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| Juarez, Mexico |  Review on June 19, 2012: |
obladi
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
Our theme was to be prepared for the worst and hope for the best (always a good philosophy in critical moments). I just wanted to post a brief summary of how quickly, or slowly, things went and when and how early to show up as well as a couple minor obstacles of which to be aware.
First off we extended our two day trip to a week as we had to reschedule the ASC and interview appointments due to a minor paperwork discrepancy which was 100% my fault. We kept the original medical exam date and arrived exactly 30 minutes early as is reccomended but didn't have the appointment letter (never recieved packet 3) so we went to the consulate window and they gave us a copy (I think this has happened to many people, just make sure you have your confirmation number with you). after going to the window my fiance's wait wasn't very long after getting back to the medical building a block away. It took about 5 minutes to get the appointment letter (after waiting an hour for the consulate to open) and she was let directly into the medical building upon re-arrival where she took various tests lasting a total of 30 minutes. It is reccomended that you get to the medical exam 30 minutes early so as not to miss your appointment but any earlier and you will just be waiting outside in the Juarez heat longer. The results are available at 2pm when they begin calling names (for a child it can take 72 hours for the results because they undergo TB testing). Apparently they also tell some people they can come in anytime between 2pm and 4pm to get there results (I guess it depends on how busy they are at 2pm perhaps). Another note if there is a child on the application: TB readings need to be done in 72 hours meaning they cannot do readings on Saturdays and Sundays. This means that the child cannot get the initial innoculation on Wednsday or Thursday.
The next step was the Application Services Center (ASC). There is no reason to get there more then 10 minutes early since everyone waits outside until their appointment time is shown in large numbers on the ASC window. The times rotate at ten minute intervals and where they may get around 5-10 minutes behind schedule until the top of the hour when they are back on time after skipping the 12:50 interval (probably no interviews scheduled at 50 minutes after the hours so they can catch up). This took about 10 minutes with no complications!
As for the interview We were both nervous and didn't sleep much. The appointment was 7:15 and you are supposed to be at the waiting area (a seperate building on the north side of the consulate) 30 minutes early. We arrived early and I waited outside while my fiance went into the waiting area to have her documents checked over and appointment letter stamped (Have DS260, DS156, appointment letter, medical exams and passports ready). After being in the waiting building (sala de espera migratoria) for 5 minutes she was sent to the consulate. After passing a security checkpoint where they verify the appointment letter is stamped she was sent to a line behind one of the consulate windows where she waited a few more minutes. The lady at the window gave my fiance a ticket which indicated where to go inside the consulate. Once inside she waited about an hour before being called up by an office representative who reviews all neccesary documents for the interview. She apparently wasn't in the best of moods and said that my fiance needed the I864 affidative of support and would probably have to cancel the appointment. We had the I134 affidative of support which is clearly the one that is neccesary according to the instructions, visajourney reviews and the USCIS website for a K1 visa. Packet 3 from the Juarez consulate does state that you need the I864 however. I attribute this as well as some other inaccurate form numbers (DS260 is needed and not the DS160 which the website states) due to issues in translation perhaps??? The first consulate official asked if I was in town and then allowed my fiance to retain the interview after getting confirmation that I am in Juarez(I am sure she would have been able to proceed even if I wasn't in town though). My fiance was told that the interviewing officer may give her a 30-60 minute pass so I can fill out the I860 form and everything would be up to the consulate official ......... After another hour wait she was called for our interview and the demeanor of the interviewing officer was very pleasant and relaxed. She said all of our paperwork, including the I134 and supporting documents, was in good order and her eyes got bigger when my fiance dropped a couple reams worth of messenger chats on top of photos e-mails, my passport and bank statements for evidence of relationship and visits etc.... The interview lasted about 10 minutes and the questions weren't very probing. She was asked about how we met and our method and language of communication. She asked about my fiances past visas to the US and verified that she never overstayed. She also asked about my visits to Mexico, my occupation, my fiance's occupation and thumbed through the paperwork we provided.
Since we had a few extra days in juarez I will just add a couple things about staying here. We stayed at the quality Inn just 2 blocks from the consulate (and ASC) and 3 from the medical center. Nice hotel with a pool and lots of laison employees to make it feel safe and comfortable. The pool also had a snack and cerveza hut which made the downtime more relaxing. There is a mall with a huge movie theater about 3/4 mile away (the theater has VIP theaters also with couches and waiter/waitress services. There is also Parque de centro 1- 1.5 miles west of the consulate) nearby which is very pleasant by bordertown standards. There is a manmade lake (with a fair amount of garbage) and many trees for shade. There are also places in the park to get food and beverages and events on weekends. At no time did I feel unsafe in the areas where we were but if you travel outside of this nicer section of town I would do read some reviews and know where you are going especially as you get closer to downtown and west.
I hope this wasn't to long winded but I wanted to be helpful as there are so many on this forum that have offered good advice. Now we are off for lunch and a cerveza before my long flight back home!
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #9862