Visa timeline in Mexico City

• Remote worker or self-fundedTemporary residence on economic solvency: income or savings from outside Mexico.6 steps
• Employee of a Mexican companyTemporary residence with permission to work, started by the employer at INM.6 steps
• StudentA visa for study, then a student temporary resident card for courses over 180 days.4 steps
• Partner or family of a Mexican or residentFamily unity: the one route that can usually be started inside Mexico.3 steps

Almost every residence route starts with a visa from a Mexican consulate abroad; you cannot normally switch from tourist to resident inside Mexico, the family-unity route being the main exception. Consulates set their own appointment systems and apply the financial thresholds differently, so check with yours. This is a general guide, not legal advice. Confirm each step with the Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM) and your Mexican consulate before you rely on it.