Immigration department changes prompting significant delays

IMPACT – HIGH

What is the change? Several major staffing changes at Mexico’s immigration agency, the National Migration institute, including the appointment of a new commissioner to head the agency, are causing significant processing delays countrywide.

What does the change mean? Applicants should anticipate delays of four to six weeks and unpredictability in immigration processing in the coming months.

• Implementation time frame: Immediate and ongoing.
• Visas/permits affected: All immigration services, including work permits, residency permits, exit/re-entry permits, exit permits for minors, tourist cards, etc.
• Who is affected: Applicants seeking immigration services in Mexico.
• Impact on processing times: Applicants should anticipate delays of four to six weeks.
• Business impact: The delays may affect business schedules and start dates of expatriate workers.

Background: A new commissioner was appointed Monday to replace the former INM head. Additionally, the staff of the Mexico City office will be replaced and on Tuesday multiple immigration officials resigned. The staff changes are seen as preparation for the general election that will take place July 1.

BAL Analysis: Employers and individual applicants should anticipate immigration processing delays of several weeks and a possible backlog as the INM is reorganized.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Mexico. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

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