Mexico is a popular destination for many. It has stunning mountainous landscapes, pristine beaches, an interesting history, tourist hotspots such as Cancun, low cost of living and a delicious cuisine. For some, a holiday may be enough, but for many they are choosing to spend an extended amount of time living and working there. One way to live and work in Mexico is on the Temporary Residence Visa as a Digital Nomad Visa isn’t available yet. In this post I will explain what the visa is, its requirements and how to apply. Are you ready to be a digital nomad in Mexico?
What is a Digital Nomad and Can I be one in Mexico?
Thanks to lockdowns during covid the world witnessed a growing trend for workers to work online remotely. This has led to many countries introducing a visa to attract those who work online and digital nomads the opportunity to live and work abroad in another country. This is because digital nomads and online workers generate income for their country. One of the top destinations for digital nomads in recent years is Mexico.
Does Mexico have a Digital Nomad Visa?
At this time, Mexico does not have a digital nomad visa, but it is hoped it will introduce one. So how have so many remote workers and digital nomads been living and working in Mexico? Well, most have been using the traditional tourist permit that allows foreigners to stay in Mexico for up to 180 days. If they want to stay longer than this, they will do a ‘visa run’ where they go to another country and then return to Mexico on another tourist visa for another 180 days visit.
Mexico’s Temporary Residence Visa
The main option to live and work in Mexico at the moment is to apply for a Temporary Residence Visa. If eligible and granted this visa, you can live and work in Mexico for up to 4 years.
To apply for the Temporary Residence Visa you need to follow the application process which involves you:
- Contacting your nearest Mexican embassy or consulate to get the latest details and an application form + get the Mexico entry requirements in order to travel to the country.
- Completing the Temporary Residence Visa application form.
- Submit the required supporting documents at the embassy.
- Pay the visa fee.
- Return to the embassy to pick up the visa once it has been processed.
Supporting documents to include to apply for the Temporary Residence Visa include:
- A bank balance of at least 43,000 USD for the last 12 months.
- You are the owner of a Mexican property (worth at least 346,000 USD)
- You’ve had an income of at least 2,595 USD per month for the last 6 months
Other Documents Required to Get a Mexico Temporary Residence Visa
As well as providing proof of your financial status, you will also need to provide other documents.
- Passport with minimum validity of 6 months from the date you apply.
- Recent passport-size photograph.
- Proof of a clean criminal record.
- Medical insurance evidence.
If granted the visa, once you arrive in Mexico, you are required to exchange the visa for a Temporary Residence Card at the Instituto Nacional de Migracion (INM) in Mexico. Then you will have your legal resident status and begin living, working and playing in Mexico.
All the above may change if Mexico introduce a dedicated digital nomad visa. Fingers crossed!
Benefits of Mexico’s Temporary Residence Visa
It can be a rig moral to get the temporary residence visa but having one provides a lot of benefits. You will be able to:
- Travel in and out of Mexico like any other Mexican resident. Or you may want to slow-travel around Mexico and discover some of the best places Mexico has to offer, such as the Mayan history at Chichen Itza.
- Access healthcare through Mexico’s IMSS if you get sick.
- Acquire a Mexican driver’s licence.
- If you love living in Mexico and stay the full four years, you can transition to permanent residency.
Why Choose to Live and Work in Mexico?
- Cheaper cost of living. But this does depend on where you decide to stay.
- Great internet in most locations so you can work online. This is an essential for digital nomads.
- Digital nomad infrastructure set up – plenty of co-living and co-working spaces.
- An interesting and rich culture to discover.
- Warm climate.
- And the best benefit of all – the wonderful tasty cuisine!
Other Visa Options to Live and Work in Mexico
At this time, Mexico has a working holiday visa available to citizens aged 18 to 30 years of age from Canada, France, Germany, New Zealand and South Korea. If you successfully apply and receive this visa you can live and work in Mexico for up to 12 months. Most who get this visa will do typical backpacker travel jobs to support themselves while in the country.
Peruvians, Chileans and Colombians can apply for the Pacific Alliance working holiday visa. This visa is also valid for one year.
Digital Nomad Hotspots – Where to Live in Mexico?
Mexico has been extremely popular with remote workers, ex-pats and working holiday makers for a long time. This means there are many favoured spots perfect to set up home to live and work in Mexico.
Hotspots include, but not limited to, are Mexico City and Playa del Carmen. Mexico City is loved because it is the capital city, and has all the amenities a working holiday maker or digital nomad requires. If wanting to get out of a big city, consider the beach holiday hot spots in Playa del Carmen. Other places to consider include Mérida, Oaxaca and Puerto Vallarta. But the choice is yours as there are so many places to truly experience Mexican culture while continuing to work from home online or doing a typical backpacker travel job.
To find somewhere to stay check out accommodation options at Booking.com for your initial stay. For longer term options check out Airbnb and also join Facebook groups of the local area you decide to live in for useful information.
What to See and Do in Mexico
Mexico is a large country that is very diverse. There is the inland areas, large cities, beach resorts and fabulous Aztec and Mayan ruins to discover. Here are some things to see and do in Mexico.
- Spend some time discovering the capital – Mexico City.
- Discover the beaches – Cancun, Porta Vallarta.
- Visit the Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza.
- Scuba dive a Cenote.
Mexico Quick Facts
Official Name: United Mexican States
Capital City: Mexico City
Population: Around 130 million people
Language: Spanish
Currency: Mexican Peso
Government: Federal Presidential Republic
Climate: Varies from tropical along the coastal areas to dry arid areas inland.
Are You Ready to Live Work Play Travel Mexico as a Digital Nomad?
READ MORE
Other Countries with a Digital Nomad Visas
Essential Digital Nomad Gear
Packing List for a Working Holiday
SafetyWing Travel Insurance Review
0 Comments