Update: Processing delays

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the update? The National Institute of Immigration office in Mexico City has announced that temporary resident and permanent ID printing will take 15 to 20 working days once fingerprints have been collected. As previously announced by the office, residence permit renewals and exchanges are taking almost two weeks longer than normal to process. Residence permit renewals and exchanges will take up to 20 business days, rather than the standard seven business days.

• Implementation time frame: Immediate and ongoing.
• Visas/permits affected: Residence permit renewals and exchanges; work permits.
• Who is affected: Employers and foreign nationals in need of residence permit renewals and exchanges in Mexico City. Chinese, Colombian, Czech, Indian, Polish, Romanian, Turkish and Venezuelan nationals applying for work visas.
• Impact on processing times: Processing for renewals and exchanges will be delayed by almost two weeks. Work visa applications will be delayed for certain nationalities.

Background: Mexico has seen significant processing delays in recent months due in part to personnel changes and because the government has shifted resources to address increased migration from Central America.

Analysis & Comments: Employers and foreign nationals should take note of the delays and plan accordingly. Foreign nationals who need to travel abroad while a renewal is pending are encouraged to obtain a departure and reentry permit from their local immigration office at least one week in advance. In the upcoming months, the government is expected to revise certain work permit application criteria for the following nationals: Chinese, Colombian, Czech, Indian, Polish, Romanian, Turkish and Venezuelan. The changes may further prolong processing times, and employers should prepare for potential delays.

Source: Deloitte LLP. Deloitte LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC303675 and its registered office at 1 New Street Square, London EC4A 3HQ, United Kingdom.