Mexico
Key entity, tax, banking, visa, and compliance guidance for foreign founders incorporating in Mexico.
Foreign Ownership Eligibility
Mexico welcomes 100% foreign-owned companies
Fully remote formation — you never need to set foot in the country.
- Foreign founders can incorporate or operate through a taxable PE in Mexico
- Mexico applies 30% federal CIT and 16% VAT baseline
- Tax registration with SAT and RFC enrollment are core setup steps
- Monthly VAT filings are generally due by the 17th of the following month
- Sector restrictions may apply in strategic regulated activities
Ownership
100% Foreign OK
Formation
100% Remote
Note
Confirm local notary and registry execution steps for the specific state where you incorporate.
Tax at a glance
Mexico Tax Overview
30% federal CIT
Corporate income tax
PwC Mexico corporate taxes
16%
VAT (standard)
PwC Mexico other taxes
Applicable under domestic/treaty rules
Dividend withholding
PwC Mexico summaries
Employer obligations apply
Payroll and social
PwC Mexico other taxes
Pros & cons
Advantages & Considerations
Key Advantages
Large domestic market with strong trade integration
Well-established SAT digital tax administration
Clear legal-presence options for foreign founders (resident entity or PE)
Predictable headline CIT and VAT framework
Considerations
State-level execution details can change practical incorporation timelines
Tax and payroll compliance is operationally intensive from launch
Regulated sectors require additional legal analysis before market entry
Incorporation Process
The process is strictly digital. Each stage builds on the previous one.
Choose legal-presence model
Prepare incorporation documents
Register with commercial authorities
Complete SAT and RFC enrollment
Set up VAT and monthly tax workflows
What you'll pay
Cost Architecture
Government Fees
Annual Ongoing
Professional Services
There is no single national all-in fee benchmark in the current fact sheet; budget from local notary and state execution details.
Still unsure about costs?
These are estimates — your actual cost depends on your structure
Every Mexico setup is different. A 15-minute call with one of our specialists will give you a personalised cost breakdown — completely free.
Fintech & Banking
Can non-residents open accounts without visiting? YES.
Banking options for non-resident founders in Mexico. Remote account opening availability varies by institution.
| Institution | Type | Ease for Non-Residents | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| BBVA Mexico | Traditional bank | Low (Visit Required) | Institution-dependent; compliance review required • Varies by institution and service tier • Bank-specific • Corporate records, SAT/RFC data, UBO documentation, business activity profile • SPEI transfers, cards, online banking |
| Banorte | Traditional bank | Low (Visit Required) | Institution-dependent; compliance review required • Varies by institution and service tier • Bank-specific • Corporate records, SAT/RFC data, UBO documentation, business activity profile • SPEI transfers, cards, online banking |
| Santander Mexico | Traditional bank | Low (Visit Required) | Institution-dependent; compliance review required • Varies by institution and service tier • Bank-specific • Corporate records, SAT/RFC data, UBO documentation, business activity profile • SPEI transfers, cards, online banking |
| Citibanamex | Traditional bank | Low (Visit Required) | Institution-dependent; compliance review required • Varies by institution and service tier • Bank-specific • Corporate records, SAT/RFC data, UBO documentation, business activity profile • SPEI transfers, cards, online banking |
| Payment institutions and fintech rails vary by use case | Fintech | High (Remote) | Institution-dependent; compliance review required • Varies by institution and service tier • Bank-specific • Corporate records, SAT/RFC data, UBO documentation, business activity profile • SPEI transfers, cards, online banking |
Regulatory requirements
Annual Compliance Matrix
| Requirement | Deadline | Details |
|---|---|---|
Monthly VAT filings | Ongoing | VAT is generally filed monthly with due date by the 17th of the following month. |
Corporate tax filings | Ongoing | Maintain annual and periodic income-tax compliance with SAT. |
Payroll and social security | Ongoing | Apply employee and employer withholding/remittance requirements where staff are hired. |
Electronic invoicing | Ongoing | Maintain compliant digital invoicing and recordkeeping workflows. |
Frequently Asked
Speak with a Mexico specialist
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