🇲🇽 How to Apply for the Mexico Digital Nomad Visa
Mexico’s Temporary Resident Visa, whilst technically not a digital nomad visa, is available to many remote workers. To avoid confusion, we’ll refer to it as the Mexico Digital Nomad Visa in this article.
This work visa grants individuals a year-long stay, with the possibility of extending their stay to four years by submitting renewal applications.
This article will highlight the five most important steps when applying for the Mexico Digital Nomad Visa.
Before you depart make sure you're covered...
Lau
What is a Digital Nomad Visa
A digital nomad visa allows workers with a remote job to live and work in a foreign country for an extended period. This type of visa enables digital nomads to stay and work in countries where traditional work visas or tourist visas may not be available.
Having digital nomad visas allows remote workers to experience new cultures, travel more extensively, and gain access to a more diverse job market.
Digital nomad visas provide the ultimate freedom for digital professionals looking for opportunities to work from other countries.
Requirements for the Mexico Digital Nomad Visa
📄 Valid Travel Document
Your passport must be valid for the next six months.
💶 Proof of Remote Income
You must be able to prove sufficient income from either:
- Valid working contract with a foreign company
- Owning a business with clients outside the country
- Becoming an independent freelancer and earning an income through providing services to international customers.
💰 Meet one of the financial requirements below:
- For the last 12 months, you have maintained a bank balance of $43,000 (€39,452) or
- Earned an income of $2,595 (€2,380) per month for the last six months or
- Own a Mexican property valued at least $346,000 (€317,458)
When applying with a spouse or dependent, the amount needed per month increases by $861(€789) for each family member.
🏴☠️ Clean Criminal Record
You must provide a clear criminal record from your country of residence.
🚑 Medical Insurance
A valid medical insurance policy that provides coverage during your stay.
4 Most Important Steps when Applying for the Mexico Digital Nomad Visa
📆 Step 1: Schedule a Visa Appointment
First, you must visit an embassy in your home country or residence. The authority will require documentation establishing your legal right to reside in the nation where you apply. Locate your nearest Mexican embassy or consulate to arrange a visa appointment.
To secure your appointment in a timely manner, we highly recommend booking through the local embassy’s online booking system as soon as possible, depending on where and when; this could take up to several weeks.
💥 Step 2: Gather all the required documents
Once you set your appointment date, it’s time to gather all the documents you’ll need to bring.
❗️ Required Documents
- A completed application form
- Copy of Passport
- One Passport-Sized Photograph
- Proof of Income with Certified Bank Statements
- Remote Work Verification
- Document of Health Insurance Protection
- Certified Criminal Background Check
- Marriage Certificate or Birth Certificate (if applicable, applying with a spouse or dependant)
✔️ Step 3: Complete the Application
Now that you have collected all essential documents, it’s time to complete your application. To access the application document, visit your local Mexican embassy or consulate’s website. Here’s an example of the application for those applying from the United States.
Please ensure to fill out the application in either English or Spanish and print it double-sided and on one page only. You will need to sign the printed document before submitting it.
📍 Step 4: Attend your Visa Interview
It’s time for your visa appointment! Beforehand, double-check to ensure you have all the necessary documents and a signed printed application form ready to present.
Before attending your appointment, a $40 (€36) fee must be paid. Depending on your local Mexican consulate, payment for the visa may need to be made in cash; however, this is contingent upon the official site’s regulations.
During your appointment, a brief interview about your eligibility and background will be conducted. Sometimes, you can walk out of your visa appointment with a valid travel document; however, there are situations where approval may take several weeks.
🥳 Step 5 – Receive your Temporary Resident Visa
After obtaining your visa, you have six months to enter and register in Mexico as a temporary resident. Visitors must collect their temporary resident card from Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM) within 30 days of arriving in Mexico.
Although an appointment is not required, you must finish the application form online. Before obtaining a temporary residence permit, you must pay a fee of $150 (€137) to $350 (€321) before visiting the INM.
Be sure to bring all of your documents submitted during the visa procedure, plus some additional documents:
- Three photos – 3 cm by 2.5 cm in full colour; two images should have a frontal view of your face, while the last one must be taken from your right profile.
- Original receipt of your bank account showing proof of funds with two copies of your prior fee payment
- Valid visa received from the Mexican Consulate (both the original and colour copy)
Typically, you’ll receive your residency card on the spot. But sometimes, there could be delays of several days or weeks if the immigration officer requires more paperwork from you.
Mexico Digital Nomad Visa at a Glance
For those of you who like summary tables, we've put the most important information on Mexico's Digital Nomad Visa below.
Income Requirement $2,595 ( + $861 for each family member) per month Duration of Visa One year (possible to extend four years) Cost of Visa $300-$400 Processing Time 30 days Family Allowed on Visa Yes Ease of Applying 7/10 Tax Obligations Yes, when spending more than 183 days Global Peace Index Ranking 140/163
🌮 Why Mexico is a great place for Remote Workers
Mexico has all the components digital nomads seek regarding remote living and working. From coastal cities like Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum to metropolitan hubs such as Mexico City and Oaxaca city, digital nomads will find a variety of climates and landscapes, an affordable cost of living, and reliable internet when they move to Mexico.
Plus, with excellent coffee shops and coworking spaces scattered around each city, digital nomads can find places while mingling with locals and foreigners.
Going from city to city is also relatively easy as many buses are available. All these reasons make Mexico an excellent place for digital nomads.
Time to start packing!
Lau
F.A.Q
Does Mexico have a digital nomad visa?
No, Mexico does not have a dedicated digital nomad visa. However, obtaining a Temporary Resident Visa and applying for residency in Mexico as a foreign worker or investor is possible.
Can I work in Mexico as a digital nomad?
Yes, you can work in Mexico as a digital nomad. However, it is important to note that all foreigners working in the country must have permission from the Mexican government.
Do digital nomads pay taxes in Mexico?
Yes, digital nomads who stay in Mexico for more than 183 days per year are considered Mexican tax residents and are thus required to pay taxes on their income earned in the country.
Can I work remotely in Mexico?
You can work remotely in Mexico with the proper visa and paperwork.
What is the digital nomad hotspot in Mexico?
Mexico City, Tulum and Playa del Carmen are popular digital nomad hotspots in Mexico. Cancun is a beautiful beach town to explore if you’re looking for beach vibes and some of Latin America’s most beautiful beaches and activities. Oaxaca City is also worth considering, as it provides a quieter atmosphere with excellent food, museums and archaeological sites.
Do you need to speak Spanish to be a remote worker in Mexico?
You don’t need to speak Spanish to be a remote worker in Mexico. However, it is helpful to learn some basic Spanish as it will enable you to better understand the new culture and people around you. Furthermore, communicating in Spanish will make navigating bureaucratic processes much more straightforward.
Are there any co-working spaces to work remotely from Mexico?
Yes, there are plenty of co-working spaces in Mexico. In larger cities like Mexico City and Oaxaca City, you will find excellent co-working spaces offering reliable internet, meeting rooms, and a variety of amenities. Additionally, many cafes offer fast wifi and comfortable spots to work online.
Could I work in Mexico as a US citizen on a tourist visa?
No, while US citizens can enter Mexico on a tourist visa, carrying out paid work with this type of visa is illegal.