Mexican nationality opens several U.S. routes for a family to discuss with independent immigration counsel. Mexico is an E-1 and E-2 treaty country, Mexican professionals can use the TN category, and the U.S.–Mexico income tax treaty is in force. The steps differ from Canada's in important ways, though. TN requires a consular visa, the employment-based green card queue is charted separately for Mexico, and Mexico's tax authority expects notice before you leave. This guide sets out those differences for Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Le Strand coordinates them into one written Le Strand Landing Plan.
Which U.S. visa routes do Mexican families use?
Mexican families can discuss these routes: E-2, TN, L-1, EB-5 and the employment-based green card categories. The right one depends on whether the principal is investing, being transferred or being hired.
- E-2 treaty investor. The State Department lists Mexico as an E-1 and E-2 treaty country, in force since 1 January 1994. The E-2 fits owners who invest in and direct a U.S. business. See E-2 intelligence.
- TN (USMCA professional). USCIS states that Mexican citizens must obtain a TN visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate in Mexico before seeking admission. Canadians can apply at the border instead. The initial period of stay is up to three years. TD dependants may study but not work.
- L-1 intracompany transfer. This suits executives and managers of Mexican groups with a U.S. affiliate. See L-1 intelligence and corporate relocation planning.
- EB-5 investor green card. For petitions filed on or after 15 March 2022, the USCIS Policy Manual sets the minimum at $1,050,000, or $800,000 in a targeted employment area or infrastructure project. The amounts are scheduled to adjust on 1 January 2027. See EB-5 intelligence. The EB-5 regional centers in Florida are listed by name and USCIS ID.
- Employment-based green cards. The State Department's monthly Visa Bulletin lists Mexico separately from the "all chargeability" group. Waiting times for Mexican-born applicants can differ from the general queue. Counsel should check the current bulletin before you rely on a timeline.
Mexican citizens are not in the Visa Waiver Program, so visits and scouting trips need a valid B-1/B-2 visa. Independent immigration counsel advises on the route. Le Strand builds the family timetable around their answer. See the U.S. immigration pathways overview.
What does Mexico's SAT expect before you leave?
Article 9 of Mexico's Código Fiscal de la Federación requires advance notification of a change of tax residence. Ask your contador to confirm the applicable filing procedure, the statutory 15-day advance window and the evidence of your new residence. The adviser should also establish which Mexican activities and obligations continue after departure.
On the U.S. side, the U.S.–Mexico income tax treaty is in force, according to the IRS. No U.S.–Mexico Social Security agreement appears on the SSA list of agreements in force.
Questions to take to your advisers: On what date do we stop being Mexican tax residents, and who files the SAT notice? Which activities will stay registered in Mexico? How does the treaty treat dividends from our Mexican companies and rental income from Mexican property? With no totalization agreement, how are Social Security contributions handled for work in both countries? When do we meet the IRS substantial presence test? Which U.S. reporting applies to Mexican accounts, such as the FBAR?
Le Strand lists these questions in the Landing Plan with owners and dates. Your Mexican contador and your U.S. tax adviser provide the answers.
How do Florida schools fit a Mexican school year?
The timing is a closer fit than for southern-hemisphere countries. The SEP calendar generally runs from late August to July, while Florida runs from August to late May or early June. The practical gap is Florida's earlier start and earlier finish.
For 2026–27, Broward County Public Schools and the School District of Palm Beach County began on 10 August 2026, and Miami-Dade County Public Schools on 13 August 2026. Broward's last day is 28 May 2027, and Palm Beach's is 27 May 2027. A child leaving a Mexican school in July has only a short gap before a Florida August start.
Florida law makes a child eligible for public kindergarten if they turn five on or before 1 September. For older children, records drive placement, so bring report cards with translations and the vaccination booklet. Bring vaccination records for a Florida health professional to complete Form DH 680 or the applicable exemption documentation.
Bilingual families often want to keep academic Spanish. Miami-Dade County Public Schools offers Spanish across its International Studies and K-12 language programmes. Le Strand coordinates the school search alongside the home search. Schools decide admissions. See Schools & family and the South Florida education corridor.
For a later intake, confirm the receiving school's published calendar, application deadline and available places. Private-school dates vary. Le Strand places those confirmed dates alongside the home and adviser timetable.
Choosing an area in South Florida
Le Strand helps each family compare areas against its own priorities: the daily commute, the school journey, the setting it wants and the type of property. Every shortlist covers Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, and each option is compared at the address level, with the journeys that shape the family's ordinary week.
- For a short drive to Brickell offices: Brickell for apartment living, with Coconut Grove in the City of Miami and Coral Gables, including Gables Estates and Cocoplum, a few miles south-west of downtown Miami.
- Near established public and private school options: Coral Gables and Coconut Grove for established residential streets near schools in Miami-Dade County.
- For waterfront and island living: Key Biscayne, reached by the Rickenbacker Causeway from Brickell Avenue, and Miami Beach and the Venetian Islands across Biscayne Bay. Fisher Island, Star Island, Indian Creek, Bal Harbour and Surfside offer different coastal and island settings.
- For canal-front homes and boating: the Fort Lauderdale waterfront, including Las Olas Isles and Harbor Beach, in Broward County, with a central position between Miami and Palm Beach.
- For condominium living between Miami and Fort Lauderdale: Aventura and Sunny Isles Beach in Miami-Dade County.
- For more space and a quieter base: Palm Beach, Manalapan, Gulf Stream, Boca Raton and its waterfront enclaves in Palm Beach County.
See the Miami landing overview, the Fort Lauderdale landing overview and the Palm Beach landing overview.
If the family flies often, include the peak-hour drive to the airport in the decision. The Landing Plan tests that drive on real weekday routes before a shortlist is fixed.
Which flights connect South Florida and Mexico?
Miami's October schedule lists nonstops to Mexico City, Monterrey, Guadalajara, Mérida, Cancún and Cozumel. JetBlue's Fort Lauderdale–Cancún service provides another option to compare. Mexico City does not observe daylight saving time; it is one hour behind Florida in the northern winter and two hours behind during U.S. daylight saving time.
Route examples checked 19 October 2026. Confirm operating dates, seasonal service and connections with the airline before booking. Compare total journey time, including the transfer to your South Florida destination.
What practical steps are specific to Mexican families?
Four practical items to plan for Mexican families: the driver's licence, credit history, consular records and moving money.
- Driver's licence. Florida requires new residents to get a Florida licence within 30 days of establishing residency. Mexico is not on Florida's list of jurisdictions with a test waiver, so Mexican licence holders take the knowledge and driving tests. Since 6 February 2026, all Florida licence exams are given in English only.
- Credit history. Ask the receiving bank, lender or landlord which U.S. credit records and alternative financial evidence it accepts. Bring your existing records into that conversation before committing to a lease or vehicle finance. Le Strand coordinates the document timetable with the institutions you choose.
- Consular records. The Consulate General of Mexico in Miami handles passports and civil registration. Children born in Florida can be registered as Mexican nationals there.
- Moving money. The timing of a peso conversion, a property sale in Mexico and U.S. account opening each affect the move date. Le Strand coordinates the sequence with the banks and advisers you appoint. Banking is delivered by those institutions.
How does Le Strand coordinate a Mexico-to-South Florida move?
Le Strand starts with a Landing Assessment. It records the household, the visa route under discussion, the SAT timing, the school calendar and the role of the Florida home. The Le Strand Landing Plan then sets out the whole sequence in writing, with dependencies, dates and owners.
Le Strand introduces you to independent immigration counsel and U.S. tax professionals experienced with Mexican families where you need them. It coordinates their requirements with your existing advisers, the school timetable and the property search. For the regional picture, see Latin America to Florida, and see the Landing Plan.
Frequently asked questions
Can Mexicans use the TN visa like Canadians?
Mexican citizens can use TN, but they must first obtain a TN visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate in Mexico. Canadians can apply at the border. Independent immigration counsel confirms whether the profession qualifies.
Is Mexico an E-2 treaty country?
Yes. The State Department lists Mexico for both E-1 and E-2, in force since 1 January 1994.
Do I need to tell the SAT before moving to Florida?
Ask your contador to establish whether your move changes tax residence and to confirm the advance notice required by Article 9, including the statutory 15-day window and the filing that fits your activities.
Does the U.S. have a tax treaty with Mexico?
Yes. The U.S.–Mexico income tax treaty is in force, per the IRS. No U.S.–Mexico Social Security agreement appears on the SSA list of agreements in force.
Why does the Visa Bulletin matter for Mexican applicants?
The Visa Bulletin charts Mexico separately for employment-based green cards. Waiting times for Mexican-born applicants can differ from the general queue, so counsel checks the current month before anyone relies on a timeline.
When does the Florida school year start?
For 2026–27, Broward and Palm Beach public schools began on 10 August 2026 and Miami-Dade on 13 August 2026.
Which South Florida airports serve Mexico?
MIA's October schedule lists Mexico City, Monterrey, Guadalajara, Mérida, Cancún and Cozumel. Also compare JetBlue's FLL–Cancún service for your dates.
Can I exchange my Mexican driver's licence?
No exchange is available. Mexican licence holders who become Florida residents take the knowledge and driving tests, in English.
Relocation guides by country
Each guide sets out the country-specific sequence for a move to Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.
