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| Juarez, Mexico |  Review on June 25, 2011: |
saraio
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
I recieved by e-mail my appoinment letter 2 bussines days after we got a Case Complete at NVC, that was on May 17th and the appointment was scheduled the 14th of June at 7:15 AM
BIOMETRICS (FINGER PRINTS AND PICTURE) AND DHL BRANCH
Before the appoinment you need to submit your biometrics, which is your fingerprints and pictures at a CAS (Centro de Atencion a Solicitantes) on the following web page you find the info to make an appoitment either online or on the phone www.usvisa-info.com there you get all the instructions you need. I did it on the phone since I had trouble online trying to do it.
You can find a CAS right were any US consulate or the US Embassy are and since you can get your biometrics done at any of those I chose Mexico City, since it was the nearest to me, but if you can pick the nearest to you, it doesn't have to be in Ciudad Juarez but you need to make sure that you do it before the appointment. If you don't get it done in Ciudad Juarez you have to do it 7 bussiness days before your interview and if you get it done in Ciudad Juarez then you have to do it 2 business days prior your interview. I heard a lot of stories of people spending a long time in Ciudad Juarez because they didn't know that they could submit their biometrics at any CAS and not only in Ciudad Juarez. I had no problem at all at the interview I just had to mention that I did it in Mexico city and the date I did it and everything was just fine.
At the CAS they ask you for your interview letter, DS260 confirmation page (which you find on your payment portal just print it) and your passport. After you go in they stamp and scan your DS260 confirmation page and they ask again for the paperwork you were asked to bring, then they get your fingerprints and picture done. I was out in less than 10 minutes).
At the same time you make your appoitment for the biometrics you get to pick the DHL branch you want your VISA packet to be sent to. On the website I mentioned before you can have access to a big list of branches thorougout the country. If you are planning to cross the border in Ciudad Juarez and you have no delays with your visa at all, you'll get it 3 bussiness days after your interview and if you pick another branch then it takes 4 to 5 business days.
GOING TO CIUDAD JUAREZ
Although we knew my husband was not going be able to attend the interview he went with me since we were worried about all the horrid stories you hear of Ciudad Juarez, but the consulate area is quite safe and we stayed at the Quality Inn hotel, which is only half a block from the Consulate and one block from the clinics,it was clean and nice I recommend it. There's plenty of places where you can eat and there's a mall nearby, everything is within walking distance and of course we didn't go out at night only during the day.
MEDICAL
You can't make an appoitment, but if you are an adult you get your medical results the same day you get them done. I was a bit worried that something could happen but they work very efficiently. There's two clinics and you can pick either of them. Do not pay attention to any guys that offer you to help, you just need your appointment letter, your passport, any vaccionation records and if you have importan health records that you think you need that's all you need. If you have kids that takes longer to get the results make sure you call and ask about that.
They open at six AM I chose Servicios Medicos de la Frontera and by the time we were there (a few minutes before 6 AM) there were quite a lot of people already. Your husband can come in or any other family member can as well.
First they take your interview appointment, passport and vaccionation records and then they assign you a number, then you go to another area where they take your picture and your info. Then you go to the Xray area, then to the blood test area and then to the physical examination area (which includes checking your weight, blood pressure, vision test, then you go into a little room where you get naked and then they come to check you and give you any vaccines you are missing, I heard that if you have tatoos or had drugs then you have an urine test as well)
Then you pay and they tell the time you have to go back and pick up your results, so we went there at 2 and it was very fast. Remember you can't open the folder but you get to keep the CD with your Xrays and the vaccinations sheet since at the consulate they only ask for the folder.
INTERVIEW
First you go to the waiting hallroom which is by the consulate (north side) and there they tell you to get in line then ask you for your interview letter, DS260 confirmation letter (the one that was stamped at the CAS), passport and medical results. Then they make sure you chose a DHL branch and give you a piece of paper with the instructions on how to pick up your VISA packet after it's approved.
Then you go to the consulate and you don't have to get in line you go straight in, go through screening and you get assinged a number.
Once inside the consulate there's an outside waiting area and then you wait for your number to show on the screen they tell you wich booth you go to inside the interview hall. All the time you wait for your number to show on the screens inside the interview area as well.
It took about 15 minutes for me to go in, then they ask you for all the information that is listed on the consulate website. Just do it in the order they tell you to. (By the way I forgot my pictures and I was allowed to go out to get them and then went straight to the booth to turn them in with no problem)
The next step it's to pay, but since we paid to NVC already I skipped that step. Then they get your fingerprint again to make sure you are in their data base. After that the guy said I was ready for my interview.
THE INTERVIEW
My turn showed on the screen basically 5 minutes after my fingerprints were done, which I took as a good sign since if they take too long to call you, most likely it's because there's a red flag on your file.
The interviewer was a pretty nice guy, he basically asked me just yes or no questions and didn't ask for any evidence (I had like 400 pages of evidence with me ha!), the interview was pretty fast that I barely had time to say thanks when he told me that my VISA was approved)
Note: Our case was pretty strong, we've been together for 5 years, no previous marriages on both sides, we have two kids and either of us have other kids besides the ones we have together, I have no criminal records and no immigrations violations at all) But just in case bring enough evidence to cover all your bases.
VISA PICK UP
I picked up my VISA 4 bussiness days after it was approved. We still have a few weeks before we leave that's why I asked for my VISA to be sent to my hometown. They only ask for your shipment ID number (you can call the consulate or find it online once it's picked up at the consulate) and your ID.
I hope this helps  and good luck to you! Praying your VISA gets approved!
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #7825