The stages, in plain order
Most applications follow the same broad path: an approval to hire, the process in the source country, the FOMEMA medical screening, the visa and work pass, and then the ongoing permit that must be renewed. Recognising these stages is more useful than memorising every form, because it lets you see at a glance where an application is.
The sequence and the paperwork differ by route and can change, so treat the Immigration Department as the authority for the current requirements. An agency can guide you through the steps, but the underlying rules are the government’s.
Know who handles each step
On the agency route, the agency manages most of the applications and paperwork on your behalf — but you should still know what stage you’re at and ask for confirmation as each one clears. On the direct-hire route, you handle the applications yourself through Immigration, which means more work but full visibility.
Either way, keep each document tied to one owner and one next date. Most delays come from a step quietly waiting on someone who didn’t know it was theirs.
- Confirm which party owns each application step.
- Ask for confirmation as each stage completes.
- Keep copies of every submission and reference number.
Track progress without the stress
You don’t need to become an expert in the paperwork — you need a simple record: which stage you’re in, what’s complete, what’s pending, and what the next step depends on. That turns a confusing process into a short checklist you can follow, and it makes any conversation with an agency far more productive.
If you’d like help mapping where your application is, send your route and current stage on WhatsApp to see what comes next.