Mexico temporary resident visa for founders: can you run your own company?
Can a founder run their own company on Mexico's temporary resident visa? The official pages don't say so directly. The visa guidelines in the Diario Oficial accept proof of employment or pension income (or savings and investments). They do not mention self-employment or income from your own company, so a founder would most likely qualify through the savings route or need consular confirmation that company income counts. The official pages don't say whether local clients are allowed. Income needed: Either monthly net income from employment or pension above 300 days of the general minimum wage in the Distrito Federal over the last 6 months, or an average monthly balance in investments or bank accounts of 5,000 days of the general minimum wage over the last 12 months (translated from Spanish; the guidelines give the formula in days of minimum wage, not a MXN figure).
Mexico's temporary resident visa, from the official pages
| What | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Scheme | The temporary resident visa is for foreigners who want to enter Mexico as temporary residents (translated from Spanish). | dof.gob.mx |
| Income | Employment or pension income, net of tax, above the equivalent of 300 days of the general minimum wage each month, for the last 6 months (translated from Spanish). | dof.gob.mx |
| Income | Alternative: investments or bank accounts with an average monthly balance of 5,000 days of the general minimum wage in the Distrito Federal over the last 12 months (translated from Spanish). | dof.gob.mx |
| Own company | The income route asks for documents proving employment or a pension. Self-employment and own-company income are not mentioned (translated from Spanish). | dof.gob.mx |
| Local work | A temporary resident can obtain a permit to work for pay in Mexico, subject to a job offer (translated from Spanish). | dof.gob.mx |
| Stay | Temporary residence allows a stay of up to 4 years (translated from Spanish). | dof.gob.mx |
| Stay | Permanent residence can be granted once 4 years have passed on a temporary residence permit (translated from Spanish). | dof.gob.mx |
| Fee | The visa fee is the one set by Article 22 of the Federal Fees Law, charged in local currency by the consulate (translated from Spanish). | dof.gob.mx |
| How to apply | Apply in person at a Mexican consulate (translated from Spanish). | dof.gob.mx |
| Processing time | Maximum time for the consulate to decide: 10 working days (translated from Spanish). | dof.gob.mx |
| Requirements | Within 30 calendar days of entering Mexico you must apply to the National Migration Institute for the residence card (translated from Spanish). | dof.gob.mx |
| Family | Temporary residents have the right to family unity: children, spouse or partner and parents can come too (translated from Spanish). | dof.gob.mx |
Questions founders ask about Mexico
- Can I run my own company on the Mexico temporary resident visa?
- The official pages don't say so directly. The visa guidelines in the Diario Oficial accept proof of employment or pension income (or savings and investments). They do not mention self-employment or income from your own company, so a founder would most likely qualify through the savings route or need consular confirmation that company income counts.
- Can I work for clients in Mexico on it?
- The official pages don't say so directly. for remote work. The Migration Law says a temporary resident may obtain a permit to work for pay in Mexico subject to a job offer, so local paid employment needs that separate permit. No official text read says whether serving Mexican clients from a foreign company is allowed.
- How much income do I need for the Mexico temporary resident visa?
- Either monthly net income from employment or pension above 300 days of the general minimum wage in the Distrito Federal over the last 6 months, or an average monthly balance in investments or bank accounts of 5,000 days of the general minimum wage over the last 12 months (translated from Spanish; the guidelines give the formula in days of minimum wage, not a MXN figure).
- How much does the Mexico temporary resident visa cost?
- Set by Article 22 of the Federal Fees Law (Ley Federal de Derechos) and charged by consulates in local currency. The amount was not confirmed on an official page. That's the government fee on the official page; translations, insurance and legal help cost extra.
- How long can I stay on the Mexico temporary resident visa?
- Temporary residence of more than 180 days and up to 4 years. The visa itself is valid 180 days for one entry; you then get the residence card in Mexico. After 4 years as a temporary resident you can apply for permanent residence.
Other countries
Brazil · Colombia · Costa Rica · Croatia · Cyprus · Estonia · Greece · Hungary · Indonesia · Italy · Japan · Malaysia · Malta · Portugal · Romania · South Korea · Spain · Thailand · United Arab Emirates
To compare the routes, read digital nomad visas for founders and tax residency for remote founders.
- Official name
- Temporary resident visa (Visa de Residencia Temporal), economic solvency route
- Own company
- Not stated
- Local clients
- Not stated
- Stay
- Temporary residence of more than 180 days and up to 4 years. The visa itself is valid 180 days for one entry; you then get the residence card in Mexico. After 4 years as a temporary resident you can apply for permanent residence.
- Government fee
- Set by Article 22 of the Federal Fees Law (Ley Federal de Derechos) and charged by consulates in local currency. The amount was not confirmed on an official page.
- Official page
- dof.gob.mx
- Checked
Visa rules, fees and income bars change, and consulates apply them differently. Check dof.gob.mx before you apply. Spotted something out of date? Tell us in the members' chat.