Mexico Digital Nomad Visa

Mexico Digital Nomad Visa

Mexico is another location becoming more popular for digital nomads, and has long been popular with American and Canadian expats. With its fantastic weather and low cost of living, Mexico could be your next nomad home. To apply for the Mexican digital nomad visa, you must apply in your home country before moving.

Who needs a Digital Nomad Visa be a Tourist Visa 

When people ask if they need a digital nomad visa, I simply tell them that a tourist visa use to work, especially if you don’t want to stay for more than 3 months.

Normally, Mexico is not very strict with online workers. You can enter Mexico with a 6-month tourist visa and work remotely.

However, in the event that you are caught by the authorities, they have the right to deport you. I know it’s strange especially if you are working for a company outside Mexico. So it is better if you plan to stay longer, are unsure of your plans or just want to be on the safe side to apply for the nomad visa instead. 

Mexico Visa Requirements:

• Valid passport (and copies of the front and back pages)
• Application form
• Application fee $40
• Original and copy of the document proving your legal stay (residence card) or copy of the last entry stamp (in force) to Costa Rica if the foreign person is not a national of the country where you are applying for the visa.
• Proof of employment with the letterhead of the company. Of course, if you own your company (like I do), I just showed proof of registry of my online business
• A passport-sized photograph (4.5 by 3.5 cm) with the face visible, without lenses, in front, in color, and with a white background.
• Proof of monthly salary ($1,625 -$2,131 found different Numbers )

OR

• Proof of funds (must show at least $27,000- $35,530 in a bank account)

Cost Of Living In Mexico:

Food in México is incredibly cheap, and will be your least expensive cost. Cost of rent in Mexico depends on your location and desired luxury level. You can expect to pay around $1,300 to rent a lush place with modern amenities, a balcony and 2-3 bedrooms, depending on the city.

Application Process 

Step 1: Schedule your appointment at a Mexican Embassy outside of Mexico

If it is your first time applying for this Mexican visa type, you need to do it outside of Mexico. My American and European friends always choose the Embassy in Miami since it’s closer and the fares are cheap.

Step 2: Gather the requirements

While you are scheduling your interview appointment in the Mexican Embassy of your choice, you need to ask for the requirements as well. It’s so strange that each consulate/embassy has its own list but so far, I’ve seen very little difference.

Step 3: Go to your appointment

Appointments should not take long but please remember to go at least an hour early. They will ask the purpose of your visa application and everything relevant about your remote work. Once your visa is approved, the immigration officer will ask you to leave your passport. You need to come back after two days for your passport with the visa stamp.

Step 4: Process your residency card in Mexico

You need to process your canje in any INM in Mexico. 

Step 5: Fingerprints at INM

Once your canje is approved, you must to back to INM to for fingerprint appointment and bring the following:

• Three colored photos with white background (2.5 x 3 cm)
• You must not be wearing glasses or earrings in the photo. Your hair should also be behind your ears. There are always photo studios in embassies so just do it there since they are more familiar with the format. This will only cost less than $4 USD.

In this last appointment, you will sign documents and have your fingerprints taken. After this, your resident card will be ready within one week.

Extra Visa Info

If you are interested in checking out other possible locations for your next digital nomad adventure, please check out my Digital Nomad Database to see the overview of countries and places that have special visas for digital nomads and remote workers. You can find detailed articles on each location as well.

Digital Nomad Visa Database

Disclaimer

Please note the information provided in this post is of general interest only and is not to be construed or intended as a substitute for professional legal advice.

Happy travels xx