Mexico: Immigration Processing Delays and Increased Residential Verifications in Guadalajara

The National Immigration Institute (INM) office in Guadalajara is experiencing significant processing delays across all in-country immigration applications due to ongoing operational restructuring. Applications, including post-arrival registrations, temporary residence renewals, permanent residence applications, change-of-status filings and notifications, are exceeding standard processing times. In some cases, adjudications are taking more than six months, resulting in a broad backlog and limited visibility on expected resolution dates. 

Additionally, the Guadalajara office has introduced enhanced review measures that further extend timelines. It has increased unannounced “control and verification visits” (visitas de control y verificación) to the registered residential addresses of foreign national applicants, particularly in renewal and change-of-status cases. If the applicant is not present at the registered address at the time of the visit, the INM issues a formal notice requiring follow-up at the office. These visits have been reported more frequently in remote work arrangements, especially where the employer is based in a different city and the application indicates that the foreign national will reside and work remotely from Guadalajara. 

Exit permits, which allow travel while an application is pending, so far continue to be issued under regular timelines and are not currently affected. 

Foreign nationals and employers should expect continued delays for immigration applications in Guadalajara in the coming months. Processing times may increase further in April due to annual corporate registration updates, which typically raise filing volumes. Foreign nationals and employers should ensure that residential addresses registered with INM accurately reflect current living arrangements. Foreign nationals should closely monitor INM communications and respond promptly to any notification issued after a verification visit. Fragomen is advising affected clients on a case-by-case basis and will report on relevant developments.  

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at  Fragomen.