Mexicans who work in the United States have the possibility of voluntarily joining the Mexican Social Security Institute through the Independent Workers scheme, known as PTI.

Membership is done directly from the internet, without the need to travel to Mexico or hire intermediaries. To begin, the Unique Population Registration Code (CURP), the Social Security Number (NSS), an email and an address in Mexico are required. The RFC appears in the form, but the portal itself indicates it as optional.

The program has gained relevance among the migrant community: in March 2026, the IMSS reported that there were already 19,502 Mexicans working abroad registered under this modality.

The most important thing: the IMSS does not replace health insurance in the United States

Membership allows you to receive consultations, medications, hospitalization, surgeries, emergency care and specialty services, but these benefits are provided in Mexican territory.

Therefore, being enrolled in the IMSS is not equivalent to having health insurance to receive care in hospitals or offices in the United States. The program can be useful for those who periodically return to Mexico, plan to return to the country or want to protect family members who remain there.

The IMSS also allows registered workers from abroad to request a video call with Family Medicine Specialist Nursing personnel through the IMSS Digital application. This service provides preventive guidance and allows you to identify risk factors, but it does not replace an in-person medical consultation in the United States.

Who can register from the United States

The scheme is aimed at Mexicans who are self-employed or who work abroad without having an employer in Mexico who registers them with Social Security.

It can be used by professionals, merchants, technicians, teachers, trade workers, salespeople, journalists and other people who earn income through independent activity. Incorporation is voluntary and is carried out directly before the IMSS.

It is not necessary to simulate an employment relationship with a Mexican company or pay a third party to register.

What you need to start the process

Before entering the system, it is advisable to have these data prepared:

Anyone who does not yet have an SSN can request it for free online using the CURP and an email. The number is unique, permanent and non-transferable.

How to register for the IMSS from the United States, step by step

What you should do to sign up for the IMSS from the USA:

Enter the official portal

The process must be started on the IMSS microsite for Independent Workers. There is the option for Mexicans who live and work abroad.

It is important to check that it is the official IMSS site and avoid pages that charge for membership. Registration with the Institute can be done directly.

Capture the CURP, the NSS and the email

The system first requests the CURP, the Social Security Number and a valid email address. The RFC can be added, but appears as optional information in the initial form.

After verifying the information, the applicant must continue with their personal and contact information.

Provide an address in Mexico

The IMSS requests to indicate an address within Mexico. This data is relevant for the administrative assignment and for the election or registration of the corresponding Family Medicine Unit.

Those who have relatives in Mexico can use the address where the family group resides, as long as the information declared is correct and can be proven when the Institute requests it.

Declare occupation and monthly income

The affiliate must indicate the activity they carry out and the monthly income with which they wish to contribute. From these data, the IMSS calculator determines the corresponding fee.

The cost is not the same for all people: it depends on registered income, occupation and other components of insurance. For this reason, it is advisable to use the official calculator instead of taking as a reference a figure published on social networks or unofficial pages.

Choose the payment frequency

The system allows installments to be covered in advance in a way:

At the end, the incorporation form and the line or format necessary to make the payment are generated.

Pay from the United States

One of the enabled options is the Financial for Wellbeing application. To use it, the person can obtain the FINABIEN cards from the United States and Mexico, deposit funds in the first one, make a self-remittance and then select the “Payment of Fees to the IMSS” option within the application.

In March 2026, FINABIEN reported a commission of $2.99 ​​dollars for the self-remittance and another of 50 Mexican pesos for the payment of the fee to the IMSS. These rates may change, so they should be reviewed again before carrying out the operation.

The FINABIEN card can be requested at the Mexican consulates in the United States or online. For the US card, Mexican or United States identification is accepted, as well as email, US address and cell phone number.

Save receipts

After payment, it is advisable to download and keep:

The validity can be consulted later in the IMSS digital services using CURP, NSS and email.

Which family members can receive coverage

The scheme allows the spouse or common-law partner, children, father and mother to be registered as legal beneficiaries, as long as they meet the conditions provided for by the Social Security Law.

The IMSS reported in 2026 that the worker's quota can extend protection to their partner, parents and children. In the case of children, coverage normally lasts up to age 16 and can continue until age 25 when they study at a public institution and the other requirements are met.

Family members must register at the Family Medicine Unit that corresponds to them in Mexico. The registration of beneficiaries may require documents that prove relationship, such as birth or marriage certificates.

What benefits does the program offer?

Incorporation as an independent worker includes access to insurance for:

It also allows you to accumulate weeks of contributions for a future pension and make, optionally, contributions to Infonavit. Access to a pension is not automatic: it depends on the recognized weeks, age, registered salary and the legal requirements applicable to each worker.

Where to ask for help from the United States

The IMSS has an orientation center for Mexicans abroad at the number 011 52 55 4166 5415, Monday to Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Mexico City time.

You can also request assistance at the Mexican consulates through MiConsulado or by WhatsApp at 1-424-309-0009.

Is it worth registering?

It can be especially useful for those who have family in Mexico, want to maintain or increase their contributed weeks, plan to return to the country or are looking to build retirement rights.

However, before paying, it is advisable to calculate the fee, review the weeks previously quoted and confirm which benefits will actually be used. Membership in the IMSS protects within Mexico and should not be considered a substitute for the medical coverage necessary to live and receive care in the United States.

This news has been tken from authentic news syndicates and agencies and only the wordings has been changed keeping the menaing intact. We have not done personal research yet and do not guarantee the complete genuinity and request you to verify from other sources too.