Determine the correct procedure—whether to apply for authorization through the INM or directly at the consulate—and coordinate the process until you receive your residence card.
The decision, appointment, and deadlines are determined by the INM and the consular office. MIGRALAW organizes and coordinates the case file; it does not sell appointments or guarantee government decisions.
The family unit visa allows you to apply for temporary or permanent residency based on certain ties to a Mexican citizen or a resident of Mexico. If the family member exercising this right is in Mexico, they typically first apply for authorization through the INM. If both parties are outside Mexico and apply together, there may be a direct route through the consular office.
They are not interchangeable alternatives. The location of the anchor family member and whether they appear together determine which route applies.
| Criterion | Prior authorization from the INM | Direct Application at the Consulate |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Situation | The Mexican family member or resident is in Mexico. | The Mexican family member or resident is outside Mexico and is accompanying the applicant. |
| Where does it start? | In front of an INM processing office in Mexico. | At the appropriate Mexican embassy or consulate. |
| Preliminary document | Authorization for a consular interview identified by NUT. | It does not require prior authorization from the INM; the relationship is verified at the consulate. |
| Operational Risk | The authorization has expired, or there are discrepancies between the official document and the passport. | The joint appearance or the supporting documents do not meet that office's criteria. |
| After the visa | Entry into Mexico and application for a residence card with the INM within the legal deadline. | |
A direct application at a consulate applies when the Mexican family member or resident is outside Mexico and is accompanying the applicant. If this is not the case, the general rule is to file the application with the INM.
Please answer two general questions. We do not ask for names, documents, or personal information.
The Immigration Act clearly distinguishes between the ties that lead to temporary residency and those that qualify an individual for permanent residency.
Spouses, common-law partners, parents, and children, in the cases provided for by law, are granted temporary residency tied to the validity of the primary resident’s authorization.
The initial status is, by law, temporary residence. To change to permanent residence, the applicant must wait for the required uninterrupted period to elapse and demonstrate that the relationship is still in effect.
Certain ties to a Mexican citizen or permanent resident allow for direct admission to permanent residency, subject to conditions regarding age, marital status, or guardianship.
Each stage has a designated authority, a person in charge, and a distinct documentation risk.
We identify who will exercise the right to family unity, where that person is located, and what residency status applies.
We review passports, official documents, and applicable international formalities, including apostilles, legalization, or translation, as appropriate.
We submit the application to the appropriate authority. When prior authorization is required, we verify the NUT information and its validity.
The applicant is provided with a clear guide to the application process. The consular appointment and interview must be attended in person.
The visa allows you to apply for entry; final admission is determined by the immigration authority at the port of entry.
After admission, we coordinate the process with the INM within the 30 calendar days required by law.
The right strategy prevents a consular appointment from proceeding with an incorrect application.
Schedule it as a direct application when authorization from the INM should have been obtained first, or vice versa.
Differences between the INM document and the passport regarding name, nationality, date of birth, or identification number.
The INM authorization remains valid; once it expires, it is no longer valid for continuing the process.
Records or documents that do not establish kinship in accordance with the specific legal provision.
Missing or inadequate apostille, legalization, or translation for the country and the office that will review the document.
Wait 30 calendar days after admission before applying for the card.
MIGRALAW coordinates the process in Mexico, the consular preparation, and the subsequent exchange so that each person knows exactly what they are entitled to.
Years of immigration practice applied to a verifiable legal pathway, not to promises of approval.
General answers. The consular office and the specific case may affect the applicable documentation.
If the Mexican family member or resident is in Mexico, they must normally first apply for authorization with the INM. When that family member is outside Mexico and is accompanying the applicant, a direct application may be filed at the consulate. The appropriate office must be confirmed before scheduling an appointment.
Current guidelines specify 30 business days, beginning the day after notification that the consular interview has been approved. Once this period expires, the authorization is no longer valid for continuing that process.
The initial status is typically temporary residency. To later change to permanent resident status, one must meet the legal time requirement and demonstrate that the relationship remains in effect.
The Immigration Law establishes a period of 30 calendar days from the date of entry into Mexico to apply to the INM for the corresponding residence card.
It depends on the INM’s decision when it becomes involved, the availability of appointments at the consular office, and the subsequent exchange process. MIGRALAW can organize and track the case file, but cannot commit to dates that are controlled by the authorities.
No. The interview is conducted in person, and the consular officer decides whether to grant the visa. MIGRALAW prepares the strategy and the application file, reviews the documentation, and coordinates the steps in Mexico within the scope of the contract.
Legal basis, provisions issued by the Ministry of the Interior, and current consular guidelines.
General information; not legal advice. The process, requirements, and documents may vary depending on family relationship, nationality, consular office, and regulatory changes. The decision rests with the INM and the consular authority.
Legal review: September 14, 2026.
