Companies that employ foreign nationals in Mexico must maintain a valid Employer Registration Certificate (CIE) before the National Immigration Institute (INM).
Based on recent administrative criteria issued by the INM, the importance of the annual update of the CIE has been reinforced. This update must be completed during the month of April, and compliance with this annual obligation will be critical for companies seeking to preserve certain benefits in immigration procedures.
What is the CIE?
The CIE is the official registration that any company or individual conducting business activities and employing foreign nationals in Mexico must maintain before the INM.
This registration enables employers to:
Issue job offers to foreign nationals.
Process work visas and immigration permits for foreign employees.
Renew residency authorizations for foreign personnel.
File employer update notifications before the INM.
When must the CIE be updated?
The CIE must be updated annually, generally during the month of April, once the company has filed its annual tax return. During this process, the company’s corporate and tax information is updated before the INM.
Additionally, the CIE must be updated at any other time during the year if there are changes to the company’s corporate name, tax domicile, corporate purpose, or legal representatives. In such cases, the update must be submitted within 30 calendar days from the date the change occurred.
Why is the annual update important?
Updating the CIE ensures that the INM maintains accurate and current information regarding the company’s fiscal and operational status, which is essential for continuing to process immigration procedures without disruptions and in compliance with Mexico’s Immigration Law and its Regulations.
What changes under the new INM criteria?
According to the new administrative criteria issued by the INM, companies must maintain their CIE updated together with the 2025 annual tax return in order to qualify for the 50% reduction in government fees applicable to certain immigration procedures.
Although all immigration fees payable to the INM were subject to the annual adjustment, some of the most significant increases relate to the receipt and processing of applications and, where applicable, the issuance of immigration documents evidencing immigration status, which increased by 100% compared to the previous year.
For fiscal year 2026, the applicable fees are as follows:
Concept
2026 Fee
Temporary Resident One year $11,140.74
Temporary Resident Two years $16,693.36
Temporary Resident Three years $21,142.58
Temporary Resident Four years $25,057.82
Permanent Resident $13,578.96
Notwithstanding the above, immigration regulations provide the possibility of applying a 50% reduction in government fees for foreign nationals who qualify under certain circumstances, including:
A job offer issued by an individual or legal entity holding a valid employer registration certificate;
Family unity (family-based immigration cases).
What happens if the CIE is not updated?
Companies that do not maintain an updated CIE may face various operational and administrative implications in their immigration procedures before the INM.
Among the main consequences are the following:
Loss of eligibility for the 50% immigration fee reduction.
Inability to process visas or residency applications.
Inability to renew residency permits or obtain work authorization for foreign employees.
Exposure to administrative sanctions.
Increased vulnerability during immigration verification visits conducted by the INM.
Delays in international hiring processes.
Conclusion
The annual update of the CIE during April has become a critical compliance step for companies employing foreign personnel in Mexico. In addition to maintaining a valid employer registration, having an updated CIE supported by the 2025 annual tax return will allow companies to preserve important financial benefits, including the 50% reduction in immigration government fees.
Practice Area:
Migratory
Authors:
Adriana González Gascón
Jair Castillo Carrasco
Areli Sandoval Aguirre