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The Scholarship

Who Can Apply for AMEXCID

The eligibility rules are stricter than most scholarship listings make them sound. There are nationality conditions, GPA requirements, degree prerequisites, fields of study that are excluded, and several groups that are permanently disqualified.

Requirements

The Baseline Requirements

AMEXCID eligibility works on a few different levels. First, your nationality needs to appear on the official eligible countries list (called Annex 5), which is published with each year's call. This list is updated annually, so a country that was on it last year may not be on it this year, and new countries can be added. If your country is not on that year's list, you cannot apply regardless of how strong your profile is.

Beyond nationality, AMEXCID checks your academic level, your GPA from your most recently completed degree, and your current living situation (whether you're already in Mexico matters). Each of these has hard cutoffs, not recommendations.

Foreign national from an eligible country

Your country must appear in the official Annex 5 list published with the current year's call. This is bilateral — it depends on Mexico's diplomatic agreements with your country.

Minimum GPA of 8.5 out of 10 in your most recent degree

This applies to your completed degree, not work in progress. If your country uses a different scale (letter grades, 4.0, percentage), AMEXCID converts it using a standardized formula. The exact conversion method is not publicly published, but a solid B+ average generally meets the threshold.

Completed relevant university-level degree

For master's programmes: a completed bachelor's degree (licenciatura). For doctoral research stays: a completed master's degree. For postdoctoral stays: a completed doctorate. Technical or vocational qualifications are not accepted as equivalent.

Valid acceptance letter from a participating Mexican institution

Must be from one of the 90 participating universities listed in Annex 1. The letter must be dated within 60 days of your AMEXCID application submission. An older letter will not be accepted.

Spanish language proficiency at B2 level (if applicable)

Required if Spanish is not your native language and your programme is taught in Spanish. A certificate from any recognised university or educational institution is acceptable — DELE is not specifically required. If your programme is taught in another language, your institution must confirm they can provide support in that language.

Who Cannot Apply

These are hard exclusions. No exceptions are made and there is no appeals process.

Mexican nationals or those with Mexican parents

Anyone holding Mexican nationality is excluded, as are foreign nationals whose parents are Mexican citizens (since this can confer nationality rights under Mexican law). This is a commonly overlooked rule that catches many applicants by surprise.

Foreign diplomats accredited in Mexico and their direct families

Diplomatic staff working in Mexico on an official accreditation and their immediate family members cannot apply.

Current Mexican government scholarship holders

If you are currently receiving any Mexican federal government scholarship, you cannot apply. This includes other AMEXCID scholarships and scholarships from other federal agencies.

Recipients of any Mexican federal scholarship in the immediately prior year

Even if you are no longer receiving the scholarship, if it ended within the previous year, you are still ineligible. Former AMEXCID beneficiaries must wait a period equivalent to the duration of their previous scholarship.

Foreigners living in Mexico without a valid Temporary Resident Student card

If you are already living in Mexico but do not hold a valid Temporary Resident Student card (tarjeta de residente temporal estudiante), you cannot apply. The exception is described below.

Foreign nationals on a family residency visa in Mexico

Individuals whose residence in Mexico is based on a family connection (rather than student status) are ineligible.

Special Case: Already Studying in Mexico

If you are already in Mexico on a valid Temporary Resident Student card and enrolled at a participating university, you can apply — but with different requirements. Instead of an acceptance letter, you submit a letter of presentation from your current Mexican institution. This letter must confirm:

  • ▶ That you are a regularly enrolled student at the institution
  • ▶ Your current academic average (which must be 8.5/10 or above)
  • ▶ The programme and level of study you are pursuing

You will also need to provide a copy of your CURP (Clave Única de Registro de Población — Mexico's national ID number for foreign residents) and a copy of your Temporary Resident Student card. These are in addition to the standard document requirements.

Scholarship Modalities and Duration

AMEXCID offers several types of scholarships, each with different duration limits and degree requirements. Make sure your planned program type matches one of these modalities.

Modality Max Duration
Undergraduate / Bachelor's Mobility 12 months
Master's Mobility 12 months
Complete Master's Degree 24 months
Doctoral Research Stay 3–12 months
Postdoctoral Research Stay 3–12 months
Medical Specialization Up to 36 months

Not covered by any modality: Thesis writing or preparation toward a degree (including thesis-only enrolments), combined or direct Master's–Ph.D. programmes, and any distance learning or online programmes.

Excluded Fields of Study

These program types are specifically excluded from funding regardless of which institution offers them or how strong your application is.

Business Administration
MBA
Accounting
Marketing
Advertising
Dentistry
Plastic Surgery
Online / Distance learning
Combined M.A.–Ph.D. programs

You meet the eligibility requirements?

The next step is understanding what the scholarship actually covers — and what you will be responsible for yourself.

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