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The update 3.0 for Animal Crossing: New Horizons has introduced a new and exciting way to meet different characters in the game. Before this update, the only villagers you regularly saw were those living on your island, visitors to the campsite, or travelers you met on Mystery Islands.
With the January 2026 update, you can now meet even more villagers through a special new feature. But the big question is: can you invite these visiting villagers to join your island permanently, or are they only there for a quick vacation? Before the update, the answer wasn’t clear, but now that it’s live, we know for sure.
The New Hotel Allows Villagers to Visit Your Island
The update adds a new Resort Hotel, run by Kapp’n and his family. This hotel lets visitors come to your island as tourists. There are eight rooms in the hotel, which means up to eight villagers can visit at the same time—beyond your usual ten residents.
This opening provides a great chance to meet new characters and maybe even find your next favorite villager during their visit. But because the hotel is different from a campsite, people wonder: once a villager visits as a tourist, can you invite them to stay on your island for good?
Can Visitors from the Hotel Become Permanent Residents?
Tourists staying at the hotel are very excited about all the fun things on your island. Sometimes, they may even seem like they wish they could stay forever. Sadly, a temporary vacation is all they’re meant for. No matter how many times you talk to them, the option to ask them to move in never shows up.
Even if you have empty houses or someone is moving out, there’s currently no way to invite a visitor to become a long-term resident. Many fans find this disappointing since the hotel is a fun way to meet new characters, but it doesn’t turn visitors into permanent villagers.
Still Exploring Island Tours
Despite this, Kapp’n continues to offer island tours. You can walk down from the hotel pier to find him on his boat, ready to take you on a new adventure around the island, just as before.
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