Freelancing in Mexico isn’t for the weak. Earning in US dollars is even more complex, despite its appeal. From navigating complex payments regulations, securing clients amidst the global competition, and managing irregular income, freelancing in Mexico comes with its challenges. Today, we are hoping to help you with some of those challenges.
Many freelancers have the set skills to compete globally, but lack the platform to express them. However, if you know where to look, there are many platforms for freelancers in Mexico looking to earn US dollars, and we have curated a list just for you. Here is a breakdown of the top platforms where Mexican freelancers can secure gigs and receive payments in USD, focusing on their features, fees, pros, cons, and tips for getting started.
Also read: How freelancers in Mexico can receive payments from the US, UK & EU clients
Upwork is a global market for freelancing talents, connecting them with clients worldwide. With over a million users, the platform provides a wide-range of opportunities from web development, to graphic design, writing, marketing, and administrative support. Mexican freelancers can easily connect with US and international clients who typically pay in USD, allowing earnings to be withdrawn via methods like direct bank transfer, PayPal, or Payoneer.
Onboarding on Upwork requires creating an account and highlighting your skills, portfolio, and rates. You stand a better change is you have a great bio and tailor your timeline to display relevant opportunities. Upwork give you some connects to get started. Connects are like the currency for bidding for jobs. You might have to pay some money to get more connects along the line.
Once you find a gig that suits your skills, you submit a proposal using the connects. Once hired, work is tracked through Upwork's tools, and payments are released upon completion. Upwork deducts a 1% ISR (income tax) on behalf of Mexican users to comply with SAT regulations.
The platform uses a sliding fee structure. You pay 20% on the first $500 billed to a client, 10% on $500.01–$10,000, and 5% beyond that.
Fiverr is one of the biggest gig-based marketplaces. It's popular for creative and digital services like graphic design, video editing, SEO, and programming. Prices depend on how complex the project is. There are no fees to send proposals, and while competition is high, it can be very rewarding if you have a niche skill.
After you sign up and create a seller account, fill out your profile with your name, display name, and a professional photo. Use the right keywords to help clients find you. Write a clear description of your skills and experience, list the languages you speak, and add your education and certifications. You can also link to your professional networks to build trust. Complete the required verification steps to start getting gigs.
Fiverr charges a flat 20% fee on your earnings, plus a $3 processing fee for gigs under $100. You can withdraw your money through PayPal, Payoneer, or bank transfer after a 14-day waiting period, or 7 days if you reach higher seller levels. You can keep your earnings in USD or convert them to another currency.
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This is particularly popular in Latin America, and helps to connect businesses with talents from across the region. Workana offers a secure and protected environment for freelancers to find and complete remote work. Mexican freelancers can find work across a wide array of skills and professions, including IT, design, writing and translation, marketing, administrative support and more.
To get started on Workana, you need to create a profile, describing professional skills and experience. Once you’ve set up your, you can browse through projects that match you expertise. Sometimes, jobs are specifically posted based on location. You can filter your search specifically to see roles tailored to Mexico. Once you get a job, Workana protects freelancers by holding the client's payment in escrow. Funds are released to the freelancer only after the client approves the completed work. There are various withdrawal options, including specific withdrawal methods for local currency in Mexico.
Also read: Top PayPal and Payoneer alternatives for freelancers in Mexico
Freelancer is a marketplace where you bid for jobs, and the best bid wins based on both price and the quality of your proposal. Mexican freelancers can compete for jobs that pay in US dollars from clients around the world. There are also regular contests with prize money, improving your earning possibilities.
Signing up on freelancer.com is simple. Create a profile, add a photo, and include a strong portfolio to attract clients. Browse projects and use filters to find jobs that fit your skills. For most jobs, submit a bid with a proposal explaining why you're the right fit and include work samples. After you finish the project, the client pays you, and the money is transferred to your account. Freelancer takes a commission from your earnings depending on the project type, whether it is fixed-price or hourly project, Freelancers may pay extra for monthly memberships to get more bids, skills assessments, or profile enhancements.
Another popular challenge for freelancers in Mexico is receiving their USD payments without high fees or delayed payouts. This is where Grey comes in. Grey enables freelancers to open USD accounts from Mexico and receive payments directly in USD from freelancing platforms at low charges. Users can decide to hold payouts in USD or withdraw to their local MXN account at competitive rates.
Sign up on Grey today to manage your freelancing earnings without breaking a sweat.
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