Which residency status works
Valid temporary residency is the floor. With permanent residency, your credit options are essentially the same as a Mexican citizen's. A tourist visa won't work — no regulated institution lends to non-residents.
RFC: non-negotiable
No RFC, no loan. You get it free at the SAT (Mexico's tax authority) with your CURP and proof of address. If your residency is recent, this is the first thing to sort out — without an RFC, you won't even reach the evaluation stage.
Proving income when your profile is mixed
Mexican payroll receipts are the easiest evidence banks accept. Annual SAT tax returns and statements from a Mexican bank account showing regular deposits also work. International transfers (typical if your employer is abroad) are harder — several banks won't read them as verifiable income. If that's your situation, open a Mexican account, deposit your income there each month, and let three to six months go by before applying.
Which banks handle expats best
HSBC and Citibanamex have spent years working with foreigners — their processes are adapted and their officers understand the case. BBVA and Santander accept applications with no special treatment. Digital banks (Nu, Hey Banco) work entirely online with RFC and residency, no complications.
How long in the country before applying makes sense
Six months of residency plus three months with an active Mexican bank account is the reasonable minimum. Before that, the scoring models have nothing to evaluate. Wait, deposit, build a footprint — and at six months you walk in with a real chance of approval.