Mexico: Government Introduces Burdensome Visa Renewal Procedures in Mexico City
Effective immediately, foreign nationals extending their visas in Mexico City can no longer schedule their own appointment time; one will be assigned to them. The principal and all dependents must attend the appointment together.
The Mexican National Immigration Institute (INM) recently implemented strict new procedures for visa renewals in Mexico City, effective immediately. Foreign nationals extending visas there will be assigned an interview appointment time approximately 15 days after they file a renewal application. They can no longer schedule their own interview appointments.
The five- to ten-minute appointments are now scheduled during a limited timeframe on weekday afternoons. The new procedures are likely to lengthen the renewal process to 15 to 20 business days.
The principal foreign national and any family members must attend the appointment together. During the appointment, they will be issued their renewed work and residence visas.
Foreign nationals who arrive late or miss an appointment can reschedule for the following day. Missing two consecutive appointments will reportedly result in fines and cancelation of the applicant’s immigration documents, though these sanctions have not been officially announced.
The INM implemented the new procedures after an increase in missed and re-scheduled renewal appointments in Mexico City. The INM is not expected to change renewal procedures anywhere else in Mexico at this time.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen Global Immigration Services or send an email to lar@fragomen.com.
Source: Fragomen