Cabo Entry Requirements Have Changed: A 2025 Guide to a Smooth Arrival

The image of Los Cabos is clear: the stark, beautiful desert meeting the deep blue of the Pacific Ocean, with the iconic Arch standing guard. It’s a destination that promises both rugged adventure and world-class luxury. As you plan your 2025 trip, it’s essential to know that while the destination is as stunning as ever, the process at immigration has seen a significant shift with a key change to the entry requirements.

Here at The Cabo Sun, we want to ensure your arrival is as smooth as a top-shelf tequila. This guide cuts through the online chatter to give you the clear, current rules for entering Los Cabos.

Your Passport: The One Non-Negotiable Rule

Let’s begin with the absolute essential for any international trip to Mexico: a valid passport. This applies to all travelers, including those from Canada and the United States. While Mexican law simply requires your passport to be valid for the duration of your trip, many airlines enforce their own, stricter “six-month validity” rule. This means they may not let you board if your passport is set to expire within six months of your travel date.

Our straightforward advice is this: Check your passport’s expiration date now. If it falls within that six-month window, renewing it is the safest bet to avoid any trouble with your airline at check-in.

The Big Change: Your Length of Stay is No Longer Automatic

For years, visitors arriving at Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) were accustomed to receiving a 180-day entry stamp by default. This long-standing practice became the expectation for Canadian snowbirds, remote workers, and anyone planning an extended escape to the Baja Peninsula.

That is no longer the case. The current policy places the decision entirely in the hands of the immigration officer who processes your entry. The length of stay you are granted is now based on their discretion.

For the vast majority of visitors coming to Cabo San Lucas or San José del Cabo for a standard 7 to 14-day vacation, this policy shift will likely have no impact. When the officer sees your confirmed return flight, you’ll be granted a stay that covers your trip.

The change primarily affects those with long-term plans or one-way tickets. You should be prepared to present evidence of your intentions, such as accommodation bookings and your return flight itinerary, to justify a longer stay. It’s also worth noting that many travelers who use the new automated e-gates report that the system often defaults to the longer 180-day duration, but this should be seen as a possibility, not a guarantee.

So, is there a way to increase your chances of getting the full 180 days? Many travelers, particularly long-stay snowbirds, point to the airport’s automated e-gates. If you are from an eligible country like Canada or the US, you may be directed to one of these self-serve kiosks upon arrival at SJD. The process is quick—you scan your passport and receive a printed receipt. A significant amount of recent traveler feedback confirms that this receipt often defaults to the full 180-day duration, bypassing the discretionary decision of an officer. While it should not be considered a formal guarantee, it’s a widely reported ‘pro-tip’ for those hoping for a longer stay in paradise.

For Luxury Travelers: Arriving by Private Jet

Los Cabos is a premier destination for private aviation, with excellent facilities (FBOs) at both SJD and Cabo San Lucas International Airport (CSL). While arriving via private jet offers unparalleled convenience and privacy, it is crucial to understand that the immigration laws remain the same.

Your flight team will manage much of the logistics, but every passenger must personally clear immigration with a valid passport. The immigration agent at the FBO operates under the same authority as those in the main terminal. The duration of your stay is still a discretionary decision, so even on a private arrival, a 180-day stamp is not guaranteed.

Your Smooth Arrival Checklist

In summary, a smooth arrival in Baja California Sur comes down to two key points: ensure your passport has plenty of validity to satisfy your airline, and be realistic about your length of stay, having your return ticket information handy. A little preparation ensures your focus can remain where it should be: on the stunning sunsets, incredible cuisine, and unique adventures that only Los Cabos can offer. Happy travels!