Instituto Nacional de Migración - 11540 Ciudad de México

I needed to obtain my resident card, but the offices are closed due to the pandemic. Understandable. However I cannot contact anyone via phone, email, in person, or Facebook messenger to obtain clarification as to what I need to do. Myself and other expats are totally in the dark right now.

CORRUPTION in this office: Some days ago, my partner (English speaker) and I (Mexican) went to this office to try to regularise his migratory situation, cause his 180 days tourist visa was expiring. They didn’t let me pass to translate or talk for him, claiming they had staff that speaks English (which was not true, since the employer was not understanding basic questions and was answering with things that had nothing to do with the inquiry). She was already starting one process, when another employee came to whisper something in her ear… and suddenly the process changed. They said he needed to come back another day (after his visa expired so they could charge him a fine). The lady (Lucero was her name) wrote with pencil a certain amount that when my partner explained everything seemed excessive to me. When I went back so they would explain me where they got that amount from, they didn’t let me get to that same employee and another employer was only evading my questions and couldn’t tell me where could I check that they are officially charging that amount and started making excuses up… I decided to go to another office to double check since we didn’t want them to abuse and take advantage, and indeed, in the other office they told me it was nearly 1000 pesos less (that was probably the money they were going to keep for themselves in the other office). In the second office I attended, they did give us an official document that said the fine was for 1792 pesos… not 2689 and also let me enter to understand the process correctly for him, cause they don’t speak English. Please if you’re foreigners and don’t speak the language, don’t let them abuse you and charge you more than what you’re supposed to pay. NO MORE CORRUPTION.

This place is actually quite efficient and most of the staff are quite helpful in spite of my limited Spanish. Considering the number of people that they receive on a daily basis, it is quite impressive the level of efficiency. I would have given 5-star rating had their webpage been accurate in what to bring which required me to come twice. Recommendation, bring TWO copies of everything (even if the website says only one is needed, including the bank receipts) and pay both fees (application fee and temporary residence fees, not just application fees in spite of what the website may state). The longest wait times were my two visits to the bank (don't get me started how it can take 30++ minutes to go through a bank line when only 2 people in line!), but otherwise, kudos to the INM staff, they are doing a great job in a very stressful fast-paced environment.

UPDATE: 10/2019 I renewed my resident permit and it took 2 months and one week. Way longer than the amount of time it took for the original one. 4 stars ORIGINAL: I can report that this immigration facility is organized, efficient and cordial. I had my doubts after reading all the reviews. It seems as though if someone had an issue they left a bad review. And maybe most people that have good service don't leave many reviews. Not sure. But, if you have plans to apply for a temporary resident card listen up. I'm going to briefly inform you about the procedures and processing I went through Sept 2018. Day 1 - arrived early stood in line outside on the sidewalk. Security comes by and list your position number in line and name on a clipboard and provide you with and number to enter the building. Go to the window that says INFORMATION. Show your passport and FMM immigration card that should be marked Canje. You will have a seat and wait your turn. They will call you and look and over your documents, if anything is missing they will provide you with a list. You need the original online application, letter in Spanish, receipt from the bank showing you already paid, copy off passport and FMM card. You do not need the basically formato form yet. Above all, make at least 2 copies of everything including the bank receipt. If you have all those items take them over to the line that says COMPLETE revocation. They will take all your papers and provide you with an NUT number etc. You will leave the facility and wait for approval. The same day you may receive a password to access your account, and even maybe receive an approval email. Upon receipt of the approval emails l, download and print out the approval letter. At the same time while in your online account, scroll all the way down and click on the icon that says AQUI. There you need to complete some background questions about your height/weight features and home country. This info does not need to be printed. This info replaces the BASICO FORMATO form that was previously used. Once you complete that information, click on save. In the meantime get the required photos taken. 2 front 1 side Day 2 - Wait 3 days and return to the immigration office and get in the line for fingerprinting. Give them the authorization form that has your NUT number and that approval letter and passport. They will provide you with a number to be seated and wait your turn. You will be called up and they will ask for your passport, 1 front photo. They will keep your passport and photo. And you will have a seat again. Then an immigration officer will call you up. They will request the other 2 photos. And request you sign and date several documents. Then you will sit again and wait to be fingerprinted. Once fingerprinted. You will receive a temporary copy of your resident card (black and white printout). You will return the next business day with that photo copy and the original authorization letter that contains the NUT number at 4:00pm. Day 3 - the next business day you get in the line again for fingerprinting and you're given a number. When they call you give them your passport, and that picture photo copy and authorization letter that contains the NUT number. You will sign a few documents and review your new resident card and they will provide you with that new card. The takeaway from all of this, is to arrive the first day with ALL the required documents and at least 2 copies of everything and it will take 7-10 days total for the entire process. If you have no idea what documents to bring, then show up and just get in line at information and request the list for your circumstances and go back home and work in on it. Note: There are several computer, copy and photo centers right down the street from this facility. So, if you need something you can get it there. This immigration office customer service was outstanding in my opinion, especially considering I speak little Spanish though I'm still learning. And the amount of customers they receive daily.

You used to have to wait in line 4 hours, now they tell you to come back in 4 months. They went from a bad system to no system, which is great for the employees inside because now instead of attending to people in line they just refuse almost everyone and just sit around watching the paint peel, I went inside to “information desk” was dozens of employees just standing around doing nothing, worst place on earth

Wait for a whole day，standing outside waiting，sitting with no phone allowed waiting，at the end of the day the system failed and please come again someday else. some people get there later than me but get things done， I don't understand at all. I travelled long way here to get FM3 card but just like this result？So slow is not enough to comment，disappointed and can't say a good word about this experience，0 star.

This rating is only for the process of getting an appointment. In general, the people working there were very kind and clear with the instructions. Something to take into account is that you have to arrive before 9am to get an appointment. There is no shadow, you have to make the line outside, so bring a hat or umbrella. If you arrive at 8:30am, you'll be done by 11:30.

Very very frustrated and disappointed with my visits here (4 in total). Overall, I have spent approx 15 hours over 4 days here just to replace a stolen FMM form and was treated very poorly.... I would rate this experience much lower than 1/5 if I could. Heres my story: I initially was advised to come here to sort out a replacement FMM form as my own had been stolen. During my first visit here, I waited for 2 hours to be told that I needed to go to immigration services in the airport. The official also told me that I needed an appointment to sort my problem, but that there were none available for one month..... That evening, I trekked out to the airport, to be told that as my form was robbed, it had to be dealt with at the main office. Back I went the next morning to the original immigration office, once again queued for 1-2 hours to be told that that once again, they would not help me as I did not have an appointment. At this stage, I was becoming increasingly frustrated and upset at the lack of support/guidance/advice being given. After asking several questions and BEGGING for help, finally, I was given written advice in Spanish, was told to make an appointment for 1 months time and to return the following day to queue outside between 6-7am in the morning with copies of all documents plus bank transfer. The place doesn't open until 9am, but the lady said I would need to arrive before 7am to queue to get my problem sorted the following day. Next day, I began queuing at 6.40am, was eventually seen at 10am, told that one of my forms was filled out slightly incorrectly and that I would have to leave and sort it out, without guarantee of receiving my document that day. Honestly, the lady speaking to me did not give a s**t about my situation, was unhelpful, wouldn't offer any solution except that I needed to leave and rejoin the queue.... I had to insist on speaking to higher management due to the unprofessionalism of this woman.. I was put in contact with the only helpful and caring person that I met in that place who guided me on what needed to be done. Eventually at 2pm on the fourth day, I left physically and emotionally exhausted after 8 hours of waiting for my form (6.30am - 2pm). So so many issues with this place and with the process I went through, I don't even know where to start... -Paper copies of EVERYTHING, QR codes not accepted -Unhelpful, unprofessional staff who give incorrect information, tried to send me out to the airport on more than one occasion, knowing that the airport immgration wouldnt be able to help my query?? -So so sooooo slow and inefficient, kind of unbelievable that a busy government establishment could function this poorly - website for booking appointments is a disaster to use, was constantly crashing/error messages. And no appointment availability for one month.... Just crazy Try and avoid this place where possible, and if you have to go, try and seek help in advance with what documents etc you will need. And expect to wait up to 8 hours to have your issue sorted ?? and if they try to send you to the airport to sort your replacement FMM form, DO NOT GO