Immigration Offices to Remain Open Through Holidays

The situation

The new administration announced today that the Mexican National Immigration Institute offices will only be closed December 25, 2018 and January 1, 2019, contrary to the dates it previously reported.

A closer look

The Immigration Institute will accept all immigration applications, including initial visas, registrations and exit permits, from 9am - 1pm from December 19 through January 2, except the two days it is closed, and will continue to adjudicate cases that were previously filed during the holiday season.

Impacts

• New deadline for residence permit renewals. Foreign nationals in Mexico with residence permits expiring December 20 - January 1 must file their residence permit renewal applications no later than January 2 (and not January 7, as initially informed by the authorities). Foreign nationals who fail to do so will be considered out of status and will need to complete a regularization process, which is costly and administratively burdensome.
• New date for counting renewal deadline. Foreign nationals outside Mexico with residence permits expiring December 20-January 1 will need to file their visa renewal application within five business days of their arrival date. If they arrive prior to January 1, the first business day will be counted as of January 2, and not January 7, as the Institute previously informed.
• Application backlog. The Immigration Institute’s longer holiday work schedule is expected  to help alleviate the significant backlog of applications currently pending resolution.
• Delays likely. The Immigration Institute will accept and process applications during its open hours, but applicants should expect delays due to reduced staff.
• Guadalajara applicants. Foreign nationals seeking to apply at the Immigration Institute in Guadalajara should contact their immigration professional for specific advice due to separate operating hours.
• Audits possible. Employers should be prepared for potential audits as the Immigration Institute may continue to conduct unannounced employer visits during its new operating hours, following the trend previously reported.

Looking ahead

This is one of the first changes implemented by the new government in Mexico. Fragomen expects more changes in the near future and will report on relevant developments as they occur.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].