Work Permits in Mexico for Individuals and Companies.

Is this for you?

• You are a foreigner with a job offer in Mexico.
• You already hold temporary residency and want to work for a Mexican employer.
• You are a company that wants to hire a foreign national and does not know where to start.
• You are a company that already has foreign employees and wants to confirm everything is in order.

General requirements

A status that allows work

Not every status permits work. A permanent resident can work with no extra permit; a temporary resident needs authorization or a route that includes it; a tourist cannot work.

A formal job offer

An offer letter stating the position, duties, salary and duration or type of hire, signed by the company. The INM reviews it before authorizing paid activity.

Employer registration certificate

The company must be registered with the INM to offer jobs to foreign nationals (constancia de inscripción de empleador). It is a prior step, separate from the individual's application.

Company corporate documents

Articles of incorporation, the legal representative's power of attorney, the representative's ID, tax ID (RFC) and proof of tax address, plus anything else the INM asks for. They must be current and consistent with one another.

The worker's personal documents

Passport, resident card or visa, and documents showing the worker's profile for the role when the INM requires them.

Application and fees

INM forms and payment of official fees under the Federal Fees Law in force. We confirm the exact fee item in each case.

Each combination of immigration status and type of job has its own route. These are the common elements; we confirm the ones that apply to you in the consultation.

Step-by-step process

1. 1

   Step 1: Review status and offer

   We check what status the worker holds, whether a permit is needed, and whether the job offer meets what the INM expects.

2. 2

   Step 2: Register the company as an employer

   If the company is not registered, we handle the employer registration certificate first. If it is, we verify it is current and its data is correct.

3. 3

   Step 3: Prepare the individual's file

   We gather the worker's and the company's documents and check that position, salary and dates match across every paper.

4. 4

   Step 4: File with the INM

   We file the work permit request or the change of status, as applicable, and handle any INM request for corrections.

5. 5

   Step 5: Authorization and follow-up

   With the authorization, the card or immigration document is updated. Afterwards, changes of employer or workplace must be reported to the INM, and the company must keep its registration current.

Estimated timelines

Common mistakes

• The worker starts working before authorization, which can bring penalties for both the worker and the company.
• Assuming any temporary residency allows work without checking what the card says.
• Companies offering jobs to foreigners without being registered as an employer with the INM.
• Offer letters showing a position or salary different from what later appears in the contract.
• Not notifying the INM of a change of employer or workplace within the deadline.

What our support includes

• A consultation with the individual, the company or both, to define the route and documents.
• Handling of the employer registration certificate.
• Preparation and review of the offer letter and the worker's file.
• Filing, follow-up and handling of INM requests.
• Direct contact with the lead attorney, in English or Spanish, by video call.
• Later notifications, and defense if the INM denies the permit: administrative review, a nullity suit before the TFJA (the federal administrative court) or amparo.

Fees are explained after the consultation, based on your case.

Questions about this process