Working Remotely from Mexico as a US Citizen

Mexico is one of the most popular travel destinations for Americans. So why not stay there longer and work online from there? The new popularity of remote work means you can relocate to a warmer, more cost-effective and friendlier country like Mexico. It’s not so hard because:

US citizens can work remotely from Mexico for up to 180 days visa-free. Afterwards, an application for temporary residency must be submitted to the Mexican embassy. Remote workers can also avoid paying taxes in Mexico by working for a foreign company and having all income sources from abroad. Lastly, they must receive payments to a US bank account or other foreign  account. 

Working remotely in Mexico has many advantages including: 

1. A lower cost of living.
2. all-year-round summer weather.
3. a great lifestyle.
4. working in US business hours.

Moreover, US citizens are just a short flight away from their families and friends. 

Sound like a good deal to you? Read this article further to determine whether you can work a remote job from Mexico and how to make this dream come true! 

Remote workers and digital nomads in Mexico

Mexico had already been a choice for location-independent professionals for many years. Some cities like Playa Del Carmen and Mexico City became digital nomad hubs due to their affordable cost of living. I mean, why spend $2,000 on an apartment in the US when you can live a comfortable life on just $1,000 a month in Mexico?

Remote work also makes room for you to have a more flexible schedule, allowing you to enjoy more freedom over your time and location. And with Mexico’s beautiful beaches and quaint seaside towns, it can be much more fun to spend free time in Mexico than in the US.

Additionally, there are long-term residence options available to tourists and other foreigners like expats, digital nomads and remote workers. 

Working remotely from Mexico for a US company

As we stated above, you can absolutely work remotely from Mexico for a US company. In fact, this is the most common way to reside and work from this sunny country. The good thing about working for a US company in Mexico is that you don’t have to pay taxes to Mexico. As a US citizen, you will continue to pay your taxes to the US as usual.  

However, some US employers might not authorize remote work from another country for employees. Big companies are often very restrictive about work being performed outside the USA. And it’s fair enough. They don’t want to have complications with taxes or social security benefits for their workers.

Hence the only problem in working for a US company in Mexico might lie in the company itself and not in Mexico and its regulations. But if you receive all work-related payments through a US banking account, you don’t have to deal with any Mexican authorities regarding taxes or banking issues. 

That makes it very easy to live in Mexico, work remotely for a U.S. company, and get paid via a US bank account. In fact, you can go to Mexico on a 180-day tourist visa and work remotely with zero issues. 

By the way, if you have been wondering if one can live abroad while working US job? Hell Yeah you can! In fact, you can even live in Europe with remote job! Read this article to learn more.

One more shameless plug… if you work in the IT field, you can apply to be an independent contractor with our IT outsourcing company. We always have remote IT jobs for MSPs available! So check that out as well.

Residence and work permit for remote workers in Mexico

When planning to live and work abroad, a question about obtaining residency and a work permit is always a big priority. Luckily, this can be solved very easily in Mexico. If the company you are working for is located outside of Mexico, and you receive income from a non-Mexican banking account, you are not required to have a work visa to work remotely in Mexico.

Also, no work permit is required when working for a non-Mexican company. However, a work permit will be necessary for the following conditions:

1. Performing some paid activity for a Mexican company.
2. Maintaining Mexican clients.
3. Getting paid in Mexico with a paycheck drawn from a Mexican bank.

In regards to whether or not a residence permit is needed, this will depend on your plans. For a shorter stay of up to 180 days, a tourist visa on arrival is enough. For longer stays beyond 180 days, remote workers must apply for a temporary residency, which is fairly easy to obtain. 

Regardless of whichever option you choose though, both allow you to legally stay and work remotely absolutely legally in Mexico. 

Tourist visa or visitor permit? 

Tourist visas are issued upon arrival in Mexico. With this visa, you can stay and work remotely in the country for up to 180 days. It’s one of the longest tourist visas in the world. 

You don’t need to leave the country during these 6 months and it cannot be extended or renewed. Upon its expiry, you will need to leave the country. Despite this fact, some people just do border runs to Guatemala or the USA and extend their stay in Mexico by exiting and reentering the country. 

Temporary residence in Mexico

Mexico offers a temporary resident visa intended for people who wish to stay anywhere as long as six months to four years. This type of visa is renewable and gives you a temporary residency status for at least one year. After five years of temporary residency, foreigners can apply for naturalization and citizenship.

With a temporary resident visa, you can also apply for a work permit if needed. It as well allows for unlimited entries to and exits from Mexico. You are also entitled to have a Mexican bank account, driver’s license and many similar benefits that a Mexican national has. This residence permit is preferred by expats and digital nomads in Mexico.

Visa application process

When applying for a visa, the Mexican government wants to see adequate funds or recurring income from a non-Mexican bank account. They need to make sure that you’re able to support yourself without seeking local employment. Remote workers can just show their pay stubs from their current employer. 

This is why so many people retire in Mexico as retirees with enough financial means from savings or other income streams can easily move to the country. Income sources can range from employment, self-employment, pension, investments, savings, etc. The main point is that the income must originate from outside of Mexico. The specific financial requirement for a temporary resident visa is to have a monthly income of $2,237 or proof of savings of a minimum of $37,289.

Just beware that with a temporary resident visa, you’re not allowed to seek employment from any Mexican company. You can however earn income from businesses based overseas. With a few exceptions, the temporary resident visa cannot be issued in Mexico, thus you must apply at a Mexican consulate outside of the country. 

Documents for a temporary residence application include: 

1. Visa application form.
2. Original valid passport or comparable travel and identity document, as well as a photocopy of the page with the photo and personal data.
3. One photo, typically passport-size.
4. Cash payment for visa fees.
5. Financial proof including a total bank balance of more than $37,289 over the past 12 months, or a monthly income of more than $2,237 over the last six months.

Paying taxes while working remotely in Mexico

US remote workers can easily avoid paying taxes in a legal way while living and working from Mexico. 

The main rule is this: 

• A remote worker, expat, or digital nomad doesn’t owe taxes to Mexico as long as the performed work is not related to any Mexican citizen or company, and income is deposited into a non-Mexican bank account. 

Another important variable is your banking setup. Expats and remote workers might have to pay taxes to Mexico when getting their pay via the local bank, so try to avoid using the Mexican banking system.

Moreover, when working for a Mexican department of a foreign company in Mexico, an American employee might have to pay taxes in the former country. As a US citizen working remotely in Mexico, we highly recommend having all of your work outside of Mexico and request all payments sent to your U.S. bank.

That way, you will stay away from all legal issues.

How to get paid when working remotely in Mexico

As discussed before, your best bet is to receive all your money in Mexico in a foreign banking account, preferably an American one. Your employer must comply with your payment preferences. 

Getting paid through foreign banking accounts will allow you to live in Mexico without the involvement of Mexican authorities. You can request payments through online platforms like Wise. It’s by far the best international money transfer company, sending funds from one banking account to another for the lowest fee and the best conversion rate.  

Get a remote job and work from Mexico 

To work remotely from Mexico, you will need a suitable job and an employer who is compliant with the fact you are working abroad. 

Here at Support Adventure, we’re known as the expat outsourcing company as we hire talented people from around the world who want to work online from anywhere. 

We mostly have positions open for helpdesk IT support. So if you have experience or even interest in IT,  don’t wait and apply for a remote job with us!