Yes, you have a way out. If your FMM or immigration document has expired, the Immigration Law recognizes your right to re-entry. right to regularize your situation That fact alone doesn't make you subject to deportation. The fact that almost no one tells you in time: if you entered legally and overstayed your visa, you can regularize your status. provided that you submit the application within 60 calendar days following the expiry. And there is a key protection: the National Institute of Migration (INM) He cannot stop you for coming voluntarily. to regularize your status.
This is one of the most frequent questions we receive at City Laws, and it almost always comes with a sense of fear: “My permit expired, will I be deported if I turn myself in?” The short answer is that the law is designed precisely to ensure you turn yourself in. Below, we explain, with the relevant articles in hand, what options are available, how much it will cost in 2026, and when it's advisable to seek legal counsel. immigration lawyer before taking the first step.
What the law says: having an expired document is not a crime
The starting point is Article 132 of the Migration Law, which recognizes the right to regularize in three cases: who lacks documentation who proves their regular status, who has the expired documentation and who ceased to meet the requirements regarding the residency status they had been granted. In other words, the law itself allows for people's papers to expire and gives them the opportunity to rectify the situation, not to punish them from the outset.
In the most common case—the FMM (Multiple Immigration Form) or the expired immigration document—Article 134, section I, is the one that governs: whoever entered legally and exceeded the period of stay It can be regularized as long as you request the procedure within the 60 calendar days following the expiration. Section II of the same article covers those who carried out activities other than those permitted by their immigration status (for example, entered as a tourist and started working).
The 60-day window is the most overlooked detail. Appearing on day 40 or day 90 makes a difference: it changes the legal avenues available to you.
If those 60 days have already passed, the route of article 134 section I due to mere expiration is closed, but you are not left without options: you can rely on the family unity or humanitarian route of article 133, on section II of 134 or leave the country and process a visa at the consulate.
The second option: regularization through family ties or humanitarian reasons
Article 133 opens another door that is not dependent on the 60-day period. You can regularize your situation if you can prove any of the following: being spouse or partner of a Mexican citizen or resident; be the father, mother, child, or have custody or legal representation of a Mexican citizen or resident; be victim or witness of a serious crime; to be in a vulnerable situation that makes deportation impossible; or being a child or adolescent in an international abduction proceeding.
There is a relevant economic difference: in cases III, IV and V of article 133 (victim or witness, vulnerability and NNA) no fine is imposed, And in the case of family units (sections I and II) the fine is lower. We'll see this in the costs section.
What documents does the procedure require?
Article 135 lists the requirements for the regularization application. In practice, this is what you will need to gather:
- A written in which you request regularization and specify the irregularity you committed (for example, "I exceeded the authorized stay period in my FMM").
- A official identity document (usually the passport).
- The documents that prove the relationship with a Mexican or resident, if you choose that route.
- He expired immigration document when the reason is that you exceeded the stay.
- The receipt of payment of the fine.
- Meet the requirements of the condition of stay that you want to acquire.
The official procedure is called “Immigration Regularization for Having Expired Documents or Engaging in Unauthorized Activities” (form INM792). Depending on your documentation, you can obtain Visitor status with or without permission for paid activities (180 days), Temporary Resident Student status (1 year), or Temporary Resident status (up to 4 years). One logistical detail that surprises many: The INM does not receive cash; All payments to the Institute are made by card.
Two protections that article 136 gives you
This is the article you should keep in mind in case someone tries to scare you. First: the INM cannot present (to detain) the foreigner who voluntarily comes to regularize their status. Second: once the process has been initiated, the INM has a 30 calendar days to resolve Your application (the law sets that deadline, although in practice it may take longer). It's not an indefinite limbo; the law sets a time limit for the authorities.
How much does it cost to regularize your status in 2026: fines and fees
It is important to separate two things that people often confuse: the fine (a sanction) and the rights (The fee for the procedure and for the new document). These are paid separately.
The fine
For regularizing your status after overstaying your visa (expired FMM) or for unauthorized activities, Article 146 sets a fine of 20 to 100 days of minimum wage, which are currently calculated in UMA. Regarding the family unit provision of Article 133 (sections I and II), Article 145 reduces it to 20 to 40 days; and in cases III, IV and V of article 133 there is no fine.
Why in UMA and not minimum wage? Because the constitutional reform on de-indexation (DOF 27-01-2016) separated the minimum wage from its function as a unit of account for fines. Where the Migration Law says “days of minimum wage”, today it reads in UMA (Unit of Measurement and Update). The value of the UMA in force in 2026 is $117.31 pesos daily, published by INEGI in the DOF on 09-01-2026 and in force since February 1, 2026.
| Concept | Basis | Rank in UMA | Approximate equivalent 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine for expired FMM / unauthorized activities | Art. 146 LM | 20 to 100 UMA | $2,346.20 – $11,731.00 |
| Fine via family unit | Art. 145 LM | 20 to 40 UMA | $2,346.20 – $4,692.40 |
| Assumptions III, IV and V (victim/witness, vulnerability, children and adolescents) | Art. 145 LM, in relation to art. 133, fr. III-V | No fine | $0.00 |
The exact amount within the range is determined by the INM during the interview according to your case; the conversion to pesos is arithmetic based on the official UMA.
The fees for the procedure and the new document
In addition to the fine, the Federal Law of Rights (reform DOF 07-11-2025, in force 2026) charges a right of $1,847.13 pesos for the reception, review, and, where applicable, regularization of your situation (Article 10). This fee is waived for those who regularize their status based on sections III, IV, and V of Article 133. In addition, there is a fee for issuing the new document according to the immigration status you obtain (Article 8):
| Stay status you obtain | Right for shipment 2026 |
|---|---|
| Visitor without permission for paid activities | $983.00 |
| Visitor with permission for paid activities | $4,340.77 |
| Temporary Resident (up to 1 year) | $11,140.74 |
| Temporary Resident (2 years) | $16,693.36 |
| Temporary Resident (3 years) | $21,142.58 |
The listed fees are illustrative and not exhaustive: they do not include all possible residency conditions (for example, 4-year Temporary Resident or Temporary Student Resident), the issuance of which you must consult in the official information sheet. These fees under Article 8 came into effect on January 1, 2026, and the processing fee under Article 10 is separate from the issuance fee.
What if 60 days have already passed? The consulate route
If your FMM expired a while ago and you prefer a clean reset, there's another option: leave Mexico and apply at a consulate for a temporary residence visa (for example, based on financial means). Once you enter with that visa, you have 30 calendar days to exchange it for a resident card at the INM. The appointment is scheduled on the SRE's MiConsulado platform.
The amounts of economic solvency that they will ask you for (balances or income expressed in UMA days) are set by each consulate according to the guidelines, so it is advisable to verify the current requirement at the consulate that corresponds to you before scheduling.
The CURP for foreigners: what it is and what it doesn't solve
One point that causes confusion: the CURP does not regularize on its own Your stay. The final CURP is generated when the INM prints your resident card and is printed on the document; it requires that your stay has already been authorized by the INM or COMAR. While your application is being processed, RENAPO can issue a Temporary CURP for Foreigners Valid for 180 to 365 days. It is useful for administrative procedures, but it depends on the immigration authority approving your status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be deported just for having an expired FMM?
Not automatically. Article 132 recognizes the right to regularize your immigration status even if your document has expired, and Article 136 prohibits the National Migration Institute (INM) from detaining you for voluntarily regularizing your status. Having an expired document is an administrative irregularity that the law allows to be resolved, not a reason for deportation on its own.
How long do I have to regularize my immigration status after my FMM expired?
If you entered legally and missed the deadline, Article 134, Section I allows you to regularize your status as long as you submit the application within the 60 calendar days following the expiration date. If they have already passed, that route is closed due to mere expiration, but you can explore the family unity route (art. 133), the unauthorized activities route (art. 134 fr. II) or leave and process a visa at the consulate.
How much does it cost to regularize my immigration status in 2026?
It depends on your case. The fine ranges from 20 to 100 UMA (approximately $2,346 to $11,731) for an expired FMM, or from 20 to 40 UMA for family unity applications, and there is no fine in cases III, IV, and V of article 133. In addition, there are the fees: $1,847.13 for processing and the cost of issuing the new document, ranging from $983 (visitor) to more than $21,000 (temporary residence).
Does the CURP (Unique Population Registry Code) regularize my status if my document has expired?
No. The CURP does not authorize your stay on its own. The permanent CURP is generated when the INM issues your resident card, and the temporary CURP for foreigners is only valid while your application is being processed. Without authorization from the INM or COMAR, the CURP does not regularize your immigration status.
How long does it take the INM to resolve?
Article 136 gives the INM a period of 30 calendar days, counted from the date you submit your application, to resolve the regularization. It is not an open-ended deadline: the law obliges the authority to make a decision within that period.
If your situation involves expired deadlines, family ties, and doubts about which residency status is best for you, don't make a decision blindly: at City Laws you can book legal advice to review your case before submitting the application and choose the correct route.
Legal notice
This content is for informational and educational purposes only, providing general guidance on the immigration regularization process in Mexico. It does not constitute legal advice for a specific case, does not create an attorney-client relationship, and does not guarantee any outcome. The Immigration Law, the Federal Law of Fees, the value of the UMA (Unit of Measurement and Update), and the fees and requirements for procedures may change and be applied differently depending on individual circumstances. Before submitting any application or making any payment, verify the current figures in official sources and consult an attorney regarding your specific situation.
Reviewed by the City Laws legal team
Written by the City Laws editorial team and reviewed by our attorneys under current Mexican law. Meet our team.
⚠️ General informational content, current as of its publication date. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship; laws change and every case is different. For your specific situation, Book a free consultation.