How long can I stay in Mexico if I buy a house?
November 21, 2025
Thinking about buying property in Mexico? It’s a common, and important, question. Owning real estate does not automatically change your immigration status, but it does open practical paths and strategies to maximize your time in the country.
This guide explains the rules for tourist stays, the residency options linked to investment or income, and realistic steps to turn a holiday home into a longer-term base. Read on for clear, practical advice and links to official guidance
Legally, purchasing a property in Mexico does not grant you a longer tourist stay or immediate residency. As a visitor with a tourist permit (FMM), the maximum period generally available per entry is 180 calendar days, however, the exact number of days granted is at the discretion of the immigration officer when you arrive.
In practice, that means many buyers use tourist status to spend long periods (commonly up to six months at a time) at their Mexican home, but you should not assume automatic long-term residency by virtue of ownership alone.
If your goal is to live in Mexico beyond the tourist limits, you’ll need an immigration status that authorizes longer or permanent stays. The most common routes are temporary residency (renewable up to four years) and permanent residency. Requirements change annually and can vary by consulate, but here are the main pathways and what to expect:
●Income-based: you can qualify by showing steady income or savings that meet the consulate’s solvency thresholds. Many consulates publish specific monthly income or bank-balance figures you must demonstrate
●Investment-based (real estate): in 2025 some consular guidance indicates that a fully paid property with a market value in the higher hundreds of thousands of USD can be used as the basis for a residency application. Exact value thresholds are updated periodically and must be verified with the consulate handling your application.
●Permanent residency has higher financial thresholds (different consulates use slightly different figures), and applicants often must demonstrate a substantially higher monthly income or larger savings. Published guidance for 2025 shows permanent residency financial qualifiers in the neighborhood of several thousand USD per month (commonly cited around $7,000+ per month) or equivalent assets. These figures are revised regularly, so check the relevant consulate for current numbers.
●Residency applications are usually initiated at a Mexican consulate abroad; if approved, you receive a visa sticker to enter Mexico and then exchange the sticker for a resident card at an immigration office. Timing and processing vary by consulate and INM workload
●If you plan to rely on real estate as your qualifying investment, the property typically must be fully paid and free of liens; the notarial documentation and declared values are crucial during the application.
Short answer: owning property can help you qualify for certain residency pathways, but it does not automatically grant an immigrant visa. There are a few ways real estate interacts with immigration:
●Real-estate-based temporary residency: many consulates accept a qualifying property purchase as proof of economic solvency for temporary resident visas (investment route). In 2025, the minimum property value cited for this pathway is often reported in the higher five-figure to low six-figure USD range, but exact thresholds vary and are updated with regulatory changes. Fully paid titles and clear notarial paperwork are typically required.
●Residency by other means is usually simpler to document: income-based temporary residency (showing steady pension or investment income) or family ties are commonly used. For those not meeting an investment threshold, proving regular monthly income or substantial savings is an alternative route.
●Permanent residency by immediate application is usually reserved for those meeting higher financial criteria (e.g., a larger monthly income or substantial assets). If your plan is long-term residence, temporary residency through investment or income, followed by conversion to permanent residency after the required period, is a common strategy.
Buying a house in Mexico is an exciting step, but immigration, notarial, and tax processes can be complex. Jaguar Tulum Real Estate offers practical support across the entire journey: we connect buyers with trusted bilingual immigration attorneys and notaries, help gather the documentation you’ll need for consular applications, coordinate property due diligence, and advise on realistic timelines so you avoid costly mistakes. 🌴📋
📩 Your first consultation is completely free. Let us guide you in making an informed, confident decision—without pressure, and always with your best interest in mind.
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