Does Mexico Require a Student Visa?

Yes, Mexico requires a student visa for international students planning to study for more than 180 days at a recognized Mexican educational institution.

Temporary Resident Student Visa (Visa de Residencia Temporal Estudiante)

This is the visa required for students who will be in Mexico for more than 180 days. It allows you to live in Mexico while studying full-time at an accredited institution.

You must first be accepted by a Mexican university.

You apply at a Mexican consulate in your home country.

Once approved, you have 30 days after arriving in Mexico to convert your visa into a residency card (issued by Mexico’s immigration office, INM).

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Visado de Estudiante – Gobierno de México

Students Staying Less Than 180 Days

If your study program is shorter than 180 days, and you're from a visa-exempt country (like the U.S. or Canada), you can enter Mexico with a visitor permit (Forma Migratoria Múltiple – FMM) and your acceptance letter. No special student visa is needed.