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Mexico

North America

Mexico is a large and diverse country with hubs like Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Playa del Carmen and Oaxaca that attract digital workers, long-stay travellers and expats. Many nationalities can enter visa-free as visitors for up to 180 days using the FMM visitor permit, while longer stays rely on temporary resident visas for students, retirees, remote workers and employees.

5
Visa Types
180
Nationalities visa-free
🪪Your Passport:

Visa requirements vary by nationality

🎫 Available Visa Types

⭐Recommended for Digital Nomads
Tourist

Visitor permit (FMM) for visa-exempt nationals

Short stay visitor entry for tourism or business for visa-exempt nationals, using the FMM visitor permit usually valid for up to 180 days.

180 days
Duration
$0
<$1 fee

✅ Key Benefits

✓No need for a consular visa for many nationalities, making it easy to visit Mexico on short notice.
✓Historically, many visitors have received 180 days per entry, which is attractive for nomads and slow travellers.
✓Compatible with remote work for foreign clients in practice, provided you respect immigration and tax rules.
📋 Requirements (4)
  • •Passport from a country that is visa-exempt for Mexico for tourism or business visits.
  • •Trip duration of up to 180 days, although the officer may grant fewer days based on your case.
  • •Return or onward ticket and proof of accommodation and funds if requested at the border.
  • •No intention to work in Mexico for Mexican employers or stay beyond the permitted period.
📝 Application Process
Embassy Required⏱ The decision is made at the border. The officer can issue up to 180 days, but may grant fewer days depending on your situation and travel history.
  1. 1Check on official Mexican government and consular websites that your nationality is visa-exempt for visitor stays.
  2. 2Travel to Mexico with a valid passport, proof of onward travel and accommodation documentation.
  3. 3Complete the FMM visitor form online or on arrival if required by the port of entry, and present it with your passport to the immigration officer.
  4. 4Keep the FMM with you during your stay and return it when you leave Mexico.
Apply Online

💡 Pro Tips

  • •Do not assume you will always receive 180 days; plan a trip that you can adapt if you receive fewer days.
  • •Keep copies of your FMM and passport entry stamp in case they are requested by authorities or landlords.
⭐Recommended for Digital Nomads
Special Program

Temporary resident visa (income-based / non lucrative)

Temporary resident visa for people who can show sufficient savings or recurring income, commonly used by retirees and remote workers who want to stay in Mexico for more than 180 days.

365 days
Duration
$0
<$1 fee

✅ Key Benefits

✓Designed for people with sufficient foreign income or savings who want to live in Mexico medium or long term.
✓Widely used by retirees and remote workers who no longer want to rely on the visitor permit.
✓Provides a more stable basis for renting long term, opening bank accounts and integrating into local life.
📋 Requirements (5)
  • •Proof of foreign-source income or sufficient savings that meet or exceed the threshold set by the Mexican consulate where you apply.
  • •Bank statements for the required period and, where needed, documentation showing the lawful source of funds.
  • •Valid passport, completed application forms and compliant photographs.
  • •Clean criminal record documentation if requested, following consular guidance.
  • •No intention to work in Mexico for a Mexican employer unless authorised under a different status.
📝 Application Process
Embassy Required⏱ Overall, expect from a few weeks to a couple of months from first consular contact to receiving your resident card, depending on appointment availability and INM processing times.
  1. 1Choose the Mexican consulate where you are legally resident and review its specific income and savings requirements for temporary residents.
  2. 2Gather bank statements, pension letters or other income proof that clearly meet the published thresholds, and have them translated or legalised if required.
  3. 3Attend your consular appointment, present your documents, pay the visa fee and respond to any questions from consular staff.
  4. 4If approved, enter Mexico within the validity of the visa and, within the required days after arrival, visit INM to exchange the visa for a temporary resident card valid for one or more years.
Apply Online
🔄 Extension & Renewal

Extension: 365 days (max 3x)

Cost: Free

Process: You can usually renew your temporary resident card annually up to a total of four years, adjusting fees and documentation each time. After four years, many people are eligible to move to permanent resident status if they meet the criteria.

Renewal: Temporary resident status is a common path for long-term stays in Mexico, and after several years it can create eligibility for permanent residency, though each case depends on current rules and individual circumstances.

💡 Pro Tips

  • •Check several nearby consulates to understand how their published thresholds and documentation lists differ.
  • •Keep a clear and consistent paper trail for your savings and income; unexplained large deposits can cause questions or refusals.

Visitor visa for tourism and business (consular)

TouristPopular

Visitor visa for nationals who are not visa-exempt, allowing short tourism or business stays in Mexico, usually for up to 180 days.

180d
Duration
$50
$3 fee
📍Apply: Embassy
⏱Processing times vary by consulate and season, but many straightforward applications are decided within a few days to a few weeks after the appointment, assuming documents are complete.
🔄No extension
View full details
💰 Cost Breakdown
USDUSD
Required
Visitor visa feeTypical consular visitor visa fees are in the range of around USD 40–60 depending on consulate and exchange rates. Always confirm the exact amount with the Mexican consulate.
$50$3
Additional (estimated)
Document legalisation and translationsSome applicants may need translations, apostilles or other legalisation of supporting documents.
$0<$1
Required Total
$50$3
💱1 USD = 17 USD•Updated Nov 28, 2025
💡 Costs may vary. Additional costs are estimates and may not all apply to your situation. Always verify current fees with official sources.

📋 Requirements

  • •Passport from a country that is not visa-exempt for Mexico, with sufficient validity.
  • •Completed visitor visa application form and recent photographs, following consular instructions.
  • •Evidence of employment or economic ties in your home country, and proof of funds for the trip.
  • •Return or onward tickets and accommodation bookings or invitation letters.
  • •Payment of the consular visa fee and attendance at a consular interview where required.

📝 Application Steps

  1. 1Check the Mexican consulate responsible for your place of residence and review its visitor visa instructions and appointment system.
  2. 2Gather required documentation such as passports, photos, proof of income or employment, bank statements and travel plans.
  3. 3Submit your visitor visa application in person at the consulate, pay the fee and attend an interview if scheduled.
  4. 4Once the visa is issued, travel to Mexico and present your passport and visa at the border to receive an FMM visitor permit with an authorised length of stay.

⚠️ Restrictions

  • •Requires consular appointments and more documentation than visa-free entry.
  • •Does not by itself allow long-term residence or work in Mexico.

💡 Tips

  • •Verify whether your nationality qualifies for the SAE electronic authorisation system or must use a traditional consular visa.
  • •Apply well before your intended travel date, especially in busy seasons.

Temporary resident visa (employer-sponsored work)

Work

Temporary resident status for foreign nationals hired by Mexican companies or organisations, allowing them to live and work in Mexico on an authorised basis.

365d
Duration
$0
<$1 fee
📍Apply: Embassy
⏱Timeframes depend on both INM authorisation and consular appointment availability, but it is common for the overall process to take several weeks to a few months.
🔄Extendable +365d
View full details
💰 Cost Breakdown
MXNUSD
Required
Work-based temporary resident visa fee at consulateConsular and INM fees for work-based temporary residence are set in local currency and may be higher than visitor fees.
$0<$1
Additional (estimated)
Legal and corporate registration costsEmployers often incur additional costs to register with INM and prepare compliant job offers and documentation.
$0<$1
Required Total
$0<$1
💱1 USD = 17 MXN•Updated Nov 28, 2025
💡 Costs may vary. Additional costs are estimates and may not all apply to your situation. Always verify current fees with official sources.

📋 Requirements

  • •Mexican employer authorised to hire foreign workers and registered with INM.
  • •Formal job offer or employment contract that meets Mexican labour and immigration rules.
  • •Approved work authorisation or pre-approval from INM before the employee applies for a visa at a consulate.
  • •Valid passport, background checks and any additional documents specified by the consulate.
  • •Commitment to work only in the authorised role and keep immigration status and address information up to date.

📝 Application Steps

  1. 1Your Mexican employer prepares the necessary corporate documentation and files for authorisation with INM to hire you as a foreign worker.
  2. 2Once INM approves, you receive documentation to apply for a temporary resident work visa at a Mexican consulate.
  3. 3Attend the visa interview at the consulate, submit your passport and employment-related documents, and pay the required fees.
  4. 4Enter Mexico with the visa and, within the required timeframe, attend INM to finalise your temporary resident card and complete biometrics.

⚠️ Restrictions

  • •Strongly dependent on the employer’s compliance and willingness to sponsor the process.
  • •Processing can be paperwork-heavy and slower than travellers expect.
  • •Losing your job or changing roles without updating INM can quickly create status problems.

💡 Tips

  • •Make sure your employer is experienced with hiring foreign staff or uses a qualified immigration lawyer.
  • •Track the expiry dates on your resident card and start renewal steps well before they lapse.

Student temporary resident visa

Education

Temporary resident status for foreign students enrolled in recognised Mexican educational institutions.

365d
Duration
$0
<$1 fee
📍Apply: Embassy
⏱Processing time depends on consular schedules and INM workload, but many cases are decided within a few weeks from a complete application.
🔄Extendable +365d
View full details
💰 Cost Breakdown
MXNUSD
Required
Student temporary resident visa fee at consulateStudent visa fees are set by consulates in local currency and may be reduced compared with other categories.
$0<$1
Additional (estimated)
School admission and enrolment feesUniversities and institutes charge separate academic fees that are independent from immigration charges.
$0<$1
Required Total
$0<$1
💱1 USD = 17 MXN•Updated Nov 28, 2025
💡 Costs may vary. Additional costs are estimates and may not all apply to your situation. Always verify current fees with official sources.

📋 Requirements

  • •Formal acceptance from a recognised Mexican educational institution and appropriate documentation of the program and duration.
  • •Evidence of financial capacity to cover tuition, fees and living expenses for the duration of the studies.
  • •Valid passport, completed visa forms and any required background checks or medical certificates.
  • •Compliance with INM registration steps after arrival and maintaining enrolment in the program.

📝 Application Steps

  1. 1Apply to a recognised Mexican educational institution and obtain an official offer or admission letter.
  2. 2Check the specific student visa requirements at the Mexican consulate where you will apply and gather the requested documents.
  3. 3Attend your visa appointment, present your admission letter, financial evidence and other documents, and pay the consular fee.
  4. 4Enter Mexico with the student visa and complete the temporary resident registration process at INM to receive your resident card.

⚠️ Restrictions

  • •Work rights are restricted and must follow Mexican regulations and any limitations imposed by your institution.
  • •Interrupting your studies or falling out of good standing can quickly create immigration complications.

💡 Tips

  • •Use your university’s international office and official INM guidance as primary references for status questions.
  • •Keep careful track of both academic and immigration deadlines to avoid gaps in your status.

📊 Quick Facts

CapitalMexico City
CurrencyMXN (Mexican peso)
LanguageSpanish
TimezoneUTC-5 to UTC-8 (multiple time zones)
Last UpdatedNov 30, 2025

🔗 Official Resources

Immigration BureauEmbassy Website

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Does Mexico have a dedicated digital nomad visa
Mexico does not currently have a specific visa category labelled as a digital nomad visa. Instead, most long-term remote workers use the temporary resident visa based on income or savings, while short stays rely on the standard visitor permit (FMM) granted on arrival for visa-exempt nationals.
How long can I stay in Mexico as a tourist
Visa-exempt visitors can usually receive up to 180 days on their FMM visitor permit, but the exact number of days is at the discretion of the immigration officer. It is no longer guaranteed that everyone will receive the full 180 days, and the authorised period will be written on your permit.
Are border runs a reliable way to stay long term in Mexico
Using repeated 180 day visitor permits as a long-term stay strategy has become more risky. Immigration officers may issue fewer days if they see a pattern of frequent or extended stays, or they may question or even refuse entry. For medium and long-term living in Mexico, temporary resident options are more reliable than relying on border runs.
Can I work remotely for a foreign company while I am in Mexico
Many visitors and temporary residents work online for foreign employers or clients while living in Mexico. The main restriction relates to performing work for Mexican employers or engaging directly with the local labour market without the correct status. However, spending long periods in Mexico while earning income can create tax obligations, so you should seek professional tax advice rather than assuming remote work is automatically risk free.
What is the temporary resident visa and why do digital nomads use it
The temporary resident visa is a multi-year residence category for people who can demonstrate sufficient income or savings, as well as for workers, students and family members. It is popular with digital nomads and retirees because it allows stays longer than 180 days, supports local integration, and can eventually lead to permanent resident status if you meet the requirements.
Do I need health insurance to enter Mexico
Health insurance is not universally checked for short-term visitors, but medical care in Mexico can still be expensive, especially in private facilities. It is strongly recommended that visitors and residents have comprehensive health insurance that explicitly covers Mexico for the entire stay, and some consulates may ask for proof of coverage in residence applications.
Is it easy to open a bank account in Mexico as a foreigner
Short-stay visitors often find it difficult to open a full Mexican bank account and instead use international cards and fintech solutions. Temporary or permanent residents with an address and sometimes a tax ID (RFC) generally have better access to banking products, although requirements vary by institution.
Where can I find official information about Mexican visa rules
The most reliable sources are the official websites of the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE), Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM), Mexican embassies and consulates and the official VisitMexico information pages. Because visa exemptions, income thresholds and procedures can change, always check these sites shortly before applying or travelling.
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Important Disclaimer

Visa requirements can change frequently. This information is provided for general guidance only and should not be considered legal advice. Always verify current requirements with the official embassy or immigration authorities before making travel plans. Last updated: November 30, 2025

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