Foreign citizens with a dream of living in Monterrey, Acapulco, or Cancun can achieve it by obtaining temporary or permanent residency in Mexico. But have you ever thought about getting dual citizenship in Mexico? Moreover, if you enjoy life in the largest Spanish-speaking country in the world, you have the option to naturalise and become a Mexican citizen in several years. Mexico recognizes dual citizenship, allowing you to retain your other passports unless your home country requires renunciation. But how to get dual Mexican citizenship? Read on to discover what steps you need to take to find your new home in Mexico.
Citizenship by Birth
So, how to obtain dual citizenship in Mexico? One of the simplest ways to obtain second citizenship in Mexico is by being born in the country to a foreign family. Similar to many countries in North and South America, Mexico offers citizenship not only through descent but also through birth.
How does this way of obtaining dual citizenship in Mexico work? A child born in Mexico automatically acquires Mexican citizenship as well as the citizenship inherited from their parents, unless it contradicts the legislation of the country that issued the parents' passports. For instance, China does not allow dual citizenship for children born to Chinese citizens.
How to get a dual citizenship in Mexico for parents? Once a child acquires Mexican citizenship by birth, their parents have the option to apply for a passport with the Mexican national emblem on the cover. To be eligible, they must reside in the country for a minimum of two years. However, it's important to note that this may not always be the fastest route to naturalisation.
Grounds for Naturalisation in Mexico
What are the other ways of getting dual citizenship in Mexico? Besides parenthood, there are several other options for obtaining Mexican citizenship:
- Any citizen of any country can apply for а Mexican passport after residing in Mexico continuously for at least five years.
- Individuals from Latin American countries, as well as Spain, Portugal, and Andorra (countries on the Iberian Peninsula in Europe), are eligible for a Mexican passport after just two years of residency in the country.
- Individuals who have provided significant service to Mexico or made noteworthy contributions to the fields of science, culture, sports, social work, or business are also required to reside in the country for two years before they can apply for naturalisation.
- Individuals who enter into a marriage with a Mexican citizen must reside in the country for two years before being eligible for naturalisation.
- Adopted children and grandchildren under legal guardianship of Mexican citizens also need to reside in the country for one year to obtain a naturalisation permit.
Note: Residing in Mexico on a student visa does not grant eligibility for citizenship.
Yucatan, Mexico. Photo: Raquel Moss (Unsplash)
Documents
How to apply for dual citizenship in Mexico? Regardless of the basis on which you apply for Mexican citizenship, you will need to schedule a visit to the Passport Office through the Foreign Affairs Ministry's website. What are the requirements for dual citizenship in Mexico? Choose an office to receive services and ensure you have the following documents prepared for submission:
- An original and a copy of your application.
- You will need to provide an original and two copies of the migration card issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. This card certifies your right to temporary or permanent residence in Mexico. The card should remain valid throughout the entire period required to obtain citizenship and should have an expiration date of no less than six months from the date of your application.
- You will need to provide an original and a copy of your birth certificate (which needs to be translated into Spanish and apostilled). However, refugees are exempt from submitting their birth certificate, and if they choose to skip it, they can also skip the apostille process.
- You will need to provide an original and two copies of all pages of your travel passport, including the cover on both sides. The passport should have an expiration date of no less than 45 business days after you submit your citizenship application. If you have recently been issued a new passport, it is advisable to include copies of all pages of your previous passport as well.
- A form detailing all your departures from the country within the past two years.
- You will need to provide an original and a copy of a clear police certificate issued by both a federal and a local authority. Typically, the certificate is valid for three months.
- Certificates of proficiency in the Spanish language and knowledge of Mexican history and culture.
- Two recent photographs measuring 4.5 by 3.5 cm, with a forward-facing position, taken against a white background. Please ensure that the photographs do not include glasses or headwear.
- Two printed copies of the registration number issued to you, along with the temporary or permanent residency permit.
- You will need to provide an original and a copy of the receipt certifying that you have paid the administrative fee.
Depending on the basis for your Mexican citizenship application, you may be required to provide additional documents.
Naturalisation after Having a Child in Mexico
Which documents are needed in this case for dual citizenship application in Mexico? You will need to provide three copies of the child's birth certificate issued by local Register Offices, with one of the copies attested.
Guanajuato, Mexico. Photo: Xiyuan Du (Unsplash)
Naturalisation for Special Merit
How to get a dual citizenship in Mexico via Special Merit? You will need to provide documents confirming your accomplishments and the work you have done, issued by universities or state agencies.
Naturalisation after Marriage
How to get a dual citizenship in Mexico after marriage? You will need to provide three copies of your marriage certificate issued by local Register Offices, with one of the copies attested. To be eligible for citizenship, you must have been married to a Mexican citizen for a minimum of two years.
Additionally, you will need to provide confirmation of your spouse's Mexican citizenship. For this, you will need three copies (one of them attested) of their birth certificate, certificate of citizenship, or certificate of naturalisation.
Naturalisation of Adopted Children
How to have a dual citizenship in Mexico for adopted child? To confirm that legal guardians or adoptive parents have Mexican citizenship, you need to file three copies (one of them attested) of their birth certificate, a certificate of citizenship, or a certificate of naturalisation.
You will also need to provide the original and two copies of the legal guardian's ID, along with an attested copy of the adoption certificate or the resolution appointing a legal guardian. If one of the child's parents resides abroad, you will need attested power of attorney from them.
Who Can Submit Documents
How can I get dual citizenship in Mexico if I'm not in the country? Please note that you can only submit your naturalisation papers in person. They do not accept applications from official representatives in Mexico. Candidates for citizenship who are below the legal age should be accompanied by their parents, and those who obtain their new passport after getting married should be accompanied by their spouse.
If there are any issues with your paperwork, you will be notified to reschedule your appointment. Once your paperwork is processed and your application is approved, you will be photographed and fingerprinted. It's important to note that Mexico has been issuing biometric passports since 2021.
Cost of Application
How much does a dual citizenship application in Mexico cost? Until the end of 2023, the administrative fee for submitting an application is 8,395 pesos. At the time of writing this article, the exchange rate was approximately $1 to slightly less than 18 Mexican pesos, making the application fee approximately $470.
How long is it to become a dual citizen in Mexico? After the submission of documents, it typically takes about three months for the Mexican government to process the application. The processing timeline is subject to the verification and approval of the submitted documents by the National Institute of Migration (Instituto Nacional de Migración).
Note: It is important to pay all administrative fees and any additional charges, such as fees for document attestation, before submitting the application. The original receipt of payment and a copy of it are required documents that must be included in your application.
Cancún, Mexico. Photo: Gerson Repreza (Unsplash)
The Integration Exam Process
How to pass the Civic Integration exam for getting a double nationality in Mexico? The Civic Integration exam is divided into two parts: the history and culture of Mexico exam, and the Spanish proficiency exam. The history and culture exam lasts for 10 minutes and comprises 10 questions. To pass this part, you need to answer at least 8 of the questions correctly.
The language proficiency exam also takes no more than 10 minutes. Candidates undergo a brief interview and complete two tasks to assess their reading comprehension and writing skills. To pass this exam, you need to achieve a minimum of five points out of the maximum six.
Candidates who are below the legal age, those over 60, and refugees are exempted from taking the history and culture exam. However, the Spanish proficiency exam is mandatory for all applicants.
Note: Foreigners eligible for Mexican citizenship are allowed a maximum of two attempts to pass each of the exams. In case you fail one of the exams, you will be given an opportunity to retake it, but you must wait at least 15 business days before doing so.
How to get my dual citizenship in Mexico with failed exam? If you fail the exam for the second time, you will be required to resubmit all the necessary paperwork and pay the fees again after a period of one year. Additionally, if you do not attend the exam on the scheduled day, it will be considered a failure.
In a Nutshell
In conclusion, this article provides information how to apply for dual citizenship in Mexico. Acquiring Mexican citizenship is relatively straightforward. The primary requirement for prospective citizens is to have resided in the country for a specified number of years, possess fluency in Spanish, have knowledge of the country's history, and maintain a clean legal record. By meeting these criteria, you can obtain a second passport. It's important to note that the Mexican Ministry of Internal Affairs issues a fair disclaimer, stating its limited responsibility for individuals with dual citizenship during their stay in Mexico. However, these are the rules of the game, entailing both advantages and responsibilities that come with dual citizenship.
Cover photo: Bhargava Marripati (Unsplash)
