Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – The National Migration Institute (INM) office in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, has undergone significant staffing changes, leading to lengthy processing delays for foreign residents. Procedures previously completed within a day now take two to three weeks, impacting many foreigners and causing some to miss flights and incur financial losses.
These delays stem from a recent exodus of at least half the INM workforce, including the former federal deputy. The newly appointed representative lacks the authority to approve foreign residency applications, necessitating authorization from Guadalajara, a process that can take up to 20 business days. Previously, approvals were granted within hours of submitting all of the required documentation.
Adding to the frustrations are appointment inefficiencies. Applicants must arrive before 7 am to secure an appointment, yet the office routinely opens late, exceeding 30 minutes past the scheduled 9 am start time. On top of authorization delays, only two of four service windows are operational, leading to lengthy wait times for appointments.
Business owners seeking to hire foreign workers face additional hurdles. Employer registration requirements are inconsistent, often exceeding legal stipulations and including subjective criteria like personal bank statements from legal representatives. Managers report constant changes based on individual immigration staff preferences, leading to application rejections for unannounced modifications. These issues affect both assisted and independent applicants.
The INM office, located near the maritime terminal, typically sees around 80 visitors a day during Puerto Vallarta’s low season. However, this number can triple during peak tourist months, further exacerbating the backlog.