Moving to Mexico? Start with a plan.
Independent, U.S.-savvy guidance on the Temporary and Permanent Resident Visas, Mexican taxes and the RFC, IMSS and private healthcare, driving your car down and the move itself — with the tools, the guides and the vetted partners for each step.
By Bruno Bianchi, CEO of Spainguru (225,000+ community members) · Updated October 2026
Which path fits you?
Most Americans moving to Mexico fall into one of three buckets. Pick the one that sounds like you.
Temporary Resident Visa
Income of roughly $4,500/month for six months (consulates publish ~$4,300–4,800 for 2026) or ~$76,000–80,000 in savings: the route for most retirees, remote workers and families — and the four-year road to permanent residency.
Read the TRV guide →Retire for goodPermanent Resident Visa
Roughly $7,650–8,000/month of pension or investment income, or ~$307,000–320,000 in savings, buys indefinite residence with no renewals — consulates generally reserve the direct route for retirees; everyone else converts after four years as a temporary resident.
Read the PRV guide →Work remotely for a U.S. employerDigital nomads
Mexico has no nomad visa: up to 180 days on the tourist FMM, then the Temporary Resident Visa on remote income — plus the Mexican tax-residency question once Mexico becomes your home.
Read the nomad guide →Plan your move with five free tools
Visa navigator, budget tool, tax residency check, retirement town finder and TIP & driving planner — built for Americans, current for 2026.
Find Your Mexican Visa
Six questions on income, savings, stay length and family.
Open the tool →Budget toolPlan Your Mexico Budget
Estimate your real monthly cost of living in San Miguel de Allende, Mérida, Lake Chapala, Mexico City or the Pacific coast, by household size and lifestyle.
Open the tool →Tax residency checkMexico Tax Residency Check
Five questions to see whether you would count as a Mexican tax resident.
Open the tool →Retirement town finderFind Your Mexican Retirement Town
Climate, walkability, healthcare access, expat community size, English-speaking ease and beach versus colonial.
Open the tool →TIP & driving plannerTIP and Driving Planner
Vehicle type, length of stay, residency status and crossing point decide whether you need a Temporary Import Permit from Banjercito and which Mexican insurance to carry.
Open the tool →What you will find on Moveinmexico
Visas & documents
Taxes & money
Vetted partners for the parts you can’t Google
When you are ready to act you need real providers: U.S. expat tax filing, apostilles and translations, money transfers, insurance, movers and pet relocation. Immigration lawyers are not part of the directory yet — the visa guides explain when to hire one.
Partners pay Moveinmexico a listing fee or a commission when you sign up. Your price never changes and our recommendations are independent. How we choose partners
U.S. expat tax filing
Software with human support, or a cross-border CPA for the treaty, Mexican tax residency and PFICs.
See tax partners →Apostilles & translations
The paperwork every consulate file needs, done from the U.S.
See document partners →Currency & financial planning
A currency specialist for property, pensions and relocation budgets; cross-border planning for retirement accounts.
See finance partners →Health insurance
Cover for the move and for visiting relatives while you enrol in IMSS or a Mexican policy.
See insurance partners →Moving, shipping & pets
International movers, luggage shipping, pet relocation and a U.S. address for the IRS and your bank.
See logistics partners →Spanish & settling in
Mexican Spanish tutors, eSIMs, your U.S. number abroad and home exchange.
See settling-in partners →Who’s behind Moveinmexico
Moveinmexico is the Mexico deep-dive of the network built by Bruno Bianchi, CEO of Spainguru — the Spain-focused community of 225,000+ members across 30+ Facebook groups, a newsletter read by 20,000 people and a YouTube channel with 1,000+ videos. The network also includes Settleguru (the hub for Americans abroad) and Portugalguru.
1.6M
Americans in Mexico (U.S. State Dept estimate)
225,000+
community members
2014
Spainguru established
Join the Move in Mexico community
Real-time answers from Bruno and hundreds of other Americans working through the TRV, PRV, RFC, IMSS, retirement towns and driving across the border. Free, actively moderated, no spam.
Join the Facebook group →Disclaimer: general information for U.S. citizens living or planning to live in Mexico — not tax, legal, financial or immigration advice. Financial requirements are indicative 2026 figures: Mexican consulates apply different thresholds, documentation rules and exchange rates, and the UMA they are based on changes every year. Always confirm the requirements with the consulate handling your application, and tax questions with the IRS, SAT or a qualified professional before acting.