Here are all the entry restrictions for Mexico & Central America (as of December 2021). This article is Part 1 of a Three Part Series. Check out Part 2 for the Entry Requirements for the Caribbean, and Part 3 to learn entry requirements for South American Countries.
The weather is getting cold in much of the world, and millions of people are planning their retreat to warmer pastures.
In the past most people planned their retreat as a 1 or 2 week vacation. It was rare for someone to move abroad for a long time (when I left Canada for the winter of 2018 this was almost unheard of!)
Now, remote work has become normalized among the masses. As a result, a lot more people are taking advantage of the opportunity to explore warmer pastures!
On the flip side, the reality of travel in 2021 is that you need to do your research before you plan your trip.
The good news is that his doesn’t have to be a problem (although it can be!)
Many countries are easier to enter (and stay in) than ever before. But it really depends on the country! If you get this part wrong, you may get denied access when trying to board your plane or arriving at your destination.
Luckily, I’ve done the research for you (assuming you are a citizen of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom or the European Union)! (Entry rules to Central America & Mexico are practically identical for all the aforementioned countries.)
So here are the requirements to enter (and stay in) each country in the region, in alphabetical order…
Belize:
- Visa-Free Entry
- 30 Days Granted Upon Entry (renewable in 30 day increments, up to 6 months).
- Negative Test Is Required
- Visa-Free Entry
- 90 Days Granted Upon Entry (Easy 1-2 Year Digital Nomad Visa Available)
- Negative test is not required
- “Unvaccinated” individuals must purchase ‘Travel Policy’
- Visa-Free Entry
- 3 Months Granted Upon Entry
- Negative test OR proof of vaccination required
- Visa-Free Entry
- 90 Days Granted Upon Entry
- Negative test OR proof of vaccination required
- Visa-Free Entry
- 90 Days Granted Upon Entry
- Negative test OR proof of vaccination required
- Visa-Free Entry
- 180 Days Granted Upon Entry (Easy 4-Year Residency Available)
- No new entry restrictions
- Visa-Free Entry
- 90 Days Granted Upon Entry
- Negative PCR Test Is Required
- Visa-Free Entry
- 180 Days Granted Upon Entry (Easy 9-18 Month Digtal Nomad Visa Available)
- Negative test OR proof of vaccination required
Living & Working Remote In The Region
Mexico clearly stands out among this group for three reasons: giving out 180 day tourist visas, and the ease and length of their temporary residency. 4 years is indeed generous for a ‘temporary’ residency.
The digital nomad visas mentioned above have been in recent years by a number of countries. I included these programs above because they extend amount of time a person can stay in a country, and are exceptionally easy to get when compared to other residency programs.
The cool thing about nomad visas is the country DOES NOT tax the visa holder on income earned outside the country. That includes online income. And all 3 of the countries mentioned above (Costa Rica, Mexico and Panama) have programs like this. So don’t worry about getting caught in their tax nets if you have a digital nomad visa and make money online!
Ditto for the Mexican temporary residency: no income taxes on income earned online.
“Visa runs” used to be a ubiquitous phenomenon among expats & nomads in Mexico. Now they are becoming a thing of the past due to covid restrictions and this new Temporary Residency program for expired tourist visa holders.
You have completed the list of Entry restrictions for Mexico & Central America (as of December 2021). Check out Part 2 for the Entry Requirements for the Caribbean, and Part 3 to learn entry requirements for South American Countries.
Skip the guesswork and develop your ideal Latin Life Plan with our expert help:
){kind=link}