INM Offices in Mexico City and State of Mexico Closed Until January 10, 2021
December 21, 2020
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At a Glance
- As part of Mexico’s efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19, the National Immigration Institute has closed its Mexico City (CDMX) and State of Mexico (EDOMEX) branches until at least January 10, 2021.
- As a result, employers and foreign nationals under the jurisdiction of the CDMX or EDOMEX branches will not be able to submit immigration applications and will not receive any adjudications on their applications, including issuance of exit/re-entry permits or residence cards, until the offices reopen.
- Foreign nationals with pending immigration applications who require an exit/re-entry permit may be unable to travel internationally during the closures, except in urgent situations.
- Additionally, foreign nationals and employers can expect processing delays of several additional weeks past regular processing times for all immigration applications in CDMX or EDOMEX, which may delay a foreign national’s work or payroll start date in Mexico.
The situation
As part of Mexico’s efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19, the National Immigration Institute (INM) has closed its Mexico City (CDMX) and State of Mexico (EDOMEX) branches until at least January 10, 2021.
It is expected that the immigration office at the Mexico City International Airport will support the operations of the INM during the closures, but only for issuance of emergency exit/re-entry permits on a case-by-case basis.
Impact
- Effect on applications. As a result, the CDMX and EDOMEX branches will not accept or adjudicate any immigration applications, conduct in-person registration appointments, issue exit/re-entry permits or residence cards, or provide any other immigration services to the public until at least January 10, 2021. Fragomen is contacting affected clients with case-by-case advice.
- Concessions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, all immigration-related deadlines and expirations under the jurisdiction of the INM have been formally postponed until further notice, for foreign nationals with temporary or permanent residence status in Mexico.
- Travel restrictions. However, foreign nationals with pending immigration applications who require an exit/re-entry permit are advised to postpone their international flight unless they need to travel urgently; foreign nationals leaving Mexico without a valid resident card or exit/re-entry permit could have their applications and legal status in Mexico canceled. Foreign nationals with travel plans between now and January 10 should contact their immigration professional.
- Processing delays. Foreign nationals and employers can also expect processing delays of several additional weeks past regular processing times for all immigration applications in CDMX or EDOMEX, which may delay a foreign national’s work or payroll start date in Mexico.
Looking ahead
Other INM branches across Mexico will be closed at least December 25, 2020 through January 3, 2021, as previously announced by the government.
Check Fragomen’s COVID-19 website for updated coronavirus-related immigration news.
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].
