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| Juarez, Mexico |  Review on February 25, 2018: |
JAGottlieb
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
Overall we had a very good experience with this consulate.
Our interview date was 1/8/18. We arrived in CDJ on 1/3/18 to allow plenty of time for medical exam and biometrics. We flew into the El Paso airport and then took a Uber to the border. Despite what Uber app says, Uber drivers are NOT allowed to transport you over the border. Our Uber ride from ELP to the border was around $15. The only caution with this is that on the USA side, there is not a good drop off point. The Uber driver has to pretty much drop you off on the freeway (last point before they can turn around) and you have to run across. This was fine for us but if you are elderly or disabled, plan accordingly. We walked across the border and once across, was able to get a Uber to our hotel. Our Uber in the USA tried to scam us that he would pick us back up in Mexico for a huge fee. Uber is not very expensive in CDJ so just use the app. It cost us less than $5 to go to the hotel. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express. While on the higher priced side of the hotels in the area, it does have a great location and the staff is very friendly. We were talking with our housekeeper there and she said that HIE pays their staff more than others in the area, requires a police certificate to work there, and hires by referral only. We were very comfortable at this hotel and was able to easily walk to consulate and stores.
On Thursday we did our medical exam at Servicos Medicos la Frontera. They were very organized and I would highly recommend them. They picked us up from the hotel free of charge even though we could have easily walked. They have a seperate visitors area and do not allow for visitors to stay with the applicant. They will check your papers so make sure to bring them (appointment letter, passport, etc.). We brought medical records from the USA to help the process. I sat in the visitors building while waiting for my spouse. They have TV's and coffee. Since I don't speak spanish, the TV was of no use to me so I just watched Netflix on my phone. While we were there, there was a small roof top fire at the clinic next door which touches SMF building. I was nervous as my spouse was upstairs at this point in the SMF building and could see flames shooting up on the roof in the darkness. Somehow they put it out and everyone went about their business. I would like to say the whole process took about 2 hours. Xray downstairs, went upstairs to meet with doctor and then had blood work taken, paid and then left. We came back at 3pm to pick up packet...it was in the black sealed envelope as promised. This same day we also had our CAS appointment. This is also walk able from hotel as it is kind of next to the consulate. There is a BIG group of family waiting outside so it looks crazy at first but it is actually very organized. MAKE SURE TO BRING YOUR FROMS! My spouse did not and had to walk back to hotel and then come back a second time. The process inside took around 15 minutes, very quick. Do not bring phones or anything inside. They do have security who will search you and these items are not allowed. They told my spouse to go to the consular on Friday at 2pm to inspect paperwork. This was odd as I never heard of this before. I didn't think they would let him inside without an appointment but they did. They inspected his entire paperwork as if it was a consular appointment. They wanted to verify that he had everything needed. This actually made things faster for the interview. They gave him a paper to bring back on his Monday appointment date. He said this cut his time in half on Monday as people who did not do this sat in another area and waited longer.
For consular appointment, he said it was very easy. They went and pulled his packet from Friday and they asked him a few basic questions. Gave him a green approval paper. He said that he did see others get denied because they did not have their paperwork together. He said that some needed additional waivers (601) and didn't have them. They were told to go apply for those and come back next year. We were there on an approved 601a waiver and had no problems.
Visa was ready at CAS 2 days later. We received a email around 7am. I want to say this came before the website updated so make sure to check your email. Our flight wasn't until Saturday and hotel was prepaid so we just stayed in CDJ until Saturday. Give yourself extra time to enter USA. While there was no one else in there on Saturday, it did take about 30 extra minutes for him to get Visa endorsed and then get in the passport control line. After entering USA, SSN came automatically within about 2 weeks in the mail. Green card came in the mail less than 30 days after entry.
We enjoyed our time in CDJ and talked about going back to visit. There is a nice mall across from the consulate that has a lot of neat stores, Casino, 4D movie theater and places to eat. We won about $200 from the Casino. There is also an Ihop, BWW, Denny's, McDonalds, Dominos, KFC all near by. We did eat at a small place by the medical clinics called La Nueva Central. They are open 24 hours and the food is very cheap. It does get packed but moves quick. We also wanted to get some food from Walmart. It was $2 each way for a Uber to Walmart. This allowed us to stock up on some snacks. Walmart does not take USA Mastercards, only VISA just FYI.
We felt very safe the entire time we were there. We walked around at night to go to the mall and to go eat, never had any problems. I am more worried being in downtown Houston with homeless people than in CDJ. Was fine walking across border from USA with no problems.
If you should have any questions, please don't hesitate to direct message me and I would love to help!
(updated on February 25, 2018)
(updated on February 25, 2018)
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #23320