INM Cabo San Lucas
Instituto Nacional de Migración — Office Information
Address, hours, appointments, and what to bring
Col. Centro, Cabo San Lucas
BCS, C.P. 23410
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM MST
Closed weekends
How to Book an INM Appointment
Appointments at the Cabo San Lucas INM office are required for most procedures — walk-ins are rarely accepted. The official appointment system is managed online through the INM national portal.
Official INM Appointment Portal
Appointments are booked through the official INM website. The system is entirely in Spanish and requires you to select your specific trámite (procedure), your state (Baja California Sur), and your preferred office (Cabo San Lucas).
Go to inm.gob.mxVisit the INM national website
Navigate to the online appointment (cita previa) section. The interface is in Spanish only.
Select your procedure
Choose the specific trámite: CANJE (resident card exchange), renewal, work permit, etc.
Select Baja California Sur → Cabo San Lucas
Choose your state and the local office. Availability varies — early morning slots fill fastest.
Enter your personal information and confirm
Save or print your confirmation — you must bring it to your appointment. Arrive at least 15 minutes early.
Appointments fill quickly. Book 2–4 weeks in advance, especially during peak season (November through April). If no slots appear, check back daily — cancellations open up regularly.
What to Bring to Your INM Appointment
Document requirements vary by procedure. The lists below cover the most common visit types. Always bring originals and photocopies of every document — INM keeps the copies.
CANJE — First-Time Resident Card (Temporary Residency)
Done within 30 days of entering Mexico with your consulate-issued visa. This is when you receive your physical resident card.
- Passport (original + copy of photo page)
- Valid consulate-issued visa stamp (in your passport)
- FMM form received at the port of entry
- Completed INM application form (available at the office)
- Proof of address in Mexico (rental contract, utility bill, or property deed)
- 2 recent passport photos (white background, 35×45 mm)
- Payment receipt for resident card fee (3,000–5,570 MXN depending on duration)
- If requesting work authorization: job offer letter or employer documentation
Annual Renewal — Temporary Residency
Renew up to 30 days before your card expires. Do not let it lapse — late renewals incur fines and may require restarting from a consulate abroad.
- Current temporary resident card (original + copy)
- Passport (original + copy of photo page)
- Completed renewal application form
- Proof of current Mexican address (if changed since last renewal)
- 2 recent passport photos (white background, 35×45 mm)
- Payment receipt for renewal fee
- Updated proof of income or savings (if INM requests it — not always required for renewals)
Conversion to Permanent Residency
Available after 4 consecutive years of temporary residency. The conversion is done at the local INM office — no consulate visit required.
- Current temporary resident card (original + copy)
- Passport (original + copy of photo page)
- Completed permanent residency application form
- Proof of 4 years of continuous temporary residency (prior cards or INM records)
- Proof of current Mexican address
- 2 recent passport photos (white background, 35×45 mm)
- Payment receipt for permanent resident card fee
Adding Work Authorization to an Existing Card
If you did not request work authorization when you first obtained residency, you can add it later through INM.
- Current resident card (original + copy)
- Passport (original + copy of photo page)
- Employer letter on company letterhead (job title, salary, contract duration)
- Employer's INM registration certificate (constancia de inscripción)
- Completed work authorization application form
- 2 recent passport photos
- Payment receipt for work authorization fee (~1,780 MXN)
Always bring more than you think you need. INM officers may request additional documents not listed here. Having extras — extra photos, extra copies, bank statements — prevents having to reschedule. Document requirements can change without notice.
Common Reasons to Visit the INM Office
CANJE (Card Exchange)
Exchanging your consulate visa stamp for a physical resident card within 30 days of entry.
Annual Renewal
Renewing your temporary resident card each year before the expiration date.
Permanent Residency Conversion
Converting from temporary to permanent resident status after 4 years.
Work Authorization
Adding work permission to an existing temporary resident card.
Address Change Notification
Reporting a change of address in Mexico — required within 90 days of moving.
Lost or Damaged Card Replacement
Replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged resident card with a new one.
Exit / Re-Entry Permit
Requesting a temporary exit permit while your CANJE process is in progress.
Employer Registration
Registering a business to legally sponsor foreign workers (obtains NUT number).
Practical Tips for Your Visit
Only Want to Visit INM Once?
The most common reason people visit INM multiple times is missing a document or having an incorrect form. Working with an INM-registered consultant means your paperwork is complete and correct before you walk in — most clients finish in a single appointment.
Susana Rapini is an INM-registered immigration consultant based in Cabo San Lucas with 15+ years of experience. She prepares all documents, accompanies clients to INM appointments, and handles translation — so you can focus on enjoying Cabo rather than navigating bureaucracy.