Increased Unannounced Inspections and New Criteria for Many Immigration Processes Delaying Applications

The situation

Due to the introduction of new criteria for many immigration processes, immigration authorities may request additional information or documentation during various applications’ adjudication process.

Additionally, the National Institute of Migration (INM) has increased its unannounced workplace visits, which may prolong the INM's response times to pending immigration applications.

A closer look

• New adjudication criteria. Additional criteria the INM has been applying include the following:

  • Renewal applications now require proof that the corporate registration certificate of the Mexican entity sponsoring visas and work permits has been updated. Applications that do not include this proof are currently not being accepted at the “fast track” renewal processing counter, and therefore, approvals or resolutions to renewal applications are taking longer than expected.

• Unannounced workplace visits increased. The INM is increasingly conducting workplace inspections to ensure employers are properly registered and foreign workers have the proper immigration documentation.

  • Impact.

    • Employee registrations (the second stage of a new work permit process) and renewal applications of valid work permits from companies that have a pending inspection, are not being accepted at the “fast track” processing counter, and therefore, approvals or resolutions to these applications are taking longer than expected.

    • INM will not adjudicate the immigration applications of employers with a pending inspection until the inspection is conducted and all inspection-related issues are resolved.

    • Employers notified of an audit/visit should contact their immigration professional as soon as possible to prepare for the inspection.

Other information: resignation-related delays

As previously reported, work permit, permanent residency and corporate registration processes, among others, are still delayed due to the resignation of multiple immigration officials in Mexico City and Monterrey. Affected foreign nationals should contact their immigration professional to determine the extent of the delays.

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].