Immigration & Visas

Online Appointments at Mexico’s Immigration Offices

Mexico's Immigration Offices reintroduced its Online Appointments System in September 2024 for applicants who need to file for common procedures

Interaction online using laptop and phone

Mexico’s INM (National Institute of Immigration) introduced an online appointments system in 2021, which was suspended in August 2022 for maintenance and improvement work.  The online appointments system was reintroduced on Tuesday, September 17th 2024.

Smaller regional INM Offices not using the new system

Not all INM offices are using the online system.  Smaller regional offices, known as Oficinas de Representación Locales, are still using manual booking systems and if you go to one of these smaller offices to file, you will need to attend in person to ask for an appointment date or a service token for that day.

How the new online system is working in practice

Our immigration assistance associates are reporting that the system is working well and that they are successfully scheduling appointment dates using it.  Here are some notes about their current experience of using the system:

  • Appointment dates are currently being offered with a lead time of approximately one week from the date they are requested.
  • The system is currently allowing appointments to be made up to three weeks in advance and no further forward than that. Our associates expect new dates to be opened up each week on a rolling basis.
  • Therefore, applicants ought to expect to have to wait at least a week for an appointment, and cannot currently book further in advance than three weeks.
  • Lead times and available appointment dates may vary by location and are subject to change anytime without notice.

To use the system, applicants must create an account online using the INM portal, request the filing type and complete the online forms, and then search the calendar for available dates.

You can go online yourself to create the account and work through the appointment process, or you can hire our immigration assistance associates to do all this work for you.

Procedures that can be booked online

Many, but not all, procedures may be booked online.  The INM’s brief names 18 specific procedures that can be filed online, which cover the following types of applications and filings:

Appointments for Regularization procedures CANNOT be booked online

Note that you cannot use the online booking system for matters related to ‘regularization’—that includes the RNE special procedure. You must instead visit your local immigration office in person to ask for an appointment or service token.

More updates to come

We are keeping this article regularly updated as new information becomes available.

Our associates can help with a wide range of procedures related to applying for and managing your existing residency in Mexico.  You can find details about their immigration assistance services here.

Get assistance with your residency application or renewal

When you need assistance with your Mexico residency application, renewals, or regularization procedures, our Mexico Immigration Assistance Associates provide consulting, advice and practical support that assists you through the entire residency application or renewal process—including visa exchanges, renewals, regularization procedures, and troubleshooting.