with a margin for exchange-rate moves.
  2. Gather documents — statements in the format this consulate requires (see above), passport, photo and form.
  3. Book the appointment: Check the consulate's visa page for the current booking method.
  4. Attend in person: an officer reviews your file and interviews you, and you give fingerprints. Bring the visa fee — confirm the amount and payment method first.
  5. Collect the visa: Not stated in the sources we reviewed.
  6. Enter Mexico within 180 days and start the canje at INM within 30 days.

Why applications fall short

  • Income just below the published figure, or a savings balance that dipped below it in one month.
  • Statements that aren't in the required format — printouts where originals or bank-stamped copies are required.
  • Mixing income and savings: consulates assess one route, not both added together.
  • Missing proof of legal status for applicants who aren't citizens of the country they're applying in.
  • Remote workers without an employer letter where the consulate requires one.

What's different about Denver

  • Owning property in Mexico worth more than US$558,000 (not held through a fideicomiso) is a separate route to temporary residency.
  • Social Security income needs a Benefit Verification Letter.
  • The consulate's 2025 PDF listed only a savings figure; the current web page adds the income route.

After your visa is approved

Your visa sticker is valid for 180 days. Enter Mexico, make sure your entry is recorded as a canje, and visit an INM office within 30 days to get your residency card. Step-by-step instructions and 2026 fees are in our canje guide; when the card nears expiry, see how to renew.

Official contact details

Compare other consulates

Frequently asked questions

How much income do I need for Mexican residency at the Denver consulate?

For temporary residency, the Denver consulate's published requirement is $4,200 per month over the last 6 months, or $70,000 in savings/investments over 12 months.

How do I book a visa appointment at the Mexican consulate in Denver?

Check the consulate's visa page for the current booking method.

How long does the Denver consulate take to issue a residency visa?

Not stated in the sources we reviewed.

Can I combine income and savings at the Denver consulate?

No. Like other consulates, it assesses either monthly income or savings and investments — not both added together.

Do I have to apply at my nearest consulate?

You apply at a Mexican consulate in a country where you're legally present. Some consulates serve only their own jurisdiction, so check before booking; requirements, fees and waiting times differ between them.

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.