Mexico is a fabulous country that has much to offer new residents. It’s perfectly legal for foreigners to buy property in Mexico under the fideicomiso (trust) system. Mexico has generous tax incentives (reduced property taxes, capital gains tax exemptions on real estate sales, for example), and a stable economy. Purchasing a property in Mexico is a great idea for anyone who wants to buy a holiday home, retire, move for work, or study.
If you’re thinking about moving to Mexico, you need to be aware of the legalities. If you’re wondering « Do I need a visa for Mexico? » then keep reading.
Who needs a visa for Mexico?
Whether or not you need a visa for Mexico depends on what country you are a tax resident in and the length and purpose of your visit.
Do you need a tourist visa for Mexico? Most nationalities don’t need to apply for a visa for short stays in Mexico for tourism or business purposes, as long as you’re not working in Mexico. People from most countries are exempt from applying for a visa for short stays.
If you are from a visa-exempt country such as the UK, the EU, the USA, Australia, and New Zealand you will, however, have to apply for a Mexico Tourist Card. This can be obtained once you arrive in Mexico, or you can get one online before you leave your home country.
Visitors from some countries, including Russia, Ukraine, and Turkey, will need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization for short stays. Note that a Mexico visa for Indians is not issued on arrival and will need to be applied for at least two to three weeks before the trip.
For longer stays, most visitors will need a visa for Mexico.
Is a specific visa required for Mexico depending on the length of stay?
Staying for just a short time in Mexico is a simple process. If you’re a UK or EU citizen, you can visit Mexico without a visa for up to 180 days or up to 30 days if in transit. This also applies if you already have a valid visa or residence permit for the UK, Canada, Japan, the United States, or the Schengen Area. So, it’s easy to get a Mexico visa for UK biometric residence permit holders (BRP). This is known as the Visitante Permit in Mexico or the Tourist Permit. Once issued, the permit is valid for 180 days.
You are not automatically entitled to visit Mexico for 180 days – this is at the discretion of the immigration officials at customs. You will be asked your reasons for visiting and long-term plans, which you should explain clearly.
If you don´t speak Spanish, it’s a good idea to have a written document translated into Spanish explaining the reason for your visit.
Once an immigration officer has made the decision, you can’t appeal it or apply for a new visitor visa. Because of this technicality, many people, who want to ensure they get the entire 180-day duration apply for a visitor visa at a Mexican consulate before they leave their home country.
If you want to stay in Mexico for longer than the visa-exempt tourist period, however, then things start to get a little more complicated.
What type of visa do I need and what are the formalities?
The exact visa needed for Mexico depends on the nature of your stay.
There are four main types of visas in Mexico for stays longer than 180 days:
● A Temporary Visa
● A Temporary Visa with a Work Permit
● A Permanent Residence Visa
● A Golden Visa
Please be aware that while this information is correct at the time of writing, changes can occur at any time. It is recommended to always check the official website of the Mexican government for the current regulations.
Temporary Visa
A Temporary Visa allows a person to reside in Mexico legally for up to four years. It does not, however, allow you to work or conduct any activities that will earn you money in Mexico.
Typically, the Temporary Visa is issued for one year and then renewed for one, two, or three years. It allows you to leave and enter Mexico as many times as you wish.
If you are a traveller who doesn’t intend to work in Mexico, a retiree, or a student, you can apply for a Temporary Visa without a Work Permit. There’s no official Mexico digital nomad visa. Remote workers who do not earn their money from a Mexican employer can also apply for a Temporary Visa without a Work Permit.
Temporary Visa with Work Permit
If you do intend to work in Mexico, your Mexican employer will need to apply for a Work Permit on your behalf. Once the Work Permit has been issued, you’ll have 15 to 30 days to make an application for a Temporary Visa.
Applying for a Temporary Visa must be done outside of Mexico at a Mexican consulate. You’ll have to submit all your paperwork and sit for a short interview with a consular official. You can apply online for an appointment via the Mexican Government website.
To apply for a Temporary Visa, you will need to submit the following documents:
● A completed visa application form
● A passport that is valid for at least six months
● A biometric passport photo
● Proof that you are economically solvent
● Property title deeds, if relevant
How you prove that you are economically solvent depends on your situation. If you are working, you need to provide six months of payslips equalling at least £3,355 net monthly income. If you are living off savings or retired, you’ll need investment statements or bank statements that show you have an average monthly balance of £55,919.
Students are required to show a monthly income of £1,117 net for three months or have an average monthly bank balance of at least £11,183.
The Golden Visa for property owners
If you own a property in Mexico that is worth over £267,452 you can also include this information as proof of your economic solvency. Your name must also be on the title deeds.
The Mexican government does allow non-Mexican nationals to buy property while they are in the country on a Tourist Permit. Once you’ve bought a property in Mexico you will then need a formal Temporary Resident visa if you wish to live in the property yourself.
- A 180-day stay in Mexico is at the discretion of the immigration authorities.
- You have to demonstrate your solvency to apply for a temporary or permanent Mexican visa.
- If you’re a digital nomad and want to spend part of the year in Mexico the best option is to apply for a temporary resident’s visa.
How can an iad Overseas property consultants can help?
The Mexican government does its best to make applying for a visa simple and easy, but the process can still be daunting. An iad Overseas property consultant can connect you with local experts who can guide you through every step of your visa application for Mexico.
