Intro When living in Mexico, having a valid form of Mexican identification is incredibly useful. Although I can use my passport or residency card for identification, carrying these important documents around every day is very unwise. From the recommendation of a roommate, I got my Mexican driver’s license to have an official form of ID that is recognized within the country. Plus, there is no test required to get a driver’s license for a car in Mexico.
If you’re planning on living in Mexico, getting an RFC (Registro Federal de Contribuyentes) should be high on your list. The RFC is essentially a tax ID, and it opens up a lot of opportunities for you, especially if you plan to stay long-term. From renting an apartment, getting a bank account, to eventually buying property, the RFC will make your life much easier in Mexico. When I first got my Mexican residency, I realized the next big step was getting my RFC. Having a local bank account became a priority for me, as using my international accounts often led to issues with withdrawals or fees. This journey wasn’t without its small challenges, but the process itself was fairly straightforward once I figured it out.
Navigating Mexican Bank Accounts: My Personal Experience If you’re planning on living in Mexico, getting a bank account is a key step to making life more convenient. In Mexico, the banking system can feel a bit old-fashioned, especially when compared to the online-first experiences in other countries. Here’s a breakdown of my experience, the challenges I faced, and the lessons learned while opening different bank accounts in Mexico. Traditional Banks vs. Digital Banks There are essentially two ways to get a bank account in Mexico: the traditional route or the digital one. Traditional banks require you to go in person, wait in line, and present all your documents for verification. They might be a bit cumbersome, but they do offer benefits such as access to Visa credit cards and in-person verification, which could be helpful for certain financial activities.
When I decided to apply for residency in Mexico, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’d been living here for over six months, taking Spanish classes, and getting comfortable with the culture. Here, I’ll share my journey through the process to help anyone considering the same move. Choosing the Residency Type There are different types of residency options, but I opted for temporary residency to start. I technically qualified for permanent residency, but I wanted to take it slow and learn more about the requirements. Permanent residency is often intended for retirees, and I wanted to be sure I was prepared for everything it entailed. To apply, you must meet certain financial requirements—these are either a specific monthly income for six months or a set amount in savings for 12 months. I decided to pursue the consulate with the most lenient requirements, which happened to be one in Texas. This was convenient since I was planning a visit to the U.S. anyway.
Intro Note: I use the word Mexicans in this article. Although in the U.S. we are sensitive to this, I am using Mexican in the technical sense – people from Mexico. Having lived in Mexico for a while, Latino is typically an uncommon word, and Hispanic is absolutely made up and offensive. I am respecting the people I love by correctly labeling them by their present-day nationality and culture. My whole life, it seemed there were always Mexicans around me while I was growing up. Although that sounds funny or ignorant, but it’s the honest truth. I came from a small family of just me and my parents – we were not close with any other relatives. So when we went out and saw these (typically big) Mexican families, I always had a sense of jealousy and desire for belonging. Big picnics, cookouts, music, fun, games, etc. – and instead, I was alone with my dysfunctional parents, likely enduring some public fight they were prone to having.
Preparing for Life in Mexico: My Experience Before the Move Moving to Mexico is an adventure, but there are some key things you need to take care of before making the leap. Here, I’ll share what I did to prepare, from learning Spanish to figuring out logistics like mail and finances. Hopefully, this helps you avoid some of the pitfalls I encountered and makes your transition smoother. Learning Spanish Before the Move The most important thing I did before moving to Mexico was to learn Spanish. I had some background from high school, but honestly, that wasn’t very useful beyond a few basic words and some pronunciation practice. So, I took matters into my own hands—starting with Duolingo and eventually signing up for night classes at a local high school while still in the U.S. Twice a week, after work, I would attend these classes. Most of the students were older, but it was a great environment for me to practice speaking with others at my level.
