Guide to University Admissions in Mexico 2026: a full step-by-step roadmap (Part 2)

6. Deadlines and the 2026 timelineThe Mexican academic year is split into two semesters: spring (January–June) and fall (August–December). Most international students apply for the fall (September start).October–November 2025: apostille the diploma, translate into Spanish, submit to SEP revalidación (30 working days).November 2025: register for CELA-UNAM (language exam), DELE B2 (next session — November) or SIELE (monthly sessions).December 2025: register for EXANI-II (CENEVAL) for the February session — $50 fee.January 2026: UNAM Examen de Admisión deadline for the February convocatoria — sat on 8 February.February 2026: take EXANI-II at a CENEVAL test centre (Kyiv — via VFS Latam, or in person in Mexico).February–March 2026: Tec de Monterrey, ITAM, Anáhuac, IBERO deadlines for the August start (Tec PAA — 28 February).March 2026: UNAM Examen + EXANI-II results announced.April 2026: UNAM convocatoria deadline for the fall semester  — sat in June.May 2026: AMEXCID scholarship for citizens of 180+ countries deadlineJune 2026: take the UNAM Examen for fall; Tec, ITAM results announced.June–July 2026: confirm the place, pay the inscripción ($300–2 000).June–August 2026: apply for the Visa Residente Temporal Estudiante at the Mexican Embassy in Kyiv (or in Bucharest, Budapest, Warsaw if not available).15 August 2026: academic year starts at Tec, ITAM, IBERO, Anáhuac.10 September 2026: academic year starts at UNAM, IPN, UAM, UDG.First 30 days after arrival: register with the Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM) + obtain the Tarjeta de Residente Temporal — MXN 4 000.7. Residente Temporal Estudiante visa and path to residencyVisa Residente Temporal EstudianteDocuments: Carta de Aceptación from the Mexican university, proof of tuition payment (min. for one semester), financial proof (account balance $2 800+ over the last 12 months), health insurance (min. $5 000 — Mapfre, AXA Seguros, IMSS supplementary plan), passport valid 12+ months, accommodation booking for the first 30 daysFee: $40 at the Mexican Embassy.Processing: 10–20 working days. Submit no later than 30 days before arrival.Issued for 180 days — single entry. Allows entry to Mexico; Tarjeta de Residente Temporal EstudianteIssued by INM for 1 year, renewed annually until graduation (max 4 years undergraduate, 2 masters, 4 PhD). Cost: MXN 4 000 (~$210)/year.Submitted via inm.gob.mx + in-person visit at a regional office (CDMX, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Puebla).Right to work: not allowed on a student visa without an additional permiso. Exceptions — internships at companies with a signed convenio with the university (Tec, ITAM have dozens), remote freelance (legally outside Mexico).Path to residencyAfter graduation — entitlement to convert to a Visa de Residente Temporal con permiso para trabajar with an offer from ~MXN 25 000/month ($1 350+).After 4 years of legal residence&n