Mexico No Longer Grants Default 180-Day Visitor Permit Stays

The change means immigration officials are now strictly exercising their discretion regarding visitor permit durations, moving away from the previous de facto 180-day allowance. This affects passport holders from visa-exempt countries using the Forma Migratoria Multiple for leisure or business trips up to 180 days. Travellers will now receive a stay duration commensurate with their stated intentions and may need to provide supporting evidence like accommodation details and return flights. Those intending to stay longer than a few weeks must clearly communicate their plans to officials upon arrival and request the required number of days, up to the 180-day maximum. The new approach particularly impacts "perpetual visitors" who frequently used the visitor permit for extended stays in the country. Once issued, visitor permits cannot be extended or renewed, meaning the duration granted at the port of entry is final. While certain family connections or special procedures may allow an in-country exchange to a residency permit, generally, applications for legal residency require exiting Mexico.