Can I work remotely in Mexico on a tourist visa?

This is one of the most common questions among digital nomads, and the answer is nuanced.

The Technical Answer:

Mexico's immigration law doesn't specifically address remote work for foreign employers while on a tourist permit. The law prohibits working for Mexican companies without authorization, but remote work for foreign companies falls into a gray area.

The Practical Reality:

Thousands of digital nomads work remotely from Mexico on tourist permits without issues. Here's what you need to know:

What's Generally Accepted:

• Working remotely for a non-Mexican company
• Being paid by a company outside Mexico
• Using your own equipment
• Not physically serving Mexican clients/customers

What's NOT Allowed (Clear Violations):

• Working for a Mexican company
• Being paid by a Mexican entity
• Providing in-person services in Mexico
• Having Mexican clients pay you directly in Mexico

The Gray Areas:

• Freelancing for international clients
• Running an online business
• Consulting virtually

INM's Focus:

Mexican immigration (INM) is primarily concerned with:

• Preventing unauthorized employment with Mexican companies
• Protecting Mexican jobs
• Tax compliance

They're less focused on someone working on their laptop for a company in another country.

Tax Implications:

This is where it gets more complicated:

• 183+ days in Mexico = Mexican tax resident
• Tax residents owe Mexican taxes on worldwide income
• Tax rates: 1.92% to 35% progressive
• Many digital nomads ignore this (risky but common)
• Proper approach: Consult a tax professional

Risk Factors:

Low risk scenarios:

• Short stays (under 6 months total per year)
• No Mexican bank account
• No Mexican clients
• Quiet about your work status

Higher risk scenarios:

• Living long-term in Mexico
• Earning significant income
• Mexican bank deposits from abroad
• Publicly advertising services in Mexico

The Conservative Approach:

If you want to be fully compliant:

1. Get temporary residency
2. Register with SAT (get RFC)
3. Pay Mexican taxes on worldwide income
4. Work legally and openly

The Common Approach:

Many digital nomads:

1. Enter on tourist permit (180 days max)
2. Work remotely for foreign clients
3. Exit before 180 days, return later
4. Don't establish Mexican tax residency
5. Keep banking and business operations in home country

Mexico's Digital Nomad "Visa":

Despite what you may read, Mexico does NOT have an official digital nomad visa. The temporary resident visa is sometimes called this, but it requires meeting income/savings thresholds and doesn't specifically authorize remote work.

Recommendations:

• Short visits (< 6 months/year): Tourist permit is generally fine for remote work
• Longer stays: Consider temporary residency for legal clarity
• Any situation: Consult a tax professional about obligations
• Don't: Work for Mexican companies or take Mexican clients without proper authorization

The situation isn't black and white. Most digital nomads operate in the gray area without problems, but understand there's some legal ambiguity in this approach.