U.S. law does not mention dual nationality or require a person to choose one nationality or another. A U.S. citizen may naturalize in a foreign state without any risk to his or her U.S. citizenship. The naturalization process in Mexico is managed by the Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores (SRE).

Can I keep my Mexican citizenship if I become an American?

Mexican citizens who naturalize in the United States may keep their Mexican nationality but may not vote and may not run or serve in public office in Mexico. Those who obtained U.S. citizenship before 1998, however, automatically lost their Mexican nationality and needed to apply within 5 years to reclaim it.

Can I get my Mexican citizenship back?

Mexicans by birth who became citizens of another country prior to March 20, 1998, can regain their Mexican citizenship by requesting it and complying with the requirements for obtaining a Declarationof Mexican Nationality.

How long can you stay in Mexico on a FMM?

For 500 pesos (about $25), you are permitted to stay in Mexico for up to 180 days at a time. After your 180 days is up, you can simply make a visa run to either Guatemala, Belize, or the US to and get another 180 days. You may need to leave the country for a day before you can get a new FMM.

How long do you have to be in Mexico to apply for citizenship?

If you intend to apply for Mexican citizenship as part of your lifestyle planning, you must prove five consecutive years with either temporary residency or permanent residency, and you cannot have been physically present outside of Mexico for more than 180 days during the last two years prior to the application date.

How often do you have to apply for a Mexico visa?

A number of tourists/visitors have avoided the visa application process by simply moving their lives to Mexico with no residency visa. They enter as tourists and then exit the country right before their 180 days expire, quickly reentering for another 180 days. They must repeat these border runs every six months.

How long can you stay in Mexico as a temporary resident?

We value your privacy. Temporary Resident Visas are granted to those who want to stay longer than six months but less than four years. After four years of temporary residency, you can apply to convert to Permanent Residency status, which is normally quite painless.