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Juarez Consulate

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Mexico
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WE GOT THE K1 VISA!!!!!!!! :thumbs:

Awesome man!!!!!!!! Congrats!!!!!!!! Glad it went SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO well...most of us should be so fortunate!!! Congrats again!!

Application For Naturalization (N-400)

01/10/2013 - Packet Sent to Phoenix Lockbox

01/16/2013 - NOA & Check Cashed

02/06/2013 - Biometrics Appt

04/16/2013 - Interview - Approval Recommendation!

04/23/2013 - Placed in the Oath Ceremony Queue

05/16/2013 - Received letter showing Oath Ceremony date

06/12/2013 - Oath Ceremony

06/12/2013 - U.S. Citizen!

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Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Mexico
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Great news, guevon!!!

Heina: Best of luck to you. I've seen your name around here on VJ often and know that you've had a rough time. Hope everything works out for you!

Joined Blog Dorkdom. Read here: Visit My Website

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Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Mexico
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Congrats - so glad to hear you had a painless experience!!!!!!!

Well does sunburn count?? :D

In all seriousness, it was painless only because people like you kitkat take the time to share information. I'll be doing the same shortly and hopefulyl folks will continue to do so. I met a few really good people also waiting for their significant other who could have really benefited from this site.

LOL I got sunburn too, it was 107f when we were there. My inlaws didn't have regular AC either, it is an evaporative cooler. I didn't mind too much but my wife was 6 months pregnant and the heat was rough on her even though she lived there her whole life. She keeps the house like a refrigerator now until the baby gets here in a few more weeks.

Edited by Gaby&Talbert
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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Mexico
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I want to thank everyone here again for sharing their experiences in Juarez. From the extremely detailed accounts to the tangent observations - it all provided me and my fiancé with the confidence that we had done all we could to prepare. The result was that we got our visa in less than 4 hours without one single snag - not even the infamous photo scam!! With that said, I hope the following account of our own trip to Juarez will serve to help others. We've also included a lot of photos in hopes of making you feel that much more prepared for your trip.

There are also links to text files which contain a good number of reports pulled from this thread. There is a summary of these reports indicating the number of instances certain situations occur. There is also a text file containing a summary of all the questions asked by a Consular Officer. These files are in both English and Spanish.

Lastly, is a bit of a Juarez "photo journal" containing some photos we took in exploring that wonderful city.

¡Que te vaya bien, amigos!

Sep 3, 2007, 07.25 - 14.12 :: The Ominous Black Package

There are two locations where you can get the medical exam. A rather large, commercialized looking setup just across from the Consulate (pictured here just behind Hotel La Playa with the signage, "Servicio Medicos") ...

shot9le7.jpg

... and a far smaller one immediately adjacent to the American Consulate on the same side of the street ...

shot10dl3.jpg

Having read in this thread to avoid the one across the street, we opted for the clinic just adjacent to the Consulate. These "spy" photos give some idea of the layout inside the clinic. This was a few hours later after they had called in most people.

shot11iz0.jpg

shot12yw4.jpg

07.00 - Upon arrival at the clinic, my fiancé went directly to a woman in front that was signing in people and looking over their invitations (cover letter of the Juarez packet).

07.25 - My fiancé's name was called and she proceeded to have her photo taken at the front of the room pictured above. Then she gave a digital signature to guaranty her payment once the exam was completed. Then she proceeded inside through the doorway pictured above to "room 4" with about 60 other women older than about 18 years old. They appeared to have segregated the men and children which were waiting in "room 2". She waited about 30 minutes to hear her name called.

8.00 - Blood was taken and priority seemed to be given to older folks (about older than 40 years old). My fiancé proceeded to wait again for about another 2 hours for her name to be called.

10.00 - She got in line for another small room and waited about 20 minutes.

10.20 - Inside the small room, she was asked to undress and put on a blue robe that was both plastic and paper. She waited about 20 minutes for a doctor.

10.30 - A female doctor entered the small room and asked the following yes or no questions:

1) Do you have bronchitis?

2) Do you have any allergies?

3) Do you have gastritis?

4) Do you have tuberculosis?

5) Do you have any heart problems?

6) Do you have any blood pressure problems?

7) Have you done any drugs?

8) Have you ever been in jail?

9) Have you had problems with immigration?

10) Are you pregnant?

11) Do you have any children?

12) Have you ever had an abortion?

The doctor proceeded to check her breathing with a stethoscope on her back, chest, and stomach. A quick visual inspection followed, and my fiancé was then asked to go ahead and put on her pants but to keep her bra off for the x-ray. She waited about 2-3 minutes and had 1 x-ray done from her back. She put her clothes on in another small room, paid the US$148 fee and got a receipt.

10.50 - I met with my fiancé as she exited from the same doorway she went in pictured above.

14.00 - Even though many suggested in this thread to wait a while after 2:00 pm to get the results, we were way too excited and arrived at 2 on the dot. The results were being handed out from the rear of the clinic. Only patients were allowed inside by the security guard. Another person collected receipts and called out names for the results.

14.12 - My fiancé had her name called out and we got the results in an ominous black package. As reference, the sheet of paper attached is a standard 8.5" x 11". You are not allowed to open nor should you fold the black package. This wreaked havoc on my OCD as I was hoping we could have everything inside the expandable folder we had meticulously put together haha.

shot13wq9.jpg

Sep 4, 2007, 06.20 - 11.45 :: Cometh The Hour

Again, while others in this thread had recommended not going to the Consulate at the crack of dawn, we were far too excited. We couldn't even force any food down.

06.20 - We got in line and my fiancé estimated about 600 people in line although it certainly didn't seem like that much. There were two lines for "Window 1". (The following photo was taken at a very slow shutter speed to avoid using the flash and attracting gaurds so it is a lot brighter than it really was.)

shot14uu5.jpg

08.02 - The guards are very strict about not having people meandering about outside of the line on the same side of the street as the Consulate. In fact, my fiancé would have entered the consulate a lot earlier had it not been for a particularly determined bystander that would not leave. The guard went so far as to shut the door and notify everyone that no one would be allowed inside until that guy left!! Anyway, I digress ...

Once inside, finally, my fiancé was checked for prohibited objects. One person was turned away and had to wait in a separate line. A metal detector was used and while a baggage x-ray machine was present, it was not used.

She proceeded to walk to the outside of "Building C" where she was given a ticket with a number, date and the time of arrival ...

shot15gq7.jpg

... she was then asked for her:

1) invitation letter

2) passport

3) medical results

Although they only kept the invitation letter and placed the same number on her ticket on the invitation letter itself.

She proceeded to wait outside of Building C where there are lines of folding chairs shaded by a roof and a lot of fans. She waited about 1 hour with around 200 other people in this area.

09.00 - When there was room inside Building C, they began to allow more inside. They didn't call out any names, just motioned for people to proceed inside. They were seated outside by the order they came in (same order as their ticket numbers). They sat inside Building C in the same order of their ticket numbers per direction of a security guard. Inside, she waited about 40 minutes.

09.40 - Inside of Building C is a large analog type clock cycling through ticket numbers and corresponding "windows". The large "clock" showed her ticket number and Window 10.

She described windows 1 through 9 as typical windows on a wall. However, windows 10 through 13 were actually cubicles with a desk and a computer.

Once she proceeded to Window 10 (cubicle), the Consular Officer had our I-129F on her desk. My fiancé guessed her to be about 35 years old, likely Mexican, with a very nice but serious demeanor, and spoke good Spanish. The Consular Officer asked for:

1) medical exam

2) D-156 and D-156K

3) two passport photos

4) CDJ-401/2

5) birth certificate original and copy

6) passport

While reviewing the forms, the Consular Officer asked:

1) Is this your first marriage?

2) Do you have any children?

3) Are you going to live at [gave my specific address] in the U.S.?

4) Do you have evidence of support?

For evidence of support, my fiancé provided copies of:

1) recent job offer letter indicating salary and start date (stapled to it was my business card)

2) three of my latest paycheck stubs

3) latest 401(k) statement

4) form W-2s for 2006, 2005, and 2004

5) latest social security report

Note that I was not at all comfortable providing bank statements, tax returns, nor any originals. What was provided turned out to be perfectly sufficient (likely 1, 2, and 4 would have been enough). Notwithstanding, I had bank statements, tax returns, and all originals with me outside - just in case.

Also, the Consular Officer returned the following which my fiancé provided:

1) extra copy of birth certificate and original and copy of birth certificate translation

2) extra copy of DS-156K

3) extra copy of CDJ-401/2

My fiancé was then asked to sit down and wait for her number. She went back but sat in a different seat as people were not being called up in the order of their ticket number. She proceeded to wait about another 30 minutes.

10.15 - A Consular Officer with a blow horn called out her name with 2 other people and all 3 went to "Window 14" which was a small office with a large table and computers. Inside the office, they took fingerprints of both index fingers which they cross-referenced with her photo she had noticed on a computer screen.

She was then told to proceed to "Building B". It bears noting there are signs on the walls directing you to "C" or "B". There are large signs indicating "C" or "B" next to the doors of the respective buildings. Building "C" is much smaller than "B" the former holding about 150 people while the latter holding about 500 people. A similar large analog "clock" type sign was scrolling through ticket numbers and window locations. Although some windows had Consular Officers calling out specific names. The window numbering continued from Building C covering windows 15 through 33. All were actual windows on walls.

She went straight inside Building B since there was space and waited about 30 minutes.

10.45 - Her number was shown on the "clock" and she proceeded to Window 24. The Consular Officer was a man in his 40s, possibly a mix of Mexican and American and spoke good Spanish. She was asked to raise her right hand and swear that she would tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth (although no Bible or religious reference was made). She was then asked to place both index fingers on a scanner and was asked the following:

1) Was her name [full name]?

2) Have you been to the U.S. before?

3) Is this your fiancé's first marriage?

4) Is this your first marriage?

5) Have you been to the U.S. before? (Exact same question - not even reworded.)

To these questions, my fiancé answered simply yes or no. As she had her hands on the counter in view of the Consular Officer, she was also asked why she did not have a wedding ring. She told him that we were planning on getting one next week.

He then told her, "Congratulations, you have your visa."

She was then asked to sit back down and she proceeded to wait about 1 hour.

11.45 - Her name was called out from Window 25 and it was at that window where she was handed:

1) the envelope which was to be opened by a border officer (a diagonal cut shows its contents to be the I-129F packet and all additional evidence and forms submitted)

shot16nq8.jpg

2) passport with the a page containing a visa

shot17iq4.jpg

3) small paper reiterating the conditions of the visa

4) original birth certificate

Then my fiancé asked if she could go and they told her yes. Time to get drunk!!!

shot29us0.jpg

continued ...

|| Adjustment of Status ||

01.09.09 :: Interview passed and conditional GC granted

11.17.08 :: Appointment Notice for Interview on 01.09.09

06.09.08 :: EAD received

06.06.08 :: AP received

06.02.08 :: EAD touched; card production ordered

05.30.08 :: AP touched

05.08.08 :: Biometrics appointment; AOS and EAD touched

04.28.08 :: Appointment Notice for Biometrics on 05.08.08

04.22.08 :: NOA1 receipt confirmation (AOS, AP, EAD)

04.21.08 :: Application fee processed

03.09.08 :: Application received by USCIS

03.07.08 :: Submitted I-485 Adjustment of Status (incl AP, EAD)

|| K1 Fiance Visa ||

12.01.07 :: Marriage date

09.29.07 :: Entered U.S. via San Ysidro POE

09.21.07 :: Cena de Compramisos - officially proposed

09.04.07 :: CDJ interview - visa granted (full report)

09.03.07 :: CDJ medical exam taken

08.11.07 :: CDJ packet received by beneficiary

07.15.07 :: CDJ packet received by petitioner

06.20.07 :: NOA2 petition approval

06.19.07 :: Touched

06.14.07 :: Touched - CSC confirmed receipt of RFE response

06.06.07 :: RFE received by CSC

05.30.07 :: RFE replied

05.28.07 :: RFE received

05.21.07 :: Touched

03.09.07 :: NOA1 receipt confirmation

03.07.07 :: Application fee processed

03.06.07 :: Application received by CSC

02.28.07 :: Submitted I-129F Petition for Fiance Visa

05.17.05 :: Registered on VisaJourney.com

12.21.04 :: She hit on me first ... really... I swear

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Mexico
Timeline

General Observations

My fiancé said there was a lot of air conditioning inside the Consulate. She wished she had brought a sweater. Granted, it was 100+ degrees outside and I was melting in my deck shoes!!

Speaking of which, the "waiting area" across the street is not much more than a curb. Expect each inch of shade to be taken up by a waiting family member. Apply a lot of sunscreen!! Your eyes will be glued to the door waiting for your significant other so don't even bother bringing a book. There is a small restaurant serving typical Mexican fair and a d'Volada (Mexican Starbucks) in this area. Here is what the waiting area looks like ...

shot35hr6.jpg

She did not see any public telephones inside the Consulate. We had gotten her a prepaid calling card to use a phone in case something went awry. As mentioned though, you will be far too anxious and nervous to wander beyond line of site of the area regardless of extreme heat and absolutely no shade!!

The security guards inside the Consulate maintained a lot of order. They did not harass anyone so long as you were not causing any problems.

While elders were clearly being processed first for the medical exam, there did not seem to be any noticeable order in which people were processed at the Consulate.

They had a vending machine in each building inside the Consulate providing general snacks and drinks. A young boy stood by the machine to provide change for no charge.

A number of major Mexican and international banks were represented in the area from Santander Serafin, Banamex, HSBC, Scotiabank, and Bancomer. They were particularly concentrated on the corner of Ave Lopez Mateo and Blvd Triunfo De La Republica.

shot30sq2.jpg

Resources

The following are links to text files containing helpful information I gathered from this thread alone. I had not received any objections to reposting reports, and the author and link to each report is indicated. The translations were done using Free Translations Online and my fiancé said they were decent. Please send me a private message if there are any issues.

CDJ Reports Nov 2006 - July 2007

CDJ Reports Nov 2006 - July 2007 (Spanish)

CDJ Report Summary

CDJ Report Summary (Spanish)

CDJ Questions

CDJ Questions (Spanish)

continued ...

Edited by the.ronin

|| Adjustment of Status ||

01.09.09 :: Interview passed and conditional GC granted

11.17.08 :: Appointment Notice for Interview on 01.09.09

06.09.08 :: EAD received

06.06.08 :: AP received

06.02.08 :: EAD touched; card production ordered

05.30.08 :: AP touched

05.08.08 :: Biometrics appointment; AOS and EAD touched

04.28.08 :: Appointment Notice for Biometrics on 05.08.08

04.22.08 :: NOA1 receipt confirmation (AOS, AP, EAD)

04.21.08 :: Application fee processed

03.09.08 :: Application received by USCIS

03.07.08 :: Submitted I-485 Adjustment of Status (incl AP, EAD)

|| K1 Fiance Visa ||

12.01.07 :: Marriage date

09.29.07 :: Entered U.S. via San Ysidro POE

09.21.07 :: Cena de Compramisos - officially proposed

09.04.07 :: CDJ interview - visa granted (full report)

09.03.07 :: CDJ medical exam taken

08.11.07 :: CDJ packet received by beneficiary

07.15.07 :: CDJ packet received by petitioner

06.20.07 :: NOA2 petition approval

06.19.07 :: Touched

06.14.07 :: Touched - CSC confirmed receipt of RFE response

06.06.07 :: RFE received by CSC

05.30.07 :: RFE replied

05.28.07 :: RFE received

05.21.07 :: Touched

03.09.07 :: NOA1 receipt confirmation

03.07.07 :: Application fee processed

03.06.07 :: Application received by CSC

02.28.07 :: Submitted I-129F Petition for Fiance Visa

05.17.05 :: Registered on VisaJourney.com

12.21.04 :: She hit on me first ... really... I swear

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Mexico
Timeline

Our Juarez Photo Journal

There was only one thing I really regretted from our trip - and that was falling for all the media hype of how "dangerous" Juarez was. Make no mistake, Juarez has seen its share of grim. Women particularly those working in the dismal factories in the outskirts of the sprawling city continue to disappear and reemerge raped, mutilated, and murdered.

shot34rg4.jpg

Notwithstanding, the area near the Consulate and "centro" (downtown) Juarez itself is definitely worth a bit of exploration.

In planning your trip to Juarez, consider taking a bus. It's a lot cheaper and you are free to purchase a return ticket that same day - something many of us could appreciate. They are very comfortable with a/c, American movies, and stops are made every 2-3 hours to stretch and eat. Also, you get to see quite a bit of Mexico ...

shot18mp0.jpg

shot19di6.jpg

We highly recommend staying at Hotel Monaco. It is about 4-5 long blocks from the Consulate or a P$50 taxi ride and right across from a great shopping area. "Sensillo" (basic) rooms run about P$350 per night and the rooms themselves are just fine - a/c, clean shower and bathroom, cable TV, decent security. Hotel Monaco is located on the corner of Ave Lopez Mateo (the street where the Consulate is located) and Blvd Triunfo De La Republica.

shot20qm2.jpg

... the mall across the street ...

shot21ha5.jpg

... is a great place to pass some time. There is a large food court with quite a variety of food as well.

shot22dl5.jpg

If you're feeling a little more adventurous, you can wander out to centro. Triunfo De La Republica turns into 16 De Septiembre which brings you into the heart of downtown Juarez ...

shot23ea9.jpg

shot24ju3.jpg

shot26hv9.jpg

shot28pd6.jpg

So that was our trip to Juarez. One which we would never want to have to do again ... but one which we would never forget. Thanks again, everyone.

-r

|| Adjustment of Status ||

01.09.09 :: Interview passed and conditional GC granted

11.17.08 :: Appointment Notice for Interview on 01.09.09

06.09.08 :: EAD received

06.06.08 :: AP received

06.02.08 :: EAD touched; card production ordered

05.30.08 :: AP touched

05.08.08 :: Biometrics appointment; AOS and EAD touched

04.28.08 :: Appointment Notice for Biometrics on 05.08.08

04.22.08 :: NOA1 receipt confirmation (AOS, AP, EAD)

04.21.08 :: Application fee processed

03.09.08 :: Application received by USCIS

03.07.08 :: Submitted I-485 Adjustment of Status (incl AP, EAD)

|| K1 Fiance Visa ||

12.01.07 :: Marriage date

09.29.07 :: Entered U.S. via San Ysidro POE

09.21.07 :: Cena de Compramisos - officially proposed

09.04.07 :: CDJ interview - visa granted (full report)

09.03.07 :: CDJ medical exam taken

08.11.07 :: CDJ packet received by beneficiary

07.15.07 :: CDJ packet received by petitioner

06.20.07 :: NOA2 petition approval

06.19.07 :: Touched

06.14.07 :: Touched - CSC confirmed receipt of RFE response

06.06.07 :: RFE received by CSC

05.30.07 :: RFE replied

05.28.07 :: RFE received

05.21.07 :: Touched

03.09.07 :: NOA1 receipt confirmation

03.07.07 :: Application fee processed

03.06.07 :: Application received by CSC

02.28.07 :: Submitted I-129F Petition for Fiance Visa

05.17.05 :: Registered on VisaJourney.com

12.21.04 :: She hit on me first ... really... I swear

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Mexico
Timeline
I want to thank everyone here again for sharing their experiences in Juarez. From the extremely detailed accounts to the tangent observations - it all provided me and my fiancé with the confidence that we had done all we could to prepare. The result was that we got our visa in less than 4 hours without one single snag - not even the infamous photo scam!! With that said, I hope the following account of our own trip to Juarez will serve to help others. We've also included a lot of photos in hopes of making you feel that much more prepared for your trip.

There are also links to text files which contain a good number of reports pulled from this thread. There is a summary of these reports indicating the number of instances certain situations occur. There is also a text file containing a summary of all the questions asked by a Consular Officer. These files are in both English and Spanish.

Lastly, is a bit of a Juarez "photo journal" containing some photos we took in exploring that wonderful city.

¡Que te vaya bien, amigos!

Sep 3, 2007, 07.25 - 14.12 :: The Ominous Black Package

There are two locations where you can get the medical exam. A rather large, commercialized looking setup just across from the Consulate (pictured here just behind Hotel La Playa with the signage, "Servicio Medicos") ...

shot9le7.jpg

... and a far smaller one immediately adjacent to the American Consulate on the same side of the street ...

shot10dl3.jpg

Having read in this thread to avoid the one across the street, we opted for the clinic just adjacent to the Consulate. These "spy" photos give some idea of the layout inside the clinic. This was a few hours later after they had called in most people.

shot11iz0.jpg

shot12yw4.jpg

07.00 - Upon arrival at the clinic, my fiancé went directly to a woman in front that was signing in people and looking over their invitations (cover letter of the Juarez packet).

07.25 - My fiancé's name was called and she proceeded to have her photo taken at the front of the room pictured above. Then she gave a digital signature to guaranty her payment once the exam was completed. Then she proceeded inside through the doorway pictured above to "room 4" with about 60 other women older than about 18 years old. They appeared to have segregated the men and children which were waiting in "room 2". She waited about 30 minutes to hear her name called.

8.00 - Blood was taken and priority seemed to be given to older folks (about older than 40 years old). My fiancé proceeded to wait again for about another 2 hours for her name to be called.

10.00 - She got in line for another small room and waited about 20 minutes.

10.20 - Inside the small room, she was asked to undress and put on a blue robe that was both plastic and paper. She waited about 20 minutes for a doctor.

10.30 - A female doctor entered the small room and asked the following yes or no questions:

1) Do you have bronchitis?

2) Do you have any allergies?

3) Do you have gastritis?

4) Do you have tuberculosis?

5) Do you have any heart problems?

6) Do you have any blood pressure problems?

7) Have you done any drugs?

8) Have you ever been in jail?

9) Have you had problems with immigration?

10) Are you pregnant?

11) Do you have any children?

12) Have you ever had an abortion?

The doctor proceeded to check her breathing with a stethoscope on her back, chest, and stomach. A quick visual inspection followed, and my fiancé was then asked to go ahead and put on her pants but to keep her bra off for the x-ray. She waited about 2-3 minutes and had 1 x-ray done from her back. She put her clothes on in another small room, paid the US$148 fee and got a receipt.

10.50 - I met with my fiancé as she exited from the same doorway she went in pictured above.

14.00 - Even though many suggested in this thread to wait a while after 2:00 pm to get the results, we were way too excited and arrived at 2 on the dot. The results were being handed out from the rear of the clinic. Only patients were allowed inside by the security guard. Another person collected receipts and called out names for the results.

14.12 - My fiancé had her name called out and we got the results in an ominous black package. As reference, the sheet of paper attached is a standard 8.5" x 11". You are not allowed to open nor should you fold the black package. This wreaked havoc on my OCD as I was hoping we could have everything inside the expandable folder we had meticulously put together haha.

shot13wq9.jpg

Sep 4, 2007, 06.20 - 11.45 :: Cometh The Hour

Again, while others in this thread had recommended not going to the Consulate at the crack of dawn, we were far too excited. We couldn't even force any food down.

06.20 - We got in line and my fiancé estimated about 600 people in line although it certainly didn't seem like that much. There were two lines for "Window 1". (The following photo was taken at a very slow shutter speed to avoid using the flash and attracting gaurds so it is a lot brighter than it really was.)

shot14uu5.jpg

08.02 - The guards are very strict about not having people meandering about outside of the line on the same side of the street as the Consulate. In fact, my fiancé would have entered the consulate a lot earlier had it not been for a particularly determined bystander that would not leave. The guard went so far as to shut the door and notify everyone that no one would be allowed inside until that guy left!! Anyway, I digress ...

Once inside, finally, my fiancé was checked for prohibited objects. One person was turned away and had to wait in a separate line. A metal detector was used and while a baggage x-ray machine was present, it was not used.

She proceeded to walk to the outside of "Building C" where she was given a ticket with a number, date and the time of arrival ...

shot15gq7.jpg

... she was then asked for her:

1) invitation letter

2) passport

3) medical results

Although they only kept the invitation letter and placed the same number on her ticket on the invitation letter itself.

She proceeded to wait outside of Building C where there are lines of folding chairs shaded by a roof and a lot of fans. She waited about 1 hour with around 200 other people in this area.

09.00 - When there was room inside Building C, they began to allow more inside. They didn't call out any names, just motioned for people to proceed inside. They were seated outside by the order they came in (same order as their ticket numbers). They sat inside Building C in the same order of their ticket numbers per direction of a security guard. Inside, she waited about 40 minutes.

09.40 - Inside of Building C is a large analog type clock cycling through ticket numbers and corresponding "windows". The large "clock" showed her ticket number and Window 10.

She described windows 1 through 9 as typical windows on a wall. However, windows 10 through 13 were actually cubicles with a desk and a computer.

Once she proceeded to Window 10 (cubicle), the Consular Officer had our I-129F on her desk. My fiancé guessed her to be about 35 years old, likely Mexican, with a very nice but serious demeanor, and spoke good Spanish. The Consular Officer asked for:

1) medical exam

2) D-156 and D-156K

3) two passport photos

4) CDJ-401/2

5) birth certificate original and copy

6) passport

While reviewing the forms, the Consular Officer asked:

1) Is this your first marriage?

2) Do you have any children?

3) Are you going to live at [gave my specific address] in the U.S.?

4) Do you have evidence of support?

For evidence of support, my fiancé provided copies of:

1) recent job offer letter indicating salary and start date (stapled to it was my business card)

2) three of my latest paycheck stubs

3) latest 401(k) statement

4) form W-2s for 2006, 2005, and 2004

5) latest social security report

Note that I was not at all comfortable providing bank statements, tax returns, nor any originals. What was provided turned out to be perfectly sufficient (likely 1, 2, and 4 would have been enough). Notwithstanding, I had bank statements, tax returns, and all originals with me outside - just in case.

Also, the Consular Officer returned the following which my fiancé provided:

1) extra copy of birth certificate and original and copy of birth certificate translation

2) extra copy of DS-156K

3) extra copy of CDJ-401/2

My fiancé was then asked to sit down and wait for her number. She went back but sat in a different seat as people were not being called up in the order of their ticket number. She proceeded to wait about another 30 minutes.

10.15 - A Consular Officer with a blow horn called out her name with 2 other people and all 3 went to "Window 14" which was a small office with a large table and computers. Inside the office, they took fingerprints of both index fingers which they cross-referenced with her photo she had noticed on a computer screen.

She was then told to proceed to "Building B". It bears noting there are signs on the walls directing you to "C" or "B". There are large signs indicating "C" or "B" next to the doors of the respective buildings. Building "C" is much smaller than "B" the former holding about 150 people while the latter holding about 500 people. A similar large analog "clock" type sign was scrolling through ticket numbers and window locations. Although some windows had Consular Officers calling out specific names. The window numbering continued from Building C covering windows 15 through 33. All were actual windows on walls.

She went straight inside Building B since there was space and waited about 30 minutes.

10.45 - Her number was shown on the "clock" and she proceeded to Window 24. The Consular Officer was a man in his 40s, possibly a mix of Mexican and American and spoke good Spanish. She was asked to raise her right hand and swear that she would tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth (although no Bible or religious reference was made). She was then asked to place both index fingers on a scanner and was asked the following:

1) Was her name [full name]?

2) Have you been to the U.S. before?

3) Is this your fiancé's first marriage?

4) Is this your first marriage?

5) Have you been to the U.S. before? (Exact same question - not even reworded.)

To these questions, my fiancé answered simply yes or no. As she had her hands on the counter in view of the Consular Officer, she was also asked why she did not have a wedding ring. She told him that we were planning on getting one next week.

He then told her, "Congratulations, you have your visa."

She was then asked to sit back down and she proceeded to wait about 1 hour.

11.45 - Her name was called out from Window 25 and it was at that window where she was handed:

1) the envelope which was to be opened by a border officer (a diagonal cut shows its contents to be the I-129F packet and all additional evidence and forms submitted)

shot16nq8.jpg

2) passport with the a page containing a visa

shot17iq4.jpg

3) small paper reiterating the conditions of the visa

4) original birth certificate

Then my fiancé asked if she could go and they told her yes. Time to get drunk!!!

shot29us0.jpg

continued ...

THANK YOU for such a detailed account of your experience!

K-1 and I-601 Waiver Timeline

4/20/06: K-1 NOA Receipt 4/20/06

12/6/06: CDJ Interview - Denied - I-601 Waiver Required

12/18/06: I-601 Waiver filed

9/12/07: RECEIVED K-1 VISA!

AOS

9/14/07: Entered the United States

9/21/07: Happliy Married!

10/6/07: AOS Packet Mailed to Chicago Lockbox!

10/8/07: Return Receipt stamped received by USCIS

10/19/07: NOA Receipt for AOS & EAD received

10/24/07: Case Online at USCIS.gov

11/3/07: Biometrics Appointment

11/14/07: Appointment Letter received

11/16/07: EAD Production ordered.

11/21/07: AOS Interview - Approved - Hubby is Legal Permanent Resident (Conditional)

11/23/07: Registered Customer's new permanent resident status (Online Case Status)

11/26/07: Production of EAD ordered (Online Case Status)

11/28/07: Received EAD Card!

11/30/07: Received Welcome to the U.S. Letter

12/1/07: Received GREEN CARD!

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Mexico
Timeline

WOW the.ronin -- that is amazing and helpful information - those who follow will no doubt feel so much more prepared after reading everything you posted. Great work and congrats!

BTW, what's CDJ 401? Never heard of that before!!

p.s. why would the CO ask about a wedding ring when you're not yet married? Engagement ring perhaps? That question (either) suprised me!

Edited by kitkat1
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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Mexico
Timeline
WOW the.ronin -- that is amazing and helpful information - those who follow will no doubt feel so much more prepared after reading everything you posted. Great work and congrats!

p.s. why would the CO ask about a wedding ring when you're not yet married? Engagement ring perhaps? That question (either) suprised me!

Thank you kitkat ... if it's all even a fraction of the help I've gotten from everyone here, then I'm happy.

Yes!! Engagement ring ... oops. I would've posted more photos but the forum kept telling me that I was posting too much haha.

[edit] Form CDJ-401 (CDJ-402 is the latest version off the website) is the attestation that you will marry within 90 days. I hope that doesn't confuse anybody. Here is a link to the PDF on the CDJ website.

Edited by the.ronin

|| Adjustment of Status ||

01.09.09 :: Interview passed and conditional GC granted

11.17.08 :: Appointment Notice for Interview on 01.09.09

06.09.08 :: EAD received

06.06.08 :: AP received

06.02.08 :: EAD touched; card production ordered

05.30.08 :: AP touched

05.08.08 :: Biometrics appointment; AOS and EAD touched

04.28.08 :: Appointment Notice for Biometrics on 05.08.08

04.22.08 :: NOA1 receipt confirmation (AOS, AP, EAD)

04.21.08 :: Application fee processed

03.09.08 :: Application received by USCIS

03.07.08 :: Submitted I-485 Adjustment of Status (incl AP, EAD)

|| K1 Fiance Visa ||

12.01.07 :: Marriage date

09.29.07 :: Entered U.S. via San Ysidro POE

09.21.07 :: Cena de Compramisos - officially proposed

09.04.07 :: CDJ interview - visa granted (full report)

09.03.07 :: CDJ medical exam taken

08.11.07 :: CDJ packet received by beneficiary

07.15.07 :: CDJ packet received by petitioner

06.20.07 :: NOA2 petition approval

06.19.07 :: Touched

06.14.07 :: Touched - CSC confirmed receipt of RFE response

06.06.07 :: RFE received by CSC

05.30.07 :: RFE replied

05.28.07 :: RFE received

05.21.07 :: Touched

03.09.07 :: NOA1 receipt confirmation

03.07.07 :: Application fee processed

03.06.07 :: Application received by CSC

02.28.07 :: Submitted I-129F Petition for Fiance Visa

05.17.05 :: Registered on VisaJourney.com

12.21.04 :: She hit on me first ... really... I swear

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Awesome job, the ronin! :yes: The info. you provided will definately help all of those yet to head to Juarez for their interview. THanks for the pics. I was able to see where my husband (then fiance) went for his interview, since I wasn\'t able to make the trip to Juarez with him. :)

* * * * * * * * * K-1 VISA * * * * * * * * * * * *

06/21/06: Submitted I-129F to the CSC

10/18/06: NOA2 DATE

01/29/07: MEDICAL IN CDJ

01/30/07: INTERVIEW in CDJ **My fiance receives his visa**

03/31/07-04/08/07: I leave to Mexico and bring back my fiance

04/08/07: U.S. ENTRY at LAX

04/23/07: Married in Vegas

* * * * * * * *AOS, AP, & EAD * * * * * * * * * *

05/24/07: Submitted AOS, AP, EAD

06/01/07: NOA1 for AOS & EAD, NOA1 for AP missing, but they received forms

06/06/07: TOUCHED (AOS, AP, EAD)

06/23/07: RFE for I-864 paperwork

07/03/07: Biometrics for AOS & EAD

07/03/07: TOUCHED (EAD)

07/07/07: Submitted response to RFE

07/18/07: TOUCHED (AOS) They received RFE response

08/08/07: AP APPROVED

08/10/07: EAD APPROVED

10/17/07: AOS interview in Los Angeles -- APPROVED, pending name check :(

02/08/08: Name check has cleared, Notice welcoming new resident is mailed out

02/12/08: Card Production ordered, woohoo

02/15/08: Notice welcoming new resident is received

02/21/08: GREEN CARD IN HAND

08/23/08: After 7 years together . . . Religious wedding ceremony and HUGE PARTY in Jalisco, Mexico (we deserve it)

08/24-08/30: Spend our honeymoon in Acapulco, Mexico

Link to video clip of our wedding: http://www.youtube.com/user/dstradaproducc...f/1/wHiId9HZVRc

Nov. 2009: File to Remove Conditions

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Mexico
Timeline

DUDE!!! Ronin!!! Nobody should have very many doubts about that the CDJ experience is like now. Hell of a job!!! I got freaked about taking pictures after one of the guards, called 3 more guards, to hassle a guy taking pictures. Great work and congrats on the visa! KitKat can now retire! :thumbs:

Application For Naturalization (N-400)

01/10/2013 - Packet Sent to Phoenix Lockbox

01/16/2013 - NOA & Check Cashed

02/06/2013 - Biometrics Appt

04/16/2013 - Interview - Approval Recommendation!

04/23/2013 - Placed in the Oath Ceremony Queue

05/16/2013 - Received letter showing Oath Ceremony date

06/12/2013 - Oath Ceremony

06/12/2013 - U.S. Citizen!

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Mexico
Timeline
I got freaked about taking pictures after one of the guards, called 3 more guards, to hassle a guy taking pictures. Great work and congrats on the visa! KitKat can now retire! :thumbs:

Thanks so much man ... and thanks for your help!!

Yeah, I actually walked right up to a particularly brazen looking rent-a-cop, I mean guard, and asked him straight up if it was cool to take photos. He said "por alla, si, por aca, no" (pointing to the consulate and shaking his head, no). The consulate and clinic shots, I had to go full on stealth. It was a Nikon D40 DSLR which is as compact as it gets but still a DSLR so it made it that much more sketchy. :lol:

|| Adjustment of Status ||

01.09.09 :: Interview passed and conditional GC granted

11.17.08 :: Appointment Notice for Interview on 01.09.09

06.09.08 :: EAD received

06.06.08 :: AP received

06.02.08 :: EAD touched; card production ordered

05.30.08 :: AP touched

05.08.08 :: Biometrics appointment; AOS and EAD touched

04.28.08 :: Appointment Notice for Biometrics on 05.08.08

04.22.08 :: NOA1 receipt confirmation (AOS, AP, EAD)

04.21.08 :: Application fee processed

03.09.08 :: Application received by USCIS

03.07.08 :: Submitted I-485 Adjustment of Status (incl AP, EAD)

|| K1 Fiance Visa ||

12.01.07 :: Marriage date

09.29.07 :: Entered U.S. via San Ysidro POE

09.21.07 :: Cena de Compramisos - officially proposed

09.04.07 :: CDJ interview - visa granted (full report)

09.03.07 :: CDJ medical exam taken

08.11.07 :: CDJ packet received by beneficiary

07.15.07 :: CDJ packet received by petitioner

06.20.07 :: NOA2 petition approval

06.19.07 :: Touched

06.14.07 :: Touched - CSC confirmed receipt of RFE response

06.06.07 :: RFE received by CSC

05.30.07 :: RFE replied

05.28.07 :: RFE received

05.21.07 :: Touched

03.09.07 :: NOA1 receipt confirmation

03.07.07 :: Application fee processed

03.06.07 :: Application received by CSC

02.28.07 :: Submitted I-129F Petition for Fiance Visa

05.17.05 :: Registered on VisaJourney.com

12.21.04 :: She hit on me first ... really... I swear

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Filed: K-3 Visa Country: Mexico
Timeline

@ the.ronin wow your pictures brung back a lot of memories from when we were in Juarez back in April. We actually enjoyed our time there. :)

Edited by JessiPooh

EAD:

Please see timeline

AOS:

2/19/08: AOS Packet Mailed

2/20/08: AOS Packet Delivered

2/26/08: NOA Date

2/27/08: Check Cashed

3/03/08: NOA Recv'd

3/15/08: Biometrics Complete

3/17/08: Can See Status Online

9/20/08: Receive Intv. Appt Letter

10/17/08: Touched

10/28/08: AOS Interview - APPROVED

10/30/08: Card Production Ordered

11/06/08: Welcome Letter Arrives

11/10/08: GC Arrives

10/2011: Citizenship

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Filed: Country: Mexico
Timeline

Does anyone know if there would be any problem if my Mexican fiance is not physically present at her house when they deliver the CDJ packet? We received notice that the application was being mailed to the consulate about 2.5 weeks ago. She is visiting me here in the US on her tourist visa, and plans to head back down as soon as the packet arrives (the people staying in her house will tell her when it gets there). Thanks...

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Mexico
Timeline
KitKat can now retire!

And that's exactly what I'm gonna do. So for anyone who is still around from the nightmare days of IMBRA or who filed along with me (Allie, Alejandra, Emma, Monica, etc), our waiver was approved and we are finally going home to get married.

I've pretty much stopped posting here since most of the K1s are finished (along with my ever-increasing discontent with this site, how it's run and the wealth of misinformation and nastiness that abounds). But of course that doesn't include any of my fellow Mexico filers. It's been great going through this with all of you.

Buena suerte a todos y adios!

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