Mexico - residency
Mexico UMA Thresholds 2026: Exact USD Amounts for RT and RP Visas
Mexico ditched minimum-wage-based visa requirements in July 2025 and now uses UMA (Unit of Measure and Update). We publish the exact 2026 UMA values, the 300/5,000 UMA thresholds for Temporary Residency, and the 500/20,000 figures for direct Permanent Residency, all converted to USD.
Key takeaway
For 2026 the monthly UMA is MXN 3,566.22. Temporary Residency needs proof of ~USD 2,040/month income or ~USD 34,000 in average savings. Permanent Residency needs ~USD 3,400/month or ~USD 136,100 in savings. These are the federal baseline; your consulate may ask for more.
Since July 25, 2025, Mexican consulates use UMA (Unidad de Medida y Actualizacion) instead of the daily minimum wage to evaluate financial solvency for Temporary (RT) and Permanent (RP) Resident visas. The switch is deliberate: UMA rises ~3-5% per year, while the minimum wage has been rising 12-20% per year under recent federal administrations. Using UMA keeps the foreign-applicant thresholds in a stable range.
2026 UMA values (effective Feb 1, 2026)
| UMA period | Value (MXN) | vs 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Daily | 117.31 | +3.69% |
| Monthly | 3,566.22 | +3.69% |
| Annual | 42,794.64 | +3.69% |
Temporary Resident (RT) thresholds
You must show ONE of these (not both): (a) net monthly income of at least 300 UMA per month for the last 6 months, or (b) average monthly savings/investments of at least 5,000 UMA over the last 12 months. Proof comes in the form of consular-translated bank statements and pay stubs or broker statements.
Permanent Resident (RP) thresholds
Since the July 2025 change, direct-to-RP applications from abroad are restricted to retirees with pension income (Article 13 Migration Act) or high-solvency applicants. Standard applicants under 60 must typically take the 4-year RT pathway first.
Side-by-side RT vs RP
| RT (Temporary) | RP (Permanent) | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly income threshold | 300 UMA (~USD 2,040) | 500 UMA (~USD 3,400) |
| Savings/investments threshold | 5,000 UMA avg (~USD 34,000) | 20,000 UMA avg (~USD 136,100) |
| Eligibility from abroad | Anyone meeting threshold | Retirees only (mostly); high-net worth |
| Initial validity | 1 year card | Indefinite |
| Total path length | 1, 2, 3 or 4 years, renewable up to 4 | Immediate |
| Work authorization | Requires extra permiso lucrativo | Unrestricted |
| Family unit 50% fee discount | Yes | Yes |
The July 2025 rule change explained
Consulate variation still exists
- Madrid, London, and Tokyo consulates reportedly ask for higher figures (500+ UMA for RT)
- US consulates (Chicago, Los Angeles, San Antonio, Dallas) typically apply the 300 UMA standard strictly
- Some consulates count pre-tax income, others net - confirm with the specific consulate before booking MEXITEL
- Pension income from a government source (US Social Security) is treated favorably and often accepted below thresholds if indexed for life
Currency conversion note
All USD figures in this article use the April 2026 rate of 17.24 MXN/USD. The MXN amounts are fixed by UMA and do not move with the dollar. If the peso strengthens (fewer MXN per USD), your USD cost of meeting the threshold rises. We recommend padding your proof by 10-15% above the strict minimum to absorb rate fluctuation between your bank-statement period and the consular review.
Sources
- Official source: INEGI - UMA 2026 official values
- Official source: Mexperience - Financial criteria for residency in Mexico
- Official source: Mexperience - Updated guidelines for visa issuance
- Official source: INM - Instituto Nacional de Migracion (official)
- Official source: Secretaria de Relaciones Exteriores (SRE) - Visa procedures
Related visa guides
Frequently asked questions
What is the UMA in Mexico?
UMA (Unidad de Medida y Actualizacion) is an indexed unit created in 2016 to decouple various legal and financial thresholds from the minimum wage. It is set annually by INEGI based on inflation. For 2026 the daily UMA is MXN 117.31, the monthly MXN 3,566.22, and the annual MXN 42,794.64.
Do I need 300 UMA in income AND 5,000 UMA in savings for RT?
No. You need ONE of the two. Either net monthly income of 300 UMA for the last 6 months, OR average monthly savings/investments of 5,000 UMA over the last 12 months. Many consulates let you combine the two if you fall short on one, but this is at consular discretion.
Can I still apply for Permanent Residency directly from abroad?
Since July 2025, direct RP applications from abroad are largely restricted to: (a) retirees with qualifying pension income, (b) applicants meeting the 500 UMA monthly or 20,000 UMA savings thresholds with strong documentation, or (c) spouses and family of Mexican citizens. Standard under-60 applicants are typically routed to RT first.
Does the UMA threshold change per consulate?
The federal baseline is 300 UMA (RT) and 500 UMA (RP), but individual consulates apply their own interpretive standards. Madrid, London, and Tokyo are known for stricter review (often 10-20% above baseline). US consulates typically apply the baseline. Confirm the exact figure with your chosen consulate before booking MEXITEL.
What happens if the peso changes after I submit?
Thresholds are denominated in UMA (MXN), not USD. Your USD conversion matters only for planning. Once submitted, the consulate evaluates your bank statements in MXN - so if your USD has already been converted to MXN in the statements, the number is locked. If your statements are in USD, the consulate converts at the period-end rate.