The End of the 180-Day ‘Snowbird’ Permit: Why Los Cabos Temporary Residency Is Now Essential

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You’ve found your slice of heaven in Los Cabos. The condo in San José is perfect, the view from your Pedregal villa is epic, and you’ve finally mastered the perfect sunset margarita. For years, the rhythm was simple: fly into SJD, get a 180-day tourist permit, and enjoy six months of Baja bliss.

Well, it’s time to talk. That easy six-month pass is becoming a thing of the past, and the rules for enjoying your long-term Baja life have changed in 2025. If you’re a snowbird, vacation homeowner, or anyone who loves staying in Cabo for more than a few weeks, relying on the old way is a high-stakes gamble you don’t want to lose.

So, What Happened to the 180-Day FMM?

Remember that little paper form you used to fill out on the plane, the Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMM)? For those flying into major airports like Los Cabos (SJD), that form is gone. The process is now digital, faster, and much more direct.

When you arrive at the immigration counter, you’ll hand over your passport. The agent will scan it, and instead of a separate paper card, they will place a stamp directly in your passport. Next to that stamp, the agent will hand-write the number of days you are permitted to stay. It could be 30, 90, or, if you get lucky, 180.

This is the new reality: the number of days you receive is entirely at the immigration officer’s discretion. That little number scribbled in your passport is now your official countdown clock. Banking on getting the full 180 days to cover your winter season or extended stay has become a stressful roll of the dice.

The Stress-Free Solution: Becoming a Baja Resident

If you’re serious about your time in Los Cabos, it’s time to stop gambling at the airport and start planning. The official, stress-free, and proper way to live in Mexico for more than six months is by getting a Temporary Resident Visa.

Think of it as the official key to paradise. This visa is designed for foreigners who want to live in Mexico for more than 180 days and up to four years. It allows you to come and go as you please, open a local bank account, get a driver’s license, and most importantly, it gives you profound peace of mind. No more sweating in the immigration line, hoping you get a generous agent. After four years, you can even apply for permanent residency.

Speaking from experience, I have been a temporary resident for the past three and a half years, and the feeling of freedom when you arrive in Mexico is a benefit I never take for granted. The even better news? After completing your four years as a temporary resident, you can apply to become a permanent resident. Trust me, I’m counting down the days!

Show Me the Money! The 2025 Requirements

So, how do you get this golden ticket? The most common route for expats and homeowners is by proving “economic solvency.” This is simply showing the Mexican government that you can support yourself without taking a job in Mexico.

Based on the official 2025 requirements from Mexican consulates, you need to meet ONE of the following two options:

1. Steady Monthly Income: You must prove a consistent, after-tax monthly income of around $4,100 – $4,200 USD. You’ll need six months of official bank statements or pay stubs to prove it.
2. Significant Savings: You must show an average balance of at least $69,000 – $70,000 USD in a savings or investment account over the last twelve months.\

You only need to meet one of these criteria, not both. The exact dollar amounts can fluctuate slightly based on exchange rates and vary a tiny bit between consulates, so always check with the specific one you’ll be visiting.

The All-Important First Step

Here’s the most critical part of the process: You MUST apply for your Temporary Resident Visa at a Mexican consulate outside of Mexico. You cannot already be in Mexico on a tourist permit and decide to change your status.

You’ll schedule an appointment at a consulate in your home country, bring your passport, application, photos, and your financial documents, and pay a small fee. Once approved, they’ll place a visa sticker in your passport. You then have 180 days to enter Mexico and, within 30 days of arriving, you must visit a local immigration (INM) office—in either Cabo San Lucas or San José del Cabo—to finalize the process and get your official resident card.

 This Facebook group is literally GOLD when it comes to information regarding getting your temporary visa for Mexico. I used it daily to research and cover all my bases.

It sounds like a bit of legwork, but it’s a small price to pay for trading visa anxiety for more time enjoying fish tacos on Medano Beach and watching the whales pass by. Good luck, and welcome to your new, stress-free life! The Cabo Sun welcomes you with open arms!