Articles | Expat Money®

Live Your Best Life With A Mexico Digital Nomad Visa

Written by Mikkel Thorup | April 23, 2023

As a result of the pandemic, the world has changed, and many people now choose to work independently and remotely. The term "digital nomad" has been used to describe these individuals as people who like to have itinerant lives while working remotely. To live this life, it helps to have a digital nomad visa, and Mexico is one of the nations that grant a visa to digital nomads.

Mexico is a popular choice for digital nomads and people in general who want to experience the country's well-known culture. This enchanted nation is bursting with exquisite tastes, fantastic flavours, excellent music, and a rich cultural and historical heritage. If you're looking for a Mexican digital nomad visa, you might be surprised to learn that it is relatively simple to establish residency there and that there are numerous places where you might fit in well.

The country has always been a popular tourist destination, and many of its most stunning regions have experienced extensive development. While not every region in Mexico will be ideal for digital nomads, many parts of the country provide a wonderful lifestyle at affordable costs. Mexican people are very welcoming to foreigners, so it's easy for you to enjoy beautiful beaches while working remotely on your laptop. The nation is well renowned for its fantastic weather, breathtaking scenery, inexpensive cost of living, and friendly people. It also has welcoming regulations permitting foreigners to come and work remotely anywhere they want inside the country. For digital nomads searching for a base in one of the most picturesque regions of the globe, Mexico presents a fantastic chance and offers simple residence and the opportunity to utilize it as a base for travelling across Central America and the Caribbean.

 

Guanajuato is on the list of tourist cities and with surrounding mountains that provide an average annual temperature of 18°C

Mexico Digital Nomad Visa Overview

Attributed to the fact that many people with remote employment are eligible for it, the visa is termed Mexico's Temporary Residence Visa rather than merely a digital nomad visa. It is valid for one year and may be extended for a total of four years. This visa allows you to live in Mexico, but you cannot have employment with a local company. This program is perfect for you if you are a digital nomad and enjoy relaxing on amazing beaches with crystal clear waters, outside activities and mountains because it requires that your income originates from sources outside of Mexico. Unlike some digital nomad visas, the Mexican visa allows your spouse and dependents to join you, and you all will be considered tax residents of Mexico if you stay in the country for more than 183 days out of the year.

 

Tulum, in Mexico, is one of the most famous destinations where you can relax on amazing beaches

How to Apply for the Digital Nomad Visa for Mexico

Applying for the Mexico digital nomad visa only takes a few weeks to a few months. First, You’ll need to visit a Mexican embassy or consulate that is located outside of Mexico to apply for a temporary resident visa. However, the Mexican Institute of Migration (INM Instituto Nacional de Migración) will be the ones responsible for your acceptance.

Navigating the process is made simple with clear requirements and straightforward steps. The National Migration Institute oversees the application process, ensuring a smooth transition from your current status to that of a Mexico Digital Nomad Visa holder. Details about income proofs, duration of stay, and necessary documentation are readily available to guide you through the process seamlessly.

We suggest applying from your home country. You will need to book an appointment in advance via the online website, and only once your appointment is confirmed can you take the necessary documents with you to your visa interview and pay a fee of $48 USD, payable in cash or bank transfer.

Whether you're a freelancer, remote employee, or entrepreneur, Mexico welcomes you. This visa is crafted for individuals eager to bring their work to inspiring environments, fostering creativity and productivity amidst the breathtaking backdrop of this diverse nation.

 

Documents required to apply for the digital nomad visa for Mexico

  • A valid passport or equivalent travel document (required to have at least 6 months until expiration);
  • The visa application form with your signature on it, which must be filled out in English or Spanish, printed double-sided on one page only;
  • A colour photograph (3.9 x 3.1 cm) with a white background and a face that is visible and unobscured;
  • Original and copy of the legal permit to stay in the country where the appointment is taking place, in case you are not a native of that country
  • Proof of income (about $2,600 USD per month).

You will receive temporary permission upon the approval of your visa, which you will exchange for your temporary residence card once you arrive in Mexico.

The Mexican National Institute of Immigration, a key player in this visa program, provides essential information about regulations and updates. Stay informed about any changes and access resources that make your journey as a digital nomad in Mexico hassle-free.

The Mexican National Institute of Immigration (INM Instituto Nacional de Migración) will issue you a temporary residence card, which you must collect within 30 days of your arrival. There is no need for you to schedule an appointment. All you need to do is to enter there and wait to be served. Although it is first come, first served, so make sure to get there as early as possible to avoid queue delays.

Remember to bring all required documentation when you visit the Mexican National Institute of Immigration (INM) to obtain your temporary residency card.

These documents include the following:

  • An online form that has been filled out and states your reason for enrolling and accessing the Mexican National Institute of Immigration (INM);
  • A valid passport or another type of travel document (including both the original and colour copy);
  • A valid visa from the Mexican Consulate (both the original and colour copy);
  • Two copies of your earlier fee payment, together with the original bank receipt;
  • Three photos (measured 3 cm x 2.5 cm, colour preferred), two of which should show your face in a straight line and the third from your right side.

You need to pay a fee of $5,108 Mexican pesos (around $275 USD) before visiting the Mexican National Institute of Immigration (INM) to obtain your temporary residence permit. Your first Temporary Resident permit is always issued for one year only. Renewals after the first year may grant an additional 1, 2 or 3 years of temporary residency. As your first authorization is valid for one year, you must renew it. Renewal fees vary depending on how long you want to live in Mexico:

  • Temporary Residence 1 year: $5,108 Mexican pesos ($275 USD);
  • Temporary Residence 2 years: $7,654 Mexican pesos ($412 USD);
  • Temporary Residencel 3 years: $9,693 Mexican pesos ($522 USD);
  • Temporary Residence 4 years: $11,488 Mexican pesos ($618 USD).

 

Related content: Mexico Permanent Residency Made Easy

 

 

Advantages of Working as a Digital Nomad in Mexico

There are many benefits to working as a digital nomad in Mexico:

 

THE WARM WEATHER

You may visit Mexico whenever you want because the average temperature there is 24°C. You may unwind with this and constantly take in the sunshine, which won't stop you from doing activities outside, like going to the beaches or mountains or even working from a cafe.

 

LOW COST OF LIVING

The cost of living is quite low in Mexico and depends on your lifestyle, but if you have a tight budget, then Mexico is a place where you can live well. In Mexico, there are several options for foreigners who don't want to spend a lot and those who want a more comfortable lifestyle, especially if their earnings are in dollars.

 

ACCOMMODATION

Depending on the area and how and the type of property, rent costs might vary, although they are often fair. Rent in Mexico City normally ranges from $350 USD to $700 USD monthly, making a one-bedroom apartment $500 USD monthly.

 

MEXICAN LIFESTYLE

Mexico's rich history has contributed greatly to its people's sense of culture, and both foreigners and natives alike tend to show great respect for local culture and customs. There is always something new to discover, whether its historic Mayan ruins or Spanish colonial architecture. Mexico has a very diverse geography beaches to mountains, making outdoor activities a huge part of the lifestyle in Mexico.

 

AMIABLE INDIVIDUALS

Mexicans are recognized for being kind people; if you need assistance, they will be delighted to do so, making you always feel welcome. The "Mi Casa as Su Casa" ("my home is your home" in Spanish) philosophy permeates the culture, and you will find that Mexicans will go out of their way to make you feel at home in their country.

 

DELICIOUS CUISINE

The quality of food in Mexico is EXCELLENT, and it's more than just tacos! In fact, Mexico features diverse foods from various regions of the country and contains influences from Aztec, Mayan, Spanish, Dutch, and Caribbean cultures. Mexican cuisine is significantly more diverse than what you often encounter at a Mexican restaurant in your home country, as you can find completely different takes on the same food items from region to region, whether it's high-end international cuisine in Mexico City, street tacos in Guanajuato or Tlayudas ("Mexican Pizza") in Oaxaca, you will never run out of incredible dishes to try, at a significantly lower cost than in most first world countries.

 

TRANSPORTATION

All of Mexico's main cities are connected by a vast network of high-quality intercity roadways, and new roads are being built every year to link formerly remote locations. Mexico has some of the best buses in the world, enabling easy, comfortable transportation between regions. Mexican airlines like AeroMexico and Volaris provide easy, relatively inexpensive domestic flights. And once you are in a city, Ubers (for cities that have them) and Taxis are generally very affordable (outside of major tourist areas like the hotel zones in Cancun).

 

Related content: The Basics Of How To Get A Second Passport Or A Second Residency

 

Having a Mexican passport can help you have more freedom to travel visa-free in other countries

Conclusion

If you've always desired to experience the incredible lifestyles in Mexico, Then you should start the digital nomad visa process. You'll easily discover a new place to call home in this stunning nation with its diverse landscapes and climates, low cost of living, and reliable internet. In some of the country's most popular cities, like Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Mexico City, Oaxaca, and Puerto Vallarta, Cafes and coworking spaces are aplenty, along with gorgeous accommodations with opulent extras like pools and jacuzzis for nice, affordable price compared to other places in the world.