Mexico Student Visa (Residente Temporal Estudiante) — Student Visa
🎓 OVERVIEW
Temporary resident visa for international students enrolled in academic programmes at Mexican educational institutions recognised by the Ministry of Public Education (SEP). Covers university degree programmes, postgraduate studies, research, and approved training. Mexico's major public universities (UNAM, IPN, UAM) offer very low tuition.
💰 TUITION & COSTS
Public universities: extremely affordable. UNAM charges approximately MXN 2,000/semester ($100) for all students. IPN similarly low. UAM slightly higher. Private universities: MXN 100,000–250,000/yr ($5,000–$12,000). Tec de Monterrey (ITESM) and Universidad Iberoamericana at the higher end.
💼 WORK RIGHTS DURING STUDY
Students CANNOT work on a student visa without additional authorization. May request work permit from INM (National Immigration Institute) for paid activities, paying a fee of approximately MXN 4,341. Very restrictive; most students do not work during studies.
🎯 POST-STUDY WORK OPTIONS
| Program | Type | Duration | Min Degree | Work | PR Path |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residente Temporal (Work) | Work permit | 12mo-48mo | Any | Unrestricted | Yes |
🗣️ LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
| Test | Purpose | Language | Min Score | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DELE / SIELE | Admission | Spanish | B2 | Most Mexican university programmes are taught in Spanish. DELE B2+ or equivalent required for Spanish-taught programmes. Some universities offer English-taught programmes, especially at the postgraduate level. Tec de Monterrey has several English-medium programmes. |
💵 FEES & COSTS
| Fee | Type | Amount | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa Application Fee (Consulate) | Application | $55 | One time |
| Temporary Resident Card (INM) | Registration | $550 | Per year |
| Work Authorization (if needed) | Application | $215 | One time |
👨👩👧👦 DEPENDENTS & FAMILY
🛤️ LONG-TERM PATHWAY
📝 HOW TO APPLY
📌 NOTES & CAVEATS
IMPORTANT: 2026 fee increases — Temporary Resident Card fee rose to MXN 11,140.74 (109% increase from MXN 5,328 in 2025). Students applying via academic institution may receive reduced fees. No charges for exchanging visa for card or renewing the card for students. Must complete INM card exchange within 30 days of arrival. Statement of purpose and ties to home country required. UNAM is one of the most affordable top universities in the world for international students.
🔗 ALSO IN MEXICO
- Temporary Resident Visa (Remote Worker) (digital nomad visa)
- Temporary Resident Visa (passive income)
- Permanent Resident Visa (Retired) (retirement)
- Mexico Standard Naturalization (naturalization)
Last verified: Mar 21, 2026. Source