Mexico: Processing Delays and Policy Changes Possible During Transition to New Immigration Commissioner

Update – August 12, 2025: Delays at Mexico’s INM have worsened due to internal restructuring, limited appointment availability and shifting case priorities. Appointment slots, both online and in-person, are especially scarce in major cities, significantly impacting immigration timelines. Foreign nationals from countries such as China, Colombia, Cuba and Venezuela, among others, are experiencing further delays due to heightened scrutiny. As a result, visa approvals and resident card issuance are being postponed, affecting assignment start dates, payroll enrollment, and travel planning for affected individuals and employers. Refer to our full alert for more details.  

June 2, 2025: The Mexico City branch of the INM is experiencing processing delays for initial visa approvals due to leadership changes, including the appointment of a new head official and immigration directors responsible for adjudicating these applications. Employers and foreign nationals should anticipate delays of several days beyond regular processing times for new temporary residence visa applications (including those for remunerated activities and family-based cases) filed in Mexico City. Additional operational changes are expected following the INM’s leadership transition. These may include staffing shifts across other INM branches, changes in adjudication practices, and the introduction of new procedures focused on digitalization and in-person application filing. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as developments occur.

April 16, 2025: Mexico’s President, Claudia Sheinbaum, has officially announced that Sergio Salomón will be appointed as the new Commissioner of the National Immigration Institute (INM), effective May 1, 2025. Francisco Garduño will continue to serve as Commissioner until that date to ensure continuity during the transition. Salomón’s appointment, initially announced in October 2024 but then delayed for a transitional period, signals a continued focus on immigration control, but with potential changes in senior staffing and adjudication practices. Operational shifts, particularly regarding digitalization and application procedures, are still anticipated. We will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as they become available.

February 28, 2025: Mexico's president has confirmed that the current Commissioner, Francisco Garduño, will remain in this post and not be replaced to avoid disruptions while immigration remains a fundamental issue of cooperation with the United States. 

October 11, 2024: Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum has named Sergio Salomón, the current governor of the State of Puebla, as the new Commissioner of the National Immigration Institute (INM). The Commissioner of the INM can appoint 32 directors of offices across the nation and set the policy for immigration to the country. Salomón, who will start this new role in December 2024, is expected to continue the immigration policies of the previous government with a focus on immigration control. However, there may be replacement of higher-level staff, including directors who approve or deny immigration applications, which could result in immigration processing delays and certain changes in adjudication practices and policy. The INM is also expected to introduce process changes focused on digitalization and how applications are filed on site. We will monitor the situation and report on related developments.