Americas · MXN

Mexico For Solopreneurs - Tax, Immigration, Lifestyle

Reviewed 2026-06-21
Top income tax
35%
Self-employed SS
Optional
VAT
16%
Capital gains
35%
Exit tax
No
Nomad visa
Yes
58
/ 100
Tax efficiency35
Ease to enter79
Ease to exit81
Cost of living82
Internet19
English25
How is this scored?
Mexico taxes residents on worldwide income under a progressive scale that runs up to 35%, alongside a 16% VAT and a 30% corporate rate. There is no wealth, inheritance, or exit tax, and gains on listed shares sold through the stock exchange are capped at a favorable 10%, though most other capital gains fall under ordinary rates. Self employed people are not forced into the IMSS social security system and can join voluntarily, which keeps fixed costs low for a solopreneur living on foreign income via the temporary resident visa.

Personal income tax

Income tax structureProgressive
Top income tax rate35%
Entry income tax rate1.92%
Top rate threshold$276,000
Taxation basisWorldwide
Local/state income taxYes

Social security

Self-employed social securityOptional

Indirect & other taxes

VAT standard rate16%
Capital gains rate35%
Long-hold CGT exemptionNo
Wealth taxNo
Inheritance/gift taxNo
Property taxNo

Exit & residency

Exit taxNo
EU/EEA deferralNo
Days to trigger residency183 days

Corporate

Corporate income tax rate30%
WHT on dividends10%
CFC rulesYes

Incentives & special regimes

Special expat regimeNo

Immigration & setup

Digital nomad visaYes
DNV monthly income requirement$4,510
Entrepreneur visaYes
Ease of setup3 / 5

Lifestyle

Cost of living index43
Internet speed90 Mbps
English proficiencyLow
Civil liberties53

Digital nomad visa

Mexico runs the Temporary Resident Visa, which lets you live here legally while earning from clients or an employer abroad. You need to prove $4,400/mo.

ProgramTemporary Resident Visa
Income requirement$4,400/mo (Approximately USD 4,400-4,500/month as of 2026 (based on UMA rate of MXN 117.31/day); stored figure of $3,064 is outdated)
Durationup to 4 years
Renewableyes, extendable in 4-year increments
Application fee$676 (USD 56 consulate fee + approximately USD 620 for residency card (2026 rate ~MXN 11,141))
Processing time10 working days for visa sticker + 8-16 weeks for physical residency card at INM
FamilySpouse and dependent children typically eligible under temporary residency

How it is taxed

Non-resident until 183+ days in-country or center of vital interests established; becomes tax resident subject to 1.92%-35% on worldwide income.

What you need to qualify

  • proof of monthly income of 4,400+ USD from non-Mexican sources
  • valid employment contract or freelance agreement
  • passport valid 6+ months
  • clean criminal record
  • health insurance (typically required)

Verified 2026-07-17 · high confidence

Golden visa

Mexico offers residency by investment from $74k. Unlike the nomad route, this buys residency through capital rather than proven income.

Residency by Economic Solvency / Investment

RouteFromNotes
Temporary (savings/investment)$74k~11,460 UMA average balance
Permanent (savings)$293k~45,850 UMA
Real estate$624kproperty deed value
Residency grantedTemporary 1-4 yr / Permanent indefinite
Physical presencenone for temporary
Path to citizenship~5 years

Verified 2026-07-08 · high confidence

Sources

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Informational only. Nothing here is tax, legal, or financial advice. Tax rules change often and vary by personal circumstance. Verify every figure against an official source and a qualified adviser before acting. Figures are re-expressed from public sources and cited per country.