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|  Review on September 1, 2010: |
Jilly and Danny
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
My husband went to the Clinica Medica Internacional. He said that they opened their doors at 5am to let people into the lobby. It is first come first serve and they give you a number. They checked his passport, interview letter, and vaccination records. Next, by 5:30, they have you go to the actual clinic where you have to sit in order of your numbers. Then you have to wait until 6 for them to start the exams. He said at 6 he had to go back to the lobby and show the paperwork again and they keep the paperwork at that point and give you an ID bracelet and take your picture for a registry. Then they send you to the lab where they draw blood. Next you go so they can check your vision. Next, you wait for your turn with the doctor for the physical. You strip to your underwear and socks and they give you a general physical. The doctor asks if you've been in touble with the police, drugs, etc. Then you have to take your underwear off and they check you. They ask you about any scars or tatoos as well as STD's chronic illness, etc. Then you get dressed and go and get a chest X-Ray. Then they send you to the urine test. My husband said that lots of people got sent to the psychologist, but he didn't have to go. Finally you have to go to get vaccinations. He had to get three and he said they already knew which ones they were going to give him. He asked which ones they were but didn't understand what they rattled off to him. It seems that for the people who were there for the first time they got the same set of vaccines and had to pay the same amount (4300 pesos approx.) and the people who were there for the second time only had to pay the visit (2300), we assume because they got the vaccines the first time. After the injections you go and pay and they give you back your passport, vaccination records, and interview letter. They said the results would be ready after 2:00pm.
Our interview appt. was at 1:15, and they don't let you in more than 30 minutes before your appointment time, so don't even bother going sooner than that. They don't let anyone but the person(s) applying for a visa to enter. At the other end of the consulate building there is a closed waiting room with air conditioning, chairs, and televisions where I waited. When I got there, it said for people applying to be residents the wait would be 3-5 hours. My husband took 4 hours exactly.
He went in and had to go through airport like security. Then he was given a number and sent to the waiting area where he sat watching the screens. He was first called to turn in documents. He was asked for his birth certificate, our marriage certificate, his sealed medical report, passport, photos, and Tourist visa. He said there he was asked who was filing for him and if it was his first marriage and if we had any children. Then he was told to sit back down and watch the screens again for his number.
The next time his number came up he was sent to make the payment. He said everyone was charged 404 dollars and he paid with a debit card. He was sent back to his chair to watch again for his number.
The third time he was sent to get his fingerprints scanned. They took all 10 fingers. And again, to the waiting area.
He said what followed was by far the longest wait. He was finally called for the interview, which lasted about 5 minutes. They asked:
Full name.
(Raise hand and swear to tell the truth)
What is your wife's name?
Have you ever been in the States illegally?
Is it your first marriage?
Do you have any children?
How did you meet your wife?
Have you ever been to jail?
Have you ever been in trouble with the police?
Who is (name of our co sponsor)?
Do you have an F1 visa? (we don't know what that is)...A student visa? (yes, from before)
Where are you going to live?
What do you do?
Then he was told he was approved and to go to DHL to pay (110 pesos). And that was it.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #6548