Transition to New Officials Causing Processing Delays

Processing delays and inconsistent application of adjudication criteria are expected while new officials take office in Mexico City. Following allegations of increased irregularities, the immigration authorities were granted additional funds and resources, likely resulting in an increase of unannounced site visits to employers.

Processing Delays and On-Site Inspections

Application backlogs and processing delays are expected following the unannounced restructure of mid- to high-level positions within the immigration office in Mexico City. As a result, immigration officials will likely implement control measures and apply immigration regulations more strictly. In addition to the increased processing times of applications in progress, additional requirements may be introduced in the near future, which would affect ongoing and new processes. 

Amid allegations of irregularities among  immigration offices, the Unit of Immigration Control and Verification has been granted additional funds and resources. National Immigration Institute (NII) officials have already increased the amount of on-site inspections and verification calls to employers.  This trend is expected to continue for the rest of the year, especially in high-volume jurisdictions like Mexico City, Monterrey, Guadalajara, Villahermosa and San Luis Potosi, among others.

What This Means for Employers and Foreign Nationals

Processing times for new visa applications and ongoing processes will most likely be impacted by the internal personnel restructure ordered by the NII. The number of site visits to employers will escalate this year; although these inspections are not considered a formal government audit, failure to comply with officials' requests can trigger a formal audit.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen Worldwide or send an email to MexicoCityInfo@fragomen.com.