US & Mexican Couples - K-3/CR-1/IR-1 Group, Juarez experiences, comments

[stevey 0]

I am leaving for Mex tomorrow. Going to Juarez tuesday, medical wednesday, and the interview thursday. Hopefully my next post will be good news.

[junari888 0]

U are so welcome!!!!!! :energetic:

it's nice to see young people here

[VivaMexico 0]

Hi everyone, just wanted to let you all know that our K1 visa was approved on Wednesday!! To give you all an idea of the process, here's a quick rundown of our experience:

Arrived in Juarez Monday afternoon, stayed at the Holiday Inn Express, which is a very quick cab ride from the consulate, and a very nice hotel.

Tuesday we went for the medical exam at 7:00 a.m. We first went to the clinic right next to the consulate, but they sent us to the "blue" clinic just down the street because they were so busy. The clinic was relatively busy but not packed, and we were out of there by 9:00. They take a photo, then a blood test, chest xray. The fee is $135 , and they do NOT accept credit cards, so i had to take a 10 minute walk to an ATM. We returned at 2 for the results and had them in less than a minute.

Wednesday morning we arrived at the Consulate at 7:00 a.m. There were 100 - 200 people in line, but it moved very quickly. It is NOT necessary to arrive any earlier for the fiance visa. I can't speak to other visa types, but all the fiance applicants were done before 12:30 regardless of their position in line! Sofia got in the door at 7:30 and they made me wait outside. There is nowa large sign on the door saying that K1 (and a few other types, i think K3 and K4 applicants as well) cannot have their spouse or fiance enter. SO i sat on the street all morning and ate a burrito and paced up and down. Sofia said that she entered, waited, gave the papers to someone, and was then sent to another building. she waited again, then had the interview, which lasted about 1 minute. the girl didn't look at anything except the forms, 1 photo,asked her where we met and that was it. She approved the visa and sofia had to wait a long time while they actually made it, but was out of the consulate by 12:30!!! WOO HOO!

Hope this info helps. Juarez isn't as bad as I thought. We found a great sushi restaurant named Kinsui close to the Hotel as well. One word of advice...be prepared to spend a LOT on taxis if you plan to travel around, especially to El Paso. Taxis charge $40 to travel 1 way from Juarez to El paso! It's ridiculous!

Hope that helps everyone. We were very nervous for nothing. Fiance visas seem to be a lot easier than the others! Good luck to the rest of you!

[junari888 0]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! We wish you the best, God Bless you.

[tabta 0]

Congratulations.

Also consider yourself lucky. Our cab ride from Juarez to el paso cost 140. He initially told us 30 but the other part was for the hour we had to wait at the border.

[VivaMexico 0]

Congratulations.

Also consider yourself lucky. Our cab ride from Juarez to el paso cost 140. He initially told us 30 but the other part was for the hour we had to wait at the border.

Wow! That sucks. it was always $40 for us, no matter how long the wait. I crossed to and from the airport, and then we went back and forth 2 other days to the mall in El Paso.

Actually we discovered that the best way is to take a cab to the border, walk across, then get a cab on the other side. it ends up being more like $25 that way. Still expensive, and of course not fun with luggage!

[mnmex 0]

WHOOO HOOOOOOO JBEABOUT!!!!

Glad to hear everything worked out so well for you and Sofia! I agree Juarez isn't that bad but it's nice we don't ever have to go back too!! The taxis can be a rip-off. My advice for all those needing to use taxis in Juarez, negotiate the price before you even get in the car.

Looks like Junari is next!! Are you filing a fiancee or spouse visa?

So Jbe...hope you are still in Mexico celebrating because it is so #$%%^ cold here this weekend in MN.

Take care all!!

MUCHA SUERTE STEVEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Let us know how it all went!!

Be safe.

[VivaMexico 0]

WHOOO HOOOOOOO JBEABOUT!!!!

Glad to hear everything worked out so well for you and Sofia! I agree Juarez isn't that bad but it's nice we don't ever have to go back too!! The taxis can be a rip-off. My advice for all those needing to use taxis in Juarez, negotiate the price before you even get in the car.

Looks like Junari is next!! Are you filing a fiancee or spouse visa?

So Jbe...hope you are still in Mexico celebrating because it is so #$%%^ cold here this weekend in MN.

I wish!!! I came back thursday night and experienced severe shock when i got off the plane. now i have to wait 3 months to see my sweetie! Not fun

[junari888 0]

Looks like Junari is next!! Are you filing a fiancee or spouse visa?

We are doing a K1. but we are just starting, thanks for asking , it's really nice to feel the support.

[junari888 0]

WE GOT OUR FIRST NOA TODAY!!!! (just sharing)

[tabta 0]

WE GOT OUR FIRST NOA TODAY!!!! (just sharing)

CONGRATS!!!

YOu are one step closer.

[junari888 0]

Thanks tabta!!

[mzswing 0]

Thanks for all the details. It really helps me relax about that day. I still have some questions, mostly for Tabta, but for anyone who has recently gone to Ciudad Juarez:

What did your husband wear to the interview? What did it seem like the "dress code" is?

Why didn't you go in with him? The packet 3 asked who would be coming to the interview, and we said I would be there, but I wonder if they have changed policy since then, and they aren't letting spouses in.

So, how much was your hotel? How close is it? and you said it was bad. How bad? Did you feel unsafe? Was it gross?

You guys look so cute in your picture! I'm so happy for you both. You must be very excited about sharing your country with your husband! I know Armando is so looking forward to meeting my family and friends! Only a little while longer!

[VivaMexico 0]

Thanks for all the details. It really helps me relax about that day. I still have some questions, mostly for Tabta, but for anyone who has recently gone to Ciudad Juarez:

What did your husband wear to the interview? What did it seem like the "dress code" is?

Why didn't you go in with him? The packet 3 asked who would be coming to the interview, and we said I would be there, but I wonder if they have changed policy since then, and they aren't letting spouses in.

So, how much was your hotel? How close is it? and you said it was bad. How bad? Did you feel unsafe? Was it gross?

You guys look so cute in your picture! I'm so happy for you both. You must be very excited about sharing your country with your husband! I know Armando is so looking forward to meeting my family and friends! Only a little while longer!

mzswing: i know you wrote to tabta, but maybe i can help answer some questions...i know it's hard to relax about the interview. trust me I was stressed, but it's not as bad as you think it will be. First of all, Juarez is not horrible (not fun, but not horrible!). As far as dress goes, I would say something reasonably nice and conservative, but definitely no need to dress up much (for sure no suit or tie or anything!)

The consulate is no longer allowing spouses/fiances to join the applicant inside...there is a large sign on the door that says this. If you manage to get in you would be very lucky!

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express, and it was very nice. i can't tell you what the others are like, but a lot of folks stay at the Holiday Inn Lincoln as well. It's a little cheaper probably.

Good luck and don't stress too much!

[tabta 0]

Thanks for all the details. It really helps me relax about that day. I still have some questions, mostly for Tabta, but for anyone who has recently gone to Ciudad Juarez:

What did your husband wear to the interview? What did it seem like the "dress code" is?

Why didn't you go in with him? The packet 3 asked who would be coming to the interview, and we said I would be there, but I wonder if they have changed policy since then, and they aren't letting spouses in.

So, how much was your hotel? How close is it? and you said it was bad. How bad? Did you feel unsafe? Was it gross?

You guys look so cute in your picture! I'm so happy for you both. You must be very excited about sharing your country with your husband! I know Armando is so looking forward to meeting my family and friends! Only a little while longer!

Ok so here I go, hope I dont forget anything. He wore jeans and a nice dress shirt with a black suade jacket. He looked very gap in my opinion. He seemed to be better dressed than aot of the people there. The fanciest I saw was khaki´s.

As someone else stated, they now have a sign hanging on the door saying people that are applying for k 1 , k3, cr1 and IR 1 visas cant have anyone go in with them unless they need physical help (they are disabled)

Our hotel was the closest to the counsulate and it was 498 pesos a night. It wasnt so bad. THe room was okay and the location was great. The bad part was the employees. Before we went we called and asked if we could have soemthing faxed there. they said yes and that it was a free service. well when we went to get the fax they wanted to charge us 160 pesos. needless to say they still have the fax. also when i went to check in they tried to charge me for a phone call. because if you make calls on the phone it costs even if they are local. I told them I did not make any calls and I asked when it was. They said monday at 5. well we checked in monday at 9. I told them that and they still charged me for it until my husband came in and talked to them.

i hoped i have helped a bit