Living in Mexico?

Question

My brother-in-law (a Mexican citizen) is looking to buy beach front property in the Merida area. I am a freelance web designer and I would like to live in the house. I am a US citizen. What do I need to do, know, figure out, etc. before I go ahead and do this? I plan on working only for companies in the US, but I want to stay in Mexico as long as possible. Any information on how to go about this would be great.

Answer 1

you can "unofficially" do this for a long time actually.  you can get a tourist visa, and every six months you could renew it.  if you want to rack up time and actually become a mexican citizen, you need to be much more official....you can apply for a visa to live in mexico, but not work.  and you must show proof that you will be able to support yourself.  the fact that you can work from home and have ongoing income should do it.  but like i said, unofficially, a plain old tourist visa should do it.

Answer 2

GO TOP A MEXICAN CONSULATE AND APPLY FOR A DUAL CITZENSHIP.  YOU'LL BE AMERICAN AND MEXICAN CITIZEN.

     ONCE THERE,,, ASK FREELY AND THEY WILL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO HELP YOU OUT.

http://portal.sre.gob.mx

  TAKE CARE. I HOPE I HAVE HELPED ALOT.

Answer 3

No problem to live in the house -- as a foreigner you wouldn't be able to buy it but your bro-in-law can. You do need to apply for a termporay residence permit at the SRE (they already gave you a link) because you can only stay here for 3-6 months without it, if I'm not wrong. Hopefully your customers won't ask for an invoice from you, because in this case you would have to sign up at our IRS (tax collection) ministry and thus get a work permit, through the SRE as well, before you can actually start working here. You don't have to pay taxes in Mexico but they do need to get your status straight for the record. Also, speaking spanish will help you quite a bit, as there aren't many people who speak english in the area where you're planning to live. Good luck!

Answer 4

I know that in Mexico city there's a group that can help you with information about basic to live there, not sure if something like that is available at Merida area, but maybe the info in their site will helpful.

http://www.newcomers.org.mx/

Answer 5

The person before that said you couldn't own property is wrong.  You can, but that's besides the point.  You'll want to get an FM-3 Visa.  Your best bet is to talk to someone who handles immigration in the Merida area.

Answer 6

No problem ... lots of people work online from Mexico

Just make sure Telmex offers DSL in your location ... or dialup will be your only option

Answer 7

Over 2 million Americans are retired in Mexico  they live in Mexico cause the US social security  is not enough in US.