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IMPACT – MEDIUM
What is the change? The Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM) has postponed plans to shift all visa and permit processing in Mexico City to the city’s regional office. The INM’s main office in Mexico City will continue to accept applications until further notice.
What does the change mean? While the change will reduce the anticipated workload for the Mexico City regional office, demand remains high and continued delays should be expected in the capital and throughout the country. Employers should continue to plan ahead, submit applications as early as possible and work closely with their immigration provider if they have questions about pending applications.
• Implementation time frame: Ongoing. The change was expected to take effect Oct. 1, but has been postponed until further notice.
• Visas/permits affected: All visas and permits.
• Who is affected: Employers and foreign nationals applying for visas or permits in Mexico City.
• Impact on processing times: Processing times continue to be significantly longer than normal. Specific processing times vary depending on the type of visa or permit and the region.
Background: Mexico City has two INM offices, the INM’s national headquarters and a regional office serving the federal district. All 31 Mexican states also have regional offices. Authorities announced this week that they would postpone a recently announced plan to move all visa and permit processing in Mexico City to the regional office.
Analysis & Comments: Mexico has been grappling with processing delays for months now, largely because of changes in personnel and increased migration from Central America. While the postponement will reduce the expected workload for the Mexico City regional office, employers should continue to plan ahead and submit applications as early as possible. In some cases, employers may need to adjust employee start dates because of delays.
Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/aboutto learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2019. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.
IMPACT – HIGH
What is the change? The Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM) is preparing to shift all visa and permit processing in Mexico City to its regional office. The INM’s main office in Mexico City will no longer accept applications as of Oct. 1.
What does the change mean? The change will increase the workload for the Mexico City regional office, potentially contributing to additional processing delays. Employers should continue to plan ahead, submit applications as early as possible and work closely with their immigration provider if they have questions about pending applications.
Background: Mexico City has two INM offices, the INM’s national headquarters, as well as a regional office serving the federal district. All 31 Mexican states also have regional offices. Beginning Oct. 1, all visa and permit processing in Mexico City will be shifted to the regional office. These applications will no longer be accepted at the main office.
Mexico has been grappling with processing delays for months now, and the change in Mexico City procedures could increase the challenges for applicants in the nation’s capital. Other factors in the delays include changes in personnel and increased migration from Central America.
Analysis & Comments: Delays continue to be a challenge across Mexico and could increase in Mexico City as the regional INM office takes over all visa and permit processing. Employers should continue to plan ahead and submit applications as early as possible. In some cases, employers may need to adjust employee start dates.
Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2019. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.
What is the change? The Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM) is expected to make significant staffing reductions in the coming weeks under an austerity law approved earlier this year. What does the change mean? The change could compound processing delays that companies in Mexico have been experiencing for months. Employers should continue to plan ahead and submit applications as early as possible.
Additional information: Employers in Mexico have been grappling with immigration processing delays for months, the result largely of government personnel changes and increased migration from Central America. There are few signs that the trend will reverse itself. Mexico struck an agreement with the United States to increase enforcement of irregular migration, and the upcoming personnel reductions are expected to exacerbate the slowdown in processing.
The INM is also under new leadership after Francisco Garduño Yáñez took over as commissioner last month. Observers expect Garduño Yáñez will take a stricter approach on immigration.
Some employers have already reported an uptick in immigration and security checks for foreign nationals traveling in Mexico or entering the country. Foreign nationals are reminded to carry their passport and original immigration document with them while working, on business or when traveling in Mexico. Foreign nationals traveling to Mexico should be prepared to present their passport, visa (if required) and documentation showing the purpose of their trip. Visa-required nationals should expect the possibility of longer security checks.
Analysis & Comments: Mexico continues to face significant processing delays that could be compounded by additional personnel changes. While it is difficult to predict the direction the INM will take under the new leadership, the focus of resources on irregular migration and the personnel reductions suggest that delays are likely to continue at least through the end of the year. Employers are encouraged to plan ahead as best as possible. Employers may also wish to remind employees to carry proper documentation when traveling in or to Mexico, especially in light of reports of increased immigration and security checks.
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.
What is the change? The Instituto Nacional de Migracion (INM) has stepped up on-site inspections to ensure that all companies are audited and in compliance with immigration and labor law.
What does the change mean? Authorities have announced a new policy that requires all companies employing foreign workers to be audited annually. Since the announcement, the INM has been conducting employer site visits to complete the audit process and ensure that the information provided during the annual employer registration is accurate. The inspections focus largely on making sure that foreign workers have the proper documentation to carry out the work they are conducting, that assignees listed in INM systems are indeed working for the company and ensuring that INM records on foreign workers are accurate.
Next steps: Companies should make sure they have an updated list of all employees that matches the corporate registry and exit documentation for all employees who are no longer with the company. Companies should also make sure that a legal representative or human resources specialist will be able to be present during the audit process.
Background: Employer audits are common practice for the INM, especially during the time of employer registration updates (March-April). According to Mexican immigration law, immigration authorities are able to conduct on-site visits of Mexican entities that hire foreign nationals in order to verify their identity. Officials are more likely to conduct an inspection in cases where a company seeks to have a visa or other immigration applications approved, is updating their employer registration certificate or has not been subject to a site visit in more than a year. Under instructions from the new government, all companies must be audited and should expect a visit by the authorities.
Analysis & Comments: Foreign workers can face serious consequences if they are found to be on an irregular status or are conducting activities that are not permitted on their permit or visa. Companies may also face legal consequences, including a negative record on their employer registration certificate. Authorities have reported that they are frequently denied access to corporate offices, in which cases INM may suspend or deny pending applications.
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.
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.
What is the change? The National Institute of Immigration office in Mexico City has announced that residence permit renewals and exchanges will take almost two weeks longer than normal to process.
What does the change mean? Residence permit renewals and exchanges will take up to 20 business days, rather than the standard seven business days. It is not clear how long the delays will last.
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.
What is the change? The National Institute of Migration has released new requirements for submission of visa and renewal applications, among other immigration-related services.
The specifics:
Analysis & Comments: Employers must update their employer registrations prior to submitting visa and renewal applications or they will not be accepted.
What is the change? Applicants for residence permits, renewals and corporate registration filings continue to experience processing delays.
What does the change mean? Companies should continue to plan ahead and submit applications as early as possible.
Background: Mexico continues to experience processing delays that are due largely to government personnel changes. Mexican officials have also had to divert human resources to deal with Increased migration from Central America, exacerbating the delays.
Analysis & Comments: Employers are advised to plan ahead and submit immigration filings as early as possible. Employers are reminded that corporate registration filings are required within 30 days of the date on which companies file taxes. Given the ongoing delays, employers are encouraged to complete corporate registration filings as soon as possible in order to prevent any lapses in their ability to sponsor foreign nationals.
What is the reminder? Companies must update their corporate registration within 30 days of filing their taxes.
Background: Mexican companies that employ foreign nationals should update their corporate registration certificate with INM as soon as their annual tax returns for 2018 are completed. The tax filing deadline is March 30 and the corporate registration filing is required to be completed within 30 days. To prevent any sponsorship disruptions, companies should work with INM to validate certificates before the end of April. Company representatives may be required to make an in-person appearance to complete the company registration process at their local regional office.
Employers should also take into account staffing changes at the INM regional offices that may have an impact on corporate registration filings in the first quarter of 2019. Read more here.
Analysis & Comments: Companies should file tax documents in advance of the March 30 deadline and complete the subsequent corporate registration certificate updates as soon as possible to prevent any lapse in their ability to sponsor foreign nationals.
What is the news? The new Obrador administration has made several staffing changes at the National Migration Institute (INM) regional offices that directly affect the adjudication of Temporary Residence Visas. The staffing changes may also have an impact on corporate registration filings in the first quarter of 2019.
What do the delays mean? Companies should plan ahead regarding adjudication delays, which are to be expected with a new administration. Additionally, companies should file taxes and corporate registration documentation as early as possible.
Background: INM staffing changes are impacting adjudication times in a number of regions, including Mexico City, Monterrey, Guadalajara and the Bajio. Once newly appointed INM staff are sworn in, delays should taper off. Additionally, the Obrador administration is focusing INM resources on migrants and asylum seekers from Central America, and this has contributed to delays as well.
Employees cannot exit and reenter Mexico until their Temporary Residence ID Cards are issued, and the application process must be initiated within 30 days after they first arrive in Mexico. Employees who need to travel internationally should plan in advance and seek assistance obtaining permission to leave the country.
Mexican companies that employ foreign nationals should update their corporate registration certificate with INM as soon as their annual tax returns for 2018 are completed. The tax filing deadline is March 30, and the corporate registration filing is required to be completed 30 days after the tax filing. To prevent any sponsorship disruptions, companies should work with the INM to validate certificates before the end of April. Per current regulations, company representatives may be required to make an in-person appearance to complete the company registration process at the local regional office.
Analysis & Comments: Employers and employees should plan ahead for delays, as they will require additional time to complete the Temporary Residence Visa process. Companies should file tax documents in advance of the March 30 deadline and complete the subsequent corporate registration certificate updates as soon as possible to prevent any lapse in their ability to sponsor foreign nationals