DCF Mexico

[Marisol73 0]

Hello ! I can imagine you are soo stressfull and anxious about the safety and of course the interview !

Good Luck for everthing !... Please let us know how medical goes.

Thank you

Hi Everybody!

We got into the hotel last night pretty late. This morning my husband got up early and headed off to his medical exam. When we got in, we asked about the shuttle (we're at La Quinta) and they said you it starts at 6:00 am and all you have to do is reserve it ahead of time. They told us that when we finish to call the hotel and they then send the shuttle there to pick him up. However, the receptionist suggested we take a taxi to the medical clinic early because people start lining up around 4am. They told us to have them call us a reliable taxi about 10 minutes before we wanted to leave and would cost about 50 pesos (he said it was about a 5 minute trip away). My husband left at 4:40 to call the taxi and at 5:30 he sent me a text saying he was already inside the clinic, even though they don't open until 6.

The taxi from the airport costs 245 pesos and its about a 10 minute trip to this area from the airport. You pay inside the airport and its safe.

Other than that, the hotel is very comfortable. I'll post more info when he gets back from the exam.

czmjacq - This whole thing has been so stressful. We also are not used to feeling so unsafe! But it helps that the people at the hotel seem to really know what's going on. By the way, we went to Cozumel to snorkel on our honeymoon last weekend and just loved it!! I thought about you when we decided to go.

[Jilly and Danny 0]

Ok Everyone, my husband finally got back to the hotel. He went to the Clinica Medica Internacional. He said that they opened their doors at 5am to let people into the lobby. Its first come first serve and they give you a number. He was 37. They checked his passport, interview letter, and vaccination records. Next, by 5:30, they have you go to the actual clinic where you have to sit in order of your numbers. Then you have to wait until 6 for them to start the exams. He said at 6 he had to go back to the lobby and show the paperwork again and they keep the paperwork at that point and give you an ID bracelet and take your picture for a registry. Then they send you to the lab where they draw blood. Next you go so they can check your vision. Next, you wait for your turn with the doctor for the physical. You strip to your underwear and socks and they give you a general physical. The doctor asks if you've been in touble with the police, drugs, etc. Then you have to take your underwear off and they check you. They ask you about any scars or tatoos as well as STD's chronic illness, etc. Then you get dressed and go and get a chest X-Ray. Then they send you to the urine test. My husband said that lots of people got sent to the psychologist, but he didn't have to go. Finally you have to go to get vaccinations. He had to get three and he said they already knew which ones they were going to give him. He asked which ones they were but didn't understand what they rattled off to him. It seems that for the people who were there for the first time they got the same set of vaccines and had to pay the same amount (4300 pesos approx.) and the people who were there for the second time only had to pay the visit (2300), we assume because they got the vaccines the first time. After the injections you go and pay and they give you back your passport, vaccination records, and interview letter. They said the results would be ready after 2:00pm.

He called me to have the hotel send him the shuttle at about 7:45. So he said there was quite a bit of waiting his turn but he was done before 8:00.

[jaremedios 1]

Great post! Very helpful for the future! And 3 1/2 hours in total isn't too bad. Hope the interview is as quick too.

[arianak 0]

Thank you so much Jilly- all your information is SO helpful, and it's so sweet of you to post so quickly while it's all so fresh!We are wishing you the best of luck and can't wait to hear the good news ;-)

Ok Everyone, my husband finally got back to the hotel. He went to the Clinica Medica Internacional. He said that they opened their doors at 5am to let people into the lobby. Its first come first serve and they give you a number. He was 37. They checked his passport, interview letter, and vaccination records. Next, by 5:30, they have you go to the actual clinic where you have to sit in order of your numbers. Then you have to wait until 6 for them to start the exams. He said at 6 he had to go back to the lobby and show the paperwork again and they keep the paperwork at that point and give you an ID bracelet and take your picture for a registry. Then they send you to the lab where they draw blood. Next you go so they can check your vision. Next, you wait for your turn with the doctor for the physical. You strip to your underwear and socks and they give you a general physical. The doctor asks if you've been in touble with the police, drugs, etc. Then you have to take your underwear off and they check you. They ask you about any scars or tatoos as well as STD's chronic illness, etc. Then you get dressed and go and get a chest X-Ray. Then they send you to the urine test. My husband said that lots of people got sent to the psychologist, but he didn't have to go. Finally you have to go to get vaccinations. He had to get three and he said they already knew which ones they were going to give him. He asked which ones they were but didn't understand what they rattled off to him. It seems that for the people who were there for the first time they got the same set of vaccines and had to pay the same amount (4300 pesos approx.) and the people who were there for the second time only had to pay the visit (2300), we assume because they got the vaccines the first time. After the injections you go and pay and they give you back your passport, vaccination records, and interview letter. They said the results would be ready after 2:00pm.

He called me to have the hotel send him the shuttle at about 7:45. So he said there was quite a bit of waiting his turn but he was done before 8:00.

[arianak 0]

Felicidades on your nuptials Pnewton! How was it?!

Hi Arianak...Yes, things here have definitely been heating up, and the Consulate's decision for all children of the consular workers to leave is a big deal. It's strange, because you hear about the big events on the news, but what's really worrisome are all of the things you hear by word of mouth that aren't showing up in the media. It also makes me sad, as when my fiance and I met 5 years ago, we traipsed around the city at all hours and loved exploring it, but now things have changed a lot.

I'm going to try to get in contact with the Consulate tomorrow and see what they recommend for our situation. I'm crossing my fingers that things will go as smoothly as possible. I'm nervous that maybe they'll be extra swamped with work, but hopefully we'll be able to talk with someone. It must be hard for the consulates in cities going through major security issues to keep up with the influx of work, but so far, I've been impressed with my interactions with them.

And thanks for the tip about the rent thing! I'll look into getting that done for us...And horray, today is the big day! We're excited!

[arianak 0]

Thanks Czmjacq. A call is a good idea, and it helps to know you were rescheduled so fast which means them must not be too backed up. Best of luck in CDJ...we'll all be thinking about you guys!

Hi arianak--

I noticed your pkg 3 approval date was Aug 3 -- did you find that out via email or did you receive a letter in the mail? Are you one of the ones that received a letter saying 2-3 month wait on interviews?? The reason I ask is that I called the $12 peso\min line to cancel and ask to reschedule my husband's original appt on Aug 5 and I received a letter (here in the US) about a week ago with a new appt date of Sept 13 already... I am just wondering if maybe you have an appt but just haven't received the notification letter yet in Mexico because my husband hasn't received the new appt letter in MX yet.... Anyway, just thought if you haven't already emailed or called them, maybe you should.

[Richie&Martha 0]

I have not posted before. We sent our I-130 to Mexico City June 5 2010. I got the approval June 13. Sent Packet 3 July 15. Approved and set up on the wait list for interview appt Aug 10. The letter arrived today to my US address with our interview scheduled for Oct 4th. I am amazed at how fast the process has been. I already made reservations at the La Quinta for Thrs Sept 30 to Tues Oct 5. We will fly in from Cancun to Juarez on the Thrs. and do the medical Friday morning. We have the interview at 1:15 pm Monday. Does the DHL packet usually arrive the next day?

Married in Cancun March 9 2009

Sent I-130 June 5 2010

Approved June 13 2010

Packet 3 sent June 15 2010

Packet 3 approved and put on wait list for appt Aug 10

Interview letter received Aug 30 with appt date for oct 4th

Richie

[czmjacq 1]

Glad to hear things are going smoothly so far. Good to know the taxi prices so I can let my husband know what to expect to pay from the airport. Also I think for 50 pesos it would be worth a taxi ride instead of being there an hour ahead waiting on a shuttle....it's the part about getting a RELIABLE taxi that makes me feel it may be best to take a shuttle back from the medical clinic.

Let us know what time they told him to pick up his results and how long it took to get them (ie-- was it fast enough that if we had a driver take my husband from the hotel to the clinic before heading to El Paso that the driver wouldn't be waiting for a long time at the medical clinic??)

Thanks for posting and GOOD LUCK at the interview!!!

[czmjacq 1]

I have not posted before. We sent our I-130 to Mexico City June 5 2010. I got the approval June 13. Sent Packet 3 July 15. Approved and set up on the wait list for interview appt Aug 10. The letter arrived today to my US address with our interview scheduled for Oct 4th. I am amazed at how fast the process has been. I already made reservations at the La Quinta for Thrs Sept 30 to Tues Oct 5. We will fly in from Cancun to Juarez on the Thrs. and do the medical Friday morning. We have the interview at 1:15 pm Monday. Does the DHL packet usually arrive the next day?

Married in Cancun March 9 2009

Sent I-130 June 5 2010

Approved June 13 2010

Packet 3 sent June 15 2010

Packet 3 approved and put on wait list for appt Aug 10

Interview letter received Aug 30 with appt date for oct 4th

Richie

HI Guys!

My husband is flying from Cancun too on Thursday (but Sept 9th) for his medical on Friday and his consulate appt on Mon Sept 13 - but I have his flight scheduled right now to return on Wednesday at 640am since I had seen other posts where people got their DHL packets back around 2pm and the latest departure from CJuarez to Cancun is around 130p or 2p. I figure if he gets his DHL pkg before 12pm on Tuesday the 14th, then he could go to the airport and go on standby for the afternoon flight.

[Jilly and Danny 0]

He was told to pick up his results after 2. Here at the hotel they said they are ready before then, but that's just what they tell you. We reserved the shuttle for 2pm and it was full. Apparently there were lots of other people here going for their results too. It took about 10 minutes as there were a lot of people. I wasn't allowed in, and he was asked to show his receipt to be allowed in. (We forgot ours but in the confusion my husband went in with the group and he got his results anyway). The hotel tells you to call them when you are ready to be picked up and there are pay phones right there to call. However, we didn't have coins or the phone number so we decided to just walk back. It was about a 20 minute walk, and the hardest/most dangerous part was definately crossing the busy roads, and the sun was really hot. It is definately within walking distance, if necessary.

Also going in the other direction, there is a supermarket about two blocks away. We walked there to buy some food for supper and lunch tomorrow.

Well I think that's all for now.

[EsperanzaXMyS 0]

Thanks and nice to meet you

I have to laugh because the SAME thing happened to us with the Registro Civil when we got married. The lady had NO idea what she was doing and she even wanted to keep my original visa!! I had to argue with her for a good 5 minutes as to why should couldn't keep the original...duh how else would I leave the country!!! But anyways after living here for more than a year I am sadly starting to get used to all the red tape and inefficient paperwork between getting married and getting my FM2.

Well I look forward to helping each other along the way!! Good luck!

Thanks and nice to meet you

I have to laugh because the SAME thing happened to us with the Registro Civil when we got married. The lady had NO idea what she was doing and she even wanted to keep my original visa!! I had to argue with her for a good 5 minutes as to why should couldn't keep the original...duh how else would I leave the country!!! But anyways after living here for more than a year I am sadly starting to get used to all the red tape and inefficient paperwork between getting married and getting my FM2.

Well I look forward to helping each other along the way!! Good luck!

[pnewton 0]

Hey everyone--

Wow, Jilly and Danny, thank you so much for posting all about your experience in Juarez...From the amount of people you mentioned at the clinic and then with the shuttle, it certainly seems like there are plenty of others going through this "prueba de fuego"!

And Arianak, thank you for the congratulations! The civil ceremony yesterday was really lovely--simple and sweet, and it made me realize just how exciting (and incredibly emotional!) it will be when we have our big wedding in front of all of our family and friends!

And I talked with the Consulate here in Mty today...My concerns about which bills to turn in were finally put to rest when he told me to just turn in the ones from my husband's family's house, which was our first residence and is where most of our mail is sent to. In the end, he said the important thing is that when they start sending us mail, that someone is there to get it, which means his family's residence makes more sense. And ahhh...he confirmed that we'll both need to head to Juarez, and that right now, things were taking about 4 months to process everything...! I suppose there's not much point in getting nervous about making the trip, but we'll definitely be following all of the tips that you guys have given . Haha, that's not to say we won't be quivering in our boots upon arrival, but oh well! He did mention that the route they usually recommend is through Texas into Juarez, even if you're driving from Mty (meaning looping through TX is better than driving straight there through MX).

What else? I think that's it for now...We're getting ready to turn in all of our paperwork on Thursday and then take it from there!

Have a good night, everyone! And good luck tomorrow, Jilly and Danny!

[LaGringa 0]

Thanks, Jilly and Danny for keeping us posted! All this information will help us when it's our turn. Good luck tomorrow!

Pnewton, congrats on getting hitched! I´m wondering why they told you that you both had to go to Juarez. I thought spouses didn't have to go (or weren't even allowed to go in the consulate). Did they tell you why?

[Marisol73 0]

Hello Richie..

Im glad everthing is going so fast.

How did you know about the packet 3 approval??..

I sent my packet 3 on August 3rd.. and I want to know if everything is OK or I need to send some more information.

Thanks

I have not posted before. We sent our I-130 to Mexico City June 5 2010. I got the approval June 13. Sent Packet 3 July 15. Approved and set up on the wait list for interview appt Aug 10. The letter arrived today to my US address with our interview scheduled for Oct 4th. I am amazed at how fast the process has been. I already made reservations at the La Quinta for Thrs Sept 30 to Tues Oct 5. We will fly in from Cancun to Juarez on the Thrs. and do the medical Friday morning. We have the interview at 1:15 pm Monday. Does the DHL packet usually arrive the next day?

Married in Cancun March 9 2009

Sent I-130 June 5 2010

Approved June 13 2010

Packet 3 sent June 15 2010

Packet 3 approved and put on wait list for appt Aug 10

Interview letter received Aug 30 with appt date for oct 4th

Richie

[pnewton 0]

Hey La Gringa...You know, I was wondering the same thing! From what I had read elsewhere, I thought only my husband would have to go, but when I talked with the consulate yesterday, it seemed like he was passing along the info from Juarez. I'll make sure to ask again when we turn in our paperwork on Thursday. Does anyone else know about this?