If you are a foreigner interested in obtaining Mexican citizenship in 2026, you are welcome to get in touch with our experienced lawyers in Mexico. They will provide you with thorough guidance regarding citizenship in Mexico and its benefits.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Nationalities accepted (EU/Non-EU) | Both |
|
Types of Immigrant Permits in Mexico |
Non-immigrant and immigrant permits |
|
Citizenship by Birth |
Mexico practices jus soli, which means individuals born on Mexican soil automatically acquire citizenship |
| Dual citizenship permitted (Yes/No) | Yes |
| Living requirements in Mexico (Yes/No) |
To be eligible for the application, it is required that you have maintained legal residency in Mexico continuously for a minimum of five years, and you must provide evidence of having physically resided in Mexico for at least 18 months within the two years prior to your application date |
| Mexican citizenship option |
In order to pursue Mexican citizenship, you must either possess permanent residency status or have family ties in Mexico. The process of naturalization in Mexico mandates a minimum of five continuous years of residency prior to the application date, which can encompass both temporary and permanent residency depending on your individual circumstances |
| Direct immigration with family members (Yes/No) |
Yes, by requesting permission for family reunification at the National Immigration Institute (Instituto Nacional de Migracion (INM)) in Mexico |
| Minimum age required to apply for Mexican citizenship |
You should be 18 years old to apply for citizenship in Mexico |
| Mexican citizenship processing time (approx.) |
After applying for citizenship in Mexico, the procedures take about a year to complete and may take longer in some cases |
| Language Requirement | To become a Mexican citizen, applicants are required to demonstrate proficiency in Spanish and have a basic understanding of Mexican history |
| Rights and privileges |
Right to vote, right to hold public office, access to social services, right to social security, dual citizenship |
| Renunciation of previous citizenship (yes/no) |
No |
| Reasons to Choose Mexico |
Economic opportunities, affordable living, Dual citizenship, geographical location |
| Personal income tax rate |
0 – 125,900 MXN (exempt), 125,900 – 1,000,000 MXN (15%), 1,000,000 and above MXN (30%) |
| Visa-free travel to other countries (approx. number of countries) | 120 countries |
Table of Contents
What are the main pathways to obtain citizenship in Mexico?
You can obtain it through:
- naturalization: this pathway requires obtaining a permanent residence permit first;
- birth: you need to have at least one parent who is/was a Mexican citizen;
- marriage: you can also obtain citizenship after you marry a Mexican national.
What are the minimum and maximum living requirements to obtain Mexican citizenship?
The minimum living requirement is 2 years, and it applies when you apply for citizenship by marriage. The maximum living requirement is 5 years, and it applies to citizenship by naturalization.
What is the most common way to obtain citizenship in Mexico in 2026?
Naturalization.
What are the requirements to be naturalized in Mexico?
You need to meet the following requirements:
- you must be at least 18 years of age at the time of the application
- you must have lived in Mexico for at least 18 months in the past 2 years before the application;
- you must also pass a Mexican language test and cultural exam;
- you must have not committed any crime during your stay in Mexico;
- you cannot have debts to the public authorities in Mexico.
The main ways to obtain citizenship are also provided in the infographic below:
Must I file the citizenship application in person?
Yes, this is a mandatory requirement; however, you can rely on our Mexican lawyers to prepare the application file.
What is the authority dealing with citizenship applications in Mexico?
To complete the process, you will typically submit the necessary documents to the appropriate Mexican authorities, such as the Civil Registry, the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs (Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores), or a Mexican consulate or embassy. Our Mexican lawyers can help you with the collection and submission of these documents.
What are the documents for obtaining citizenship in Mexico?
Here are the documents to gather when filing for Mexican citizenship:
- form DNN3 in original and copy;
- two recent photographs;
- the valid permanent resident card (when applying for citizenship through naturalization);
- original and copy of the birth certificate (the document must be translated and authenticated if issued abroad);
- details about the applicant’s exit and entrance in the country for the past 2 years (a declaration is required);
- valid passport;
- copy of the criminal record;
- proof of passing the citizenship test on Mexican history and culture, and the language exam;
- the Unique Population Registration Code (CURP) is printed in two copies;
- copies of the receipts indicating payment of various fees.
Here is also a video on Mexican citizenship:
How long does it take for a naturalization application to be processed in Mexico?
The procedure takes from 6 months to one year.
How long does it take for me to have my Mexican passport issued?
You can have the passport issued the same day you submit your biometric passport to the Secretary for External Affairs.
What are the benefits of becoming a Mexican citizen?
Citizenship comes with the following benefits:
- You get the right to vote;
- You can buy property in the restricted area;
- You get priority at airport immigration;
- You can change your job or residence without informing the immigration authorities;
- You do not need to renew your temporary residency anymore.
Our seasoned lawyers in Mexico City can help you understand the whole set of citizenship requirements in this country. Furthermore, if you need help choosing an appropriate visa before immigrating to Mexico, consult with our lawyers. You must apply in person for your visa(s). But you may engage a representative to assist you and handle the appointment setting, paperwork, and filing on your behalf. Our immigration Mexican lawyers can offer you their services in this regard.
Does Mexico accept dual citizenship?
Yes, it does. However, you must also pay attention to the conditions imposed in the country of your first nationality and choose accordingly.
Can I lose my Mexican passport/nationality?
Yes, if you live outside Mexico for more than 5 consecutive years.
Furthermore, if you are facing any issues in Mexico, like debt collection, you can also get legal help from our lawyers in this regard. They will start the procedure of debt collection amicably. In case this method does not bring any positive results, our attorneys will further represent you in court.
Contact our lawyers if you need support in filing for citizenship in Mexico in 2026.