The Mexican government has expanded a pilot program to expedite entry processes for foreign nationals entering Mexico through airports.

Key Points:

  • Immigration authorities are no longer requiring foreign nationals entering Mexico through any airport for tourism or short-term business purposes to complete the Multiple Immigration Forms (FMM). Previously, the program was only available to those entering through the Guadalajara and Cancun airports
  • Instead of requiring the FMM, immigration authorities are stamping foreign nationals’ passports, indicating their length of legal stay within the stamp.

BAL Analysis: The Mexican government has implemented the program for expedited entry with the goal of streamlining the entry process for foreign nationals traveling for tourism or short-term business purposes.

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

Copyright © 2022 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 modify its visa procedures for Brazilian nationals traveling for tourism or nonpaid business activities.

Key Points:

  • Beginning Aug. 18, Brazilian nationals traveling will no longer be able to apply for e-visas to enter Mexico for tourism or nonpaid business activities.
  • Brazilian nationals intending to enter Mexico for tourism or nonpaid business activities will need to apply for a visa at local Mexican consular offices by scheduling an appointment on this website.
  • Brazilian nationals may still be eligible for an e-visa if they hold a current visa issued by Canada, Japan, the U.K., the U.S. or a Schengen Area country; or they are a permanent resident of Canada, Japan, the U.K., the U.S., any Schengen Area country or any Pacific Alliance country.
  • Brazilian nationals who obtain visitor visas from Mexican consular offices will be able to stay in Mexico for up to 180 days per each entry.

BAL Analysis: Brazilian nationals who are planning travel to Mexico for tourism or nonpaid business activities should expect additional administrative processes and increased costs when applying for Mexican visas.

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

Copyright © 2022 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 launched a pilot program to expedite entry processes for certain foreign nationals entering through the airports in Guadalajara and Cancun.

Key Points:

  • As of Aug. 2, immigration authorities at the Guadalajara and Cancun airports are not requiring foreign nationals traveling for tourism or short-term business purposes to complete the Multiple Immigration Forms (FMM).
  • Instead of requiring the FMM, immigration authorities are stamping foreign nationals’ passports, indicating their length of legal stay within the stamp.
  • As of Aug. 2 the Mexican government has not expanded the pilot program to other points of entry but may do so without notice.

Additional Information: Foreign nationals are able to obtain an electronic FMM online through this website. Once the form is completed, travelers can present the form to show to immigration authorities upon arrival, who will then stamp the travelers’ length of legal stay in Mexico.

BAL Analysis: The Mexican government has implemented the pilot program for expedited entry with the intent of streamlining the entry process for foreign nationals traveling for tourism or short-term business purposes.

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

Copyright © 2022 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 launched a pilot program to expedite entry processes for certain foreign nationals entering through the airports in Guadalajara and Cancun.

Key Points:

  • As of Aug. 2, immigration authorities at the Guadalajara and Cancun airports are not requiring foreign nationals traveling for tourism or short-term business purposes to complete the Multiple Immigration Forms (FMM).
  • Instead of requiring the FMM, immigration authorities are stamping foreign nationals’ passports, indicating their length of legal stay within the stamp.
  • As of Aug. 2 the Mexican government has not expanded the pilot program to other points of entry but may do so without notice.

Additional Information: Foreign nationals are able to obtain an electronic FMM online through this website. Once the form is completed, travelers can present the form to show to immigration authorities upon arrival, who will then stamp the travelers’ length of legal stay in Mexico.

BAL Analysis: The Mexican government has implemented the pilot program for expedited entry with the intent of streamlining the entry process for foreign nationals traveling for tourism or short-term business purposes.

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

Copyright © 2022 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 require Colombian nationals to complete an online preregistration before traveling by air to Mexico.

Key Points:

  • As of April 1, Colombian nationals who are traveling by air to Mexico are required to complete an online preregistration.
  • Colombian nationals can compete the online preregistration on this website. After completing the preregistration, individuals will receive a QR code and Mexico’s Multiple Migration Form (FMM) that they must print and show immigration authorities when entering Mexico.
  • More information regarding the online preregistration system is available here.

Additional Information: The preregistration system gives Colombian nationals the opportunity to declare the purpose of their trip and provide appropriate travel documents before arriving in Mexico.

BAL Analysis: The Mexican government has implemented the online preregistration system with the intent of making it quicker and safer to travel between Mexico and Colombia.

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

Copyright © 2022 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 temporarily suspended the National Immigration Institute’s (INM) online appointment system for immigration applications.

Key Points:

  • As of March 15, foreign nationals can no longer use the online appointment system to schedule application appointments.
  • Foreign nationals who have not scheduled an appointment must now go to a local immigration office to request an application appointment.
  • Foreign nationals who have previously booked an application appointment through the system are unaffected by the system suspension. The INM will honor previously made appointment applications.

BAL Analysis: Foreign nationals and employers should note the suspension of the online appointment system and should expect processing delays.

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

Copyright © 2022 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 will require companies that employ foreign nationals to update their corporate registration certificate (CRC) after filing their taxes for the 2021 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.

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. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 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 no longer offer visa-free travel to Venezuelan nationals.

Key Points:

  • Beginning Jan. 21, Venezuelan nationals will not be able to enter Mexico for tourism or business without a visa.
  • Venezuelan nationals must apply for a visitor visa through a local consular office.
  • The visitor visa allows foreign nationals to stay in Mexico for up to 180 days for each entry.
  • Venezuelan nationals who are permanent residents of Canada, Japan, the U.K., the U.S. or any Schengen Area country are not required to obtain a visitor visa before traveling to Mexico and can continue to travel visa-free.

BAL Analysis: Authorities made the decision to end visa-free travel for Venezuelan nationals with intent to slow migration between the two counties. The new requirement will add to the time and cost of traveling to Mexico for Venezuelan business travelers or tourists.

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

Copyright © 2022 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 has announced that immigration offices will be closed for two weeks beginning Dec. 17.

Key Points:

  • Immigration services will be unavailable from Dec. 17 until Jan. 3, 2022.
  • All visa and permit processing will be delayed and wait times will increase.
  • Employers and employees with pending immigration applications should expect delays during the holidays.

Additional Information: Immigration offices in Mexico normally close for a two-week period during the winter holidays.

BAL Analysis: Individuals with pending matters before the INM should file applications as soon as possible in order to minimize any delays that could result from holiday closures.

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

Copyright © 2021 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 has announced it will revoke visa-free entry for Brazilian nationals.

Key Points:

  • Beginning Dec. 11, Brazilian national must have a visa to enter Mexico for business or tourism purposes unless they:
    • Have a valid visa from or permanent residence in Canada, Japan, U.K., U.S. or a Schengen Area country.
    • Are a permanent resident of Chile, Colombia or Peru.
    • Have an Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Travel Card (ABTC).

Additional Information: In general, visitor visas for Mexico will allow foreign nationals to stay in the country for up to 180 days. More information regarding visitor visas can be found here.

BAL Analysis: Brazilian nationals who do not meet one of the exemptions will 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. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 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.