Mexico is a country that almost everyone knows. The place needs no introduction as it is one of the top tourist destinations filled with picturesque places and delicious food spots.
For the digital nomads, here’s good news. Mexico has recently launched the Digital Nomad Visa, and it’s actually beneficial for those who would like to work from Mexico, take time and explore what the city has to offer.
Here’s everything you need to know about Mexico’s new Digital Nomad Visa.
Wondering if you need a visa for Mexico? Check on iVisa.
What Is The Mexico Digital Nomad Visa?
The Digital Nomad Visa, also known as the Temporary Residence Visa, or Mexico Nomad Visa, now allows people to work and live in Mexico.
So basically, if you are an entrepreneur, a freelancer, self-employed, or a remote worker, you can move to Mexico and work from here.
The Digital Nomad Visa was made a reality by the Mexican government in expectation of permanent investors and expats in Mexico, thus aiming to give a significant boost to the country’s GDP.
The visa allows remote workers to stay in the country for 12 months. This can also be extended up to 4 years. To apply, you will have to fill out the application and submit the required documents for the Temporary Residence Visa.
Don’t worry; everything is explained in detail below.
Who Is Eligible To Apply For The Mexico Digital Nomad Visa
For you to apply and get a successful response for the Digital Nomad Visa that Mexico offers, you will have to meet the following criteria:
- Have at least USD 43,000 in the bank for the past 12 months or be earning an income of at least USD 2,595
- The other option is that you own a Mexican property
Mexico Digital Nomad Visa Application Process
Here’s an overview of the digital nomad visa application process.
Documents
The following documents are mandatory:
Application Form
You can download this application form from your nearest Mexican consulate or embassy.
Proof Of Financials
To Apply for this visa, you will need to show proof that you meet the financial requirements that we have mentioned above.
Background Check
When applying for this visa, you will need to prove that you have a clean criminal record. This is something you can obtain from the police in your country.
Other Documents
- Passport valid for at least 6 months
- 2x passport size photographs
- Medical Insurance
- Proof that you have paid the visa processing fee.
How Long Can You Stay In Mexico With The Digital Nomad Visa
This visa offers an initial 12-month stay but has to opportunity to extend for four years. After this, you will need to apply for permanent residency if you wish you stay in Mexico longer.
How To Apply For The Mexico Digital Nomad Visa
The application process for this visa is pretty straightforward. You can download the application on the website for your nearest Mexican embassy or consulate. In most cases (depending on your country) you will need to go to the embassy or consulate in person to process the application.
If it’s not your home country you are applying from, then you might have to show some extra documents apart from the ones mentioned above.
Don’t forget to make an appointment at the consulate and enquire beforehand before you decide to show up in person. This way, you can prepare and won’t have to have a second visit to the consulate or embassy just for the paperwork.
Once you have applied, you will receive feedback on whether it’s successful or not either on the day itself, or it can take up to several weeks. The time taken to issue the Digital nomad Visa varies from embassy to embassy. Therefore, expect one month to get your whole visa process sorted out.
And that’s detailed and crisp info on how to get your hands on your Digital Nomad Visa. Count at least 5 weeks to get your visa, and then keep this in your mind and plan the rest of your trip.
This way, even if it takes a month, you can comfortably pack for Mexico without any stress.
Best Places To Live In Mexico For Digital Nomads
Mexico is an excellent country for digital nomads. It has a lot of beautiful places where you can work and live comfortably. Here are some of the best places in Mexico for digital nomads.
Mexico City
Mexico City attracts digital nomads who seek a bustling lifestyle with a heavy sprinkle of culture. The vibrant nightlife is balanced perfectly with the astounding architecture of this old city.
Mexico City is also set up perfectly for those working from their laptop. There are many high-quality cafes and a growing number of coworking spaces, too, such as CoCo Hub, PÚBLICO, and El 3er Espacio.
Many expats opt to live in the bohemian neighborhoods of La Condesa and Roma. These areas are full of hipster restaurants, art galleries, and other hang-out spots, providing plenty of opportunities to meet other expats.
The climate here is delightful, averaging mid-70s with some rain and cool evenings. Mexico City is generally safe, provided you take precautions but bear in mind, some areas have high crime rates.
Even so, the city takes safety seriously, and crime rates have fallen in recent years. It now has one of the highest police officer-to-resident ratios in the world.
Playa Del Carmen
Playa del Carmen was the first area to draw in digital nomads and today is one of the best cities to live in in Mexico. This is because of its pure-white beaches, turquoise seas, relaxed way of life, and abundance of coffee shops and coworking spaces.
When we moved to Mexico for a few months, we decided to live in Playa del Carmen. You can read our guide to find out what it’s like to be living in Playa del Carmen.
Some popular coworking spots here are Nest, Cowork-in, and Bunker.
Playa del Carmen is a lively place with lots of activities for digital nomads and has an active dive scene. While there is great nightlife, it’s nothing like the mad crowds you’ll find in Cancun.
Because of the large expat community here, Playa del Carmen is one of the few Mexican cities where you can get by with minimal Spanish.
It’s undoubtedly one of the safe cities in Mexico (provided you’re cautious). You’ll have no trouble walking around downtown Playa del Carmen.
The downside is that the cost of living is higher here than in many other cities. However, when you can nab a beach condo with stunning ocean views, the extra charge may be worth it.
Read our guide to learn more about long-term apartments in Playa del Carmen.
Tulum
Tulum used to be one of the safe parts of Mexico with extremely low crime rates. Although, there have been a few shootings in Tulum in 2020-2021 and many expats prefer to stay in Playa Del Carmen instead.
Although, Tulum has become the latest digital nomad hotspot. Living here, you’ll enjoy jungle trekking, snorkeling with turtles, and cenote diving to counteract all your screen time.
Tulum is also one of the best places to retire in Mexico because of its nature and outdoorsy living. The town itself is beautiful, with many ancient Maya archaeological sites. What’s more, there are gorgeous Caribbean beaches and tropical jungles all around.
On top of this, Tulum boasts warm weather all year round, and it’s easy to walk around the main town.
There are also many coworking spots like Bucko, CoCo Hub, and Tulum Art Club.
San Miguel De Allende
San Miguel de Allende is a stunning Mexican town full of charm and history. This historic wonderland is a favorite for American expats and one of the best places to retire in Mexico because of its pleasant spring-like temperatures and friendly locals.
San Miguel de Allende is one of the best places to live in Mexico if you want an authentic cultural experience. This is because the town hosts many cultural events such as parades and art festivals.
Even so, you’ll never feel out of your depth as over 8,000 expats live here.
The town can get pretty crowded with tourists. However, even in high season, you’re bound to find a quiet cafe on the town’s outskirts to catch up on your work.
There are a few coworking spaces dotted around, such as Smartspace Hub and Alpha.
Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta is a sizable town with many expats who choose to settle here because of its beautiful beaches and excellent year-round weather. If you’re new to Mexico, Puerto Vallarta is an ideal place.
This is because it offers many home comforts and amenities for remote workers, such as stable internet connections and coworking spaces like Vallarta and Natureza.
Both retirees seeking laidback living and expats who want to spend their days off relaxing on the beach find Puerto Vallarta to be one of the best places to live in Mexico.
It’s also one of the cheapest as there is plenty of affordable accommodation and the cost of living is low.
Cost Of Living In Mexico
The cost of living in Mexico is quite reasonable, especially if you compare it to other North American countries. Although, it’s slightly more expensive if you compare it to the surrounding countries like Guatemala and Belize.
You could find a hostel in Mexico City for anything between USD 10 – 15 a night.
Food is reasonably priced in Mexico. You should be able to find a meal for a few dollars in a street restaurant (like tacos).
Keep in mind that the location will influence the cost of living. For example, Playa Del Carmen is going to be more expensive than Puerto Vallarta.
The best way to save money in Mexico is by cooking your meals at home. This is especially true if you live in Playa Del Carmen or any other big city. The cost of groceries is cheaper than eating out, and you’ll be able to save a lot of money this way.
Final Thoughts On Digital Nomads In Mexico
Mexico is a great country for digital nomads. It has a lot to offer in terms of infrastructure, food, and culture. And, it’s much cheaper to live here than in other North American countries.
If you’re thinking of becoming a digital nomad, Mexico is definitely a place you should consider. Just be prepared for the visa process, which can be a bit of a hassle. Besides that, Mexico is an excellent place to live and work as a digital nomad.
Not sure if Mexico is the right destination for you? Read one of the following guides:
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