Ciudad Juarez Consulate

[icarolina 1]

I keep searching within the forums but what i find are contradictory comments about this topic. My question is, once the visa has been approved do we have to wait in Cd. Juarez for it or can we leave and wait for it in another city? In our case we'd like to wait for it to be delivered in Guadalajara. I realize it might take a week or two for it to get there but that's not a problem for us. Can someone who recently (within the last couple months) has gone through Juarez help me? I ask this because the process has just recently started changing in some aspects and i don't know if what was going on in December of last year would still apply now.

[thaiv 15]

I keep searching within the forums but what i find are contradictory comments about this topic. My question is, once the visa has been approved do we have to wait in Cd. Juarez for it or can we leave and wait for it in another city? In our case we'd like to wait for it to be delivered in Guadalajara. I realize it might take a week or two for it to get there but that's not a problem for us. Can someone who recently (within the last couple months) has gone through Juarez help me? I ask this because the process has just recently started changing in some aspects and i don't know if what was going on in December of last year would still apply now.

On their recently revised website for the Juarez consulate at (http://ciudadjuarez.usconsulate.gov/step3kvisa.html) it states:

"At the same website, http://mexico.usvisa-info.com,'>http://mexico.usvisa-info.com, select a DHL courier office location where you would like to receive your visa."

So yes you can request to receive the visa in another city in Mexico.

The k-1 visa process has changed since December. These changes can be seen at the Juarez Consulate website (http://ciudadjuarez.usconsulate.gov/hivfiance/steps-to-obtaining-a-k-visa.html). Some of these changes include:

1. An ASC appointment for biometric information.

2. The online DS-260 form.

3. A scheduled (no longer open) consular appointment.

4. The option to pay for the visa fee online or over the phone.

5. Using the http://mexico.usvisa-info.com website. Here you can choose the DHL location, schedule appointments, etc.

Sounds good right? Actually the process is currently a disaster. There are currently delays in receiving fingerprints and receiving the visa from DHL. Some people are recommending that due to the problems they are currently having that it may be smart to do everything in Juarez even though you can choose where you want the ASC appointment and where you want to pick up your DHL package.

Personally my plan is to do everything in Juarez (for now). They are still adjusting to their new procedures and right now it seems simpler in case anything goes wrong to do it all in Juarez.

[icarolina 1]

Thanks for your help. I have checked those links out previously, but I didn't know how reliable that info was for the same reason that it's currently chaos there because of the changes. I was hoping to hear from someone who has just gone there so that they prove what the site says is legit. My estimate is that we'll be going to Juarez sometime in late May/early June so hopefully by then they'll be more used to the new process and it'll be a bit more efficient.

[thaiv 15]

Thanks for your help. I have checked those links out previously, but I didn't know how reliable that info was for the same reason that it's currently chaos there because of the changes. I was hoping to hear from someone who has just gone there so that they prove what the site says is legit. My estimate is that we'll be going to Juarez sometime in late May/early June so hopefully by then they'll be more used to the new process and it'll be a bit more efficient.

From what I have heard from members here, it is legit now. Also that is what they are telling me on the phone. And yes hopefully they will have things more in control by that time.

[Matt :) 1]

OK, so here is the deal....

People at 703# insist visa can be delivered to a DHL location in a nearby city. I did everything (paid visa fee, scheduled appts, assigned DHL facility) all by phone at 703#. They emailed me a summary of details also after the call. I also called a day after and the other person on the phone confirmed everything.

If you live far away from Juarez I highly recommend doing your ASC appt in Juarez but have your visa sent to a DHL location in your closest city....

I recommend ASC in Juarez b/c 703# agent said it could take a week or more for CDJ to receive ASC fingerprints and photo as they mail it to CDJ, and they cant guarantee anything, so I believe its much better just doing it at the ASC near CDJ.

I recommend having visa sent outside of Juarez (if you dont live near Juarez), b/c there could be delays and you will have to spend $ on a hotel every night & weekend waiting for it to arrive at DHL in Juarez, and once you pick a location you cant change it! One VJ friend of mine has been in Juarez w/ her fiance for 11 days & counting!!! So it is mailed from CDJ through DHL both ways so you might as well have it sent to location near you. If you send it to an outside DHL location you can call 703# 5 business days after the visa interview and can give you tracking status.... However, I heard DHL is having tracking issues so its best to stop by the DHL location once in a while to see if it arrived. Hopefully things will be worked out soon, our appt is next week so I'll keep y'all updated.

[icarolina 1]

[quote name=Matt ' timestamp='1301600827' post='4578024]

OK, so here is the deal....

People at 703# insist visa can be delivered to a DHL location in a nearby city. I did everything (paid visa fee, scheduled appts, assigned DHL facility) all by phone at 703#. They emailed me a summary of details also after the call. I also called a day after and the other person on the phone confirmed everything.

If you live far away from Juarez I highly recommend doing your ASC appt in Juarez but have your visa sent to a DHL location in your closest city....

I recommend ASC in Juarez b/c 703# agent said it could take a week or more for CDJ to receive ASC fingerprints and photo as they mail it to CDJ, and they cant guarantee anything, so I believe its much better just doing it at the ASC near CDJ.

I recommend having visa sent outside of Juarez (if you dont live near Juarez), b/c there could be delays and you will have to spend $ on a hotel every night & weekend waiting for it to arrive at DHL in Juarez, and once you pick a location you cant change it! One VJ friend of mine has been in Juarez w/ her fiance for 11 days & counting!!! So it is mailed from CDJ through DHL both ways so you might as well have it sent to location near you. If you send it to an outside DHL location you can call 703# 5 business days after the visa interview and can give you tracking status.... However, I heard DHL is having tracking issues so its best to stop by the DHL location once in a while to see if it arrived. Hopefully things will be worked out soon, our appt is next week so I'll keep y'all updated.

Ah good, i definitely don't want to be stuck in Juarez just waiting for the visa and pay for a hotel when i've already paid rent in Guadalajara, especially cause it ain't cheap. Thanks for the tips!

Oh a few other quick questions... When did you call to schedule the appointments? Do you have to be in Juarez to schedule them? And were the dates close to the day you called to schedule them? Sorry but this curve ball they threw with all these changes are making me real nervous.

[Matt :) 1]

Yes, changes started really occurring the past week or 2, so we are as panicked as everyone else, but in my mind I know there are many fiance's everyday at CDJ so I'm hoping all the kinks are worked out. I called and paid visa fee right after I received the CDJ invitation letter. after you pay you are given a MRV # so write it down b/c they dont assign it to you and dont repeat it. you are supposed to wait 24hrs after to schedule so it shows up in system. I called later that day and scheduled for next week.

[thaiv 15]

[quote name=Matt ' timestamp='1301600827' post='4578024]

OK, so here is the deal....

People at 703# insist visa can be delivered to a DHL location in a nearby city. I did everything (paid visa fee, scheduled appts, assigned DHL facility) all by phone at 703#. They emailed me a summary of details also after the call. I also called a day after and the other person on the phone confirmed everything.

If you live far away from Juarez I highly recommend doing your ASC appt in Juarez but have your visa sent to a DHL location in your closest city....

I recommend ASC in Juarez b/c 703# agent said it could take a week or more for CDJ to receive ASC fingerprints and photo as they mail it to CDJ, and they cant guarantee anything, so I believe its much better just doing it at the ASC near CDJ.

I recommend having visa sent outside of Juarez (if you dont live near Juarez), b/c there could be delays and you will have to spend $ on a hotel every night & weekend waiting for it to arrive at DHL in Juarez, and once you pick a location you cant change it! One VJ friend of mine has been in Juarez w/ her fiance for 11 days & counting!!! So it is mailed from CDJ through DHL both ways so you might as well have it sent to location near you. If you send it to an outside DHL location you can call 703# 5 business days after the visa interview and can give you tracking status.... However, I heard DHL is having tracking issues so its best to stop by the DHL location once in a while to see if it arrived. Hopefully things will be worked out soon, our appt is next week so I'll keep y'all updated.

Matt has a very good point here. The only thing that concerns me though is if there were a problem with the consulate after the interview and I had already left to another city waiting for a visa I wouldn't receive. Since they have so many things messed up right now, I would rather be in Juarez in case something goes wrong.

[quote name=Matt ' timestamp='1301609644' post='4578351]

Yes, changes started really occurring the past week or 2, so we are as panicked as everyone else, but in my mind I know there are many fiance's everyday at CDJ so I'm hoping all the kinks are worked out. I called and paid visa fee right after I received the CDJ invitation letter. after you pay you are given a MRV # so write it down b/c they dont assign it to you and dont repeat it. you are supposed to wait 24hrs after to schedule so it shows up in system. I called later that day and scheduled for next week.

So you have to pay before being able to schedule and interview?

[Matt :) 1]

yes, you have to pay first. There is an option on automated system just for k-1 payments.

You can leave CDJ once interview is done, they either approve you or dont, if they dont you will know, they will tell you that you're missing something, etc. Its up to you which route you want to go

[monyfer 27]

WOW - I did not realize the process had changed so significantly recently. No more open appointments?!?! Eeeek!! I hope you can book an appointment fairly quickly and they don't fill up for weeks on end We are SO close to NOA2 and I just want FI to interview by May hopefully and be done.

Does anyone know if you have to wait for the Packet 3 to arrive first?! I know before people said they could just call to check that the letter was with the consulate and then go for an appointment. Sounds like now you need that letter to make the appt - and i have heard it can take like over a month or more to get to you in the mail.

What is ASC?

[thaiv 15]

WOW - I did not realize the process had changed so significantly recently. No more open appointments?!?! Eeeek!! I hope you can book an appointment fairly quickly and they don't fill up for weeks on end We are SO close to NOA2 and I just want FI to interview by May hopefully and be done.

Does anyone know if you have to wait for the Packet 3 to arrive first?! I know before people said they could just call to check that the letter was with the consulate and then go for an appointment. Sounds like now you need that letter to make the appt - and i have heard it can take like over a month or more to get to you in the mail.

What is ASC?

That's right, no more open appointments. So far people tend to be able to book an appointment within two weeks after receiving the letter. I was also told specifically on the phone and through the public inquiry forum on the Juarez Consulate website that I have to wait for the letter. The letter usually does not take over a month to arrive in the mail. I did hear of a case here where that was the case but thats not typical. They send the letter to both the petitioner and beneficiary. One of you (probably US petitioner) will receive it within two weeks.

The ASC is an appointment for biometric information- fingerprints and photos- which takes place prior to the consular interview.

[Matt :) 1]

you need to wait for letter now, they dont print it at CDJ anymore. CDJ takes a month, then sends letter and it takes around 9 business days. My timeline seems to be avg if you want to look.

[C_María 6]

[quote name=Matt ' timestamp='1301615966' post='4578547]

yes, you have to pay first. There is an option on automated system just for k-1 payments.

You can leave CDJ once interview is done, they either approve you or dont, if they dont you will know, they will tell you that you're missing something, etc. Its up to you which route you want to go

Hey yall, I wish that was true but if they are missing something that they wanted in person they will inform you by DHL that you need to return in person to provide it. Most people don't so it's usually a safe bet to go back but in our case we're fortunate we stayed. Here it is 9 days after the interview and we received a letter today here in CDJ DHL that my fiance has to return to the consulate to redo his fingerprints. If he was in another city he'd have to return... I don't want to believe it either but we're living it!

[C_María 6]

[quote name=Matt ' timestamp='1301643848' post='4579410]

you need to wait for letter now, they dont print it at CDJ anymore. CDJ takes a month, then sends letter and it takes around 9 business days. My timeline seems to be avg if you want to look.

It's true: that's another thing they just changed last week. My fiance tried to get his letter printed out at the window and they said they don't do that anymore. I scanned it and he printed it out and they accepted it no problem.

[icarolina 1]

Hey yall, I wish that was true but if they are missing something that they wanted in person they will inform you by DHL that you need to return in person to provide it. Most people don't so it's usually a safe bet to go back but in our case we're fortunate we stayed. Here it is 9 days after the interview and we received a letter today here in CDJ DHL that my fiance has to return to the consulate to redo his fingerprints. If he was in another city he'd have to return... I don't want to believe it either but we're living it!

Hmm i guess it was good that he stayed there then, but what if hypothetically speaking he went back to another city, let's say Mexico City where there's another consulate, and he got the same notice. Couldn't he just go get his fingerprints re-done at the ASC in Mexico City? Maybe it would take a lot of time for them to get to Juarez, but it'd still be an option if time wasn't an issue, right?