Don’t Fall for the 180-Day ‘Tourist Trap’
Why Your Mexico Move Needs a Real Plan
You’ve seen the videos and read the articles: moving to Mexico seems like a dream. And for years, the “easy way” to do it was a common strategy—just use the 180-day tourist permit (FMM), and when it’s about to expire, take a quick trip out of the country (a “visa run”) and re-enter for a new 180-day stamp.
This strategy is no longer just risky; it’s a trap. Relying on this loophole is a flawed and increasingly unworkable foundation for building a life in Mexico. Here’s what we mean and how this “tourist trap” can directly affect your plans.
The Issue: The “180-Day” Permit is No Longer 180 Days
The core problem is simple: You are no longer guaranteed 180 days.
For a long time, immigration officials (INM) would grant the full 180-day stay on the FMM as a matter of course. This led to a widespread belief that it was an automatic right. It never was, but it was common practice.
Now, that practice has ended. Due to the influx of digital nomads, remote workers, and new residents, Mexico’s National Institute of Migration (INM) is enforcing its regulations with far greater stringency.
When you arrive at the airport, the immigration agent has full discretion on the length of your stay. Instead of 180 days, you may be granted a permit for 30 days, 15 days, or even as little as 7 days. This is happening regularly, and it is not a risk you can afford to take.
How This Affects Your Plan to Move
This policy shift fundamentally changes everything for a prospective expat. The “visa run” strategy now carries the inherent risk of complete disruption at every single border crossing.
Here’s how it can affect you:
- You Cannot Plan Your Life: How can you build a life with any degree of certainty? You can’t plan for the next month, let alone the next year, if you don’t know if you’ll be allowed to stay.
- You Cannot Sign a Lease: This is the most immediate and costly impact. No landlord will give you a one-year lease (or even a six-month one) if you can’t prove you’re legally allowed to be in the country for that long. You’ll be stuck paying high-priced, short-term (e.g., Airbnb) rental rates.
- You Cannot Establish Ties: Building a community, enrolling in classes, getting a local gym membership, or even adopting a pet becomes impossible when your presence in the country is unstable and precarious.
- You Risk Serious Legal Trouble: What if you are granted 30 days but your flight out isn’t for 90? Overstaying your tourist permit is a common problem that leads to fines upon departure. More importantly, it creates a negative immigration record, which can severely complicate any future attempts to apply for formal residency.
The Solution: Stop Gambling, Get Residency
The message is clear: the decision to pursue formal residency is no longer merely “advisable” for convenience. It has become strategically essential.
If you are genuinely committed to moving to Mexico, as opposed to simply taking an extended vacation, you must stop gambling. The only viable, long-term solution is to do the research and apply for formal Temporary Residency.
This process, while it requires documentation and financial proofs, is the only way to provide the stability you need. It allows you to sign a lease, open a bank account, and build your new life on a solid, legal foundation. The “visa run” is a relic of the past; formal residency is the only path forward.
