How to Get a Student Visa in Mexico (Duration, FAQs) | 2023

How to Get a Student Visa in Mexico

Student Visa in Mexico: Mexico is one of the best places to obtain an excellent learning experience.

This country has numerous world-class educational institutions that boast seasoned professors and state-of-the-art facilities.

Moreover, schooling in Mexico will allow you to learn Spanish if you are only fluent in English, and the cost of their colleges is relatively affordable compared to many European colleges.

To study in Mexico for more than 180 days, you must have a student visa. This visa is a type of temporary resident visa in Mexico.

However, to get yours, you must follow the required visa application process and satisfy the requirements for the visa.

This article will provide you with all the information that you need to know about student visas in Mexico.

Is Mexico safe to study?

Studying in Mexico is an excellent choice for a variety of reasons.

Quality educational options, reasonable living costs, and some of the world’s most fascinating cultural attractions are just some of the advantages of living in the country.

Mexico is a popular destination for international students and expats alike, and they can feel confident in their decision to do so.

In reality, Mexico is home to one of the world’s greatest populations of expatriates. The most important thing is to do your homework and use common sense when looking for a place to call home.

One of the first things you’ll notice when arriving in Mexico is that many locals in tourist-heavy areas have at least a basic command of English.

This can lead to the temptation of relying solely on your English proficiency to get by. In fact, learning a few words of Spanish beforehand will make your time in Mexico far more enjoyable and memorable.

It broadens your horizons and helps you connect with the people you encounter when you learn the language of the place you’re visiting.

In a world that is getting more and more globalized, the ability to speak a second language is a useful talent.

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Who requires a Mexico Student Visa?

Everyone who is not from Mexico and desires to attend any college in Mexico for a period that is more than 180 days must apply for a Mexico Student Visa. Mexico Student Visas are of two types, namely:

The Temporary Resident Student Visa:

This type of Mexico student visa is for any foreigner who wishes to enroll in a program or course of study that will take more than 180 days to complete.

The Visitor Student Visa:

This type of Mexico student visa is recommended for foreigners that wish to enroll in a program or course of study that will be completed in under 180 days.

However, nationals of countries like Barbados, Andorra, Costa Rica, Canada, Malaysia, Japan, Brazil, Colombia, EU nations, and others do not require a visa to attend college in Mexico if their program will not last more than 180 days.

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How to obtain a Mexican Student Visa?

You can apply for the Mexico student visa in two steps:

  • Request for a Student Visa at a Mexican embassy in your country
  • Change the visa into a Mexico Temporary Resident Card once you arrive (for stays of over 180 days)

Prerequisites for the Mexico Student Visa:

To be considered for a Mexico student visa, you must submit either the original or photocopy of the following documents at the Mexico embassy:

  • Completed Mexico Visa Application Form
  • A copy of the first and last pages of any stamps or visas obtained
  • A white-background passport-size photograph that is not older than six months.
  • A reserved flight ticket
  • The letter of acceptance from your school addressed to the Mexico embassy that shows your full name, your level, course of study and degree program that you will pursue, the course of study that you have been admitted into, the length of the program comprising the commencement and completion dates, the price of the tuition, the college’s contact details; and additional info on if a scholarship has been awarded.
  • Financial statements obtained from a recognized bank
  • Evidence of satisfactory financial support to cater to your needs throughout your education, such as:
    • Evidence of a fixed revenue of not less than US $400 per month.
    • Evidence of savings or investments
    • Evidence of scholarship
  • If you are less than 18 years old, you must attach your birth certificate and the documents of your parents or authorized guardians.
  • If you do not reside in the country of your origin, attach evidence of a residence permit.
  • Student visa processing fee.

 Note that:

  • Every document to be submitted must be in either English or Spanish. If this is not the case, the documents should be translated into English or Spanish, and both original and translated copies should be submitted to the embassy.
  • All the formal documentation, like transcripts, sent to the Mexican embassy should be authorized before submission.
  • The Mexico embassy may demand extra documents if needed before a student visa is granted to an applicant.

How to request a Mexico Student Visa:

You can request a student visa at a Mexican embassy in your nation by the following steps:

  • Communicate with the Mexican embassy to organize an appointment.
  • Fill out the Mexico Student Visa Application Form, which can be obtained from the embassy’s official website.
  • Organize the necessary documents.
  • Apply and make the required visa payment; you may be lucky to be interviewed at once on the day of your appointment.
  • Calm down till the visa is processed.
  • Collect your passport. The visa will be attached to your passport if the application is successful.
  • Fly to Mexico, and, when you get there, change your Student Visa into a Temporary Residence Card.

Note:

All embassy offices do not have the same requirements for Mexico student visas.

Thus, always contact the embassy or visit their website to obtain info about their precise requirements, opening hours, and many more.

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How to Convert a Student Visa into a Temporary Resident Card in Mexico:

Suppose you’re planning to attend a college in Mexico for more than 180 days, then within 30 days of landing in Mexico.

In that case, you must request a Temporary Residence Card at the National Immigration Institute in Mexico (Instituto Nacional de Migracion).

However, to be considered for the Temporary Residence Card, you must possess the following:

  • The Resident Card request form can be obtained from the site of the Immigration Offices.
  • Your passport with the Temporary Resident Visa (Student Visa) attached to it.
  • The Forma Migratoria Mltiple (FMM), which you obtained at the airport
  • The evidence of payment for the resident card
  • A letter to the Instituto Nacional de Migración that asks for a Temporary Resident Card.
  • Evidence of acceptance by a Mexican educational institution

What is the cost of a Mexico Student Visa?

Mexico Student Visas are available for $36. However, this fee may vary according to the country where the application was made.

The financial transfer system is different since certain embassies may request that you pay the fee upfront through bank transfer, whereas others may request that you pay in cash.

Furthermore, you are also mandated to pay a fee for the Mexico Temporary Resident Card at the INM, together with a processing fee.

The charge for the Temporary Resident Card is subject to how many years it is handed out and varies from 3,000 to 7,000 Mexican Pesos.

How Long Will it Take to Process a Mexico Student Visa? 

The time it takes for a Mexican student visa to be processed depends heavily on the embassy where it was applied.

However, you can be sure you will receive your student visa in less than a month. Meanwhile, to avoid disappointment, send your application at least 6 weeks before you expect to travel.

What is the validity of a Mexico Student Visa?

A Mexico Student Visa by itself is valid for no more than 180 days and for a single entry. Nevertheless, if you wish to remain in Mexico for more than 180 days, you must request a Temporary Residence Card.

The Temporary Residence Card will enable you to remain in Mexico for one year at first, and at that point, it can be renewed till you finish your education. It also permits you to enter and depart Mexico several times.

How to Renew a Mexican Student Visa?

A Mexico Student Visa cannot be renewed.

However, a Mexico Temporary Resident Card can be renewed. You can request a renewal at an administrative center of the National Immigration Institute in Mexico no more than 30 days from the date the current one will cease to be eligible.

Can I Work With a Mexican Student Visa?

You cannot work with a Mexico Student Visa. If you have landed a job, at that point, your company must request a Mexico Work Permit for you at the National Immigration Institute.

However, when they are sending in their application, the following document should be attached to it:

  • The Mexico Work Permit Application Form
  • The formal job offer/contract shows all the information about the job: your pay, the length of the job, your rank, the establishment’s address, etc. The letter must be submitted on the official letterhead of the company.
  • A copy of your passport
  • Your original diplomas, transcripts, and other certifications (legalized)
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Documents that provide information about the corporation that’s employing you
  • Any extra documents associated with your work, education, etc.

What can I do if I lose or damage my Mexican Resident Card?

If you misplace or destroy your Mexican Resident Card, go to the local immigration office and request a replacement. However, when going there, carry the following documents along:

  • Both the original and photocopy of your passport
  • Fee for replacing a residence card
  • Three photographs of you, two displaying your face-front and the last photograph showing your left-side profile.
  • If your resident card was destroyed, give the agency your Tourist Card (FMM) and your Student Visa with the residence card.
  • If you misplaced your resident card, give the agency your Tourist Card (FMM) and your entry visa.

If you lose or damage your Mexican Resident Card outside Mexico, you can always go to a Mexican embassy and apply for a replacement.

Frequently Asked Questions on How to Get a Student Visa in Mexico:

Can I study abroad in Mexico?

To be able to study in Mexico, you’ll need to apply for a student visa. Student visas to Mexico, in contrast to other nations and regions, are simple to get and reasonably priced, especially for American students.

How do I become an exchange student in Mexico?

Before a student can go on a High School exchange to Mexico, they must be questioned in their home country (preferably in Spanish). To study in Mexico, students must have at least two years of Spanish study and excellent academic scores. Students who have already completed their degrees are also welcome, but only for a limited time.

Can I get a scholarship to study in Mexico?

Scholarships for higher education in Mexico are available to high school seniors, college students, graduate students, and post-graduate students.

Is Mexico City safe for international students?

Yes. Even while Mexico Metropolis is plagued by the kind of minor crime that can be found in any major city, it is nevertheless quite safe. It has a lower crime rate than Chicago, Baltimore, and New York City, which are all significant American cities.

Conclusion:

Mexico is one of the best places to study in the world. It is even easier to obtain a student visa for Mexico than in several countries.

However, to have a chance of landing one, you must satisfy the requirements in this article. Also, note the other information discussed above, as they can be very helpful in the long run.

Reference:

Mexico Student Visa – Application and Requirements. https://visaguide.world/north-america-caribbean/mexico-visa/temporary-resident/student/

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