The Mexican Government Scholarships for foreigners are run by AMEXCID, the Mexican Agency for International Development Cooperation. They pay for international students to study in Mexico at the postgraduate level: specialization courses, master's degrees, doctoral programs and medical specialties at participating Mexican universities and research centers. You can read the full scholarship details on our listing before you go through this guide.
This is a government-to-government program, and that shapes everything about it. You don't apply on a public portal with a fixed global deadline. You apply through the Mexican Embassy or diplomatic mission in your own country, and whether you can apply at all depends on Mexico having an active bilateral agreement with your country. Fields of study, timing and even the number of places all depend on those agreements and on how much money is available that year.
So who does it suit? A Pakistani graduate who already has a Mexican university or research center in mind, is comfortable with a slow, embassy-led process, and wants a postgraduate degree with a stipend and health cover attached. If you need a predictable timeline with a date you can plan around months ahead, this program will frustrate you.
The basics in one table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Provider | Mexican Agency for International Development Cooperation (AMEXCID) |
| Host country | Mexico |
| Funding | Full or partial |
| Study levels | Specialization, master's, PhD, medical specialty |
| Fields | Vary based on bilateral agreements |
| Deadline | Varies, confirm with your local Mexican Embassy |
| Official site | AMEXCID scholarships for foreigners |
Can Pakistani students apply?
Eligibility is tied to citizenship of a country that has an active bilateral agreement with Mexico. The program information does not name the participating countries, so we can't tell you that Pakistan is on the list for the current cycle. Check the list of eligible countries on the official AMEXCID website, and then confirm directly with the Mexican Embassy in Pakistan. Do this before you spend money on translations or university applications.
Beyond nationality, the requirements are fairly standard for a postgraduate award:
- You hold a relevant academic degree for the level you want to study.
- Your previous academic record shows excellence.
- You meet the language proficiency requirements of your chosen program.
- You are not a permanent resident of Mexico.
- You have been accepted by a Mexican academic institution.
That last point catches people out. Acceptance by a Mexican institution is a requirement, which means the scholarship does not place you anywhere. You find the program, you get the admission, and the scholarship supports you once you are in. Treat the university search as step zero.
The language requirement is set by the program, so it is worth reading each university's admission rules carefully. The source information does not specify a particular test or score, so ask the university and the embassy what proof they will accept.
What "full or partial" means for your budget
The funding is listed as full or partial, and the coverage is described in fairly general terms. Here is what the program can include:
- A monthly stipend for living expenses
- A tuition fee waiver for selected programs
- Health insurance coverage
- Exemption from certain administrative fees
- Access to academic research facilities
Read the wording closely. The tuition waiver applies to selected programs, and the fee exemption covers certain administrative fees. That means you should not assume every cost is paid. No stipend amount is published in the program information, and airfare is not listed among the benefits at all. Before you accept an offer, ask the embassy or AMEXCID for the exact stipend figure and whether your program qualifies for the tuition waiver. Then build a budget for anything left over, including your flight and first weeks of rent.
If the award turns out to be partial, you may need to show your own funds for the visa stage. Our guide on bank statements and proof of funds explains how to prepare for that.
The embassy is your real application desk
Most scholarships send you to a website. This one sends you to a diplomatic mission. The process looks like this:
- Check the list of eligible countries and available programs on the official AMEXCID website.
- Contact the Mexican Embassy or Consulate in your home country to confirm the current application cycle.
- Prepare all the documents the embassy asks for.
- Submit your application through the designated diplomatic channel.
- Wait for the selection committee to review applications and announce results.
Step 2 is where many applicants stall. Emailing once and waiting is not enough. Write clearly, mention the AMEXCID scholarship by name, state the level and program you are applying for, and ask three specific things: whether Pakistan has an open call this year, the submission deadline, and the exact list and format of documents. Keep copies of every reply. If the embassy gives you local requirements that differ from the general list, follow the embassy.
Paperwork to prepare early
The standard document list for this scholarship is:
- Completed application form
- Academic transcripts
- Degree certificates
- Curriculum vitae
- Statement of purpose
- Letters of recommendation
- Proof of language proficiency
- Medical certificate
Your academic documents may need to be apostilled or legalized. Ask the embassy which it requires, because the answer decides how long your preparation takes. Our IBCC and MOFA attestation guide walks through that process.
The medical certificate is easy to leave until last. Don't. Get it from a registered doctor once you know the format the embassy wants, so you aren't scrambling in the final week.
Why your statement of purpose has to look homeward
AMEXCID runs this program as part of Mexico's international development strategy. Students are expected to contribute to their home country after finishing their studies in Mexico. That expectation should sit at the center of your statement of purpose.
A weak statement talks about wanting international exposure and loving Mexican culture. A stronger one names a problem in Pakistan, explains how your specific Mexican program builds skills to address it, and describes what you plan to do when you return. If you are applying for a medical specialty, for example, say where in Pakistan's health system you intend to work and why that training matters there. Be concrete and be honest. Selection committees for cooperation programs read a lot of vague ambition.
Timing when every date says "varies"
There is no fixed calendar. The call for applications varies by year, the submission window varies by country, and the selection process and notification of results also vary. The program is subject to annual availability of funds.
In practice this means you should work backwards from university admissions rather than from a scholarship deadline. Start researching Mexican programs well before you expect a call, contact the embassy early, and check the AMEXCID website regularly for updates on new cooperation agreements. If a call opens and you already have your admission, attested documents and statement ready, you are in a far better position than someone starting from scratch.
Mistakes that cost applicants a place
Assuming eligibility is the most expensive mistake. If Pakistan has no active agreement in a given cycle, nothing else matters. Confirm first.
Choosing a university for the wrong reasons is the second. Research the specific Mexican institution and program to make sure it fits your academic goals, and check that it is a participating institution. A strong application for a program that doesn't match your background will struggle.
Third, people send documents in the wrong format. Apostille or legalization requirements, translation needs and copy formats all come from the embassy. Ask, then follow the instructions exactly.
Finally, applicants treat the stipend as a guaranteed full ride. The funding can be partial. Plan for gaps.
For a broader list of what international scholarships usually ask for, see our documents checklist for international scholarships. You can also compare this program with other options in all Mexico scholarships.
Frequently asked questions
Is the AMEXCID scholarship open to Pakistani students?
It is open to citizens of countries with an active bilateral agreement with Mexico. Check the eligible country list on the AMEXCID website and confirm with the Mexican Embassy in Pakistan for the current cycle.
Can I use it for a bachelor's degree?
No. The eligible levels are specialization, master's, doctoral and medical specialty programs.
Do I need admission before applying?
Acceptance by a Mexican academic institution is one of the eligibility requirements, so plan to secure admission as part of your application.
How much is the monthly stipend?
The program information confirms a monthly stipend for living expenses but does not publish an amount. Ask the embassy or AMEXCID for the current figure.
When is the deadline?
It varies by year and by country. Confirm the exact date with your local Mexican Embassy and on the official portal.
What fields can I study?
Eligible fields vary based on the bilateral agreement between Mexico and your country, so check what is available for Pakistani applicants in the current call.
Before you start, check the official AMEXCID website for the current call, and keep the Mexican Government Scholarships page handy for the key details.