In 2022, Mexico received 76 000 new immigrants on a long-term or permanent basis (including changes of status), 12% more than in 2021. This figure comprises 14% labour migrants, 43% family members (including accompanying family) and 28% humanitarian migrants. Around 7 100 permits were issued to tertiary-level international students and 24 000 to temporary and seasonal labour migrants.
Honduras, Venezuela and the United States were the top three nationalities of newcomers in 2022. Among the top 15 countries of origin, Guatemala registered the strongest increase (2 000) and Venezuela the largest decrease (‑1 100) in flows to Mexico compared to the previous year.
In 2023, the number of first asylum applicants increased by 19%, to reach around 141 000. The majority of applicants came from Haiti (44 000), Honduras (42 000) and Cuba (18 000). The largest increase since 2022 concerned nationals of Haiti (27 000) and the largest decrease nationals of Venezuela (‑9 400). Of the 55 000 decisions taken in 2023, 37% were positive.
Emigration of Mexican citizens to OECD countries increased by 27% in 2022, to 165 000. Approximately 84% of this group migrated to the United States, 5% to Spain and 3% to Canada.
As of 19 September 2023, the COVID‑19‑related concession, which suspended deadlines for all immigration-related processes under the jurisdiction of the National Immigration Institute for foreign nationals with temporary or permanent residence status in Mexico, ended.
In January 2023, the National Immigration Institute in Mexico (INM) increased the government processing fees for residence permits, resident cards, renewals, exit permits, regularisations, and citizenship applications, among other processes. New processing fees for Temporary Residence Visas for Remunerated Activities, Family Reunification Visas, and Corporate Registrations (first-time and updates/renewals) were introduced. Previously, applications for these types of processes were free of charge; in the case of these visas, the INM used to charge only for the issuance of resident cards, not for the application.
Passport holders of Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom are now eligible to use self-service automated kiosks available at the international airports in Mexico City and Cancun to expedite entry procedures. Previously, this system was only available to passport holders of Mexico, Canada, Spain and the United States.
Brazil and Mexico agreed in 2023 to establish a reciprocal system of electronic visas, with a shared goal of gradually reaching visa waiver agreements in the future. According to the announcement, the reciprocal use of e‑visas will enable Brazilian and Mexican citizens to apply for visitor visas for tourism and business purposes in both countries without the need to visit a consulate.
The Government of Mexico has opened a new Mexican consular post in Mumbai to accommodate the increasing volume of visa applications from Indian nationals seeking to travel to Mexico. It will also provide services for Mexican nationals in India, among other services.
From March 2024, partly in response to loss of life in a fire at the Ciudad Juárez immigration station, significant changes are being made in the management of migratory flows in the country. The Intersecretarial Commission for Comprehensive Assistance in Migration Matters is developing a new comprehensive human mobility strategy. To achieve this, multiple spaces in the south of the country are being repurposed to assist the foreign population with physical and mental health services, obtaining immigration regularisation documents and international protection, access to social programmes, employment opportunities, among others.
The National Migration Institute (INM) is working with other levels of government to address the increase in irregular migratory flow on the Mexico’s railway system. Measures included the installation of humanitarian rescue points on major railway routes. In addition, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) has been requested to carry out diplomatic efforts so that the governments of Venezuela, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba and Nicaragua accept the assisted return by air of their compatriots.
For further information: www.politicamigratoria.gob.mx | www.comar.gob.mx
