Contrary to what many people believe, obtaining a Mexican resident visa is not as easy as one may think. The bureaucracy in Mexico is a difficult area to navigate, especially if you don’t have local friends yet, and if you don’t speak or understand much Spanish.
Tons of digital nomads go for the easy method and opt to stay or leave and re-enter the country every 6 months to avoid getting a Mexican resident visa, but this is too risky as the chances of getting caught, fined, and expelled at the airport or at the border are increasing due to the Mexican National Institute (INM) being increasingly tough on perpetual tourists.
If you are a digital nomad thinking about moving to Mexico permanently or for a short term you need to know all the details about how you can get a digital nomad visa to avoid any problems, that’s why we created this complete guide where you will find the a-z to get a Mexican Resident Visa, read on to find out everything!
Do you want to move to Mexico part-time or full-time?
First off, it’s important that you take a moment to think about whether you really want to make this major move. If you have never been to Mexico I suggest you take a trip to a destination of your choice before making a radical decision; you can travel around this colorful country for up to 180 days as a tourist if your country is on the “no visa” list. Once you experience Mexico firsthand, you will know whether or not it’s right for you, and if it is, the next step will be to consider whether you want to stay short-term or long-term.
Just remember that although the classic period given is 180 days, this does not mean you’ll be getting that amount. There are some cases where tourists enter the country through an FMM (Forma Migratoria Multiple) and are only allowed to enter for 10 to 30 days, those who have been to Mexico before understand how it works.
If you have completely made up your mind about moving to Mexico and don’t want to risk being allowed less than 6 months in the country, then the safest bet is to apply for a Mexican Digital Nomad Visa.
The Difference Between a Mexican Digital Nomad Visa And an FMM
The FMM (Forma Migratoria Multiple) is a form that you must fill out when entering Mexico by land or air. You usually receive it before landing or upon departure through your airline staff, and in case you cross by land you will have to process it at the border. In both circumstances, you can purchase your FMM online before you travel, but as you just read above, you are not guaranteed to obtain 180 days in Mexico.
On the other hand, the Mexican Digital Nomad Visa is a permanent permit for you to freely enter Mexico with no limit to your stay and no FMM form to fill out. This is a great option for digital nomads who want to officially become part of Mexico.
Pros Of Having A Mexican Digital Nomad Visa
If you fell in love with Mexico (I mean, it’d be surprising not to) and are planning on relocating here, here are the perks of obtaining your Mexican Visa:
- No more FMM forms and being clueless about how many days you’ll be allowed to be in Mexico.
- You’ll be able to enter and exit the country anytime and as many times as you want.
- You’ll be able to work for a Mexican company, group, or individual with or without a work permit.
- You can apply for free health insurance.
Visa Overview
Compared to other countries, Mexico does not exactly offer a visa for digital nomads, but temporary residency and permanent residency are equivalent.
Temporary Mexican Residency
This option allows digital nomads to live in Mexico for 6 months to 4 years. It won’t allow you to work without a permit but it’s a great option for those who have a stable income working remotely.
Permanent Mexican Residency
After the 4 year period of temporary residency, you can apply for permanent residency if you wish to stay permanently in Mexico and call it your forever home.
Mexico Digital Nomad Visa Requirements
Temporary Resident Visa
As mentioned above, the most common Mexican digital nomad visa is basically a temporary residency.
To apply for a temporary Mexican Residency you must bring the following:
- A valid passport. Or equivalent travel or identity document valid for at least 6 months until expiration and containing a photograph and your personal info.
- Proof of income. You must prove that you have a minimum income of USD 2,600 per month and up to USD 3,300 for at least 6 months prior to your application. Income requirements may vary depending on the consulate, and if you apply with a dependent this fee increases by USD 861 per dependent.
- Savings. IIn lieu of proof of income, you can also show that you have a minimum balance in savings or investments of approximately $52,000 USD from the last 12 months. You will be required to show bank statements covering a minimum of those months.
- The completed visa application. The visa application form, which requires your signature and must be completed in English or Spanish. It should be printed double-sided on a single page. You can find this application form on the Embassy’s website.
- A recent photo. You must submit a photograph of 3.9 x 3.1 cm in which your face is clearly visible, without glasses, and with a white background.
- Criminal background check. You are required to go to a police department in your country or place of residence to obtain a criminal record check.
- Proof of medical insurance. Health insurance is needed, the best option is to purchase one adapted for remote workers and digital nomads who travel abroad.
- Proof of relationship to dependents. In case you have any dependents, you will be required to provide evidence of their relationship to you, which may include documents like a marriage certificate or a birth certificate.
- Paid fees. Evidence that you have paid the necessary fees for this process must be provided.
- Migratory document. Bring the original and photocopy of the document proving your legal stay in Canada (only for applicants who are not Canadian citizens).
Permanent Resident Visa
If after 4 years of having your Mexican digital nomad visa, also known as a temporary residency, you decide that Mexico is the place where you want to spend the rest of your days the requirements will change a bit.
For this type of residency, you will also need a valid passport, the printed visa application, the immigration document in case you are applying and you are not a Canadian citizen, and payment fees. The differences to apply for Mexican Permanent Residency are:
- Income. Your monthly income has to be between USD 4,200 and USD 5,500 for at least 6 months prior to your application. Again, income requirements may vary from consulate to consulate, but these are the usual figures.
- Savings. As with temporary residency, you can also demonstrate a minimum balance in savings or investments starting at $180,000 and up to $208,000 through bank statements supporting this balance per month.
In both cases, if you own Mexican real estate with a value of at least $346,000, you can also submit it as part of the proof of income.
- Residency Through Family Unification
In case you are a:
- Child of a Mexican citizen/permanent resident
- Sibling of a Mexican citizen/permanent resident
- Parent to a Mexican citizen/permanent resident
You can start the application process for a Mexican digital nomad visa at the nearest consulate or embassy at one of the Mexican immigration offices.
Take this into consideration
- The requirements for both temporary and permanent residency will vary slightly if you apply with your spouse.
- If you marry a Mexican citizen, you will first need to apply for a TR visa and after two years you can become a permanent resident.
- If you are the parent of a child born in Mexico, you can immediately apply for permanent residency.
How To Apply For The Mexican Digital Nomad Visa
Here are the steps you’ll have to follow to apply for the Mexican digital nomad visa:
- Schedule the appointment: the first and most obvious step is to request an appointment at the nearest Mexican embassy or consulate, you can do this through the embassy’s reservation system on their website. It may take some time depending on the location and time of year.
- Prepare the required documents: gather all the documents mentioned above, they can be in either English or Spanish. It’s strongly advised to bring both the original and a copy.
- Fill out the application: once you have all the necessary documents, you will have to complete the application. You can find this application form on the embassy’s website, it must be filled out in English or Spanish. Remember to print it double-sided and on one page only.
- Go to the Visa appointment: make sure you are 100% prepared before your appointment. You may get your visa during the appointment, but if not, you will most likely receive it a couple of weeks later.
- Travel to Mexico to complete the process: once your visa is approved and the above tasks are completed, you are ready to travel to Mexico, where you must register for temporary residency within six months.
- Pay the fees: before obtaining your temporary residency permit you must pay the required fees, I will address these in a moment.
- Pick up your residency permit: you will have 30 days to pick up your temporary residence card. You don’t need to make an appointment, just fill out an online form here. You must bring the same documents you used for your digital nomad visa application and two additional photos.
- Potential additional appointment: sometimes a second appointment may be necessary if immigration officials require more documents to avoid deportation.
How much does it cost?
Temporary Residency
To see if you qualify for a Mexican digital nomad visa the first step, which is to attend an appointment at the consulate, will cost you around $50 USD or the equivalent of your country’s currency. This fee is non-refundable whether you are approved or not.
The second part of this process takes place in Mexico and is also known as Canje. Once you are approved you will have to pay between $150 and $350 USD, which you will have to pay at a bank before going to the Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM).
As most of the temporary residences are only approved for one year you will probably have to renew it 30 days before the end of the year to complete 4 years as a Temporary Resident. The approximate renewal costs are:
- 1st year: $272 USD
- 2nd year: $405 USD
- 3rd year: $512 USD
- 4th year: $613 USD
Work Permit For Temporary Residents
If you wish to work in Mexico as a temporary resident you need to obtain a work permit from the INM. The fee for this permit is $202 USD.
Once you become a Permanent Resident you will not need to obtain any additional permits, but you will need to notify INM of your intention to work and the work you plan to do.
Permanent Residency
If your permanent residency is approved at the Mexican Consulate your visa will be indefinite and you will not have to renew it, you will only have to pay around $310 USD once.
Paying Taxes as a Digital Nomad in Mexico
The tax structure in Mexico is simple, residents are taxed between 0% and 30%, depending on their individual circumstances and income. In addition, taxes are charged on each purchase, but the amount is fixed in advance.
In addition, if more than 51% of your income is earned outside of Mexico, you are exempt from paying taxes to avoid double taxation. However, if 50% of your income is earned within Mexico, it is recommended that you consult a tax accountant to determine your tax bracket and the viable alternatives available to you.