Due to the increasing entry of specialized personnel providing services related to technology and strategic projects, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores) published a reform to the General Guidelines for the Issuance of Visas. The reform was issued jointly by the Ministries of the Interior and Foreign Affairs.
The reform is primarily focused on the consular stage of immigration processing, particularly regarding visas issued by Mexican Consulates abroad. However, it remains possible that certain documentary requirements and criteria could eventually be adopted by some offices of the National Immigration Institute (INM) within Mexico.
Although the reform is already formally in force, its operational implementation by both the Mexican Consulates and the INM is still under development. Consequently, we anticipate that practical interpretation may continue evolving over the coming weeks as the authorities define
internal operational guidelines. The main aspects of the reform are as follows:
- Temporary Resident Visa Without Permission to Perform Remunerated Activities: The reform incorporates the possibility of issuing this type of visa under scenarios related to highly specialized technical assistance and knowledge transfer within strategic projects.
- Temporary Resident Visa With Permission to Perform Remunerated Activities: The reform establishes the possibility for Consulates to request a job offer letter that, in addition to the requirements currently requested by the INM, includes information regarding the location or locations where the activities will be performed, as well as the corresponding work modality (on-site, remote, or hybrid).
Likewise, in cases involving strategic projects requiring highly specialized professional or technical knowledge, the employment offer letter must specify such specialization and include information regarding knowledge transfer and training programs aimed at Mexican nationals, with the purpose of strengthening local talent development and progressively reducing dependency on foreign talent.
Additionally, consular authorities may request professional degrees, certifications, or supporting documentation evidencing the foreign national’s technical expertise and professional experience. Depending on each Consulate’s criteria, such documentation may need to be apostilled or
legalized. It is important to consider that the practical implementation of this reform may vary among Consulates, as each one maintains its own operational criteria.
Our team is currently conducting a detailed analysis of the reform, while also monitoring its implementation directly with the INM and the corresponding consular authorities. Additionally, we are proactively evaluating potential updates to documents and templates. We will continue to keep you informed as additional operational guidelines are issued and new adjudication trends become available.
Should you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
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.
