August 7, 2025
By: Karen Chavez, Immigration Operations Director, Newland Chase Mexico.
The National Migration Institute (INM) in Mexico has unofficially indicated that delays in immigration processing timeframes should be expected in the coming weeks. While no formal announcement has been issued, early reports suggest these delays will disproportionately affect cases submitted before the Immigration Office in Mexico City.
Countries most likely to be affected.
According to the initial information, the delays are expected to have a greater impact on applications filed by nationals from:
- Colombia
- China
- Cuba
- Venezuela
These nationalities have historically faced longer processing windows due to enhanced scrutiny or higher volumes of applications. The current situation may exacerbate these timelines, making advance planning and expert coordination more critical than ever.
Focus on Mexico City submissions.
Mexico City hosts the central immigration authority and handles a significant portion of employment-based and residency-related applications. Past trends have shown that procedural shifts or capacity constraints in this office tend to ripple across the entire immigration system. Organizations with operations or employees in Mexico should pay special attention to cases being processed through this jurisdiction.
Implications for employers and global mobility teams.
For companies managing global mobility or regional relocations into Mexico, these delays could affect start dates, onboarding, or assignment rotations. It’s advisable to:
- Build additional time into mobility timelines.
- Ensure documentation is complete and up to date before submission.
- Explore options to submit cases through regional INM offices where possible, depending on eligibility.
- Maintain open communication with local employees and HR stakeholders.
Wider context and recent trends.
These delays come at a time when passport and visa processing systems in many countries continue to face challenges. As such, any disruption at a major hub like Mexico City adds pressure to already strained systems. Operational challenges such as these underscore the continued need for up-to-date visibility, traveler tracking, and compliance safeguards.
Next steps and ongoing monitoring.
At Newland Chase, we are actively monitoring the situation in collaboration with our on-the-ground experts. As soon as more concrete guidance or official confirmation is available from the INM, we will provide updates. In the meantime, clients should anticipate delays and prepare accordingly.
For tailored guidance on immigration timelines or documentation requirements for Mexico or any other destination, please reach out to your Newland Chase representative.
This immigration update is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal or scenario-specific advice. Furthermore, it is important to note that immigration announcements are subject to sudden and unexpected changes. Readers are encouraged to reach out to Newland Chase for any case- or company-specific assessments.
