Immigration Law / Employers in Mexico
INM Verification Visits
What immigration authorities may review, which records matter and how companies can prepare for a verification visit.
Companies employing foreign nationals in Mexico may receive verification visits from the National Immigration Institute (INM, by its Spanish acronym) to assess compliance with applicable immigration requirements.
These visits may take place without prior notice. Their purpose is to verify the immigration status of foreign nationals and the accuracy and consistency of information submitted to the authority.
For employers, having valid immigration documents may be insufficient if there are discrepancies between employee records, corporate documentation and information registered with the INM.
What may the INM examine during a verification visit?
Article 92 of Mexico’s Migration Law provides for verification visits to confirm information submitted in immigration procedures, review matters concerning the validity of a person’s authorized stay and obtain information needed to enforce the applicable rules, within the circumstances established by law.
The verification order must state its legal grounds and reasons, and identify the location, purpose, scope and personnel responsible for the visit. Depending on those terms, a company inspection may cover the following areas:
Company premises
The premises where business activities take place, to compare actual operations with the information declared in the relevant filings.
Immigration documentation
Valid resident cards, immigration status and, where applicable, authorization to engage in paid activities in Mexico.
Employment and social security records
Individual employment agreements, payroll payment records and Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) registration records, insofar as they are relevant to the purpose of the visit.
Corporate documentation
Articles of incorporation and amendments, powers of attorney granted to legal representatives, and documentation establishing the company’s current legal name.
Registration information must be kept up to date.
The Employer Registration Certificate (Constancia de Inscripción de Empleador, or CIE) records the employer’s information for job-offer-related immigration procedures involving foreign nationals before the INM.
Changes to the registered address or to the legal representative or attorney-in-fact must be reported within 30 calendar days of the change. Information relating to tax filings must be updated annually, in accordance with the applicable procedure.
The CIE does not replace the need to review each employee’s immigration documents individually.
Five priority preventive measures
Preparation requires coordination among human resources, administration, corporate affairs and immigration compliance teams. The following steps help verify consistency across company records:
- Check resident card validity.Periodically confirm each foreign employee’s immigration status and, where applicable, authorization to work.
- Maintain individual immigration files.Retain documentation for each foreign employee, including a current copy of their resident card.
- Review the CIE file.Confirm that the employer’s information and supporting documents reflect its current corporate and tax status.
- Assign a responsible person.Centralize immigration, employment and social security documentation so it can be readily accessed and updated.
- Conduct preventive reviews.Cross-check employee files, corporate records and information filed with the INM to identify potential discrepancies.
How should a company respond to a verification visit?
The company’s response should be organized and limited to the purpose of the visit. The Regulations to the Migration Law establish formalities concerning the identification of authorized officers, the verification order and the preparation of a detailed official record of the proceedings.
Review the officers’ identification and the location, purpose and scope stated in the verification order.
Involve the appropriate internal personnel and keep a record of documents provided and actions taken.
Assess any observations and consider the exercise of available procedural rights with legal counsel.
Important deadline: Article 209 of the Regulations allows the inspected party to make observations and submit evidence during the visit or in writing within the following five business days.
What consequences may arise from a verification visit?
Failure to comply with immigration obligations, or discrepancies between information reported to the INM and the documents provided by a company, may lead to administrative proceedings and, where legally applicable, penalties.
A discrepancy in documentation does not, by itself, establish that a violation has occurred. Its assessment depends on the facts, the applicable legal provisions and the determinations of the competent authority.
Accordingly, preventive reviews should assess not only whether records are available, but also their validity, completeness and consistency with the company’s actual operations.
Immigration advice for companies employing foreign nationals
At Cuesta Campos, we advise domestic and international companies on reviewing immigration records, obtaining and updating the Employer Registration Certificate (CIE), and meeting their obligations before the INM.
For information on corporate immigration compliance, please contact Karla Hernández, a member of our Immigration Law practice.
Sources and legal references
- Migration Law (Ley de Migración), particularly Articles 92–95.
- Regulations to the Migration Law (Reglamento de la Ley de Migración), Articles 207–209.
- INM: Obtaining the Employer Registration Certificate.
- INM: Updating the Employer Registration Certificate.
General information on Mexico’s legal framework, with a reference date of November 6, 2026. This article does not constitute legal advice regarding any particular situation. Content remains subject to final review by the Cuesta Campos legal team.
