Mexico has no visa labeled for digital nomads. Remote workers use temporary residency, which you qualify for with about MXN 79,771 (about $4,290) a month in net income over the last 6 months, or about MXN 1.34 million (about $72,220) in savings held for 12 months. You apply at a Mexican consulate in the US, then finish in Mexico.
Checked against the sources at the end on November 3, 2026. This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules and fees change, so confirm with the official source before you apply.
At a glance
| Item | What to know |
|---|---|
| Visit first | Up to 180 days as a visitor, but the officer decides how many days to give you, and it is often fewer |
| Route for remote workers | Temporary residency (residente temporal) based on economic solvency |
| Money you need to show | About MXN 79,771 a month in net income for the last 6 months (some consulates ask for 12), or about MXN 1,344,373 in savings for the last 12 months; consulates vary by roughly 5 to 10% |
| Length | 1 year at first, then renewable for 1 to 3 more years; after 4 years you can switch to permanent residency |
| Government fees | About $54 to $56 for the consular visa, then INM card fees in 2026: MXN 11,141 (about $600) for 1 year, MXN 16,693 for 2 years, MXN 21,143 for 3 years and MXN 25,058 for 4 years |
| Timeline | Consulates can take up to 10 business days to decide after the interview; appointment waits vary widely |
| Where you apply | In person at a Mexican consulate in the US (book through MiConsulado), then exchange the visa for a residence card at an INM office within 30 days of entering Mexico |
| Family | Spouse and minor children can apply as dependents; consulates add about MXN 25,808 (about $1,390) a month per dependent |
| Long-term residence | Permanent residency after 4 years of temporary residency (MXN 13,579 card fee in 2026), or sooner through marriage or close family ties |
| US taxes | Still due every year. See our US taxes and banking guide |
Who qualifies
Mexico has no visa labeled for digital nomads. Remote workers use temporary residency, which you qualify for with about MXN 79,771 (about $4,290) a month in net income over the last 6 months, or about MXN 1.34 million (about $72,220) in savings held for 12 months. You apply at a Mexican consulate in the US, then finish in Mexico.
- Remote employees of companies outside Mexico: yes.
- Freelancers and business owners: yes.
- Income: About MXN 79,771 a month in net income for the last 6 months (some consulates ask for 12), or about MXN 1,344,373 in savings for the last 12 months; consulates vary by roughly 5 to 10%. That's about $4,290 a month.
- Or savings: about $72,220 in the bank instead of the income test.
Open question: Mexican law wasn't written with remote work in mind. Consulates routinely accept foreign remote income as proof of solvency, but residency doesn't give you permission to work for Mexican employers.
Documents
Have these ready before you apply. Your consulate or the official site may ask for more.
- Passport valid at least 6 months
- Visa application form and photos to your consulate's spec
- 6 months of bank statements showing the monthly income (12 months for the savings route)
- Employment letter confirming remote work, or contracts and invoices if self-employed
- Marriage and birth certificates for dependents
Step by step from the US
- Check your numbers against your consulate's current figure, using 6 months of income (or 12 months of savings).
- Gather your proof: bank statements and an employment letter or contracts, in the format your consulate asks for.
- Apply: book an appointment through MiConsulado and interview in person at a Mexican consulate in the US.
- Buy health insurance. Residency doesn't require it, but you'll want cover.
- Arrive and swap your visa for a residence card at an INM office within 30 days.
Taxes
- Mexico decides tax residency by where your home and center of vital interests are, not by a day count; a residence card alone doesn't make you a tax resident
- Mexican tax residents are taxed on worldwide income at rates up to 35%
- The US-Mexico tax treaty has tie-breaker rules for people both countries claim
- A US-Mexico totalization agreement was signed in 2004 but has never taken effect
- US citizens still file a US return every year. The foreign earned income exclusion is up to $132,900 for 2026; the foreign tax credit is the alternative. See our US taxes guide.
Common mistakes
- Missing the 30-day window to swap your visa for a card at INM: you have to start over
- Using another consulate's figure: thresholds differ by consulate and change every January
- Assuming residency lets you work for Mexican companies: that needs separate work permission
- Counting on 180 visitor days: officers often grant fewer
Where to live in Mexico
Our city guides cover costs in dollars, neighborhoods, live weather and the time difference: Mexico City.
Moving with a partner or kids? See Moving abroad with family.
Sources
Checked on November 3, 2026. Where sources disagree, we say so above.
- Consulate of Mexico: Temporary resident visa (official)
- Mexperience: Financial criteria for residency in Mexico 2026 (Oct 30, 2026)
- Lorad: Mexico residency fees 2026 (Jul 2026)
- Nomad Layer: Mexico temporary residency for remote workers (Oct 27, 2026)
- Residency Mexico: Requirements 2026
Get an email when Mexico's rules change
Income minimums, fees and paperwork change often, and old advice sticks around online. When the rules change for Mexico, we'll send you one short email with what changed and the source. Nothing else.
Free. Unsubscribe from any email. See our privacy policy.