Updated: November 2026
No. Mexico does not have a digital nomad visa. The Mexican Migration Law does not include that category, and no Mexican consulate offers a visa under that name. If you work remotely for a company or clients abroad and want to live in Mexico for more than 180 days, you need temporary residence based on economic solvency.
Below we explain what the consulates say, which requirements apply, and what you can and cannot do with this residence.
What do Mexican consulates say?
Some Mexican consulates say so explicitly. The Consulate of Mexico in Petén states that the temporary resident visa allows you to work in the country as long as your salary is paid abroad. The Embassy of Mexico in Romania lists it as a temporary resident visa for “professionals paid abroad”.
In every case it is the same visa: temporary residence. There is no separate process or special form for digital nomads.
Can I work remotely as a tourist?
For stays of less than 180 days, many people enter as tourists (visitors without permission to carry out paid activities). However, the law does not expressly regulate remote work under that status: it is a gray area. Also, the immigration officer decides how many days to grant and does not always give 180.
If you plan to live in Mexico, sign a long-term lease or open a bank account, the safe route is temporary residence.
Temporary residence requirements for digital nomads
At the Mexican consulate
- Visa application form.
- Passport valid for at least 6 months, and a copy.
- One passport-size color photo with a white background and no glasses.
- If you do not live in your country of nationality, proof of legal stay in the country where you apply.
- Proof of economic solvency (amounts below).
- Recommended: a letter from your foreign employer stating your position, salary, length of employment and authorization to work remotely from Mexico. If you are self-employed, contracts with your clients.
- Visa fee at the consulate (US$56 at the Embassy of Mexico in Washington and in Romania) and consular interview.
2026 economic solvency amounts
- By income: $83,640 MXN per month, tax-free, over the last 6 months (payslips or proof of payment and bank statements).
- By savings or investments: average monthly balance of $1,394,000 MXN over the last 12 months.
Bank statements must be originals, stamped by the bank. If they were issued in a country other than the one where you apply, they must be apostilled or legalized and translated into Spanish. Amounts change every year and may vary between consulates.
Step by step
- Gather your documents and book an appointment at the Mexican consulate that serves your area.
- If approved, the consulate places the visa in your passport. You have 180 days to use it, for a single entry.
- When you arrive in Mexico, immigration stamps your visa.
- Within the following 30 days, go to the National Immigration Institute (INM) for fingerprints, payment of fees and delivery of your temporary resident card.
What you cannot do
- Work for Mexican companies or charge clients in Mexico: that requires residence based on a job offer, processed by an employer in Mexico.
- Apply for this residence from inside Mexico as a tourist: you must apply at a consulate outside the country.
What comes next?
The first card is usually issued for 1 year and can be renewed up to 4 years in total. After that, you can apply for permanent residence without leaving Mexico.
Living in Mexico for long periods may also have tax consequences. We recommend checking with an accountant.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a digital nomad visa in Mexico?
No. The route for digital nomads is temporary residence based on economic solvency.
How much do I need to earn to live in Mexico as a digital nomad?
$83,640 MXN per month over the last 6 months, or an average balance of $1,394,000 MXN over the last 12 months, according to the 2026 amounts of the Embassy of Mexico in Washington.
Can I keep working for my foreign employer with temporary residence?
Yes, as long as your salary is paid abroad. You may not work for companies or clients in Mexico without INM authorization.
Need help with your residence?
We review your bank statements, verify the requirements of the consulate where you will apply, and accompany you to your INM appointment. Fill out our contact form and receive a formal quote in less than 24 hours.