How to Get a Home Loan Through INFONAVIT in Mexico (Step-by-Step Guide)

Updated 24 October 2026.

INFONAVIT (Instituto del Fondo Nacional de la Vivienda para los Trabajadores) is the tripartite fund —workers, employers and government— that manages housing savings for formal workers in Mexico and lends money to buy, build or improve a home. It is not a bank or a private lender: it is a public fund with its own rules.

This guide walks through the process in order and what to check before signing. It deliberately avoids fixed rates and amounts: the loan size, rate and term depend on your profile and change with the Institute's rules, so the only number that matters is your pre-qualification.

The basics in one table

Step 1: check your situation in Mi Cuenta INFONAVIT

Before looking at houses, sign in to Mi Cuenta INFONAVIT and check three things:

• Your score and pre-qualification. The Institute calculates how much you could borrow; that figure matters more than any table you find online.
• Your Housing Sub-account savings. That balance counts towards the down payment and the amount available.
• Your personal and employment details. A mistyped CURP or salary delays the whole process.

If you do not have an account or have lost access, the Institute explains how to recover it on its portal. You can also visit an office.

Step 2: understand what sets your loan

The amount is not negotiated with the seller: the Institute calculates it from your profile. The main factors are:

• Your salary and the repayment capacity that follows from it.
• Your accumulated savings in the Housing Sub-account.
• Your score, which summarises your employment and credit history.
• Your age and the term you can take on.

That produces a maximum purchase capacity. If the home you want costs more, there are two routes: a larger down payment, or a co-financed arrangement with a bank if you qualify.

Step 3: choose a property the Institute can finance

Not every property qualifies. The home must be registered or authorised for an INFONAVIT loan and meet its technical and legal requirements. Before paying any deposit:

• Check that the property appears in the catalogue, or that the seller can prove it is registered.
• Ask for the full paperwork: title deed, property tax receipt, proof of no liens and the owner's details.
• Confirm the appraisal will be done by a valuer authorised by the Institute.
• Be wary of anyone asking for “holding” money without a contract or receipt.

Step 4: apply

With the property chosen, the application is filed through Mi Cuenta INFONAVIT or at an office, and usually asks for:

• Valid official ID and CURP.
• Social Security number (NSS) and employment details.
• Recent proof of address.
• Proof of income and, where applicable, an employment letter.
• Details and documents for the property and the seller.

The exact list depends on the programme and the state; the Institute publishes the current checklist and your adviser should give it to you in writing. Do not hand original documents to intermediaries without identifying them.

Step 5: appraisal, approval and signing

The Institute orders an appraisal of the property. With that value, your profile and the paperwork, it decides on approval. If everything is in order, you receive an offer with the amount, rate, term and insurance.

Read the offer before signing and compare it with your pre-qualification. The mortgage deed is signed before a notary; from then on the loan is repaid through payroll deduction, and you can make early payments.

The costs that are not the monthly payment

The monthly instalment is only part of it. Before closing, budget for:

• Down payment, if the price exceeds your purchase capacity.
• Appraisal and, where applicable, a socio-economic study.
• Deed, notary and land registry fees.
• Life and home insurance, usually included in the instalment.
• Moving and first-year maintenance costs.

Always ask for the CAT (Costo Anual Total, Mexico's all-in annual cost) and a written breakdown: it is the only figure that lets you compare two offers honestly.

Before signing: six questions

1. Is the rate fixed or variable, and for how long?
2. What happens if I change jobs or stop contributing?
3. Can I make early payments without a penalty?
4. Which insurances am I paying for, and can I buy them elsewhere?
5. How much will I pay in total, not just each month?
6. What happens if I miss one or two payments?

Common mistakes

• House-hunting before pre-qualification. You waste time and anchor yourself to the wrong price.
• Ignoring the Housing Sub-account. It is your money and it changes the down payment available.
• Signing without comparing the CAT. Two offers with the same monthly payment can cost very different amounts.
• Paying deposits without a contract. In a private sale, money changes hands against documents, not promises.
• Dismissing co-financing. If your capacity falls short, a bank loan can complete the purchase, but it adds another rate and another term.

Alternatives and when to consider them

If you do not qualify for INFONAVIT, or your capacity falls short, there are other routes: a bank mortgage (with different income and credit-bureau requirements), a co-financed loan between the Institute and a bank, or FOVISSSTE if you work for the state. Always compare rate, CAT, term and insurance, not just the monthly payment.

For the wider process, read the mortgage process in Mexico and the guide to the fideicomiso if the purchase uses a trust structure.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a minimum score?

The Institute requires a score to grant credit, but the minimum and the way it is calculated are updated. Do not rely on blog figures: check your pre-qualification in Mi Cuenta INFONAVIT, the only one that reflects your case.

Can I buy a used home?

Yes, as long as the property meets the Institute's requirements and its appraisal is accepted. Make sure the seller's paperwork is in order before any deposit.

Can I use the loan to renovate?

The Institute has improvement and extension programmes, separate from the home-purchase loan. The one you qualify for appears in your pre-qualification.

What happens if I lose my job?

Payroll deduction stops and the loan moves to another payment arrangement. Before signing, ask in writing what your options are and which insurance covers that scenario.

Can I repay early?

Usually yes, through early payments. Confirm the conditions in your contract: some programmes apply different rules.

Sources

• INFONAVIT — official site on gob.mx (accessed 24 October 2026).
• CONDUSEF, for comparing products and filing a complaint (accessed 24 October 2026).
• Mi Cuenta INFONAVIT, the Institute's pre-qualification and application portal (sign-in with CURP).