DCF Mexico

[ulises 0]

I'm glad I poped over here since I am usually on IM2US. We are going through the same thing. We have our appointment on Tuesday (March 29th) in CDJ. I had trouble with the DS-260 because those who do DCF don't have NVC records. I called the 703 number and asked and they told me to call NVC and then I called NVC and they told me to call the 703!!lol go figure. NVC didn't even have our case number in their database. I finally found out that the DS-260 is not required for March 2011 appts. and that it is perfectly acceptable to just bring an updated paper copy of you DS-230.

As far as the ASC appointment, another problem, there are no appointments in Mexico City when you try to schedule online and so one would have to go ALL the way to CDJ just for this, and I don't know about you but NO THANKS. Our tickets are already costing us almost 1,000USD for our visa interivew. Since this is also a new procedure, I found out this can be completed at the ASC area of the consulate in CDJ before your interivew. It shouldn't take more than 20mins and you don't need an appointment. We are planning on doing this in the afternoon after my husband finishes his medical.

The consulate never has the right answer!!! Those who answer the phone don't seem to know what is going on half the time and don't even know what DCF is! Go figure. I will let you know how all goes after our appt etc on Tuesday!

Sarah

Thank you Sarah.

So where did you find out that DS-260 is not needed for March appointments? I went to DHS.gov website and over there it says that for Ciudad Juarez cases, only those that start with MEP (or EMP I don't remember) would have to do it that way.

I am going by car from LA, it's 4 people in my case (counting me) so tickets would be at least $1500, and besides as our appointment is on friday, it may be the case that we won't have our visa until monday or tuesday of the week after.

Thanks for the map, is very good.

Please don't forget to provide details of how it went for your husband on the medical, the ASC and the appointment (I have to be there 4 days before cause for kids 4 years and older medical has to be at least 4 days before).

Also, let us know if you'll pay your visa in the ASC appointment.

I have read here one case, that for the medical they require you the "letter with the appointment issued by the consulate". I only have letters saying that "you are eligible to schedule an appointment from 1 to 12 of april".

Regards,

Ulises

[DerZinker 4]

I would recommend VERY highly trying to go in person, it will speed things up significantly! It takes several weeks just to get from the mail room (even if you send over night) to USCIS versus getting an approval the same or very next day. I have heard WAY to many instances of packages getting lost etc. in Mexico City. Not to mention I had a hell of a time communicating with them. We had to wait two extra weeks because the guy who processes our letter in the alphabet was in Haiti. I'm like hello isn't anyone filling in for him? Not my problem he's on vacation.

Thanks Esperanza... Honestly I don't have any greater desire to travel to Mexico City than I do Juarez (although if they did the interviews there in DF, I'd take that over Juarez ANYDAY ) I have lived in Guadalajara for 5+ years and have never had a problem with packages getting to me / where they need to go when I pay good money for them (i.e. FedEx or UPS). Of course, that's here in GDL so DF could be a different story alltogether, but I've had good luck with shipping here. I would go if I could, but I will probably just risk shipping via UPS. This whole deal is very pricey as it is and a tourist trip to DF is not on the agenda.

I have a question for you, however. Looks like you filed for a IR-1 / CR-1 (or that's what you ended up with, anyway). We're definitely eligible for an IR-1, but I'm a little confused by the process. I understand that they deem you eligible once your I-130 is approved, but what I don't really understand is, do I still need to file the I-129F along with the I-130 if I'm trying to get an IR-1 Visa ?? Thanks for your help.

[pnewton 0]

Hi DHudson, Ulises and Esperanza,

I'll try to be of some assistance to the questions that you asked--

DHudson--I filed for our visa in Monterrey in Sept 2010, where my husband and I had been living for some time and he was granted his visa in early January 2011. Filing in Monterrey was pretty easy and when I called and spoke to someone there, he was very helpful in telling me what to bring. However, based on other poster's comments, it seems like things may be a little more complicated at the Mexico City consulate, for whatever reason! Sorry I can't be of more help with this, but please feel free to read any of my posts and I hope they can be of help to you--I was always asking questions on this forum!

As for your concerns regarding CDJ, I definitely understand! I was very anxious at some points before going, but we got through it fine. We really followed everyone's safety advice, meaning a safe airport taxi to our hotel and then limited trips out of the hotel in the shuttle. The US Consulate area really does seem to have a lot of security around it and in the week that we were there (5 days for me, 7 days for my husband) we didn't see or hear anything that alarmed us. We stayed at La Quinta, and it was full of people going through the same process, so there was some nice camaraderie.

Ulises--I believe the DHL office in CDJ that our visa packet was sent to was Lopez Mateos. However, we definitely didn't get our packet right away. My husband was granted his visa on Thursday afternoon and then it didn't arrive at DHL until Tuesday of the next week. We were getting frustrated, but we met lots of other people who had waited the same time period. DHL was open for a half-day on Saturday and then closed on Sunday. We were told that the delay happens in the Consulate, not DHL. When your packet arrives at DHL, they (apparently) have it ready right away. So, it might be ready on Saturday, but I wouldn't count on it--I know, it stinks!

Esperanza--I ran into the same problem when I spoke to the Mty office for the first time...They didn't know what DCF was! I don't think that they typically call it that. They call it the "immigrant visa". I just explained to them that I was living and working in Monterrey, so we still filed "DCF", but we used the term immigrant visa to avoid confusion!

And also, I didn't know that there's a new appointment system!

Ok...I hope that helped! Sorry that I couldn't answer all of your questions more fully!

[DerZinker 4]

Hi dhudson,

You cannot file your immigration petition in Guadalajara, the only place to do it is USCIS offices in US Embassy in Mexico city. Had you lived in the north of Mexico, you could've filed in Monterrey or Tijuana (which is also simpler).

Seems like you are not in a rush, so probably you can gather the documents and send them via registered mail (or via UPS/DHL/Fedex) so that you can track if the documents made it to the offices and when). If you don't live far from Mexico city, then it's better to go in Person, I did it that way, and my petition (for wife and kids) was approved the very next day, although the letter notifying me reached me until January the 4th.

You need to file I-130 form, together with a copy of your FM-2 and proofs of your address in Mexico, (water,electricity, bank statements, etc.) Also your marriage certificate (and a translation to English), and a copy of your wife's Mexican passport or IFE. Oh, and a 5x5 cm picture of your wife.

May I ask you why did you have to go to Juarez before? Was it to petition for your children or to get a "birth abroad" certificate?

I am about to go to Ciudad Juarez in April, I'll be calling for appointment today, so I'll give updates as to the new visa process and how things look in Juarez.

BTW, when I was starting this process, I consulted a couple of lawyers, both of them told me it would be possible to apply for an "Adjustment of Status" upon their B2 visas.

However, in other forums I've read that it is illegal bringing someone to the state on a visitor visa thinking of applying the adjustment of status. This is valid for another type of visas that would let the intended immigrant to work in the States.

Besides this, it is a bit more expensive to do Adjustment of Status, and it can take a while too (probably more than a year) because you have to file from the US and only filing I-130 can take up to 6 months.

Regards,

Ulises

Hey Ulises, thanks for your input. Very helpful. I am pretty sure we're just going to try and do it the 'right' way even if it is literally risking our lives in friggin Juarez. It will likely be more beneficial in the future, and you're right, we're not in any big hurry at all so there's no rush. To answer your question, we travelled to Juarez before in 2005 because I had filed for a K1 visa for my then-fiancee. It's kind of a long story, but we went to Cd Jz and she discovered she was pregnant at the medical exam, which needless to say opened up a whole can of worms. She was approved, but she was pretty emotionally fragile and they jerked us around and told us that we had to wait a while because their system was down and we had return tickets to Guadalajara.. So, much to my disappointment, we went on back sans visa. For all I know it is still in Juarez to this day

But it's long expired now since it was a K1. The process to registeer my children as Americans born abroad was easy as pie and I was able to do that here in Guadalajara (and in 1 visit to the consulate no less!) I wish to the gods that it were that easy for my wife

Now a question for you, sir... In regards to DHL - I have read that you can select the DHL to where they will send the visa once approved and you said that you have gotten that far. Question is, do they let you select ANY DHL in Mexico (i.e. could I select a DHL here in Guadalajara and thus NOT in Juarez?) That would be so awesome because that would mean less time I / my wife would have to spend in that treacherous city. Of course this time, I will just be booking a one-way ticket anyway just to be on the safe side, but once the words 'approved' come out of their mouth, we'll be at the airport the next hour yeah.. I really hate it there

[pnewton 0]

Hi DHudson--

I just saw your most recent post, and I wanted to let you know that we just filed the I-130 at our consulate in early September, then received email verification that it was approved in Mty and sent along to CDJ (I may have pestered the Consulate first with an email before they emailed me). You shouldn't have to file the I-129F as you're married now.

We then waited until mid-November to hear from the CDJ Consulate that his appointment was scheduled for January 6th. At some point in early November, I had emailed them via their public inquiry system on the CDJ Consulate website and also called the number on the website (the one that charges you per minute).

Also, I'm not sure if your case is similar to ours, but if your wife has only traveled legally to the US and never spent any time undocumented in the States, you shouldn't have too much to worry about! My husband had traveled to the US 4-5 times on a tourist visa before we got married, and then I had my FM3 while I was in Monterrey. His whole interview process was really easy, and it was such a relief--haha, had we only known not to worry so much beforehand! The important thing is to really pore over your documents and make sure you're turning in everything that's required.

Hope that helped!

[DerZinker 4]

Hi DHudson--

I just saw your most recent post, and I wanted to let you know that we just filed the I-130 at our consulate in early September, then received email verification that it was approved in Mty and sent along to CDJ (I may have pestered the Consulate first with an email before they emailed me). You shouldn't have to file the I-129F as you're married now.

We then waited until mid-November to hear from the CDJ Consulate that his appointment was scheduled for January 6th. At some point in early November, I had emailed them via their public inquiry system on the CDJ Consulate website and also called the number on the website (the one that charges you per minute).

Also, I'm not sure if your case is similar to ours, but if your wife has only traveled legally to the US and never spent any time undocumented in the States, you shouldn't have too much to worry about! My husband had traveled to the US 4-5 times on a tourist visa before we got married, and then I had my FM3 while I was in Monterrey. His whole interview process was really easy, and it was such a relief--haha, had we only known not to worry so much beforehand! The important thing is to really pore over your documents and make sure you're turning in everything that's required.

Hope that helped!

Thanks so much, Newton! Any and all advice helps, so thank you She has only gone to the US some 5-6 times and each time it was with me just to go on vacation to visit my folks, so no, no visa overstays or anything like that. I really don't think she will have any issues at all in obtaining the IR-1. In fact, I wonder if her having been approved beforehand would help her case at all? But in any case, I'm sure it will go fine for us should we decide to apply. I was just confused because to apply for a K3 as I understand it you're supposed to file both the I-130 and the I-129F, but for the IR-1, not so much.. I guess it is just kind of confusing to me the difference in the K3 / IR-1. I'm on an FM-2 visa here in Mexico and have been at our residence for 3 years, so should have no problems with the DCF.

Thanks for the tip on checking over the docs a few extra times.. we'll definitely do that. Having been though the process once before should help I think ... especially since they seem to have things a little better organized.

Really what holds us back is the trip to Juarez. I hate to go in circles about it and trash on the place so much, but we are young parents and loathe the idea of having to go there. Last time we went it was just a wretched place and now it's the same ####### + the most violent city in this hemisphere. So we still haven't taken off the table the idea of just going to the US and then adjusting status once there, but I would feel much more comfortable if we were to do the move with all the immigration stuff behind us.

[ulises 0]

Hey Ulises, thanks for your input. Very helpful. I am pretty sure we're just going to try and do it the 'right' way even if it is literally risking our lives in friggin Juarez. It will likely be more beneficial in the future, and you're right, we're not in any big hurry at all so there's no rush. To answer your question, we travelled to Juarez before in 2005 because I had filed for a K1 visa for my then-fiancee. It's kind of a long story, but we went to Cd Jz and she discovered she was pregnant at the medical exam, which needless to say opened up a whole can of worms. She was approved, but she was pretty emotionally fragile and they jerked us around and told us that we had to wait a while because their system was down and we had return tickets to Guadalajara.. So, much to my disappointment, we went on back sans visa. For all I know it is still in Juarez to this day

But it's long expired now since it was a K1. The process to registeer my children as Americans born abroad was easy as pie and I was able to do that here in Guadalajara (and in 1 visit to the consulate no less!) I wish to the gods that it were that easy for my wife

Now a question for you, sir... In regards to DHL - I have read that you can select the DHL to where they will send the visa once approved and you said that you have gotten that far. Question is, do they let you select ANY DHL in Mexico (i.e. could I select a DHL here in Guadalajara and thus NOT in Juarez?) That would be so awesome because that would mean less time I / my wife would have to spend in that treacherous city. Of course this time, I will just be booking a one-way ticket anyway just to be on the safe side, but once the words 'approved' come out of their mouth, we'll be at the airport the next hour yeah.. I really hate it there

Hi dhudson,

Yeah, they let you choose pretty much any DHL location, I was asked if I wanted my family's shipped to Leon Guanajuato DHL office, so sending it to Guadalajara will not be an issue, and as you say, it will be safer for you.

Once you are done with your interview, you can wait back in Guadalajara, and they your wife will have 6 months to cross the border.

In my case, I am already in the States, and I brought my family on their B-2 (tourist) visas, so the problem with this is that if they are approved they will take their B-2 visas, so there is no way my family can cross the border from the day of the interview till the day when they get their immigrant visas. And you can imagine how expensive it would be for me to book tickets for 4 for a round trip.

I am making the trip from California to Juarez (perhaps to El Paso only and they use a taxi to cross the border) by car, because at least it gives me more flexibility as compared to buying plane tickets. So I guess I will book a hotel for at least 10 days, and pray for my family's visas to arrive on tuesday at most.

Thanks everyone for your responses also.

[EsperanzaXMyS 0]

@ulises Totally!! Plane tickets are OUTRAGEOUS right now!! We spent 1,000 bucks and we are flying within Mexico. We are going to stay at La Quinta because we have heard such good things and a gal gave me a discount code so its like 45 bucks. Free internet, breakfast, transportation. There's a Camino Real there which are nice but the reviews on Expedia were not good.

@pnewton Thanks..Yeah I didn't even call it "DCF" since I had heard that comment on here...I didn't have much trouble with that in DF but whenever I contact CDJ consulate 703 number they just don't get we never went through NVC!!! So we never got the NVC invoice number and we are just bringing the DS230 paper version with us....getting a little nervous!!!! We are heading out tomorrow...

[EsperanzaXMyS 0]

Thanks Esperanza... Honestly I don't have any greater desire to travel to Mexico City than I do Juarez (although if they did the interviews there in DF, I'd take that over Juarez ANYDAY ) I have lived in Guadalajara for 5+ years and have never had a problem with packages getting to me / where they need to go when I pay good money for them (i.e. FedEx or UPS). Of course, that's here in GDL so DF could be a different story alltogether, but I've had good luck with shipping here. I would go if I could, but I will probably just risk shipping via UPS. This whole deal is very pricey as it is and a tourist trip to DF is not on the agenda.

I have a question for you, however. Looks like you filed for a IR-1 / CR-1 (or that's what you ended up with, anyway). We're definitely eligible for an IR-1, but I'm a little confused by the process. I understand that they deem you eligible once your I-130 is approved, but what I don't really understand is, do I still need to file the I-129F along with the I-130 if I'm trying to get an IR-1 Visa ?? Thanks for your help.

I totally understand not wanting to travel to Mexico City. I used to live there and we are a short drive now, but if you are all the way in Guadalajara you will be fine sending it. My package arrived just fine overnight via FedEx to Mexico City and to CDJ via DHL but in Mexico it took like 10 days just to get from their mail room to the proper person. That's why if you can go in person it assures a much faster I-130 approval (granted you have the appropriate docs) but it doesn't sound like you are in a hurry anyways!!

Mail here in Guanajuato stinks!!! I mention it to the guy at USCIS in DF and he said that he gets his cable bill in the mail and its already late!! lol but when I was in DF mail was SOOO much better than here...my mom send me some treats for Valentines Day via USPS and I like just got them and needless to say my favorite chocolates were not in original form!!!! Anyways getting off topic...

Yes you just need to file the I-130 for your IR-1, once it is approved (which as long as you have all the correct paperwork and meet the income reqs is simple), you will get packet 3 (which I still to date haven't gotten in the mail in the US or here, but its online) fill that out send it to CDJ and then your appt will be scheduled.

[ulises 0]

@ulises Totally!! Plane tickets are OUTRAGEOUS right now!! We spent 1,000 bucks and we are flying within Mexico. We are going to stay at La Quinta because we have heard such good things and a gal gave me a discount code so its like 45 bucks. Free internet, breakfast, transportation. There's a Camino Real there which are nice but the reviews on Expedia were not good.

@pnewton Thanks..Yeah I didn't even call it "DCF" since I had heard that comment on here...I didn't have much trouble with that in DF but whenever I contact CDJ consulate 703 number they just don't get we never went through NVC!!! So we never got the NVC invoice number and we are just bringing the DS230 paper version with us....getting a little nervous!!!! We are heading out tomorrow...

Hi,

I was checking the necessary documents instructed in packet 3, but I don't know if I have to carry a copy of the "Affidavit of Support" as one has to send it as part of packet 3.

So, does one really need to bring another signed I-864?

Regards,

Ulises

[EsperanzaXMyS 0]

Hi,

I was checking the necessary documents instructed in packet 3, but I don't know if I have to carry a copy of the "Affidavit of Support" as one has to send it as part of packet 3.

So, does one really need to bring another signed I-864?

Regards,

Ulises

Hi there!! To the appointment, yes you need to bring another copy of the Affidavidt of Support. A copy is fine.

[EsperanzaXMyS 0]

Our CDJ Medical Experience:

-My husband left the hotel at about 5:20 a.m. and arrived at the Clinica Internacional by the Consulate at 5:30 a.m. He said there was already a lot of people waiting in line at this time. He decided to take a taxi since the hotels transport wasn't until 6 a.m. He got in the clinic they ask him for his letter and his passport. You give them your passport and letter, sign an electronic pad and they take a picture. They then said to sit in the line and take off his sweater. Then he went to get his blood drawn. After that, vision check followed by gettin' naked (underwear and socks) checked his tatoos, asked him if he is a drug user or a smoker, took weight/height. Then he did the X-Rays. Then he went to the urine testing. He didn't have any water in the a.m. and since we traveled the night before not much in his system so what took a lot of time was he had to chug water so he could provide the sample! So drink before hand!! The lady also told him its no problem to come there with food in your stomach so have alittle something to eat so you are not starving afterwardsThen he got his vaccinations (4). Then he paid 360USD (4,400 pesos). He got back to the hotel at 9 a.m.

We went to the Applicant Service Center at about 10 a.m. no need for an appointment there was barely a line, BUT if you did DCF you CANNOT complete this part since there is no invoice number to fill out the DS-260 online and print the DS-160 confirmation with the bar code. You will have to complete this part at the actual appt which will take a little longer but no big deal. Also at the appt you will pay so the person going to the appt must have the form of payment either in CC, dollars, pesos. Pesos have to be in actual change for the official consulate exchange rate that day.

At 1:30 we got in line to pick up the medical results. Theres really no reason to get there this early because its alphabetical, which we didnt know so my husband was towards the end. I waited outside.

We are staying at La Quinta but its a little off the path, not far, within walking distance but probably safer in transport. We arrived at 1 am since we lost an hour and it was totally dead here!!! We were so starving since we didn't eat since the afternoon but absolutely nothing was open, the front desk guy said not even Denny's stays open 24 anymore because of the situation here. So we got snacks from the vending machine So try to bring some snacks or get some in the day time because you DONT want to be out at night here. Its kinda scary and its a totally ghost town at night. Taxi from the airport was 250 pesos...they tried to rip us off for 400 and I told him the last time it was only 250 and he was like oh yeah thats right lol...we've never been here before!!! Its a lot for such a short cab ride, but they are safe since they are registered and everything. They are the only taxis there.

That's it for now, until our appt tomorrow.

[LaGringa 0]

Ulises, we took a copy of the affidavit but weren't asked for it. Still, take a copy if you can.

Also, I have a question. You say your family is with you in the US. Isn't that kind of... wrong? Since they entered on their B visas but are intending to immigrate? Or is this information just for us and the consulate thinks you are all living in Mexico? I just want to understand, that's all.

[LaGringa 0]

Hi, Esperanza. It's good to know everything went well with today. Good luck tomorrow on your interview!

Dhudson, I strongly recommend doing it the right way, via Juarez. When we were first thinking about moving to the US, we were just going to go and adjust over there, since apparently "everybody" does it that way. I know people who have done it and some who have had problems. This really is the best way and since you're in no hurry, I suggest you take this route. Yes, Juarez sucks so bad, but it's only a couple of days, you'll be fine!

[ulises 0]

Ulises, we took a copy of the affidavit but weren't asked for it. Still, take a copy if you can.

Also, I have a question. You say your family is with you in the US. Isn't that kind of... wrong? Since they entered on their B visas but are intending to immigrate? Or is this information just for us and the consulate thinks you are all living in Mexico? I just want to understand, that's all.

Hi LaGringa. My family is here with me, but just visiting. Mi wife doesn't work here, and my kids don't go to school. So nothing illegal/wrong we are doing. When I brought them, I actually told the immigration officer in the airpoport that I had already filed I-130 and that I was moving here and they were to visit me. She granted 6-month stay. That was in January, and since they have their appointment on april, stay would be less than 4 months. Other people have visited the US on their B-2 visas while they are on the process of immigrating.

So I think I should be ok. Anyway, I hope that doesn't affect our results.

Regards,

Ulises