Capítulo 04

Introductions

Your name, where you're from, and why you're in Mexico — rehearsed answers.

The very first exchange at both the consulate and INM will be introductions. You’ll be asked your name, where you’re from, and the purpose of your visit. Memorize these as formulas — you will use them verbatim dozens of times.

Your name

The most common formula uses llamarse (literally “to call oneself”):

: My name is Juan (lit. “I call myself Juan”)
: What’s your name? (formal)
: What’s your name? (informal)

A simpler alternative using ser (“to be”):

: I’m Juan
: My name is Juan

All three are fine. Me llamo is most common in conversation; mi nombre es sounds slightly more formal and is good at a reception desk.

Nationality and where you’re from

Two parallel formulas. Pick the one that feels easier — you only need one:

: I’m from the United States
: I’m American (as a nationality adjective)
: I’m from California
: I live in California

Note: americano technically means “from the Americas” (the continent). Mexicans usually say estadounidense or, casually, gringo — but don’t call yourself gringo at a government office.

If the officer asks where you’re from:

: Where are you from? (formal)
: Where are you from? (informal)

Your age

: How old are you? (formal)
: I’m 40 years old (lit. “I have 40 years”)

Notice Spanish uses tener (“to have”) for age, not ser. Never say soy cuarenta — that’s a grammatical red flag.

Profession / what you do

The officer may ask your profession for the visa. Short answers work best:

: What do you do? (formal, literally “what do you dedicate yourself to”)
: What’s your profession?
: I’m an engineer (male speaker)
: I’m an engineer (female speaker)

Common professions to have ready:

: software engineer
: programmer
: doctor
: teacher
: student
: retired
: I work for myself / self-employed

Good to know: in Spanish, you drop the article before a profession — it’s soy ingeniero, not soy un ingeniero.

Languages

: Do you speak Spanish? (formal)
: I speak a little Spanish
: I’m learning
: I only speak English
: Can you speak more slowly, please?
: I don’t understand
: Can you repeat?

These last four are your lifelines at any counter — say them without hesitation.

Why you’re in Mexico

This is the question that matters most for your PR process. Have the answer rehearsed word-for-word.

: What’s the reason for your visit?
: Why are you coming to Mexico?

Your answer:

: I’m coming to process my permanent residency
: I have an appointment at INM
: I’m going to exchange my visa (for the PR card)

How long you’ll stay

: How long will you be in Mexico?
: A few weeks
: Approximately one month
: Until the process is complete

Rehearsal: a full self-introduction

Say this aloud in one go, as if at an INM reception desk. Swap in your real name, city, and profession:

That one paragraph covers everything an INM or consulate officer is likely to ask in the first minute. Practice it until you can say it without looking.

Next chapter continues the formula set with the four or five most useful verbs (ser, estar, tener, ir, querer) and the sentence skeletons that get you 80% of daily survival.