Mexico – Longer Processing Times for Immigration Applications
Currently, processing times for temporary residence applications are longer than usual.
Residence card applications may take up to 20 business days to be approved, rather than the standard five business days. International travel restrictions apply while the process is completed, and the issuance of a departure and reentry permit may take up to seven business days, rather than the standard three business days. Foreign nationals who need to travel abroad while the process is pending are encouraged to apply for a departure and reentry permit at least ten business days in advance.
Temporary or permanent resident card printing may also take up to 20 business days once fingerprints have been collected.
Furthermore, the immigration authorities are more heavily scrutinizing applications from certain nationalities applying for work visa approval. This step is required before the consular visa application for temporary residence applicants hired locally in Mexico (rather than assignees remaining on home-country contract).
There is no officially published statement of this policy, or of which nationalities may be affected. Processing times for these nationals may be longer than the already delayed processing times.
Action Items
Employers who may be affected by the extended processing times are advised to contact their immigration specialist for case-specific advice.