Mexico – Covid-19 – Immigration update

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Update: December 17th, 2020

Health form requirement added for entry and exit

What is the change?

The Mexican civil aviation, health and transportation departments have added an online health form as a requirement for entry and exit to Mexico.

Key Points:

  • All travelers arriving in Mexico at an airport must fill out the online health form before travel. Individuals departing from Mexico are also required to fill out the form.
  • The form is for anyone traveling to Mexico regardless of their nationality or immigration status.
  • Travelers must fill out the form prior to leaving their home so they can print out a paper form. The form does not guarantee entry.

The health form is the only COVID-19 entry requirement at this time in Mexico. Neither a COVID-19 test nor self-isolation is required for entry.

All travelers should take note of the change and complete the online form in advance of their travel. Business travelers are also required to fill out the form.

Update: June 1st, 2020

Suspension of resident immigration requirements extended

What is the change?

As of June 1, the Immigration Office (INM) is extending the suspension of immigration requirements related to temporary and permanent residency.

Key points

  • The INM suspension extension applies to foreign nationals holding temporary or permanent residency, whether they are currently in Mexico or abroad.
  • The suspension will remain in effect until health authorities decide government offices can resume activities.
  • For residents, the deadline to complete all additional expiration-related requirements due from April 1 onward will be the day after the suspension is lifted.
  • The suspension does not apply to companies, which must continue to complete requirements within the normal period determined by the INM (generally within 10 business day of receiving notification).
  • The suspension also does not apply to non-resident foreign nationals who must continue to complete registration within 30 days of arrival.

The INM initially suspended immigration requirements for temporary and permanent residents in April.

Update: April 9th, 2020

Resident immigration requirements temporarily suspended

What is the change?

The Immigration Office in Mexico (INM) has suspended immigration requirements for residents until April 30 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key points

  • Deadlines, steps and requirements for residence permit holders are suspended until April 30.
  • Renewals for residence permits expiring between April 1 and April 30 may be filed until May 4.
  • For residents, the deadline of 10 business days to fulfill all additional INM requirements requested from April 1 till April 30 will begin counting on May 4, allowing till May 15 to complete requirements.
  • The 10-business-day deadline for companies and non-resident foreign nationals entering Mexico on a visa is extended till April 13.
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The INM has closed its offices from April 6-10, and any appointments scheduled during this closure must be rescheduled from April 13. The suspension of deadlines and requirements only applies to temporary and permanent residents.

Employers must continue to complete immigration-related requirements with the 10-business-day limit, and foreign nationals entering Mexico on a visa must complete post-arrival registration within 30 days.

Update: March 26th, 2020

Additional immigration services reductions

What is the change?

The Mexican government recently announced additional changes to immigration services to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Key points

  • For fingerprinting, the number of opportunities to have this procedure completed is capped at 100 each day. Additionally, groups entering immigration spaces for fingerprint registration are now limited to 20 at a time. Fingerprint registration opportunities are available from about 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. with lines forming at 7:00 a.m.
  • For application filings, the number of opportunities has also been reduced to 100 each day. Groups entering for application filings are now limited to 20 individuals as well. Application filing opportunities follow the same schedule: from about 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. with lines forming at 7:00 a.m.
  • Most of the opportunities have been taken by 9:00 am, so arriving before that time is recommended in order to submit fingerprint registrations and application filings.
  • The new restrictions are in effect until April 17, 2020.
  • Staff reductions and the new restrictions will result in processing delays and prolonged waiting periods, for the time being.

The new immigration services restrictions will impact the movement of people into Mexico. Employers should account for affected travelers and rearrange travel schedules accordingly. Significant delays may occur for consular and in-country processing.

Sophie Carlei

Sophie est Managing Director au sein de l’équipe Mobilité Internationale de Lyon et dirige l’équipe immigration. Elle conseille les groupes français et internationaux et intervient tant pour des clients travaillant dans […]

Fatia Bouteiller

Fatia Bouteiller a rejoint Deloitte Société d’Avocats en 2017 pour renforcer l’équipe Immigration. Fatia dispose d’une expérience de 15 ans en mobilité internationale dans les domaines du droit de l’immigration, […]