Mexico Shifts Residency Financial Requirements to UMA for 2026
Mexico City, January 7, 2026 – Mexico’s government has announced updates to financial solvency requirements for residency applications in 2026, transitioning from minimum wage-based calculations to the Unidad de Medida y Actualización (UMA). This change aims to stabilize thresholds amid inflation, potentially lowering costs for applicants compared to previous projections tied to rising minimum wages.
Key Changes in Residency Requirements
The shift to UMA, effective for consulates starting in 2026, decouples residency qualifications from the national minimum wage, which increased by 13% to 315.04 MXN per day on January 1, 2026. UMA values, updated annually based on inflation, provide a more predictable metric. For 2025, UMA stood at 113.14 MXN daily, 3,439.46 MXN monthly, and 41,273.52 MXN annually. Projections for 2026 UMA suggest a modest increase of 3-5%, depending on inflation rates.
Under the new UMA-based formulas, temporary residency may require approximately 4,300 USD (around 77,000 MXN) in monthly net income or 70,000 USD (about 1.26 million MXN) in savings over 12 months, based on current exchange rates near 18 MXN per USD. Permanent residency thresholds could be around 7,000 USD (126,000 MXN) monthly or 282,000 USD (5.08 million MXN) in savings. These figures are estimates and may vary by consulate and exchange rates.
UMA Values and Economic Context
| Period | Daily UMA (MXN) | Monthly UMA (MXN) | Annual UMA (MXN) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 (Feb 1, 2025 – Jan 31, 2026) | 113.14 | 3,439.46 | 41,273.52 |
| 2026 (Projected) | Approx. 116-119 | Approx. 3,530-3,620 | Approx. 42,360-43,440 |
UMA replaces minimum wage for official calculations, including fines, taxes, and residency solvency, introduced in 2016 to avoid inflationary pressures on these metrics. The 2026 economic package projects GDP growth of 1.8-2.8%, inflation at 3.0%, and an exchange rate of 18.90 MXN per USD by year-end, influencing these values.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is UMA and how does it affect residency applications?
UMA is Mexico’s Unit of Measurement and Update, an inflation-adjusted reference for calculating obligations like residency fees. Starting in 2026, consulates will use UMA multiples for income and savings requirements, potentially reducing thresholds compared to minimum wage-based formulas.
Will all consulates adopt UMA immediately?
Not necessarily. While guidelines recommend the shift, implementation may vary by consulate. Applicants should confirm with their local office and prepare documentation for increased scrutiny.
How do exchange rates impact these requirements?
Requirements are in MXN, but often converted to USD or CAD for international applicants. Fluctuations, such as the projected 18.90 MXN/USD by end-2026, can affect equivalencies. Current estimates use rates around 18 MXN/USD.