Arraigo (Ties / Rootedness)ah-rye-GO
Arraigo refers to the personal, family, work, or economic ties a foreign national has established in Mexico, recognized under the Migration Law (Ley de Migración, Art. 2) as a basis for certain immigration benefits. The term literally means rootedness or being anchored to a place.
By Daniel Ortega · Last reviewed 6 November 2026
How it works
Foreign buyers, renters, and long-term visitors use arraigo to support residency applications at INM (Instituto Nacional de Migración). The most common route is family unity (unidad familiar): marriage or common-law partnership with a Mexican citizen or resident, or being the parent or child of one. A foreign spouse of a Mexican citizen typically receives temporary residency (residente temporal) for two years, then can apply for permanent residency (residente permanente). As of November 2026, the INM fee for one-year temporary residency by family tie is MXN 3,596, two years MXN 5,389, and three years MXN 6,825. Applicants must still prove identity, provide marriage or birth certificates, attend an INM interview, pay any applicable fines if irregular, and receive the card.