International students not seeking for a degree are registered as Special Students and receive support from the Program for Foreigners (PPE) for extracurricular activities, migration formalities, accommodation, orientation, use of medical insurance, etc. Also the student identification (ID) entitles them the use of libraries, computing centers, sports facilities, basic medical service, some free activities of the cultural program, and discounts on cultural events in the city. In case of interest, foreign students can also have a UADY e-mail account.
Foreign students may enter the country on a tourist visa and stay with this kind of permit if the stay is an academic semester, which is less than six months. Foreign students whose stays are for one academic year must bear a student visa and apply for it in the nearest Mexican Embassy or Consulate. For this procedure, among other requirements, they will need a letter of acceptance from UADY. This letter is issue to students who has submitted the documentation requested for this purpose.
Mexico embassies abroad (link)
Mexico consulates abroad (link)
IMPORTANT: ONCE IN THE COUNTRY, FOREIGNERS BEARING A STUDENT VISA MUST PROCESS THEIR INSCRIPTION TO THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF FOREIGNERS IN A PERIOD NOT EXCEEDING 30 DAYS FROM THEIR ENTRY TO THE COUNTRY, AT THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MIGRATION IN MERIDA.
HEALTH SERVICES
The city of Mérida is known for offering the best health services in the South part of the country. Foreign students have an obligation to bring his own medical insurance with coverage in Mexico, which is accepted in most private clinics in Mérida, as well as doctors working there. Almost all of these hospitals also offer emergency service. Foreign students in our University can also use the medical service offered by our Department of Health for basic care which does not include medication, but a prescription that would allow the purchase of these medicines at any pharmacy.
HOMESTAYS
Since our University does not have dormitories, the PPE has worked for several years bringing together a group of Yucatecan families that host international students. These families offer a room exclusively for students and three meals a day for us $18 per day. They also assume the responsibility for collecting the student at the airport; show students to use public transportation to go to school, as well as to important places for daily life, as the Bank, the laundry, the main square. The cost does not include laundry and house transportation to any place, with some exceptions. The fee does not include either the use of air conditioning. Many of the bedrooms have air condition equipment and students may use it, prior arrangement with the family about the use schedule and an additional fee.
OTHER HOSPITALITY OPTIONS
The city offers an important variety of apartments and some guest houses. Apartments vary in price depending on the area of the city, and services included. Some families offer for rent a separate room with basic services included. Guest houses, some of them in the centre of the city, rent rooms separately and share common spaces, such as kitchen, hall, terrace, and sometimes bathroom. Ours office has some information about these lodges and you can also find information on: rtcielo@prodigy.net.mx (rooms for rent)
HOTELS FOR FIRST DAY
If you choose to live in an apartment or guest house, it is likely that you cannot conclude all arrangements from your home country, so may need hosting for the first days in the city. The best for this is staying in a hotel in the Centre, not only because they are usually more economical, but also they are more accessible to taxis and buses, since both systems have several stops or sites in the city centre. For information about hotels in the city: