Setting up a company in Mexico also implies complying with certain requirements apart from the registration ones. Among them, there is the condition to obtain a business license in Mexico.
The issuance of a business permit is covered by our Mexican company formation experts in the lines below. We can also assist with the application procedure.
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The most important thing to consider about business permits in Mexico
The highlight of running a company in Mexico is that the country has 3 governmental levels: the federal, the state, and the municipal. This aspect will also affect the requirements for obtaining business licenses.
The first thing to consider when you start a business here is where to apply for the necessary business permit. You do not need to worry, as our company registration specialists in Mexico can advise you if you are a foreign investor and need assistance.
Municipal business permits in Mexico
After registering a company, the first type of Mexican business license you will need must be obtained from the municipal authority. It is known as the operating permit and is required in the following cases:
- when the headquarters of your company is located in the respective city;
- when you have an industrial site in that city;
- when you have a commercial site in the respective city (in this case, it can also be used as the equivalent of a trade license in other countries);
- building permits and zoning licenses are also issued by municipalities in Mexico.
For this purpose, you need to prepare various documents, in accordance with the municipality’s regulations.
Our company formation experts in Mexico can assist with the application for an operating license in Mexico.
State business license in Mexico
The state authorities in Mexico are usually in charge of issuing the following types of business permits:
- local authorizations, which are usually used for trading activities, and are similar to trade licenses;
- signage authorization, which is released for the placement or installation of billboards;
- operational permits.
Our local company registration firm can help you assess the type of business license you need for your Mexican company.
Federal business licenses in Mexico
Most special activities are regulated by the federal government. It also created the national authorities in charge of issuing business licenses on the entire Mexican territory. Among the sectors in which special authorizations are required, we mention the following:
- construction, which falls under the supervision of the Urban Development and Housing Office;
- healthcare, which is handled by the Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks;
- food and beverages, for which the permits are issued by the Ministry of Health;
- financial services, which is governed and licensed by the National Banking and Securities Commission in Mexico;
- tourism and hospitality, which fall under the supervision of the Ministry for Tourism.
Federal business permits require the most complex procedures to obtain. However, with the help of our company incorporation experts in Mexico, you can rest assured that you will comply with the requirements to get the necessary approvals.
How to apply for business permits in Mexico
Here are the steps to apply for any type of business license in Mexico:
- establish the type of permit you need;
- draft the licensing documentation;
- filing the paperwork with the relevant authority;
- pay the licensing fee;
- undergo the necessary inspections, if applicable;
- collect your license.
Foreign investments in Mexico
If you are considering opening a company in Mexico, it may be useful to know that:
- between January the 1st and March the 15th 2024, 73 foreign investment announcements were made by the government;
- these investments are expected to generate 39,192 new jobs in the next 2 to 4 years;
- 57% of them come from the United States.
If you want to set up a business and need assistance in filing for a business license in Mexico, do not hesitate to contact us. We can also help you apply for state business permits that replace trade licenses in Mexico.