So, you’ve completed the first official step in getting Mexican residency at a consulate in the US. Congratulations—now you have your Mexican residency visa sticker in your passport 👏🏼
Now, it’s time for the final step before becoming an official Mexican resident: Canje.
Quick note: canje is the final step in the residency process for evreyone applying for Mexican residency through financial solvency. It is when you replace your residency permit (the visa sticker in your passport) with a brand new residency visa card.
While this step might sound intimidating (thanks to the government paperwork in Spanish), don’t worry! We’re here to guide you through what to expect, what to do, and how to avoid common mistakes that could cost you time and money.
By the end of this post, you’ll feel much more confident about the Canje process—including your immigration appointment in Mexico—and you’ll be ready to receive your shiny new Mexican residency card.
Let’s do this.
Are you getting ahead of yourself by reading about the final step of getting Mexican residency? Check out our post about How to Get Mexican Residency in 2025 that outlines the steps you need to take – from start to finish.
Table of contents
What is Canje?
Canje (pronounced KAHN-hay) is a Spanish word roughly meaning “exchange” – and in this case, it’s the process of exchanging your residency permit (the sticker in your passport) for an actual Mexican residency card.
These are the general steps to expect for this final stage of your residency application:
1️⃣ Enter Mexico with your residency permit & make an appointment with the Mexican immigration office (INM)
2️⃣ Go to an INM office to process the paperwork
3️⃣ Get your official Mexican temporary or permanent residency visa
Once you complete Canje, you’re officially a Mexican resident 🇲🇽 🙌
Sounds simple, right?
Well… it kind of is, IF you do everything correctly! There are a few key deadlines and rules you need to follow.
Let’s go step by step…
Step 1: Enter Mexico (and Start Canje the Right Way!)
✅ You Have 180 Days to Enter Mexico
Once your residency visa is approved at a Mexican consulate, you have 180 days to enter Mexico to finalize the process through Canje
If that deadline passes and you haven’t entered Mexico… poof – your visa is gone and you’ll have to start over again. (And no one wants that.)
So, if you’re not sure you’ll be able to visit Mexico within the 180-day period following your consulate appointment, wait to apply for the consulate appointment until the timing works better for you.
❌ Don’t Enter as a Tourist!
The very first time you enter Mexico with your visa permit, you MUST tell the immigration officer you’re entering for Canje.
If you accidentally enter as a tourist… guess what? You’ve just added a major headache to your residency application. The folks at the INM office will need to do extra work to change your entry status. Or, in a worst-case scenario, your visa application could be terminated.
Oops!
🗣️ When you arrive in Mexico, tell the immigration office: “I’m entering for Canje.”
The officer will stamp your passport accordingly, and now you have 30 days to book your INM appointment.
Pro tip: many Mexican airports have automatic passport scanners when entering the country. Avoid these! You will automatically be processed as a tourist when scanning your passport at one of these automated entry points. No bueno.
Get Your Free Mexican Residency Cheat Sheet!
Want to make this entire Mexican residency process way easier and less stressful?
Download the FREE 5-minute Residency Cheat Sheet! ⬇️
Step 2: Book Your INM Appointment ASAP
Once you’re in Mexico, you need to book an appointment at an INM office.
You’ll get a QR code at the airport when arriving. Scan it to get the link for scheduling your appointment. (Note that everything will be in Spanish)
- You don’t have to go to the appointment within 30 days, but you do have to book it within that time.
- Here’s the booking link if you want to get ahead of the game.
👉 If you forget to book your appointment within 30 days, your residency application can be terminated. So don’t let that happen!
Step 3: How to Prepare for Canje
Okay, so now that your appointment is booked, how do you make sure you don’t run into any headaches?
1️⃣ Have a Game Plan
- If your life is super busy and going to Mexico within 6 months is tricky, wait to apply until you can commit to the timeline.
- Don’t expect that you can enter Mexico and make an appointment at an INM office in the same week (or month).
- Many INM offices are very busy. Book your appointment in advance if you’re going to a busy location.
- Be prepared to spend at least a week in Mexico to complete canje.
- Don’t plan to leave Mexico on the same day as the immigration appointment.
2️⃣ Consider Hiring a Facilitator
Look, Mexican bureaucracy is no joke 😅
Everything is in Spanish, and even a small paperwork mistake can mean delays, extra expenses and potentially a terminated visa application.
That’s why many people (like us) hire an immigration facilitator to handle this stage of the Mexican residency process. Facilitators can help with the following steps:
✅ Book the appointment in advance so you can plan your logistics accordingly
✅ Make sure your paperwork is perfect
✅ Walk you through the process so you don’t have to stress
💰 Cost: $200 – $250 USD (worth every penny!)
🚨 If you don’t speak Spanish, we 100% recommend getting a facilitator. Otherwise, you’ll have to fill out all the forms yourself and communicate with the INM officers (who are often busy and don’t have time to help).
And for the record, we both speak Spanish. Aimara is a native Spanish speaker and we still booked a facilitator!
Step 4: What Happens at Your INM Appointment?
Now, let’s talk about what actually happens on the day of your appointment!
1️⃣ Arrive Early & Meet Your Facilitator (If Using One)
- If you hired a facilitator, they’ll usually be there before you and will walk you through what to expect.
- You will finalize the paperwork by answering basic questions like:
✅ Your height & weight
✅ Most recent education completed in your home country
✅ Job & income (if applicable)
(The answers don’t really matter. They just ask as part of the process!)
2️⃣ Check-In & Get Assigned a Number
- You’ll show a QR code (provided by your facilitator or the INM system) to check in.
- At many INM offices, people are processed in groups based on appointment times (e.g., 10 AM, 10:30 AM, etc.).
3️⃣ Submit Paperwork & Pay the Residency Fee
- You’ll hand in your passport, visa permit, and paperwork to an immigration agent.
- You’ll pay a fee of 5,570 pesos (~$270 USD) for the temporary residency visa, or $6,789 (~$335 USD) —which you can pay with a credit card.
4️⃣ Biometrics & Residency Card Issuance
- They’ll take your fingerprints and photos.
- Your residency card may be printed and given to you on the spot! (this is not the case for all consulates)
💡 In Merida, the whole process took about 1.5 hours and I left the INM office with a shiny residency card the same day! But in bigger cities (like Mexico City), it could take longer.
Final Tips for a Smooth Canje Process
✔️ Find a Reputable Facilitator – Look for recommendations in expat groups and message facilitators on WhatsApp.
✔️ Don’t Plan to Leave Mexico the Same Day – Sometimes, the system takes a little while to update. Leaving too soon could cause problems when re-entering Mexico.
✔️ Plan for a Change of Address (If Needed) – If you complete Canje in a different state from where you plan to live, you’ll need to update your address later at an INM office.
Want to watch a video about how Canje went for me? ⬇️
Take Your Journey to Residency One Step at a Time!
Getting Mexican residency can feel overwhelming, but you’re not alone in this. We’ve been there, we get it, and we’re here to help every step of the way.
So, take a deep breath. Canje is just one more step toward the life you’ve been dreaming of.
And trust us, it’s all going to be worth it!
💌 Need extra support? Remember to grab the FREE Residency Cheat Sheet. It’s like having a mini guide in your pocket to keep everything stress-free and on track.
And if you’re already thinking, “Okay, but what about finding the best place to live? Healthcare? Housing? Banking?”
We’ve got you!
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But for now, focus on Canje! And whenever you’re ready for the next steps, we’ll be right here to help.
Feel free to leave your questions in the comments!
Buena suerte! (good luck)
Aimara & Gordon