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Guide for foreign companies · 2026 edition
Doing Business
in Mexico.
The legal, tax and operational decisions a foreign company needs to address before starting operations in Mexico.
and business operations.
01Decisions before investing
02Key documents and dependencies
03Implementation roadmap and checklists
A first perspective
Incorporation is the beginning. Operational planning starts earlier.
Entering Mexico means connecting the business model with corporate structure, banking, people and permits. This guide helps identify what the parent company must decide and what the local team needs to resolve.
Start by defining who sells, invoices, imports, hires and assumes risk. Those decisions shape the entry vehicle, capital, representation and operational approvals. The guide brings together decision criteria, dependencies and practical controls to turn the design into an implementation roadmap.
Three decisions the guide helps you address
Connect the company with its operations
Plan foreign documents, powers of attorney, RFC, e.firma, banking and foreign investment requirements before committing to launch dates.
Build compliance into the launch
Bring hiring, social security, permits, imports and corporate governance into a calendar with clear responsibilities.
Who is this guide for?
Directors, shareholders, legal and finance teams, and expansion leaders considering the establishment or acquisition of a business in Mexico.
Inside the guide
From the entry decision
to local operations.
23 chapters connecting management decisions with documents, controls and implementation steps.
Structure and investment
Entry models, corporate vehicles, capital and the National Registry of Foreign Investment.
Tax and banking readiness
RFC, e.firma, beneficial ownership, KYC documentation and account opening.
People and contracting
Contracts, payroll, social security, specialized services, REPSE and international mobility.
Permits and international trade
Premises, licences, imports, IMMEX, PROSEC and activity-specific requirements.
Governance and protection
Representation, corporate maintenance, intellectual property, data and integrity.
Implementation tools
Ten initial decisions, an indicative 120-day roadmap, checklists and common risks.
View the full contents and page references
- Executive summaryp. 2
- The first ten decisionsp. 3
- Scope and use of this guidep. 5
- 1. Mexico as an investment platform in 2026p. 6
- 2. Designing the market entry modelp. 7
- 3. Foreign investment and regulated activitiesp. 10
- 4. Choosing the corporate vehiclep. 11
- 5. Incorporation and company launchp. 13
- 6. Foreign documents, powers of attorney and legal representationp. 15
- 7. Tax registration, e.firma and tax operationsp. 18
- 8. Beneficial ownership, KYC and bankingp. 20
- 9. National Registry of Foreign Investmentp. 22
- 10. Contracts for starting operationsp. 23
- 11. Employment, payroll and social securityp. 25
- 12. Specialized services and REPSEp. 28
- 13. Immigration and international mobilityp. 29
- 14. Premises, establishments and operating permitsp. 31
- 15. International trade, IMMEX and PROSECp. 32
- 16. Intellectual property, technology and personal datap. 34
- 17. Integrity, competition and risk preventionp. 36
- 18. Corporate governance and recurring compliancep. 38
- 19. A 120-day implementation roadmapp. 39
- 20. Market entry checklistsp. 41
- 21. Common risks and how to prevent themp. 44
- 22. Support from Miranda & Cop. 45
- 23. Glossary and official sourcesp. 47
- Closing perspectivep. 50
Planning implementation
A roadmap for
your launch.
The guide provides an indicative 120-day planning horizon. Each milestone should connect documents, accountable owners and conditions for proceeding to the next operation.
Business model
Activity, structure, investment and objectives.
Presence and control
Documents, entity, capital and authority.
First operation
Banking, taxation, people and permits.
Compliance
Calendar, evidence and reporting to the parent company.
The timetable is indicative and depends on the sector, documentation, banks and authorities. It is not a completion guarantee.
Before you download
Frequently asked questions.
What should I prepare before entering Mexico?
The guide covers foreign documents, powers of attorney, incorporation, tax registration, banking, foreign investment, hiring and permits. Specific requirements depend on the activity and the chosen structure.
Is there a charge for the guide?
No. Request it free of charge by providing your email. Your name, company and subscription to updates are optional.
Which edition will I receive?
The complete 50-page English edition of Doing Business in Mexico 2026, translated from the English edition dated 16 September 2026. Before implementing a transaction, confirm current requirements and the circumstances of your project.
Does the guide replace a project assessment?
The guide provides general guidance. Advice for your project requires an assessment of the activity, investment, participants and intended operation. We can support that assessment and implementation of the agreed scope.
How will you use my email?
To respond to your request and deliver the guide link. Updates and marketing communications depend on your optional preference. The privacy notice is available beside the form.
Let's talk
From an initial assessment to an implementation roadmap.
Tell us the activity, the parent company's home country, your project stage and target date. We will identify the decisions needed to move forward.