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| Juarez, Mexico |  Review on June 1, 2011: |
chuk686
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
Arrived in the morning Friday on VivaAerobus from MEX. Heavily secured airport.
Victor picked me up at the airport, although I had to walk to the main st. because the taxistas do not like him picking up business at the airport. I'd recommend hiring him, very nice man, lots of good advice.
Checked in at La Quinta just off the consulate row. Hotel has been great! Great breakfast, very nice and helpful people, reliable shuttle, fast internet, and very good air conditioning. It's clean and the pool area is very nice. And there is a coupon out there that will save you $10 or more off a night (that I didn't know about). http://www.smf.juare...p?topic=25213.0
ASC Appointment
Yesterday went to my ASC appointment at 1:00PM, the appointment was at 2PM. Stood outside for a while it was hot. Looks like there were people in line waiting alongside the building adjacent. I was confused if I should stand in that line. But at about 1:40 I just went to the front door (when they were accepting the next round of people) and showed the guard my appointment letter and my printout from the usvisa-info site that shows the date and time of my appointment and was let in.
*IMPORTANT* You must have your "Invitation Letter" that was mailed to you from Juarez. They didn't let people pass if they didn't have this. I gave them my passport, invitation letter, and DS-260 confirmation that was e-mailed to me after I filled out the DS-260 form online. They put it all in a zipped folder, gave it to me, did a security check (bring as little as possible - there are many items that are prohibited) - you may bring your cell phone but must remove the battery to show them it is off. After the security check I was sent over to the seating area and waited for an open window. The girl took my photo, fingerprints and that was it.
MEDICAL
Medical Clinic was open Memorial Day despite the consulate being closed. At La Quinta there was only about 8 of us that caught the first shuttle (6AM) to the medical clinics. At the Medical Clinic (first went to the brown building) and was sent over to the "other" clinic since they were full. The other clinic was actually really good. Checked in with the receptionist at the front, was sent to another waiting area out back that was outside. Then checked in with another receptionist that took my vaccination info passport and appointment letter. Then was sent to another waiting area (men and women are separated) and they began the tests. First was the chest x-ray. Went very quickly since for guys we just took off our shirts. Next was another waiting area and we were admitted quickly for blood test. Finally we were sent upstairs for the doctor examination. They took blood pressure, height, weight, and vision test. Then sent to a room to be checked by the doctor. The doctor checked for scars, tattoos, any sign of drug use, asked about medical history, asked about allergies to food or to medicine, and if on any medication. Asked about drug use. Then when all that was done she sent the nurse in to administer vaccines. That was it, just went downstairs and paid and back to the hotel.
Arrived back at around 3:40 for results. They don't start until 4PM giving you the sealed envelopes. There was a lot of people there but fortunately my name was called first and was out of there right away.
INTERVIEW DAY
Caught a shuttle from La Quinta at 6:30, we were at the Sala de Espera at 6:40. My appointment was at 7:15. The Sala de Espera, you just show them your documents and they put them in order and make sure you have selected a DHL location to ship your Visa. You don't wait there, went straight over to the consulate (very short walk). Showed the guard my appointment letter and passport and was let in to wait in ANOTHER line. It went quick and soon I passed through security. Didn't bring anything with me other than my documents, wallet, and room key so there were no issues. I was given a number and pointed in the direction to go to Immigrant Visas.
Arrived at the waiting area for Immigrant Visas and the room was only half full. It filled up quickly and before I knew it my number was called. A nice girl who spoke english took my medical, and the original copies of mine and my wife's birth certificates. I went and sat back down, then I heard over the intercom to return again to the same window. She forgot to take my photos. So I went and sat down again. Maybe 10 minutes later was called to a second payment window. Paid the $404 dollar fee. The family in front of me had 6 people and had to pay around $2400. They brought cash! Unreal. 5 minutes later was called up again the gentleman scanned my fingerprints to ensure I was who I said I was. Sent back to the seating area. Maybe 10 minutes after that was called up to do the interview. The lady was nice, she asked me to raise my right hand and swear to tell the truth. She asked me where my wife was, how we met, have we lived together, and just went through some of the documentation we had presented as evidence in our case. Then she took out our pictures and pulled one out and asked me to list the people in the photo and when it was taken. Was one from Thanksgiving a few years back. Finally we came to the I-864, I swear we submitted 3 years of tax returns but she didn't have 2010, so I gave her my copy and she checked it over. Then she asked if I had set up my DHL shipping info, and I replied that if I was approved it would be sent to DF. This is where she said, "You are approved!!!" I was elated. All of that stress lifted. She said I was free to go and they would mail me the visa in my passport in Mexico City. I was out of there at 8:30AM. The whole process was very fast once we got inside the consulate.
Since I have selected to have my Visa mailed to Mexico City I don't have a review and summary of DHL.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #7687