Mexico Proposes 35% Increase in Migration Fee for Visitors With Paid Work

Mexico City — Mexico would raise by 35% the migration fee paid by visitors who enter the country without permission to carry out paid activities, under a proposed overhaul of the Federal Fees Law (Ley Federal de Derechos).

The measure is part of the 2027 Economic Package and covers changes to fees for a range of migration, consular, inspection and surveillance services. According to the proposal, the adjustments are meant to update public service fees and bring them in line with the costs the government incurs to provide them.

Higher Fees for Visas and Migration Services

Among the changes to migration and consular services, the most prominent is the 35% increase to the migration fee for visitors with paid activities — those who enter Mexico without a permit for such work.

The initiative also would align the fees for ordinary visas and long-term visitor visas at 1,639.80 pesos each. The document says that would represent increases of 66% and 153%, respectively, over current rates.

New Split of Migration Revenue

The proposal also sets a new distribution of the revenue collected from migration fees. The National Migration Institute (INM) would receive 26% for border technology, while 50% would go to the Defense Department (SEDENA) and 24% to the Federal Treasury.

On consular matters, the plan would update fees for trust permits, acquisition notices and waiver agreements for foreigners, with adjustments tied to digitization costs. The acquisition notice, for example, would rise above its current fee of 13,000 pesos.

Other Federal Fees Under Review

The reform also targets other federal fees. It would raise by 16% the maximum limit on inspection and surveillance fees for securities issuers, overseen by the National Banking and Securities Commission (CNBV).

For pension fund managers, known as Afores, it would change how the variable fee is calculated, using a fixed factor of 0.1750 per thousand, and require that the inspection payment be no lower than the previous year’s.

In other sectors, the plan would update by an average of 30% the fees for various services of the Environment and Natural Resources Department (SEMARNAT) related to wildlife, forest resources and pollution control.

It also would raise fees for 29 services of the Federal Commission for Protection against Health Risks (COFEPRIS), and modify charges related to water, telecommunications, the radio spectrum, port services and use of airspace.

When It Would Take Effect

The reform to the Federal Fees Law would take effect Jan. 1, 2027, if Congress approves it.