Mexico: Major Delays Affecting Immigration Application Processing

The situation

Recent operational changes at the National Immigration Institute (INM) are significantly impacting the processing of immigration applications in Mexico.

A closer look

The following issues are currently causing widespread delays and complications for foreign nationals and employers:

• Online appointment constraints across key immigration services. Appointment availability through the INM’s online system for many immigration processes, including post-arrival registrations, temporary residence renewals, permanent residence applications, change of status filings and notifications, is currently extremely limited or entirely unavailable. Even priority cases and family group requests face significant scheduling constraints. Those individuals requiring multiple or consecutive bookings, such as families, face additional challenges due to the lack of coordinated appointment slots.
• Limited in-person capacity at INM offices. An additional issue affecting in-person immigration applications, such as initial temporary residence visa filings, family reunification visas and corporate registrations or updates, is the limited daily capacity of the INM’s in-person queueing system. This constraint has reduced the number of appointment slots available each day, particularly in key cities like Mexico City, Monterrey, Querétaro, Aguascalientes, Toluca, and Guadalajara, delaying the ability to initiate and complete these processes.
• Heightened scrutiny for certain nationalities. A third emerging issue involves foreign nationals from China, Colombia, Cuba, and Venezuela, among others, experiencing overall delays in Mexico City. The scheduling of biometrics appointments is being slowed due to additional internal review—even after their cases have been filed and approved. This added scrutiny is contributing to longer wait times for the issuance of residence cards.

Impact

• Immigration processing delays. Foreign nationals and employers should expect delays for immigration applications (notably in the above-mentioned INM offices) over the next few weeks.
• Delays in obtaining Resident Cards. Delays will also result in longer processing times for foreign nationals obtaining Resident Identity Cards. As these cards are required for payroll enrollment in Mexico, affected individuals’ assignment start dates may be affected.
• Possible travel interruptions. Travel interruptions are possible, as foreign nationals with pending immigration applications require an Exit Permit to travel while awaiting their resident card. These permits cannot be issued until the application is filed and, in some cases, may not be available after a registration, renewal, or similar application is approved in the INM system before the resident card is issued.

Background

Mexico’s National Immigration Institute (INM) has been undergoing leadership transitions since May 2025 following the appointment of a new Commissioner. These changes have triggered staffing shifts, including new immigration directors, and changes in adjudication practices, leading to processing delays.

Looking ahead

These delays can disrupt timelines and impact employee mobility. Companies may need to consider contingency plans or staggered assignments based on appointment availability. While the restructuring may lead to long-term efficiencies, operational delays are expected to persist.

Fragomen is working closely with affected clients and will continue to 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 or send an email to [email protected].