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| Juarez, Mexico |  Review on September 13, 2014: |
SweetOpossum
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
Hello, So here I go here is my review of the Consulate in Ciudad Juarez.
TUESDAY.
Medical Exam. I attended this clinic:
CLINICA MEDICA INTERNACIONAL
Ave. Ramón Rivera Lara #9020
Col. Partido Senecú
Ciudad Juárez, Chih., México C.P. 32543
Phone: (011-52-656) 227-2800
Fax: (011-52-656) 227-2800 ext. 2858
I was staying at the IBIS (Hotel review below) , it was extremely convenient because it is in the perfect location, the clinic is just across the parking lot from the hotel, no need to cross the street or anything. They operate in a first come first served basis from 6am to 11am. I arrived there at 6am and there were already about 10 - 15 people ahead of me. They asked for the invitation letter and passport and asked me to take a seat (You dont stand in line, you sit in line) then you go to another person, one at a time, and she confirms your information and gives you a number. Then they send you take a seat somewhere else, this time they have several windows open and they first ask for your passport, then they take a picture, get your fingerprints, confirm your name, date of birth, they also make you sign and then they put a bracelet around your wrist showing which type of visa you are applying for. The next step is an eye examination. When they are done with that one of the clinics employees directs you to go across the parking lot to another area of the clinic, here they confirm your information again and they take a blood sample, I was impressed of how fast this guy did it, I just finished sitting down and the needle was already in my vein!! I have to admit he did a good job, no pain, no bruises. Then they walked me to a room where they made me undress and they asked me things like: Do you have kids, have you had any abortions, do you have diabetes, when was your last period, do you any tattoos, do you have Tuberculosis, do you have cancer, then she basically "inspected me" and told me to go to the room next door for a chest X-Ray, that was very fast too. Then they told me they were done and that I could get dressed and proceed to the cashier to pay and get my passport back. I paid 220usd which is 190 plus tax and they gave me my passport and the payment receipt, they told me the results will be ready at 2pm the same day and that they close at 4pm. I was out at 8:20am.
Then I went back to the hotel to take a 2 hour nap because my next appointment (ACS Fingerprints)was until 1pm.
ACS - Fingerprint appt. I woke up very happy from my nap and headed to the ACS. To get there from the hotel you walk across the parking lot towards the Clinic and then proceed to cross a small street which gets you to a small plaza with little restaurants and several offices. Then you turn right and the consulate will be right there but you will keep walking for about 1 block and you will see "Sala de Espera" you turn right and you will see the ACS at the end. I was surprised about how organized they are! They have a "clock" in the window (they use big cards with the numbers) which they update every 10 minutes. When I got there it was set to 12:30 and my appointment was at 1:00, when they update the clock to show your appointment time you are allowed to get in line. When you get in they will ask for your passport, invitation letter and the DS 160 page with the bar code, then you go to one of the windows, they take a picture, get your finger prints and confirm the DHL address where you want to receive your visa. I was out 10 minutes later.
Then I went to get lunch to make time to be at the clinic at 2pm to pick up my results. I went back to the clinic , they make you take a seat where you started in the morning if you arrive earlier than 2pm, and then at 2pm they make you move to sit in line in front of the windows where they took your information and picture in the morning. The process is very fast, they give you a black plastic sealed enveloped with a sticker with your name, they make you confirm the information is correct and warn you about not opening the folder, if you do the consulate will not accept it. They also give you a CD with your X-Ray, this is for you, they also mention that you should NOT bring the CD to the interview at the consulate because CDs are not allowed (the same goes for cameras, cell phones, etc)
FRIDAY - BIG DAY!!! VISA INTERVIEW
My appointment was at 7:15am, I was told (After my ACS fingerprints appt) to be at the "Sala De Espera" no more than 30 minutes prior to my interview appt time. You have to go there first, you cannot go straight to the consulate. I got there almost an hour earlier, at 6:20 and there were already almost 30 people ahead of me, I got number 28. They ask for your invitation letter and the DS160 bar code page. Then you sit down in line. At about 6:50am they ask everyone with a 7:15 to walk to the consulate, you dont have to follow the order in which they made you sit, you can walk just as fast as you can to get in line to enter the consulate. Then you enter the consulate and go thru security. Please notice that If you are carrying stuff like cell phones, drinks, food, cameras, etc, they will have you exit the consulate to drop those objects somewhere else. I was only carrying my big folder so I didn't have any issues and went inside after receiving 2 pieces of paper with the same number. You sit down again and wait, then when you make it to the window they take one of your numbers and ask you for: Your passport, birth certificate , I134 and medical exams, this person opens the black envelope and puts your results in your file. Then they mark the other piece of paper with your number with a marker, they marked mine with a green highlighter meaning I had to to go sit down at the section with green chairs (I loved this!!! they are so organized)
Then I waited in line and a window opened when It was my turn, the guy in the window was very polite and greeted me in a friendly way. Then he asked a couple of questions on how we met and about myself and my fiancé, he didn't ask for any of the evidence I was carrying with me. I am sure these people are highly trained and can easily tell if you are for real. Then he typed something on his computer and told me: "Su visa ha sido aprobada" Your visa has been approved. I felt so happy!! He gave me a green paper with the instructions to track my visa thru DHL... I left the place with the biggest smile!!!!
++++++++++++++++++ I know this is already very long but I want to add some on the hotel and other tips+++++++++++++++++++
Hotel: I stayed at the IBIS which is perfect if you are going to Juarez to go to the consulate, the distance makes it very convenient for you to walk to the clinics, the ACS and the consulate. The rooms are small but I was still able to find a way to work out in the room. I dont recommend the hotel because the rooms are super nice of because they have the best food, but because its close to everything. I was there alone and I felt safe staying there. They serve breakfast lunch and dinner, the food is decent but I was disappointed everyday because lunch was not ready until after 2pm.
Consulate area: There will be people on the street trying to "help you" get to the consulate, to fill out forms, to review your documents, to take the photos... My big suggestion is to stay away from them, they will more than likely try to get your money. Come prepared and with everything you need: copies, pictures, evidence, etc.
I also noticed most people were moving in couples or groups... I was there on my own, I didnt feel unsafe, just a little lonely.
Hope this is helpful!
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #15188