Quick answer: For Temporary Residency in 2026 you need roughly $4,650 USD/month in documented income (680 × UMA). Permanent Residency needs about $7,800/month (1,140 × UMA). The exact income figure depends on your consulate — published amounts range from about $4,081 (San Francisco) to $4,786 (Del Rio).
Key takeaways
- Consulates use the average of your last 6 months of income (or 12-month average savings balance) — not your single best month.
- Published US amounts vary ~17% for the same federal formula, so which consulate you apply through can decide a borderline case — and many accept out-of-area applicants.
- Pension and salary are the cleanest income types; self-employment and investment income face more scrutiny — over-document.
- Each dependent adds ~$1,500/month (220 × UMA).
If you're trying to figure out whether you have enough income to qualify for Mexican residency, you've probably found that most online guides give vague ranges instead of specific numbers. This post gives you the actual amounts each major Mexican consulate publishes for 2026, plus how the underlying formula works.
The short answer: you need approximately $4,650 USD per month in documented income to qualify for Temporary Residency in 2026. The exact income number depends on which Mexican consulate you apply through. Applicants using account balances instead should use the separate savings requirements guide.
The longer answer is below. This page covers the income route in depth: the exact monthly thresholds, qualifying income types, statement history, and consulate differences. If you are deciding between income and savings, use the separate financial requirements overview, which compares both routes side by side. (For the full residency picture — paths, documents, and process — see our complete 2026 requirements guide.)
Can you qualify for Mexican residency?
Check your income or savings against the 2026 requirements for your situation — about 2 minutes, free.
The 2026 federal baseline
Mexican residency financial thresholds are calculated as multiples of the daily UMA value, set annually by Mexico's national statistics agency.
For 2026, the UMA is 117.31 MXN per day (effective February 1, 2026).
The federal formula for Temporary Residency requires:
- Monthly income: 680 × UMA = 79,771 MXN/month ≈ $4,650 USD
For Permanent Residency, the bar is higher:
- Monthly income: 1,140 × UMA = 133,733 MXN/month ≈ $7,730 USD
Those are the income-route figures. The financial requirements overview compares income with savings, while the savings requirements guide covers the account-balance formulas and 12-month evidence rules.
Per dependent (spouse, minor child, dependent parent), add 220 × UMA = 25,808 MXN ≈ $1,500 USD to the monthly income requirement.
These USD amounts use approximate exchange rates and are the federal minimums. Specific consulates often publish slightly different USD figures because they use their own conversion rates.
Worth noting: the income you must prove is usually well above what you'll actually spend living in Mexico — see cost of living vs. the residency requirement for how the two compare.
Income requirements by consulate (USA)
US consulates publish different USD amounts depending on the exchange rate each one applies. Below are the verified 2026 requirements:
| Consulate | Temporary — income /mo | Temporary — savings | Per dependent | Source status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego (CA) | $4,049 | $68,241 | $1,460 | Official source |
| San Francisco (CA) | $4,081 | $68,015 | $1,360 | Official source |
| Denver (CO) | $4,200 | $70,000 | — | Official source |
| Portland (OR) | $4,200 | $70,000 | $1,523 | Official source |
| Presidio (TX) | $4,200 | $73,000 | — | Tracked comparison |
| Oklahoma City (OK) | $4,293 | — | — | Tracked comparison |
| Atlanta (GA) | $4,300 | $71,000 | — | Tracked comparison |
| Boise (ID) | $4,400 | $75,000 | — | Tracked comparison |
| Phoenix (AZ) | $4,400 | $72,500 | — | Tracked comparison |
| Tucson (AZ) | $4,450 | $75,000 | — | Tracked comparison |
| Brownsville (TX) | $4,500 | $72,000 | — | Tracked comparison |
| Philadelphia (PA) | $4,500 | $76,000 | — | Official source |
| Las Vegas (NV) | $4,630 | $78,025 | $1,498 | Official source |
| Houston (TX) | $4,700 | $78,000 | — | Tracked comparison |
| Del Rio (TX) | $4,786 | $79,773 | — | Official source |
The variation is real — San Francisco's $4,081 vs. Del Rio's $4,786 is a 17% spread for the same underlying formula. If your income is comfortably above $4,800, the variation doesn't matter. If you're in the $4,100–$4,700 range, the consulate you choose can determine eligibility. (More on choosing in our consulate comparison guide.)
Income requirements by consulate (Canada and Europe)
Canada (in CAD):
| Consulate | Temporary — income /mo | Temporary — savings | Per dependent | Source status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leamington (ON) | CA$6,461 | CA$108,894 | — | Tracked comparison |
| Vancouver (BC) | CA$6,461 | CA$108,894 | — | Tracked comparison |
| Toronto (ON) | CA$6,915 | CA$115,238 | — | Tracked comparison |
Western Europe (in EUR):
See the consulate requirement pages for each consulate's published 2026 amounts.
For consulates not listed above, the federal formula applies at the current exchange rate. UK applicants (London) and French applicants (Paris) should expect amounts in the range of £3,400/£56,000 and €3,990/€66,400 respectively.
What counts as income for Mexican residency
Most steady, documented income in the applicant's name can count. The practical question is whether it is regular enough, high enough, and easy for the consular officer to trace from its source into your bank statements.
Social Security and pensions
US Social Security counts. Bring the current SSA benefit letter plus statements showing the deposits. The limitation is usually the amount, not the income type: an individual benefit may fall below the Temporary Residency threshold, in which case a pension, other documented income, or the savings route may carry the application.
Private and government pensions count cleanly. An official award or benefit letter stating the monthly amount should match the deposits in your account. A fixed pension that clears the threshold is one of the simplest income cases to document.
Salary, self-employment, and business income
Salary or wages count. Bring pay stubs and an employer letter alongside bank deposits that clearly match them.
Self-employment and business-owner income can count, but usually receives more scrutiny. Tax returns, contracts, invoices, formal business records, and 12 months of statements help show that the income is continuing rather than temporary. Remote workers paid by a foreign employer or foreign clients generally document their income in the same way.
Dividends, interest, and rental income
Dividend, interest, and other investment distributions can count when they appear as a stable, recurring income stream. A one-time sale or irregular withdrawal is harder to present as monthly income. Investors with uneven distributions may have a cleaner case using the portfolio balance through the savings route.
Rental income is accepted at many consulates when leases and bank deposits show that rent is actually arriving. Gaps between tenants or cash payments without a traceable deposit weaken the file.
Mixed sources can work. Document every component and make the total easy to follow. When possible, lead with one or two strong sources instead of making the officer reconstruct a qualifying total from many small deposits.
Do 401(k), IRA, and brokerage accounts count?
Yes, but the account is treated differently depending on the route you use:
- Income route: count regular distributions, not the account balance. Show the official account statements and the matching deposits into your bank account. A scheduled monthly or quarterly draw is stronger than an ad-hoc withdrawal.
- Savings route: count the qualifying balance held across the statement period. Brokerage and retirement accounts are generally accepted, although some consulates scrutinize accessibility and prefer liquid funds to carry the case.
Bring official monthly or quarterly statements from the brokerage or plan administrator, not screenshots from a portfolio app. Market fluctuations also matter: leave enough margin that the account remains above the requirement throughout the consulate's statement window.
The balance and its distributions are not added together. Choose the stronger route and document it consistently. See the savings requirements guide for the 12-month balance rules and the consulate comparison for local differences.
What doesn't count as income
Cryptocurrency holdings are not accepted, regardless of dollar value. Bitcoin, Ethereum, stablecoins, exchange-held assets — none qualify as either income or savings. If your assets are largely in crypto, you'll need to move them into traditional bank or investment accounts at least 12 months before applying (because the savings threshold requires 12 months of average balance).
Real estate equity doesn't count unless you own residential property in Mexico worth approximately $624,000+ USD, which qualifies you under a separate property-based pathway.
Vehicles, jewelry, art, business equipment — none of these count.
Cash you can't document — even if you have it, if it can't be shown in a regulated bank statement for the required period, it doesn't help.
How consulates evaluate income
The standard evaluation:
Income path: You provide 6 months of bank statements plus matching pay stubs/pension statements. The consulate calculates your average monthly income across those 6 months. The average must meet or exceed their published threshold.
Savings path: You provide 12 months of bank/investment account statements. The consulate calculates the average monthly balance across those 12 months. The average must meet or exceed the threshold.
A few specifics that catch people off guard:
It's the average, not the most recent month. If your income jumped from $3,000 to $5,000 four months ago, your 6-month average is $4,000 — likely insufficient. Waiting two more months pushes the average up.
Deposits must clearly match your stated income. A consulate reading your bank statements wants to see "ACH deposit from [Your Employer]" or similar. Mysterious lump deposits without explanation cause questions.
Statements must be monthly and bank-issued. Do not use screenshots, transaction exports, or year-end summaries. Some consulates accept downloaded bank PDFs; others expressly require originals, certification, a stamp, or a bank letter. Follow your consulate's published format rule.
Joint accounts work if you're the primary holder. If your income or savings is in a joint account, you may need supporting documentation showing the funds are yours.
Special situations
Tight margins. If you meet the threshold by less than 15%, treat the case as workable but require thorough preparation. Bring 12 months of statements instead of 6, present both income and savings paths, be calm and clear at the interview. Tight cases are regularly approved with proper preparation.
Variable income. If your income varies significantly month to month, time your application to lean on your strongest 6-month average. Apply when your recent months have been higher. Keep documentation that explains the variation (project-based work, commission, seasonal business).
Recently changed income. If you started a new job, retired, or had a major income change in the past 6 months, your 6-month average may not reflect your current situation. If possible, wait until the average reflects your stable current income. If you can't wait, bring documentation of the change (offer letter, retirement paperwork) plus a brief written explanation.
Self-employment. Plan to over-document. Tax returns, client contracts, 12 months of statements rather than 6, formal business registration if you have it. The goal is to make your income feel as predictable to the consular officer as a W-2 salary would.
Permanent vs. Temporary income requirements
The income requirement for Permanent Residency is roughly 68% higher than for Temporary ($7,800 vs $4,650 monthly at the federal baseline). Most retirees with comfortable pension income can qualify for either.
The choice isn't purely financial:
Temporary first is more flexible. The threshold is lower, the formal "retirement" requirement isn't enforced, and you can convert to Permanent after 4 years.
Permanent direct is cleaner for retirees with strong pensions. No renewals, immediate full work rights, and a faster path to Mexican citizenship eligibility (5 additional years).
If you're a retiree with pension income above $7,500/month, applying directly for Permanent is often the cleaner path. If you're still working or in your 50s, Temporary then Permanent is usually more flexible.
You select which path you're applying for at the consulate appointment. You can't switch mid-process, so think this through before your appointment.
Find out exactly where you stand
The fastest way to know if you qualify is to run your specific numbers through our free Mexican residency calculator. It uses each consulate's published 2026 requirements (the same numbers in this post, plus consulate-specific adjustments) and gives you:
- A clear yes/no on whether you qualify
- Your margin over (or under) the threshold
- Personalized guidance for your specific situation
- The documentation you'll need to prepare
The calculator is free and takes about 2 minutes. Run your numbers.
Common questions
How much monthly income do I need for Mexican residency in 2026? About $4,650 USD/month for Temporary Residency and about $7,800/month for Permanent. Those come from the federal formula (680 × UMA and 11,460 × UMA respectively), but each consulate converts to local currency at its own rate, so published US figures range from roughly $4,081 to $4,786 for the same visa.
Is it my gross or net income that counts? Consulates work from what actually lands in your account, evidenced by bank statements — so in practice the deposits are what matter, and gross figures on a payslip won't help if the net deposit falls short. Build your case around the statements.
Do they use my best month or an average? The average of your most recent 6 months (12 at some consulates). One strong month won't carry a case, and one weak month won't necessarily sink it — but a downward trend invites questions.
How much extra do I need per dependent? Roughly $1,500 USD/month more (220 × UMA) per dependent. A spouse who qualifies independently on their own income is a different structure — sometimes cleaner than adding them as a dependent, so it's worth modelling both.
What if my income is just below the threshold? Two realistic moves: apply through a consulate with a lower published figure if you're genuinely eligible to use it, or switch to the savings route (~$78,300 for Temporary), which is judged on a 12-month balance instead of monthly income. Many people who fail the income test pass the savings test comfortably.
Does income have to be in my own name? Yes — each adult applicant proves their own, though couples and families have their own combining rules. Money in a partner's sole account doesn't count toward your threshold.
Does a brokerage account count as savings for Mexican Permanent Residency? Generally, yes. A taxable brokerage balance can count toward the Permanent savings requirement when official statements show that it remained above the applicable threshold through the required period. Because market values move, leave a buffer rather than planning around the exact minimum.
Will a consulate accept an IRA or 401(k)? Most accept retirement accounts as savings and regular retirement distributions as income. Some look more closely at whether the balance is accessible, so use liquid bank or brokerage funds as the primary proof when those accounts already clear the requirement.
Do I count the retirement-account balance or what I withdraw? Use the balance for the savings route or recurring withdrawals for the income route. Do not add the two together to create a blended case.