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Mexico

Study Law in Mexico 2024

Study in Mexico

Becoming a Lawyer in Mexico

Mexico's higher education system closely models the system followed in the U.S., with students required to earn a bachelor's degree law (LLB) before progressing onto a graduate law degree (LLM). A Mexican bachelor's degree is called a "Licenciatura", while a master's degree is called a "Maestria". Licensed lawyers in Mexico have completed a four or five year professional law program at an accredited law school or university (called "Facultad de Derecho").

Law students are instructed in core areas of the Mexican Civil Code as well as constitutional and criminal law. Students wishing to specialize in a particular area of Mexican law will have no problem finding their desired law program as Mexico City alone has over 35 law schools, with the cities of Monterrey and Guadalajara offering additional law universities from which to choose.

Tuition Fees

Fees may vary from one institution to the other. Scholarships and financial aid may be available, depending on the university's policies.

Employment Opportunities for Lawyers in Mexico

Lawyers are constantly in demand due to Mexico's increasing economy, burgeoning population and changing social structure.

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Basic monthly living cost

  • Rent in a shared flat

    265
  • Share of utilities

    17
  • Internet subscription

    26
  • Local transportation

    17

Sample lifestyle cost

  • Fast food combo

    6
  • Cinema ticket

    4
  • Pint of local beer

    2

About Mexico

A federal constitutional republic located at the southern border of the United States, Mexico is one of the largest independent countries in the world and home to nearly 115 million people.

The World Bank considers Mexico to have an upper-middle income due to its vast oil and silver reserves and an impressive gross domestic product output propelled by a recently industrialized economy that is strongly associated with NAFTA.

Mexico also has a thriving tourist industry and is ranked first among North and South American countries on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Goldman Sachs predicts Mexico will become one of the world's biggest economies within 30 years based on the continued growth of its tourism and oil/metal industries.

Mexico's government resembles the federal government structure of the U.S and consists of judicial, executive and legislative branches that control 31 separate states and a Federal District. The President of Mexico is democratically elected and is the head of government and state. Functioning of the federal government is dictated by guidelines adopted in 1917 with the creation and establishment of the Political Constitution of the United Mexico States.

Mexico's Legal System

Mexico's legal system operates under a civil law code derived from Roman law statutes and codes (Corpus Juris Civilis) originally developed by Emperor Justinian and later amended by the Napoleonic (French) Code of 1804.

Mexico's Civil Code is heavily influenced by the country's social norms and incorporates property, personal, family and contractual law regulations. Divided into four parts, the Civil Code contains "Books" called: "The Book of Obligations" (contractual law); "The Book of Individuals" (marriage, divorce, paternity); "The Book of Assets" (personal and real estate property) and "The Book of Descendant's Estates" (wills, testaments and intestate issues).

Visa Requirements

What type of Visa do you need?

Visa name

Temporary Resident Student Visa (Residente Temporal Estudiante)

Price and currency

USD 30

The cost of issuing a student visa varies depending on the nationality. It can be anywhere between US$17 and $30.

Who can apply for the visa?

If you are a citizen or a permanent resident of the Schengen Area, UK, USA, Canada or Japan, or if you have a valid visa for any of those countries, you do not require a visa to Mexico if the purpose of your visit is studying, and if the duration of your stay does not exceed 180 days.

Students who are from other countries, or who will be visiting for a period longer than 180 days must apply for a student visa to Mexico.

Where can you make the application?

Consular Office

You must apply in person for a Student Temporary Resident Visa at the Consular Office closest to your place of residence.

Website:https://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/leamington/index.php/non-mexicans/visas/117-student-visa

How to make the application?

Applicants are required to apply for a visa in person through a pre-arranged interview appointment.

  1. Valid passport with at least 6 months after the return.
  2. Original Letter of acceptance from the school/institution in Mexico.
  3. Original Letter or Certificate indicating the covering expenses of the student, including the full scholarship and in case they will stay with a host family do not forget to attach the ID of the leading member of the family. In case the scholarship or expenses are not included, it's mandatory to present the account statements for the last 3 months.
  4. In case of minors - Student’s birth certificate duly Apostilled.
  5. International students are required to show proof of medical/accidental insurance with international coverage.
  6. Medical statement showing good health and indicating that the candidate is free from any of the illnesses is also required.
  7. Visa processing fee.
  8. Completed application form.
  9. One Photograph in color, passport size with the face uncovered.

Once applicants have entered Mexican territory, they must, within the first 30 calendar days, apply to the National Migration Institute for the residence card that accredits their legal stay in the country and allows them to remain in Mexico.

When should you apply?

A Mexican student visa can be issued in an average of 2 days and can take up to 3 weeks, depending on the nationality of the applicant. You should apply well in advance.

The validity of student visa is of one year.

Processing time

2 Days

Work opportunities

Students cannot work or engage in any remunerative activity while on a student visa in Mexico.

When the student has been invited by a Mexican company/Institution to perform lucrative activities, the Mexican company/institution must request a work permit at the National Migration Institute in Mexico (www.inm.gob.mx).

Hours per week

0

Why do you need this type of visa?

Immigration authorities may decide to refuse the request to enter the country if the applicant is subject to criminal process or has been convicted of a serious crime.