What are the visa & residency requirements in San Miguel de Allende?

"Visitors to San Miguel de Allende must obtain a proper visa before they can stay in the country. Depending on the individual’s purpose of visit, they must apply for the appropriate visa and present valid identification, a valid passport, and proof of payment to enter the country. To apply for a visa, one must first submit a visa application to the nearest Mexican consulate abroad, or to the Mexican Embassy website, if available. Once the application is approved, the applicant will receive a visa number and details of an appointment date at the Mexican consulate to conclude the application process. Those intending to live in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico for an extended period of time may choose to pursue residency. To apply for residency, one must first submit a residency application, along with a valid passport, to the nearest Mexican consulate abroad, or to the Mexican Embassy website, if available. The consulate will conduct an interview with the applicant, in order to verify their history and intent for living in Mexico. Once all the documents have been collected and reviewed, the applicant will be issued a permanent residence card, known as a “cedula de extranjeria,” which must be renewed each year. Applicants may also be required to pay any applicable fees, depending on their particular situation," remarked another expat who made the move to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.