Mexico does not offer a specific Digital Nomad Visa. However, many remote workers are eligible for Mexico’s Temporary Resident Visa. This visa is valid for one year and can be renewed to stay for a total of four years1. With this visa, you can live in Mexico, but cannot work for a local company. Your income must be earned from outside of Mexico, making it suitable for digital nomads.

Requirements

The requirements for the Temporary Resident Visa in Mexico, which is often used by digital nomads, are as follows:

1. Valid Passport: Your passport must be valid for at least the next 6 months when applying.
2. Meet Income Requirements: You need to meet one of the following:
   • Maintained a bank balance of $54,600 USD net for the last 12 months.
   • Earned $3,275 USD net per month for the last 6 months.
   • Own a Mexican property valued at least $457,500 USD.

Required documents

The documents required to apply for the Temporary Resident Visa in Mexico are as follows:

1. Original and photocopy of your valid passport: Your passport must be valid for at least the next 6 months when applying.
2. Proof of income fitting economic solvency requirements: You need to meet one of the following:
   • Maintained a bank balance of $54,600 USD net for the last 12 months.
   • Earned $3,275 USD net per month for the last 6 months.
   • Own a Mexican property valued at least $457,500 USD.
3. Visa application photo fulfilling requirements: You will need to provide passport-size pictures according to Mexico photo guidelines.
4. Proof of net wealth: This could be in the form of bank statements.
5. Booked return travel ticket: You need to show proof of your return journey.
6. Proof of accommodation: This could be a hotel booking or a lease agreement.
7. Employment status documents: If you are employed, you may need to provide a letter from your employer.

Application process

The process to apply for the Temporary Resident Visa in Mexico is as follows:

1. Contact the Mexican Embassy: Schedule an appointment with the Mexican embassy12. You can do this in any country, as long as it’s not inside Mexico.
2. Download the Application Form: You can find the application form on the website of the Mexican embassy where you will apply.
3. Submit the Required Documents and Application Forms: This includes your valid passport and proof of meeting the income requirements.
4. Pay the Fee: There will be a fee associated with the application. This is between $36 and $53.

Taxes

Here are the key tax considerations for digital nomads in Mexico:

1. Understanding Mexican Taxation: Mexico has a progressive income tax system, with rates ranging from 1.92% to 30%. Foreigners and non-residents who work in Mexico are generally taxed at a flat rate of 30%. Mexican tax obligations generally only apply to income generated from Mexico.
2. Tax Obligations: All income you earn in Mexico is subject to Mexican taxes. This includes income from an employer in Mexico and income from freelancing or other services you provide in Mexico. You may also be required to pay taxes in your home country, in addition to Mexico.
3. Tax Deductions: There are tax deductions available for digital nomads in Mexico. The most common deductions include travel expenses, housing expenses, and work-related expenses.
4. Filing Requirements: Digital nomads are required to file taxes if their income exceeds certain thresholds. For residents, the threshold is MXN 500,000 or USD 25,000 per year. For non-residents, the threshold is MXN 2,000,000 or USD 100,000.
5. Tax Residency: If you stay in Mexico for more than 183 days within a calendar year, you may be considered a tax resident.