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Newcomer setup · Mexico

First 30 Days in Mexico: A Newcomer Setup Checklist

CURP, RFC, INM residence-card pickup, banking and healthcare — what to handle in your first month as a new Mexican resident.

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Lead authority
INM — Instituto Nacional de Migración
Population registry
CURP — required for almost every government transaction
Tax number
RFC via SAT
Healthcare
IMSS / ISSSTE (public) or private insurance
Critical deadline
Visit INM within 30 days of arrival to start residence-card process

If you applied for your Temporary or Permanent Resident visa at a Mexican consulate before travelling, your first 30 days in Mexico revolve around converting that visa into a residence card at INM (Instituto Nacional de Migración) within 30 days of entry. From there, you obtain a CURP (population registry number), an RFC (tax number if needed), open a bank account and choose between IMSS, ISSSTE or private healthcare. This guide outlines the standard sequence.

Week one — INM appointment and address

  • Within 30 days of arrival, present yourself at the INM office in your state to convert the consular visa sticker into a Tarjeta de Residente.
  • Bring passport, FMM tourist form (or stamp), consular visa, completed INM forms and proof of address.
  • Sign or finalise housing — most landlords ask for a guarantor (aval) or upfront rent for foreign newcomers.
  • Pay INM fees at a participating bank using the bank-deposit form INM provides.

Week two — CURP, RFC and banking

The CURP (Clave Única de Registro de Población) is your population-registry ID; it is generated automatically when your INM card is issued and confirmed via the RENAPO portal. The RFC (Registro Federal de Contribuyentes) is the tax ID issued by SAT — needed if you will work, invoice or run a business in Mexico, and increasingly for opening a bank account.

  • Confirm CURP via the RENAPO portal once INM issues your residence card.
  • If you need an RFC, schedule an appointment at SAT (Servicio de Administración Tributaria).
  • Open a Mexican bank account — BBVA, Banorte, Santander, Citibanamex, HSBC; requirements vary, most ask for residence card, CURP and proof of address.
  • Get a Mexican SIM — Telcel, AT&T or Movistar.

Week three — healthcare and family

  • Decide between public (IMSS voluntary affiliation, or ISSSTE if you work for a covered employer) and private healthcare.
  • Private health insurance options include AXA, GNP, MetLife and others — premiums increase materially with age and pre-existing conditions.
  • Register children for school — public, Mexican private or international (American, British, French, German, IB).
  • Locate the nearest hospital and pharmacy chain (Farmacias del Ahorro, Farmacias Guadalajara, San Pablo).

Week four — utilities, driving and household goods

  • Set up utilities (CFE for electricity, local water authority, internet via Telmex / Totalplay / Megacable).
  • Foreign driver's licences are accepted for tourists; residents should obtain a state licence (each state runs its own process).
  • If you shipped household goods, your Menaje de Casa from the Mexican consulate of origin must accompany the shipment for duty-free clearance — your customs broker (agente aduanal) will file at the port.
  • Plan your tax position — Mexican tax residency triggers when your centre of vital interests is in Mexico; engage a Mexican contador for cross-border situations.

How to sequence the first 30 days

For Mexico, the practical sequence below works well: newcomer registrations interlock — many require a local address, which requires a lease, which often requires a tax ID, which requires the residence permit. Mapping the dependency chain in advance avoids the classic chicken-and-egg loops that delay banking, schooling and healthcare. Build a sequenced 30-day plan before you land, not after.

  • Identify which IDs/numbers are pre-requisites for banking, leasing and schooling.
  • Book registration appointments before arrival where the country allows it.
  • Keep certified copies of passports, marriage certificates and birth certificates with you.

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Frequently asked questions

What happens if I miss the 30-day INM deadline?

The 30-day window to convert the consular visa into a residence card is strict. Missing it can require re-applying from outside Mexico. If you are at risk of missing it, contact INM and a licensed immigration attorney urgently.

Do I need an RFC?

An RFC is required if you work, invoice, run a business or hold certain investments in Mexico. Many banks now also ask for an RFC when opening accounts. If you will only spend pension income, an RFC may not be necessary initially.

Can I use my home health insurance?

Some international plans cover Mexico, but most expats either join IMSS (voluntary affiliation) or buy a Mexican private plan for cost and access. Confirm coverage before relying on a foreign plan.

How does the Menaje de Casa work?

The Menaje de Casa is a customs document obtained at the Mexican consulate in your origin country before shipping household goods. It lists your used personal effects and supports duty-free clearance at the Mexican port. Your mover and a Mexican customs broker will coordinate the filing.

Can I drive on a foreign licence?

Tourists can typically drive on a valid foreign licence. As a resident, most states expect you to obtain a state licence. Each state administers its own process — confirm locally.

This guide is general information for planning purposes only. Visa, customs, tax, school admissions and shipping rules change. Always confirm requirements with the relevant government authority, school or licensed advisor before making decisions.