DCF Mexico

[LaGringa 0]

Hi, everyone, LaGringa here, reporting live from the scene!

We arrived yesterday and took a taxi from the airport to the La Quinta. It cost $245. The hotel is nice and clean. I had read on another board that the rooms smelled bad but that is not the case.

This morning we took the shuttle to the consulate. We had booked it the night before and it was just us and another couple. We arrived at 6:40. My husband was third in line for the information window. The window is outside, so you aren't checked or anything. He took the email I printed where CDJ sent me the case number, and with that they gave him the appointment letter. I thought there were two letters, one for the medical and one for the interview, but it is the same one. That was at about 7:20 and we crossed the street to get to the Clinic. We went to Clinica Medica Internacional. Oh, everyone is offering to look through your papers, to put them in order, or to go into "the office" to see what clinic you had to go to. Just ignore them. They even wear ID's so they look official but they're not. Annoying is what they are. Anyway... there was a short line outside the clinic. You need the appointment letter and passport. About 15 minutes later we went in and the family members had to go to a waiting room with a TV. It was okay. Room for about a hundred people and a door that can't be opened from the inside (there is an emergency exit, though). Kind of scary but there's people going in every few minutes and everyone kept leaving the door open when they left anyway. Occasionally a nurse came and shut it. They shut it because the waiting room is right off the main hall where our family members are waiting, so they don't want you peeking impatiently. When your family member is done, he'll go look for you there. You're not supposed to use your cell phone here but everyone was. This room is where you pick up the results in the afternoon. In hindsight, I should have gone to Denny's to wait. It is right behind the clinic.

Ok, now goes my husband's account of the medical. First they take your information, take your picture and give you a colored bracelet to wear. You need it to pick up the results. They ask for your address (we took a printed confirmation from the hotel, but you can just tell them what hotel you're staying at). Then you actually go in for the medical. There is a blood test, vision test and then in another room, he was asked to undress. Only in underwear and socks he was weighed and then asked to lower his shorts. The doctor glanced over for one second. Then they took his pressure and checked his breathing. Then he was asked to put his pants on and in another room he got chest X-rays. Somewhere along the line he was asked about drug use. They ask many times, like "No has probado drogas? Cocaina, mariguana? Ni por curiosidad? Nada de cocaina?". They also asked what he did for a living, if he had had problems with the law and if he had had tuberculosis, broken bones, allergies, hepatitis, venereal diseases, tattoos, hernias, among others. Also, at some point they confirm your info. They had made a mistake, they put he was from Colombia instead of Monterrey. They corrected it but at the next "station" the info was still wrong, so at the very end they re-confirmed and it said Monterrey. He paid about $4,300 pesos with a mexican credit card. He picked me up from the waiting room and we left at 9:15.

After that we crossed the street and took his pictures at a place right behind the new Cabo Grill. Don't go there. They were $120 pesos and when we went to the mall later we saw some for $50. (BTW, if you've never been to Cabo Grill, try it, it's good! It's seafood.) The mall was closed because it was too early so we crossed back and had breakfast at Denny's. Then we crossed back to the mall, went to Sanborn's, bought magazines and water and then called the hotel for the shuttle. It took about 20 minutes. They picked us up at the consulate.

At 2:30 my husband took the shuttle to get his results. The earlier shuttle was full, but the clinic is open until 4 anyway (not 100% sure on this). They only asked for the receipt.

That's about it for now. The shuttle is awesome. We didn't have breakfast at the hotel today because we left early, so I'll report on that tomorrow. Also, at about 7 we went by the lobby and there were "Express Dinner $8" signs but we had already ordered something else so I don't know what the dinner was.

The interview is tomorrow at eleven. I'm going to wait here at the hotel, although there is a waiting area at the consulate. Wish us *more* luck!

[Marisol73 0]

Thank you so much for all the details !! they will be very helpful for us next week !

Good Luck !.. everything will go well ..dont worry !

Hi, everyone, LaGringa here, reporting live from the scene!

We arrived yesterday and took a taxi from the airport to the La Quinta. It cost $245. The hotel is nice and clean. I had read on another board that the rooms smelled bad but that is not the case.

This morning we took the shuttle to the consulate. We had booked it the night before and it was just us and another couple. We arrived at 6:40. My husband was third in line for the information window. The window is outside, so you aren't checked or anything. He took the email I printed where CDJ sent me the case number, and with that they gave him the appointment letter. I thought there were two letters, one for the medical and one for the interview, but it is the same one. That was at about 7:20 and we crossed the street to get to the Clinic. We went to Clinica Medica Internacional. Oh, everyone is offering to look through your papers, to put them in order, or to go into "the office" to see what clinic you had to go to. Just ignore them. They even wear ID's so they look official but they're not. Annoying is what they are. Anyway... there was a short line outside the clinic. You need the appointment letter and passport. About 15 minutes later we went in and the family members had to go to a waiting room with a TV. It was okay. Room for about a hundred people and a door that can't be opened from the inside (there is an emergency exit, though). Kind of scary but there's people going in every few minutes and everyone kept leaving the door open when they left anyway. Occasionally a nurse came and shut it. They shut it because the waiting room is right off the main hall where our family members are waiting, so they don't want you peeking impatiently. When your family member is done, he'll go look for you there. You're not supposed to use your cell phone here but everyone was. This room is where you pick up the results in the afternoon. In hindsight, I should have gone to Denny's to wait. It is right behind the clinic.

Ok, now goes my husband's account of the medical. First they take your information, take your picture and give you a colored bracelet to wear. You need it to pick up the results. They ask for your address (we took a printed confirmation from the hotel, but you can just tell them what hotel you're staying at). Then you actually go in for the medical. There is a blood test, vision test and then in another room, he was asked to undress. Only in underwear and socks he was weighed and then asked to lower his shorts. The doctor glanced over for one second. Then they took his pressure and checked his breathing. Then he was asked to put his pants on and in another room he got chest X-rays. Somewhere along the line he was asked about drug use. They ask many times, like "No has probado drogas? Cocaina, mariguana? Ni por curiosidad? Nada de cocaina?". They also asked what he did for a living, if he had had problems with the law and if he had had tuberculosis, broken bones, allergies, hepatitis, venereal diseases, tattoos, hernias, among others. Also, at some point they confirm your info. They had made a mistake, they put he was from Colombia instead of Monterrey. They corrected it but at the next "station" the info was still wrong, so at the very end they re-confirmed and it said Monterrey. He paid about $4,300 pesos with a mexican credit card. He picked me up from the waiting room and we left at 9:15.

After that we crossed the street and took his pictures at a place right behind the new Cabo Grill. Don't go there. They were $120 pesos and when we went to the mall later we saw some for $50. (BTW, if you've never been to Cabo Grill, try it, it's good! It's seafood.) The mall was closed because it was too early so we crossed back and had breakfast at Denny's. Then we crossed back to the mall, went to Sanborn's, bought magazines and water and then called the hotel for the shuttle. It took about 20 minutes. They picked us up at the consulate.

At 2:30 my husband took the shuttle to get his results. The earlier shuttle was full, but the clinic is open until 4 anyway (not 100% sure on this). They only asked for the receipt.

That's about it for now. The shuttle is awesome. We didn't have breakfast at the hotel today because we left early, so I'll report on that tomorrow. Also, at about 7 we went by the lobby and there were "Express Dinner $8" signs but we had already ordered something else so I don't know what the dinner was.

The interview is tomorrow at eleven. I'm going to wait here at the hotel, although there is a waiting area at the consulate. Wish us *more* luck!

[pnewton 0]

Thanks so much for the first round of details, La Gringa! It sounds like things have been going smoothly! And it's great to know all of the details about the shuttle, the restaurants and exactly what to expect from medical exam! So, you'll be having your interview today? Good luck! That means that if all goes well, you guys should be able to cross the border tomorrow or Saturday at the latest, right?

[LaGringa 0]

And we're back! He was approved!!

He took the shuttle to the consulate at 10:15 (interview was at 11:15). It was too early so they didn't let him get in line. Al 10:30 he got in line, for about five minutes and went in where they check you. You have to take off your belt, keys, coins, etc, just like at the airport. There you turn in your interview letter and you get a little paper with a number and a blank DHL paper. You have to fill this out while you wait, so take a pen. After that you move to a big waiting area (covered patio). Here you wait to see your number on the screen. The new numbers are in red. Beside your number is the number of the window you have to go to. Sometimes they call your name. After about 20 minutes his number was up and they asked for:

- Passport

- His birth certificate (original, copy and translation)

- Marriage certificate

- 2 Photos

- Medical results

Then he waited about five minutes and his number was up again. He had to pay the $404. He paid with his mexican credit card. And yes, if you can, take cash. The exchange rate was 13.50 sheesh! He went to sit and almost immediately was called for fingerprinting. Five more minutes and he was called for the interview. This is what he was asked:

- First the oath

- Name

- Place of birth

- Who was petitioning him

- My parents' names

- Where I was born

- What he did for a living

- What I did for a living

- Where our daughter was born

- If he had a visa

- If he had crossed to the US and if it was always with his visa

- Problems with immigration or with the law

And that was it. He told him he was approved and then went to pay to DHL $102 pesos. He was out before 12.

He wasn't asked for the new DS-230 nor did he sign the old DS-230 Part II. You think there might be a problem??

[jaremedios 1]

Congrats!!!!!!! Great to hear that all of you are having no problems. I'm going to miss all of you here. Hopefully, when we're ready, things haven't changed too much and I can find other people for support.

[grangkm 1]

Thanks soo much for the narrative La gringa. I'm soooo happy for you guys! Congrats.

I have a question for any who want to answer. It's about the I-864. I'm filling it out right now, and I'm currently working here in Mexico, but I should put my annual income as 0 correct? since I won't have this job when we go home??? Please help!! Than ks.

[Marisol73 0]

Congratulations !!!! Im so happy for you guys!...so Today you will pick up the DHL package?? at what time?

Thank you so much for your detailed info... im getting nervous.. we'll go next wednesday.

And we're back! He was approved!!

He took the shuttle to the consulate at 10:15 (interview was at 11:15). It was too early so they didn't let him get in line. Al 10:30 he got in line, for about five minutes and went in where they check you. You have to take off your belt, keys, coins, etc, just like at the airport. There you turn in your interview letter and you get a little paper with a number and a blank DHL paper. You have to fill this out while you wait, so take a pen. After that you move to a big waiting area (covered patio). Here you wait to see your number on the screen. The new numbers are in red. Beside your number is the number of the window you have to go to. Sometimes they call your name. After about 20 minutes his number was up and they asked for:

- Passport

- His birth certificate (original, copy and translation)

- Marriage certificate

- 2 Photos

- Medical results

Then he waited about five minutes and his number was up again. He had to pay the $404. He paid with his mexican credit card. And yes, if you can, take cash. The exchange rate was 13.50 sheesh! He went to sit and almost immediately was called for fingerprinting. Five more minutes and he was called for the interview. This is what he was asked:

- First the oath

- Name

- Place of birth

- Who was petitioning him

- My parents' names

- Where I was born

- What he did for a living

- What I did for a living

- Where our daughter was born

- If he had a visa

- If he had crossed to the US and if it was always with his visa

- Problems with immigration or with the law

And that was it. He told him he was approved and then went to pay to DHL $102 pesos. He was out before 12.

He wasn't asked for the new DS-230 nor did he sign the old DS-230 Part II. You think there might be a problem??

[pnewton 0]

Yay! Congrats, La Gringa! He was in there for under an hour?! That's awesome. It seems like the Thursday appointment time is ideal! I hope you can pick up the packet from DHL asap today!

And just a side note, I sent my husband all of the papers (tax stuff, etc) that I did via UPS and he got them late yesterday. He'll add in the papers he needs to do and then Packet 3 will be FINALLY off! From the time you guys sent in Packet 3, how long has it been until your interview? We're curious to see how long it will take...and also, do you think that the consulate closes for a long Christmas break?

[pnewton 0]

Oh, and Grangkm...I'm not completely sure, because I came back to the US first and have been looking for a job in the meantime. I would say that you should definitely attach a letter explaining what your situation is--where you work in MX, how much you make now, and where you plan to work in the US and what you plan to make, tentatively. I think the important thing is that you have your co-sponsor stuff in place. Anyone else know about this?

[czmjacq 1]

Congrats La Gringa!! Glad to hear is went so smoothing -- and in record time!! I just received an appt. for an interview to go with my husband on Nov 30 so I guess I have no choice but to go.... So it sounds like the town of CJ was pretty quiet while you were there. I hope it stays that way for a while-- how did you feel being there??

[Marisol73 0]

Czmjacq:

I think you took a right choice to go there for the interview. Cd Juarez is dangerous but it is our only option. We just have to be careful and dont go out at night. That`s what my husband and I will do.. unfortunately we have to stay there for 8 days !.. anyway we will just go out from the hotel if it is necessary.

Good Luck !

Congrats La Gringa!! Glad to hear is went so smoothing -- and in record time!! I just received an appt. for an interview to go with my husband on Nov 30 so I guess I have no choice but to go.... So it sounds like the town of CJ was pretty quiet while you were there. I hope it stays that way for a while-- how did you feel being there??

[LaGringa 0]

Hi, everyone! We're so so happy and relieved!

Jaremedios, hopefully when you do this, you won't have to come to Juarez! =)

Marisol, don't worry, you'll do great, if you have more questions just ask!

Pnewton, I know I wrote it before, I think I sent the package on August 25 and the interview was Oct 21, so less than 2 months. I'm sure the consulate will close during holidays, on its web page they have a list of the dates they close.

Czmjacq, I know, it went very fast! That's great, that you have an appointment soon! Don't worry too much about the city because you still have to come. The area around the consulate and LaQuinta is safe. Of course you don't want to be out at night. A lot of people, including us, walked to the S-Mart (10 min walk) for groceries and it was fine. Like in any big city, you just have to be aware of your surroundings at all times. Yes, bad things happen, but not where you will be. I did feel safe.

Ok, so yesterday we were frantically refreshing the DHL webpage. We reserved the shuttle for 2:30. It showed it was there until a little before two. So we got there and there was a bit of a line. When we got the package, the lady there opened it and gave us instructions, basically not to open the other package inside (it's a thick manila envelope with a sheet stapled over it with your information and picture), to check that the info on the sheet is correct and what bridge you have to go to. The shuttle then took us to the bridge (we got Zaragoza) with another girl from the hotel. We crossed (5 pesos or 45 cents). When you get inside the building on the other side, don't make the line where they check the passports, go to the big office on the left and there will be two lines. Nobody tells you, but you need to get on the line on the left. There we waited about 50 mins. Then in the window they take your package and passport and you sign some papers and give one fingerprint. Then you sit and wait for ever!! The End. No, we waited for about 2 hours then my husband got his stamped passport. We could have crossed back but didn't want to leave the other girl we crossed with because it was getting dark. She was behind my husband in line, but it still took more than an hour for her to get hers. We called the shuttle and crossed back. It took like 15 minutes for the shuttle to get there. There were some people selling movies and asking for money. In summary, we started the line at 3:30 and left the building at 8:00. If you have an extra day I recommend going in the morning.

Well, that about covers it!

[Anatopia 0]

hello, I am Ana. I have been reading through this thread for a few days. I am doing DCF in Monterrey. I have to make a trip back to my home state to get some documentation, then back home to Monclova. I will then go file in MTY. Do I need to walk it in, or can I mail it via DHL or UPS?

[LaGringa 0]

Hi, Ana, welcome to the forum!

You have to go in person in Monterrey. You don't need an appointment, but they only open I think Tuesday and Thursday mornings.

[Anatopia 0]

ok, thanks for the information.