The information that follows was provided by a source from the Consulate of Mexico in Ottawa during a telephone interview with the IRBDC (3 Dec. 1991).

The migratory and residence status of a foreigner in Mexico is determined by the Secretaría de Gobernación (Ministry of Interior). The authority that processes and decides on an application for obtaining Mexican nationality is the Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores (Ministry of External Affairs). The process is complex and usually takes a variable amount of time, as the application must be reviewed and approved by more than one office of the Ministry. The source stressed that the granting of residence status or nationality is never automatic, and the decision is made by the appropriate authorities.

In order to request Mexican nationality, a foreigner who marries a Mexican must reside in Mexico. Unless the foreigner is already living in Mexico, the foreigner must obtain a visa to enter Mexico. For this visa, the Mexican spouse must prove that he/she resides or intends to reside in Mexico and has the means to support the foreign spouse.

Mexican law identifies different procedures for obtaining Mexican nationality. One is called "naturalización privilegiada" (privileged naturalization). Despite its name, this process does not entail any particular nationality privileges for the applicant. However, it is quicker and has fewer requirements than the regular process. Spouses of Mexicans, those with Mexican children and those who are otherwise closely related to a Mexican are eligible for the privileged naturalization procedure.

The other more expedient procedure for obtaining Mexican nationality is known as "naturalización especial" (special naturalization). This procedure is available only to spouses of Mexicans. The interested party must submit an application to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and prove residence in Mexico as well as marriage with a Mexican. The application is then reviewed by different sections of the Ministry before final approval or rejection.

Additional and/or corroborating information could not be found among the sources currently available to the IRBDC.

Consulate of Mexico, Ottawa. 3 December 1991. Telephone Interview with Representative.