Mexico Move Checklist: Your First 90 Days as a New Resident — Everything Paul Does with New Clients

Why the Sequence Matters

Every task in Mexico's residency setup depends on the one before it. BBVA won't open an account without RFC. RFC won't process without CURP. IMSS enrollment won't start without the residency card. SAT won't issue an RFC without a CURP appointment first. The most common first-month mistake: doing things in the wrong order and having to restart. The second most common: not knowing the 30-day canje window starts immediately on entry. This guide is the sequence Paul gives new 90-Day Concierge clients from day one.

Days 1–5: The Canje Window Starts Now

The moment your flight lands in Mexico on your consulate-issued visa stamp, a 30-day clock starts. You have 30 calendar days to visit INM (Instituto Nacional de Migración) and exchange your visa stamp for a Temporary Residency card. This is called the canje. Day 1 priority: find the INM office in your city or nearest major city. Some cities require appointments; others accept walk-ins. Your next action after securing accommodation is securing an INM appointment. What you need for the canje: • Original passport with visa stamp • Photocopies of passport (photo page + visa stamp page) • FMM card from your flight (the copy immigration gave you) • Proof of Mexican address (rental contract or hotel letter) • INM fee payment receipt (pay at BBVA or Santander first — bring the ficha) Paul's specific advice: bring more copies than you think you need. Bring original + copy of everything. Mexican government offices consistently request more documentation than you expect.

Days 5–14: CURP and RFC

Once you have your Temporary Residency card (typically processed within a few weeks of your INM canje appointment), the sequence continues: Get CURP at DIF (Sistema para el Desarrollo Integral de la Familia): Bring: residency card, passport, proof of address Process: free, typically 20 minutes Result: 18-character CURP number — write it down and photograph the document Get RFC at SAT (Servicio de Administración Tributaria): Requires: CURP, residency card, passport, proof of Mexican address Schedule: appointment required at sat.gob.mx (allow 5–10 business days wait time in major cities) Also request: e.FIRMA digital certificate (requires a USB drive) — you'll need this for formal tax filing and government interactions Note: Some SAT offices are heavily backlogged. Paul's recommendation — schedule the SAT appointment before you land, based on your planned arrival city.

Days 14–30: Banking and Phone

Open BBVA Mexico checking account: Requires: RFC document, CURP, residency card, proof of Mexican address, initial deposit Note: not all BBVA branches process foreign nationals — ask in your local expat Facebook group which specific branch handles them in your city Get your CLABE (18-digit interbank code) immediately — this is what you give for Wise transfers Set up Mexican phone number: Telcel (best rural coverage) or AT&T Mexico (works in major cities) Amigo Max prepaid plan: approximately 250–350 MXN/month for 10–15GB data You need a Mexican number for WhatsApp — the local communication standard Set up Wise for USD→MXN transfers: https://wise.com/invite/u/paulg Transfer money to your new BBVA account. Verify the first transfer before transferring large amounts.

Days 30–60: IMSS and Healthcare

Enroll in IMSS Voluntario: Requires: residency card, CURP, passport, passport photos, proof of address Process: visit your local IMSS subdelegación with all documents Pay annual premium (~$400 USD/year, adjusted annually each February) Important: 12-month waiting period for pre-existing conditions — maintain SafetyWing during this period Get SafetyWing for the transition year: https://safetywing.com/?referenceId=mymexicomove Find your local doctors: Identify a local GP, dentist, and any specialists you need Private clinic GP visits: $300–600 MXN ($15–30 USD) — very affordable out of pocket for routine care IMSS for major procedures (surgery, hospitalization, specialists) after the waiting period

Days 60–90: Integration and Community

Language school enrollment: the fastest social integration tool in any Mexican city. Paul's consistent advice — enroll in formal Spanish classes your first month, regardless of your current Spanish level. The social network you build in class accelerates everything else. Find the expat community: Facebook group search "[City name] Expats" — join and introduce yourself. Most cities have monthly meetups within 2 weeks of joining. Lake Chapala and Mérida have the most organized programming. Bill setup: CFE (electricity), water, and internet. Confirm your CFE account is in your name or listed as a tenant to avoid DAC issues. Track electricity usage with the CFE app from Day 1. For the full 90-Day Concierge service — Paul walks you through every single one of these steps with daily WhatsApp access: https://www.mymexicomove.com/booking-calendar/4f1927a2-d5c1-443a-9676-e68cf7d18f5e