Mexico digital nomad visa: Complete guide for UK expats

If you have the kind of job that can be done anywhere with an internet connection, you might be tempted to spend some time as a digital nomad. This lets you explore the world, working as you go.

Mexico is a popular spot for digital nomads, and not just because of its vibrant culture, beautiful beaches and affordable cost of living. The country also has temporary resident visas which let you live and work there for up to 4 years as long as you have enough money to support yourself.

In this guide, we’ll give you the lowdown on the digital nomad visa for Mexico. This includes how it works, how much it costs, eligibility requirements, the documents you’ll need and the steps to apply.

Mexico digital nomad visa: requirements and eligibility

Mexico doesn’t actually have a specific digital nomad visa, unlike many countries which offer them.

However, it does offer a Temporary Resident visa which is an equally good fit for digital nomads from the UK.

With this visa, eligible foreign nationals can legally live in Mexico and work remotely for an overseas client or employer for a year, with the option to renew annually for a maximum of 4 years.¹

Ordinarily, UK citizens can stay in Mexico for up to 6 months as a tourist, without needing a visa. However, you’re not permitted to work on a tourist visa² - so if you want to carry out remote work during your visit, you’ll need the Temporary Resident visa.

It may be possible to bring family members with you on this visa, but you’ll need to check the requirements with the Embassy of Mexico in London - which is responsible for visa applications for UK nationals.

To meet the Mexico digital nomad visa requirements, you’ll need to prove economic solvency.³ You’ll either need to have earned at least £3,084.07 a month in salary or pension income over the previous 6 months, or have investments and/or savings with an average monthly balance equivalent to £51,975.66.⁴

There are other ways to qualify for this visa - such as buying real estate in Mexico or having a family link to the country - but providing proof of economic solvency is the most common route for digital nomads.

How much does it cost?

The Mexico digital nomad visa costs £42.06 in application fees.⁵

Aside from the upfront application fees, there may be other costs to factor in. For example, the cost of getting travel/health insurance, or having documents translated.

You can only pay the visa fee by bank transfer,⁵ so you might want to check the fees with your bank for sending money abroad - or look into an alternative provider such as Wise.

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What documents do you need?

You’ll need the following documents to apply for a digital nomad visa for Mexico:³

• A valid passport, plus photocopies of the photo page
• One passport-sized colour photograph of yourself, taken within the last month
• If you’re not a UK national, a visa or residence permit proving your temporary residency in the UK
• Documents to prove your economic solvency, such as work contracts, payslips, recent bank statements, pension statements or investment documents.

How to apply for the digital nomad visa in Mexico

Here’s how to apply for the Temporary Resident visa for Mexico, step-by-step:³

1. Check your eligibility - in particular, that you’re able to meet economic solvency requirements.
2. Get your documents together
3. Go to the Mexico Consulate in London website and click the link to book an appointment for an in-person interview
4. Attend your appointment, taking your supporting documents along with you
5. On the day of your appointment, you’ll also need to arrange to pay your visa fee by bank transfer
6. Wait for your application to be processed
7. If your visa is approved, you’ll need to collect it from the Consulate or arrange for it to be posted to you.
8. You’ll be issued with a single-entry visa for Mexico, valid for up to 180 days. On arrival in Mexico, you can exchange it for a Temporary Resident Card at the nearest migration office - you’ll need to do this within 30 days.

While you’re waiting for your visa to be issued, you can get on with other important pre-move preparations. For example, sorting out a Mexican SIM card for your phone or starting an application to open a Mexican bank account.

📚Moving to Mexico from the UK

How long can you stay in Mexico as a digital nomad?

The digital nomad visa for Mexico lets you stay in the country for up to 1 year, with the option to renew multiple times - up to a maximum stay of 4 years.¹

Taxes for digital nomads in Mexico

While you’re living and working in Mexico as a digital nomad, you may need to pay taxes on your income.

There’s no specific Mexico digital nomad visa tax, just income tax rules that apply to anyone considered a tax resident of the country.

If you stay in Mexico for more than 183 days, you may be deemed to be a tax resident. This means that your worldwide income can be subject to income tax.⁶ It’s likely that this will happen if you take advantage of the full 1-4 year stay the Temporary Resident visa offers.

There’s also the issue of what income taxes are due in the UK, and the need to avoid paying tax twice on the same income.

Tax between countries can be really complicated, so it’s best to get professional advice to make sure you understand your obligations.

📚Can you keep your UK bank account when moving abroad?

Save on your relocation costs with Wise

That’s everything you need to know about the digital nomad visa in Colombia. Make sure you check for any updates to the application process or the requirements ahead of applying.

Before moving to Colombia, you’re likely to have lots of costs to cover. Some of these, such as real estate costs, visa application fees and rental deposits, will need to cross borders and can get expensive because of the transfer fees and exchange rate markups.

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FAQs

Is it possible to extend the Mexico digital nomad visa?

Yes, you can apply to renew your Mexico Temporary Resident visa annually, up to a maximum stay of 4 years.¹

Does a Mexico digital nomad visa lead to citizenship?

There isn’t a direct route to citizenship with the Mexico Temporary Resident Visa, but it could be the first step.

After renewing it for 4 years, you may want to apply for permanent residency - this is best for those who want to move to Mexico permanently or set down roots there, such as starting a business.

After 5 years of permanent residency, you may be able to apply for citizenship via naturalisation.⁷

How long does it take to get a digital nomad visa for Mexico?

The processing time for visa applications is between 2 to 10 working days,³ but be aware that you may not be able to get an appointment right away.

Sources used:

1. Gobierno de México - temporary residence visa eligibility and requirements
2. GOV.UK - UK government foreign travel advice to Mexico
3. Consulado de México London - processing time, documents needed and how to apply
4. Consulado de México London - economic requirements
5. Consulado de México London - consular and visa fees
6. Holafly - tax residency information
7. Citizen Remote - citizenship process

Sources last checked on date: 10-Nov-2025