Mexico’s consulates in the U.S. have seen an increase in appointments, documentation and legal consultations in response to the Foreign Ministry’s strengthened efforts to digitize, simplify and expand consular services offered in the United States.

Key Points:

  • The Foreign Ministry’s initiatives resulted in a 21% increase in appointments this April compared to the same period in 2024. Documentation rose by 179% during this time frame.
  • Between Jan. 1 and April 25 this year, Mexico’s consulates provided 6,800 legal consultations and addressed more than 43,000 protection and assistance cases, with 75% involving immigration-related legal advice.
  • The Center for Information and Assistance for Mexicans, which provides 24/7 telephone support on consular protection matters, has assisted more than 69,000 Mexican nationals since January. This is a 65% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. 

Copyright © 2025 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com. 

The Mexican government introduced reduced passport processing requirements as part of a new system streamlining administrative procedures.

Key Points:

  • In February, officials introduced an agreement streamlining administrative procedures.
  • The measure simplifies the issuance of passports, identity and travel documents and the legalization of public documents for use abroad.
  • The number of requirements for first-time adult and minor passport applicants were reduced, as were the requirements for passport renewals due to loss or theft.

Additional Information: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched a new passport system last month under the agreement and now has the technology to access and print civil registry documents such as birth, marriage, death and adoption certificates, among others. Passport applicants may still need to submit these documents if the Passport Office requests them when their digital systems cannot access the necessary records. Government officials stated the Digital Transformation Agency is assisting with the initiative and marks the beginning of a “new era in passport issuance.”

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2025 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Mexican government requires companies that employ foreign nationals to update their corporate registration certificate (CRC) after filing their taxes each respective fiscal year.

Key Points:

  • Companies employing foreign workers must update their CRC with the National Immigration Institute (INM) no later than April 30, 2025.
  • The tax filing deadline is March 31; the corporate registration filing must be completed within 30 days after filing taxes.

Additional Information: To prevent any delays or complications, companies should work with the INM to validate certificates before the end of April. Companies may be required to have an individual make an in-person appearance to complete the company registration process at their local regional office.

BAL Analysis: Companies are encouraged to update their CRC as soon as possible after they receive their Annual Tax Declaration confirmation, no later than April 30. If an employer’s CRC is not updated on time, the INM may delay or reject its immigration applications.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2025 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

Mexican immigration offices are reintroducing online appointments via the National Immigration Institute’s online appointment system for certain immigration applications.

Key Points:

  • As BAL previously reported, the National Immigration Institute originally introduced an online appointment system for common immigration procedures in 2021 but temporarily suspended the system in March 2022.
  • As of Sept. 17, foreign nationals can now use the system to schedule application appointments.
  • The system will open for 18 types of immigration applications/procedures, including permanent residence change of status applications, temporary residence renewals and family visas, among others.

BAL Analysis: Foreign nationals and employers should note the resumption of the online appointment system but should expect processing delays in the transition period from the current in-person appointment system.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2024 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The U.S. Embassy in Mexico City launched a program on March 20 allowing first-time B1/B2 visitor visa applicants to move appointments to an earlier date without additional fees.

Key Points:

  • Earlier appointment slots will be open throughout 2024 at no cost for first-time Mexican visitor visa applicants with existing visitor visa appointments in 2025 or later.
  • Eligible and selected applicants will receive email notifications from donotreply@usvisa-info.com with instructions on rescheduling to an earlier appointment date.
  • If the appointment system does not show availability, applicants should check back periodically as new appointment dates will be added throughout the year.

Additional Information: The U.S. Embassy and its nine consulates throughout Mexico issued 2.3 million visas in 2023, the highest number to date. Consulate officials noted that the new program is expected to substantially reduce wait times for hundreds of thousands of applicants and facilitate travel for more Mexican nationals to the U.S., “This promising initiative demonstrates the U.S. Embassy’s commitment to reducing wait times for visa interview appointments and facilitating legitimate travel to the United States, including for work, study, and leisure.”

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice Group.

Copyright © 2024 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Mexican government announced that Peruvian nationals arriving for tourism or business will soon require a Mexican visa to enter the country.

Key Points:

  • Beginning April 20, Peruvian nationals must have a visa to enter Mexico for tourism or business purposes unless they:
    • Have a valid or unexpired multiple-entry visa from Canada, the U.S., Japan, the United Kingdom, Ireland or any country belonging to the Schengen area.
    • Are a permanent resident of Canada, Chile, Colombia, the U.S., Japan, the United Kingdom, Ireland or any country belonging to the Schengen area.
  • Scheduled trips made prior to April 20 do not require a Mexican visa.

Additional Information: More information regarding visitor visas can be found here.

BAL Analysis: Peruvian nationals who do not meet one of the exemptions could face more administrative processes and incur additional costs to travel to Mexico for business and tourism purposes.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2024 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Mexican government requires companies that employ foreign nationals to update their corporate registration certificate after filing their taxes each year.

Key Points:

  • Companies employing foreign workers must update their CRC with the National Immigration Institute (INM) no later than April 30.
  • The tax filing deadline is March 31; the corporate registration filing must be completed within 30 days after filing taxes.
  • Employers should also notify INM of any additional company changes (e.g., legal representation, registered address, legal name, branches, etc.) to keep their corporate file up to date. This notification must be made within 90 calendar days of the date of the change.

Additional Information: To prevent any delays or complications, companies should work with INM to validate certificates before the end of April. Companies may be required to have an individual make an in-person appearance to complete the company registration process at their local regional office.

BAL Analysis: Companies are encouraged to update their CRC as soon as possible after they receive their annual tax declaration confirmation, no later than April 30. If an employer’s CRC is not updated on time, INM may delay or reject its immigration applications.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2024 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Brazilian and Mexican governments have agreed to resume allowing citizens of the other country to apply for e-visas for tourist and business travel.

Key Points:

  • The Brazilian and Mexican foreign ministers announced they will resume use of e-visas for citizens of each country for tourist and business travel in the upcoming months.
  • Until the new system goes into effect, Brazilians may enter Mexico with a valid visa or if they are permanent residents of Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States or some Schengen Area countries.

Additional Information: The governments have not yet announced when the agreement will go into effect. The countries previously had a mutual e-visa agreement, but Mexico suspended e-visas for Brazilian nationals in August 2022.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Mexican government has announced that it will verify job offers abroad to prevent fraudulent activities.

Key Points:

  • Mexican authorities will begin verifying job offers before immigration procedures can continue.
  • Mexican nationals looking for jobs in Canada and the United States are encouraged to use the Online Employment Portal to avoid fraudulent postings.
  • More information regarding the job verification process is available here.

BAL Analysis: The Mexican government introduced the new job verification measures to protect its citizens against fraudulent activities.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Mexican government will require companies that employ foreign nationals to update their corporate registration certificate after filing their taxes for the 2022 fiscal year.

Key Points:

  • Companies employing foreign workers must update their CRC with the National Immigration Institute (INM) no later than April 30.
  • The tax filing deadline is March 31; the corporate registration filing must be completed within 30 days after filing taxes.
  • Companies that have an REPSE certificate must submit it in order to update their registration file.

Additional Information: To prevent any delays or complications, companies should work with the INM to validate certificates before the end of April. Companies may be required to have someone make an in-person appearance to complete the company registration process at their local regional office.

BAL Analysis: Companies are encouraged to update their CRC as soon as possible after they receive their Annual Tax Declaration confirmation no later than April 30. If an employer’s CRC is not updated on time, the INM may delay or reject its immigration applications.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.