Mexico: Advance Online Appointment to be Required for All Immigration Filings in Mexico City

• Expected changes. If implemented as expected, the rule would require foreign nationals and employers seeking to submit any applications to the INM in Mexico to schedule an online appointment. Applicants would no longer be able to walk in or schedule an appointment in person (this type of appointment is generally granted within one to ten business after the request).
• Appointment backlogs. As reported last month, the INM is experiencing a backlog of online appointments, which has increased the wait for an online appointment to approximately eight weeks from the date of scheduling the appointment due to high demand before government closures during the holidays and limited appointment availability.

It is not yet known if the current appointment delays will affect the new application types that will be added to the system beginning December 1. If it does, foreign nationals and employers can expect processing delays of several additional weeks past regular processing times for initial Temporary Residence Visas for Remunerated Activities, which may delay the foreign national’s work or payroll start date in Mexico. Additionally, delays with obtaining or updating the Corporate Registration Certificate may prevent employers from sponsoring foreign nationals for initial of renewed temporary residence visas.

In May 2021, the INM introduced an online appointment system in Mexico City, which has since been expanded to 13 other INM branches and 22 types of immigration applications. The system has since eliminated the need for foreign nationals to wait in line for services at the INM. The system currently includes applications for residence permit renewal, change of status to permanent residence and post-arrival registrations, among others. Appointments have generally been granted within one week from the date of booking.

The change is expected to be implemented by other INM branches soon. Fragomen has been actively reaching out to government officials to raise awareness of how these potential delays impact the business community and foreign workers and has been petitioning for practical solutions while appointment delays continue during the holiday travel rush. Fragomen is monitoring these issues and will report on relevant developments.