If you’re planning to buy a home in Mexico or you’ve heard Mexican friends and family talking about their home-buying journey, you’ve probably come across the term “Puntos Infonavit.” This unique system helps millions of Mexican workers achieve their dream of homeownership. While it’s specifically designed for Mexico’s workforce, understanding how it works can be valuable if you have connections to Mexico or are considering property investment there.
What Are Puntos Infonavit?
Puntos Infonavit, which translates to “Infonavit Points” in English, is a scoring system used by Mexico’s Institute of the National Housing Fund for Workers (Instituto del Fondo Nacional de la Vivienda para los Trabajadores, or INFONAVIT). Think of it like a credit score, but specifically for getting a housing loan in Mexico. The more points you accumulate, the better your chances of qualifying for a mortgage and receiving favorable loan terms.
This point system considers several factors about your work history and financial situation. Workers who are formally employed in Mexico automatically participate in this program through payroll contributions. Every time they receive their paycheck, a small percentage goes into their Infonavit account, building both savings and points over time.
How Do Puntos Infonavit Work?
The Puntos Infonavit system operates on a scale of 0 to 1,320 points. To qualify for an Infonavit mortgage, workers typically need a minimum of 1,080 points. However, having more points doesn’t just help you qualify—it can also increase the amount of money you’re eligible to borrow for your home purchase.
The calculation takes into account multiple factors that demonstrate your financial stability and employment consistency. These points accumulate gradually as you continue working and making contributions to the system. The beauty of this approach is that it rewards consistent workers who maintain steady employment.
Key Factors That Determine Your Score
Employment History
Your work history plays a crucial role in calculating your Puntos Infonavit. The system looks at how long you’ve been continuously employed and contributing to Infonavit. Workers with longer, uninterrupted employment histories typically score higher because they demonstrate reliability and job stability.
Salary Level
Your income matters significantly in the point calculation. Higher salaries generally translate to more points, but even workers with modest incomes can accumulate enough points over time. The system is designed to be inclusive, helping workers across different income levels achieve homeownership.
Age Consideration
Interestingly, your age also factors into your Puntos Infonavit score. Younger workers often have an advantage because they have more working years ahead to repay a mortgage. However, this doesn’t mean older workers are excluded—they can still qualify with strong employment histories and good savings.
Account Balance
The money accumulated in your Infonavit savings account, called the “subcuenta de vivienda,” also impacts your points. These contributions come from your employer and represent 5% of your salary. The larger your balance, the more points you can earn.
Why Puntos Infonavit Matter for Home Buyers
For millions of Mexican workers, Puntos Infonavit represents the pathway to owning their first home. Unlike traditional bank mortgages that might seem out of reach, this system is specifically designed to support workers who might not otherwise qualify for conventional financing.
The program offers several advantages that make homeownership more accessible:
- Lower interest rates compared to commercial banks
- Flexible payment terms that adjust to your income
- Use of your accumulated savings as a down payment
- Government-backed security ensuring program stability
How to Check Your Puntos Infonavit
Checking your points is straightforward and can be done entirely online. Workers can visit the official Infonavit website and access their personal account using their Social Security number (NSS) and password. The platform provides a detailed breakdown showing your current point total and how it was calculated.
Regular monitoring helps you understand where you stand and what steps you might need to take to reach the minimum threshold. The online portal also shows your accumulated savings balance and provides estimates of how much you could borrow.
| Factor | Maximum Points | What It Measures |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 150 points | Your current age and remaining working years |
| Salary | 150 points | Your registered monthly income level |
| Continuous employment | 150 points | Uninterrupted work history with contributions |
| Account balance | 870 points | Total accumulated in your housing subaccount |
Can U.S. Residents Benefit from Puntos Infonavit?
While Puntos Infonavit is specifically designed for workers employed in Mexico, U.S. residents with dual citizenship or those who previously worked in Mexico might have accumulated points. If you worked formally in Mexico and made Infonavit contributions, those points don’t disappear—they remain in your account.
Some Mexican nationals living in the United States maintain their Infonavit accounts and continue monitoring their points, especially if they plan to eventually return to Mexico or invest in property there. The program allows for certain flexibility in these situations.
Tips for Maximizing Your Points
Building your Puntos Infonavit requires patience and consistency, but there are strategies to optimize your score:
- Maintain continuous employment with formal contracts
- Ensure your employer registers your correct salary
- Avoid gaps in employment when possible
- Regularly verify your account information for accuracy
- Keep your personal information updated in the system
Common Misconceptions About Puntos Infonavit
Many people misunderstand how this system works. Some believe you need perfect credit or a very high salary to qualify, but that’s not true. The program is specifically designed to help average workers achieve homeownership, regardless of their income level.
Another misconception is that points expire or decrease over time. Actually, once earned, your points generally remain stable unless there are changes in your employment status or personal circumstances. The system is built to reward consistent participation.
Conclusion
Puntos Infonavit represents more than just numbers on a screen—they symbolize the opportunity for Mexican workers to build equity and secure their financial futures. Whether you’re actively participating in the program or simply learning about how it works, understanding this system provides valuable insight into Mexico’s approach to making homeownership accessible.
The program continues evolving to meet workers’ needs while maintaining its core mission of helping everyday people achieve the dream of owning a home. If you or someone you know is working toward accumulating points, remember that consistency and patience are key. Every contribution brings you closer to reaching that important milestone of homeownership.
