Is it easier to obtain permanent status from outside Mexico, or better to enter as tourist and adjust status?

Question

How long does it take to do?

Answer 1

Do you mean to enter the US as a tourist and then adjust status? Or to enter Mexico as a tourist and adjust status?

Hmm ... now that I've done a bit more research on Mexico, the results are pretty similar. So here's what's going on.

As a tourist (in either country), you are issued a temporary nonimmigrant visa. This means there is a limited duration that the visa is valid AND that you've agreed that you have no intention of staying in the country or becoming a permanent resident (or citizen).

Applying to adjust your status to PR is automatically grounds for canceling your current visa, and quite possibly denying you visas in the future. This is because you are in contradiction of the laws set forth regarding nonimmigrant status.

At the moment, applying for PR status from Mexico (for the US) and waiting until the paperwork is processed takes about 5-15 years (depending on whether you're trying to enter based on employment qulaifications, which is the shorter one, or on family ties which is the longer one).

Going the other way, PR status into Mexico is basically current ... as fast as the application can be processed, you're going to obtain the document.

The delays in processing are entirely due to the volume of traffic (in either direction) ... there's simply far more Mexcians wanting to enter the US than there are immigration numbers available to be assigned to them.