INM (Instituto Nacional de Migración) (National Migration Institute)
INM (Instituto Nacional de Migración, National Migration Institute) is Mexico's federal immigration authority that controls migration, issues and manages residency cards, processes status changes, and enforces the Migration Law; INM is a decentralized administrative organ under the Secretariat of the Interior (SEGOB).
By Daniel Ortega · Last reviewed 12 November 2026
How it works
Foreign property buyers, owners and renters in Quintana Roo interact with INM to obtain and maintain legal residency. After receiving a visa at a Mexican consulate abroad, the holder must complete canje (exchange) at an INM office within 30 days of entering Mexico to receive the physical tarjeta de residente (resident card). In November 2026, INM charges 11,141 pesos for a 1-year residente temporal card and 13,579 pesos for a residente permanente card. Quintana Roo has INM offices at Cancun International Airport and in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Cozumel and Chetumal. Annual renewals of temporary residency and conversions from temporary to permanent residency also process through INM. The canje appointment includes digital photo and fingerprint capture; cards are ready for pickup 2 to 4 weeks later.