IR-1 / CR-1 in Ciudad Juarez

[estrella 14]

I know I'm not the only one that has to go to Ciudad Juarez for the interview, is anyone else out there? we can share info and all that.

I tried to get info from the Ciudad Juarez thread but it seems like everyone there is in the K1 process.

So does anyone has experience with Juarez on IR-1 / CR-1??

Edited June 1, 2009 by estrella

[franklie 0]

I know I'm not the only one that has to go to Ciudad Juarez for the interview, is anyone else out there? we can share info and all that.

I tried to get info from the Ciudad Juarez thread but it seems like everyone there is in the K1 process.

So does anyone has experience with Juarez on IR-1 / CR-1??

My wife and I will be in Cd Juarez next week. She has her interview on Tuesday.

[estrella 14]

I know I'm not the only one that has to go to Ciudad Juarez for the interview, is anyone else out there? we can share info and all that.

I tried to get info from the Ciudad Juarez thread but it seems like everyone there is in the K1 process.

So does anyone has experience with Juarez on IR-1 / CR-1??

My wife and I will be in Cd Juarez next week. She has her interview on Tuesday.

It would be awesome if you could share your experience with us about the interview and the whole thing over there the medical and all that.

I'm still waiting for my apoiment as soon as I get it and once I go I'll share with everyone.

[Djortiz 0]

We too are filing for CR1, sent in final papers to NVC 2 weeks ago, ojala que teinemos suerte y we get aproved soon.

[estrella 14]

We too are filing for CR1, sent in final papers to NVC 2 weeks ago, ojala que teinemos suerte y we get aproved soon.

I wish you the best Dj!! good luck

[Djortiz 0]

good luck to you all too! looking forward to reading about yourallls experiences in Juarez!

[StevenCarmen 0]

good luck to you all too! looking forward to reading about yourallls experiences in Juarez!

We went through CDJ in March for my wife and are going again next week for my daughter. I wrote it up on another forum and will copy it over to this thread for you.

Here:

Mexico - Our March 5 2009 appointment

We got into CDJ on a Monday afternoon for a Wednesday appointment. They say to arrive one or two business days before, and I can confirm that having only one day for the exam is stressful. If anything goes wrong with the Medical, you have a problem for the appointment. It all went well, but next time, for the kids, we will leave at least two days for the exam. There had been a rumour that they would close the clinic Tuesday, but they did not.

OK. The next day at 7:30 am we went over to the Medical exam place next to the consulate. There used to be two, but it now appears there is only one company authorized or in place. We brought all the required documents, the appointment letter, birth certificate etc. My wife went in and I waited outside as they don't allow the spouse inside.

The guards said it would be several hours, so I waited. But what I didn't know is that inside, they split those waiting into two groups and sent one group over to their clinic by the old embassy. They loaded everybody onto a tourism bus in the back and took them away. I waited and waited and then finally my wife called me from the hotel. She was back. Even though she had shots documented, it ended up costing more than the $350 she had, and since I was nowhere nearby, some kind people (thanks!) lent her the money so that she could complete the process. I paid them back at the hotel.

Well, we had to go back in the afternoon to pick up the results. The ones they examine at the new clinic just go there for results. We had to go to the old clinic. They had a bus waiting at the new clinic for our group and we all rode over together to the old clinic to pick up the x-rays (which you don't need) and the envelope, which you must keep sealed and turn in at the appointment.

At the old clinic they gathered everybody around them and called names. When my wife picked up her envelope for the medical exam, they called her name and she went and got it from them and we got on the bus to go back.

Before the bus left, she asked the people next to us if the name on the outside of the envelope was the doctor's name or what? They said no, it's supposed to be YOUR name ! She went uh-oh! I've got somebody else's results and they've got mine.

She ran back inside and luckily got it sorted out right away. That could have been a show-stopper the next day - for TWO people.

So check your envelope from the exam when they give it to you; don't open it, but look for your name on the outside !!!

Interview:

The next day her appointment was for 7:45 am. The guards had told us to appear 20-30 minutes before the appointment time, so we did. When we got to the line, (not a true line, but where they wait to be called) I asked what time they were calling and was told they were already up to 8:45 by then. So, we went to the very front and showed the letter. Since she was already due, they let Carmen go right in. She waited for a while, watching the screen for her number and window. They called it and she went up and submitted the whole packet to the person. They asked her some simple questions about her birth date and my name, my father's (joint sponser) name and that was it. She went to another window and paid. Then she was told to wait again. Finally, she went to another window where an officer asked her a few more questions. They noted that she had kids and asked if they were mine. She said no. They said, oh, then your case is complicated, you don't have any divorce papers. Carmen said "no, it's simple - I have never been married before, but I had children. I raised them myself." They accepted that and had her swear the truth at some point, she signed the DS230 pt II and then was sent to go pay for the new DHL fee to have the visa sent across town. Some new strategy to speed things up, I imagine. They said to call DHL at 4pm. She was out of there by 11 am.

We went back and relaxed ! Checked online and DHL had it, so we took a taxi over there and picked up her packet and passport with the visa in it.

The next day we went over to the assigned bridge. It is noted on the packet they give you where to cross. We walked up to the office and they sent us to a far window to wait. Somebody came out and called her into the offices. She came out after a minute and then they called her again. They reviewed the packet, including photos etc and then said she was approved. I guess they stamped her visa , I forget. They were formal, but courteous. We went across and that was that !

Juarez is pretty scary, average of four or five people are murdered everyday there. The new consulate is in a nice area by a huge modern shopping mall, which should help some. Anyone going there, be careful, don't go out at night. The taxi drivers and general population are friendly and helpful. Prices were fair and the food very good.

Anyone going to CDJ, if you have any questions, feel free to contact me and I will be glad to help.

Steve

[estrella 14]

Thanks for sharing your experience Steve!! Do you know what happens if I'm not crossing by the bridge? like if I'm gonna fly or something like that? We really don't know how wearegonna do it yet but if I have to use the bridge I guess that's what we'll do

[franklie 0]

Today my wife received her visa, CR-1.

Timeline:

We flew into CD Juarez from TJ on Sunday. We had reservations at the Holiday Inn Express, Las Misiones.

Monday we got up at 4am so that my wife could prepare herself for the med exam. We got in line at 5am at the Hospital across the street from the consulate. She was done with the medical exam by 9am and we had to wait until 2pm on Monday for her to pick up the sealed black envelope with the medical results. In the medical exam she was weighed, her vision was checked, she had to undress and a nurse looked at her naked body. She was given 3 vaccines; Tetanus, Dtap and MMR in spite of the fact that her Mexican health card showed that she had had the vaccinations. The total cost was $300 USD, 135 for the exam and the rest for the vaccines.

Tuesday, was her appointment at 12:45pm. The consulate security used a bull horn to organize the people in the line according to their appointment date. She entered the consulate grounds at approximately 1pm. She left the consulate at 4:30pm. The majority of the time was simply waiting. The consulate officier (CO) who interviewed her spent maybe 5 minutes with her. He asked her about my previous marriages, my children and her children. The system was down to verify her statements but the CO still approved her peticion for visa. Her passport and tourist visa were taken from her at the interview. She was given a paper that had a DHL tracking number for the package that would contain the package and her passport to be delivered to US Customs and Immigration.

Wednesday, we were anxiously scanning the DHL website starting at 10am to see if the DHL overnight package had arrived. At 11am nothing had arrived so we went to the mall across the street to kill some time. We came back to the hotel at about noon and I checked once again the DHL website. This time the following messages had shown on the screen:

12:38 pm Awaiting pickup by recipient as requested. Ciudad Juarez, Mexico

12:32 pm In transit. Ciudad Juarez, Mexico

12:26 pm Arrived at DHL facility. Ciudad Juarez, Mexico

12:22 pm Depart Facility Ciudad Juarez, Mexico

11:13 am Departing origin. Ciudad Juarez, Mexico

11:12 am Shipment picked up Ciudad Juarez, Mexico

We then went to the DHL address at Lopez Mateos and where she signed for and picked up the package. IMPORTANT: The DHL website only says that it has been received and does not say where the package is as shown above. On the paper received from the consulate there are two addresses for DHL in CD Juarez. The majority of the packages (more than 95%) go to the Lopez Mateos address.

Other IMPORTANT note: Her Mexican passport was inside the DHL envelope outside of the sealed envelope that was to be delivered to USCIS with the US visa inside the passport but not yet stamped.

Other IMPORTANT notice: The DHL office does NOT close for the lunch hour. We picked up the package at around 1:30pm.

Other IMPORTANT note: The taxi drivers outside the hotel do know what to do. Our taxi driver took us to DHL then walked us to the USCIS office where my wife delivered the package and got her visa stamped. Our wait at customs was less than 15 minutes.

Our taxi driver then took us back to the hotel. It cost us $70 USD for the taxi.

I hope this info helps those of you still on the journey.

One final comment. The info on this site is solid. I have spoken to others while I was waiting for my wife both at the med exam and at the consulate interview. People have paid $1500-$2500 to have their paperwork filled out by lawyers and they still don't have a clue as to what they are supposed to be doing.

[estrella 14]

Thanks Franklie for sharing your experience, it's helping me and my husband get ready. We called NVC and got our appoiment date, is gonna be july 16th, and we'll come and share our experience with you

[Pily 0]

Today my wife received her visa, CR-1.

Timeline:

We flew into CD Juarez from TJ on Sunday. We had reservations at the Holiday Inn Express, Las Misiones.

Monday we got up at 4am so that my wife could prepare herself for the med exam. We got in line at 5am at the Hospital across the street from the consulate. She was done with the medical exam by 9am and we had to wait until 2pm on Monday for her to pick up the sealed black envelope with the medical results. In the medical exam she was weighed, her vision was checked, she had to undress and a nurse looked at her naked body. She was given 3 vaccines; Tetanus, Dtap and MMR in spite of the fact that her Mexican health card showed that she had had the vaccinations. The total cost was $300 USD, 135 for the exam and the rest for the vaccines.

Tuesday, was her appointment at 12:45pm. The consulate security used a bull horn to organize the people in the line according to their appointment date. She entered the consulate grounds at approximately 1pm. She left the consulate at 4:30pm. The majority of the time was simply waiting. The consulate officier (CO) who interviewed her spent maybe 5 minutes with her. He asked her about my previous marriages, my children and her children. The system was down to verify her statements but the CO still approved her peticion for visa. Her passport and tourist visa were taken from her at the interview. She was given a paper that had a DHL tracking number for the package that would contain the package and her passport to be delivered to US Customs and Immigration.

Wednesday, we were anxiously scanning the DHL website starting at 10am to see if the DHL overnight package had arrived. At 11am nothing had arrived so we went to the mall across the street to kill some time. We came back to the hotel at about noon and I checked once again the DHL website. This time the following messages had shown on the screen:

12:38 pm Awaiting pickup by recipient as requested. Ciudad Juarez, Mexico

12:32 pm In transit. Ciudad Juarez, Mexico

12:26 pm Arrived at DHL facility. Ciudad Juarez, Mexico

12:22 pm Depart Facility Ciudad Juarez, Mexico

11:13 am Departing origin. Ciudad Juarez, Mexico

11:12 am Shipment picked up Ciudad Juarez, Mexico

We then went to the DHL address at Lopez Mateos and where she signed for and picked up the package. IMPORTANT: The DHL website only says that it has been received and does not say where the package is as shown above. On the paper received from the consulate there are two addresses for DHL in CD Juarez. The majority of the packages (more than 95%) go to the Lopez Mateos address.

Other IMPORTANT note: Her Mexican passport was inside the DHL envelope outside of the sealed envelope that was to be delivered to USCIS with the US visa inside the passport but not yet stamped.

Other IMPORTANT notice: The DHL office does NOT close for the lunch hour. We picked up the package at around 1:30pm.

Other IMPORTANT note: The taxi drivers outside the hotel do know what to do. Our taxi driver took us to DHL then walked us to the USCIS office where my wife delivered the package and got her visa stamped. Our wait at customs was less than 15 minutes.

Our taxi driver then took us back to the hotel. It cost us $70 USD for the taxi.

I hope this info helps those of you still on the journey.

One final comment. The info on this site is solid. I have spoken to others while I was waiting for my wife both at the med exam and at the consulate interview. People have paid $1500-$2500 to have their paperwork filled out by lawyers and they still don't have a clue as to what they are supposed to be doing.

[Pily 0]

Sorry, didn't Post it right , I got my interview for July 14th!!! Franlkie did you have to fill out the forms again? I talked to an operator and she told me I have to bring all the document with me, the DS-230 and the AOS packages. Another question I read you've been married before, did your wife was asked to bring your divorce decrees to the interview? My husband has been married twice and I only have the last decree the firts one was a long time ago so he does not have a copy, and I'm very worried about it, so any comments on the topic will be very helpful.

Thanks for sharing your experience with us.

[franklie 0]

Sorry, didn't Post it right , I got my interview for July 14th!!! Franlkie did you have to fill out the forms again? I talked to an operator and she told me I have to bring all the document with me, the DS-230 and the AOS packages. Another question I read you've been married before, did your wife was asked to bring your divorce decrees to the interview? My husband has been married twice and I only have the last decree the firts one was a long time ago so he does not have a copy, and I'm very worried about it, so any comments on the topic will be very helpful.

Thanks for sharing your experience with us.

Like I said in my PM to you, Bring copies of all the documentation that was sent to the USCIS and the NVC. This website has stated that one should make copies of the documents before they are sent. I am sure you did that.

From what my wife wife told me, the CO rifled through the documentation in front of him and asked only about the children from our previous relationships and about the divorces. He did NOT ask to see any of the documentation that she brought with her.

An aside, a couple we met when we went to the medical was applying for a K-3 visa. The lady had her interview an hour ahead of my wife. While my wife was waiting she saw the lady getting worked by the CO. The lady had left her album of pictures of the relationship outside the consulate with her husband. The CO asked to see pictures of the relationship. She asked to go outside to get the album; the CO said no. My wife has no idea whether or not the lady got approval but the lady was still in the consulate being browbeat by the CO when my wife left at 4:30pm.

Another aside, from the small sample size of people with whom I spoke, I have no idea why anyone would ask for a K-3 instead of a CR-1/IR visa. It takes the same amount of time, roughly 9-10 months.

[Djortiz 0]

I filed for the K-3 before i realized that the CR1 took the same amount of time and know I've got an interview for the k3 in july but the CR1 wont be hopefully until august. I want to call the consulate to ask if we can just wait for the Cr1 interview, but can not get through on their 19004761212 number. Any ideas or advise? please help

[estrella 14]

Hey guys, I'm getting ready for my interview next week, i know 3 of us have interviews next week one the usmatt the 13th, pily the 14th and i have mine the 16th, I wish you guys the best of lucks, hopefully everything will be smooth.

Please post your experiences here so other people can benefit from it.

I'll keep you guys posted, i'll arrive in Juarez on the 13th, I'm flying from Mexico city, and i'm really excited