How to bank in Mexico as a tourist, worker, or resident: compare BBVA, Banorte, and neobank Nu on requirements, documents, and CLABE accounts.
For foreigners in Mexico, a temporary or permanent residency (Residente Temporal/Permanente) opens doors most smoothly; a tourist permit (FMM) makes it harder but not impossible, depending on the branch. Traditional majors BBVA México and Banorte have broad networks and fair acceptance; the neobank Nu Mexico (Nubank Mexico) opens fully online with a CURP or passport — the easiest route for foreign residents.
Typical requirements: passport, Mexican visa/resident card, local proof of address (CFE bill or lease), and sometimes an RFC tax ID. BBVA México is fairly foreigner-friendly with a good app; Banorte has wide branches and payroll accounts. You’ll get an 18-digit CLABE number for domestic transfers and receipts.
Nu Mexico is Nubank’s Mexican digital bank: open online with a phone number, CURP, or passport — no monthly fee, no minimum, with virtual/physical debit cards, Apple Pay, and domestic transfers. Friendly to non-residents and foreign residents alike.
Mexico runs on the SPEI real-time transfer network; every account has an 18-digit CLABE for free, instant cross-bank transfers. After opening, SPEI lets you pay cashlessly across OXXO stores, merchant QR codes, and apps.
Working or doing business in Mexico usually requires an RFC tax ID, which some banks ask for at opening. Non-residents aren’t taxed on foreign income, but Mexican-source income is. Declare occupation and source of funds truthfully to avoid freezes.
Hard but possible, branch-dependent. A temporary/permanent residency is safer; foreign residents can use Nu Mexico online.
CLABE is the 18-digit domestic transfer number; with SPEI it enables free instant cross-bank transfers, assigned at opening.
Some banks require it. If you work or run a business, get an RFC first; pure consumer accounts are sometimes exempt.