We are making the move to Mexico and need to VPN from US so our US employer will not know about the move. What’s the best option?
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So, reading all the solutions…and not one person suggested…just telling the truth. Just, sort of, you know - be an *honest* person and be upfront about what you want to do?
- ask a friend to use their home network in the US. This way your not using an ip range tied to a server farm, which are commonly blocked by enterprise software.
- Bridge a wifi router in Mexico to their ip address, and only use your work computer on that Wifi Router. This way your computer has no idea your using a vpn, say if you had to also use a work vpn at the same time to connect to services.
- Make sure to change your location on your computer and browser in case it checks.
I prefer to use wireguard to create a vpn tunnel between the two networks https://www.wireguard.com/
Best option is that you use a small cloud provider, or colo space in the USA. With an exit node near where you supposedly live.
Its not enough to be in the USA. You have to actually pretend like you’re where you live or else they’ll know.
Don’t use commercial VPNs or mainstream cloud(AWS) for this, because those IPs as known lists and again IT paying attention can ask questions.
Best best is run your own VPN, with methods I mentioned and the exit node near where you want to appear to live
some company owned laptops (often actually) prevent you from adding a vpn. it depends on how your IT administrator has them set up. but just a heads up!
You’re leaving the country without informing your employer and/or gaining permission? Possibly, grounds for discharge.
We use Nord VPN. It costs us s less than $100/year. I think actually pay $100 every three years, but don’t quote me on that.
I did the same thing and worked for a major tech company for the first year or so I was here. I used a travel router to connect to a Mullvad vpn server in the states then i just connected my work laptop to that. They never had any clue. The only annoyance was when I quit I had to fly back to the states to return their equipment.
I use “deep connect” it’s the best
Don’t. You’ll be paying full US resident taxes and won’t benefit from the expat tax exemption if you do. Or, you’ll get caught when you file your taxes, lose your job, and owe Mexico fines and taxes.
I couldn’t download the vpn software on my work computer so I put it on my personal laptop and set up a personal network and use the laptop connection as a mobile hotspot. The IP address shows Denver.
FYI - if you are using income to qualify for residency, you will need to provide a letter from your employer stating that you are allowed to work remotely from Mexico
Hardware decentralized VPN with ad blockers and more
Option 3 is what you want. Also, be careful what you connect to your travel router when you’re outside of the US. I used this same set up but foolishly connected my phone to my travel router (instead of connecting my phone directly to the wifi in my Airbnb) and my location leaked. Luckily my employer didn’t care, but it’s just something to keep in mind.
Yup option 3 is legit, invest in the best equipment. I travel a months to 3 months at a time around the US and it works great. I have fiber 1 gig internet at home and roommates who take care of the router setup. February will be my first try to Mexico. Recently claimed my Mexican Citizenship, so will be touring the country, and working remotely with option 3, and a Starlink Mini
This is the only realistic answer. It’s a really bad idea to try to trick you employer, get caught, and find yourself without a job in another country.
I did this because all the commercial VPNs were recognized by the network security of my employer (a massive bank) and blocked.
Left a Raspberry Pi at my parents’ place in NY, another at my sister’s place in California, and also used several cloud providers that have 1TB of free network included in their VPS machines ($6-10/mo).
Install and use Tailscale on them. Sadly, it’s not super easy to set up if you’re non technical.
BTW, employer stopped harassing me about why I was working from Mexico. For all intents and purposes I’m still near the office in California.
The VPN runs on the router in these cases.