Journal · Living here
Residency in Mexico, 2026: what is asked, in numbers
Visitor, temporary or permanent resident: how long each lasts, the income or savings consulates ask for this year, and the fees once you are here.
Living here
All articles —Most people who buy in Todos Santos spend the first winters as visitors. When the stays get longer, the question becomes residency. These are the rules and the 2026 numbers.
Three ways to be here
- Visitor: up to 180 days per entry. The immigration officer decides how many days you get, so ask for what you need.
- Temporary resident: from 1 to 4 years.
- Permanent resident: after four years as a temporary resident, or directly if you are retired with a pension.
Where it starts
At a Mexican consulate in your country, with an appointment. Once you enter Mexico with the visa, you have 30 days to exchange it for a residence card at the National Migration Institute (INM).
What consulates ask for in 2026
The law measures solvency in days of the minimum wage, which is MXN 315.04 a day in 2026, and each consulate converts it to dollars. For temporary residence, the Las Vegas consulate asks for US$4,630 a month of income over the last six months or an average balance of US$78,025 over twelve; New York asks for US$4,200 or US$71,500. Owning property in Mexico worth more than 40,000 days of minimum wage, about MXN 12.6 million, also qualifies. Check your own consulate before you book: the figures differ.
The fees once you are here
INM card fees in 2026: MXN 11,140.74 for one year of temporary residence, MXN 25,057.82 for four years, and MXN 13,578.96 for permanent residence.
Residency, taxes and the rest of the practical side are in the Buyer's Guide.
Casi todos los que compran en Todos Santos pasan los primeros inviernos como visitantes. Cuando las estancias se alargan, la pregunta es la residencia. Éstas son las reglas y los números de 2026.
Tres maneras de estar aquí
- Visitante: hasta 180 días por entrada. El agente migratorio decide cuántos días te da, así que pide los que necesitas.
- Residente temporal: de 1 a 4 años.
- Residente permanente: después de cuatro años como residente temporal, o directamente si eres jubilado con pensión.
Dónde empieza
En un consulado de México en tu país, con cita. Al entrar a México con la visa tienes 30 días para canjearla por la tarjeta de residente en el Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM).
Lo que piden los consulados en 2026
La ley mide la solvencia en días de salario mínimo, que en 2026 es de MXN 315.04 diarios, y cada consulado lo convierte a dólares. Para residencia temporal, el consulado en Las Vegas pide US$4,630 al mes de ingreso en los últimos seis meses o un saldo promedio de US$78,025 en doce; Nueva York pide US$4,200 o US$71,500. Ser dueño de un inmueble en México con valor mayor a 40,000 días de salario mínimo, unos MXN 12.6 millones, también califica. Revisa tu consulado antes de sacar cita: las cifras cambian.
Los derechos ya aquí
Tarjeta del INM en 2026: MXN 11,140.74 por un año de residencia temporal, MXN 25,057.82 por cuatro años y MXN 13,578.96 por la residencia permanente.
La residencia, los impuestos y el resto del lado práctico están en la Guía del comprador.
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