H1 VISA Stamping at Cuidad Juarez,Mexico

Location: Cuidad Juarez, Mexico (Near to El Paso, TX)Appointment Date: 28th November 2007
1. Booked Appointment using https://www.usvisa-mexico.com/visa-web/index.jsp? On 28th October 2007

2. Called Victor Garcia (This is the agent who provides transportation and gets Banamex DD for Consulate Fee. He charges 60$ cash only) You can find details http://www.victorgarciainternational.com/

3. Sent him Money Order for ($100 – Mex$1100) along with appointment letter, passport number and contact details (phone and EmailId)Money Order fee is cheaper at USPS – around $1, at Banks it will be around $4

4. Booked one night (to stay on 27th November) at Econo Lodge, 6363 Montana Avenue, EL Paso, TX ($55.39) 915-778-3311. Copy this number in your cell, will be useful to call shuttle once you reach Airport. Or you can find this number in the advertisement area near to the airport exit.

5. Booked one night (for 28th night) at Holiday-Inn Lincoln at Cuidad Jaurez.Phone: 1-800-HOLIDAYPlace: Chihuahua (State), Mexico (Country) , Cuidad Juarez (City)Hotel Code: JUAMXCoupan Code: ILCORVGA for special Bargain: They said they have 2 bed room and costs $120. I said I will think about it and call you later. She asked the reason. I said it is too expensive, I am looking for a room for one night for around $50. She said she could give for $90. Later when I was at hotel I said I am with Victor Garcia and asked for $70. Finally I got it for $79 with taxes (Mex$838.36)

6. Arrived at ElPaso on 27th night and called Econo lodge shuttle, they came and picked me up. Stayed one night. There is a printer at this motel. If you want to make any final corrections to your DS-156/157/158 can do it here. Do your dinner at Airport / take along to have it at motel.

7. Morning 6.45 28th November (Day Of Appointment),, Have breakfast (Donuts) at motel, since you don’t get any breakfast until your visa interview is over. Victor Garcia came around 7.00 in his van which accommodates around 9 people. Gives your Banamex DD, and takes $60 cash.

8. He will take you to Holiday-Inn in Mexico to drop your luggage. Keep all your electronics (including mobile phone) at motel. Then he will drop you at the embassy. There is a computer with internet access and printer at this motel. Get ready with Passport, Appointment Letter. A guard will be at the gate allows you inside after checking you appointment letter and passport. You have to stand in a line

9. There will be 3 counters, one of them will call you when they are done with the person infront of you. they will ask you for DS156/157/158 according to you category and your passport, they will fastly verify data and put NONE in the fields if there is no information. Here you will get token number.

10. After this you have wait in a line to get your picture taken (Wait time – around 20 minutes standing). There will be around 6 counters/pods. There will be display on top of each pod. Look for your token number, upon display of your number go to that pod, Hand over your passport to the officer. Take your coat off, and get ready for your picture taken (No cheeese). After taking picture, she/he will write your name on a green receipt with tomorrow’s date as passport pickup date. Spell check your name. She will tell you to go to the finger printing desk. You have to wait in another line. Wait time around 15 minutes.

11. There is a guy who directs you how to put your fingers on the scanner. After this you should go to another area to wait for the interview

12. All the people who got the tokens will be waiting in the area next to these counters. There will be a electronic display which displays token numbers

13. Most of the time numbers will come in sequence. My counter number was 8002 but it came 1 hour after 8001. So don’t worry if your number is missing.

14. Upon display I went to the counter inside.

15. Questions:Q.who is your employerAns: xyz
Q.Where r you working now?Ans:Client place xyx
Q.Tell me about the project and your roleAns: blah blah..
Q.Tell me about your companyAns:It provides s/w solutions. Blah blah..
Q.The product you are working is it developed by company or customizing?A:Customizing to the client’s needs
Checked for something on computer for 1 minute. I opened my expandable folder, acted like I am ready for any document she will askQns: Asked regarding education.Ans: Master’s in US
Q: Do you have degree certificateAns; No, I don’t have Degree since I completed my master’s recently. Original degree will be awarded in January.
Q:when exactly you have completedA:In September …….and Gave her Grad Walk diploma (and mentioned this is not original degree)…and then gave the letter that I got from International Advisor she has gone through the letter and gave it back
congrats..your VISA got approved….Thank you, you have a nice day

16. came out, there is a taxi stand. Took taxi (5$) to the Holiday Lincoln hotel.

17.Went to lunch MariaChuchena by walk.(5 minutes) (don’t eat Flan de coco. It’s not good). Other dishes ordered by my friends were good. And the restaurant is also good. One Flan De coco+pina culada+deseset (Mex224.40 – USD21.17)

18. Went back to motel, slept for a while. Had dinner at the hotel which is inside Holiday Inn.

19. Woke up around 6, casual dress and went to consulate with luggage bag by WALK . If you have luggage which doesn’t have wheels, I advice you to go by taxi. Even if it has wheels I advice you to go by taxi (5$).

20. There will be lockers to keep your luggage near the entrance gate of consulate. Go to the guard show your green receipt and he will allow you to go little inside to keep your luggage. Keep all electronics including cellphone in the locker. Keep luggage inside the locker and come outside.

21. At exact 8.00 guard will allow you to go inside. Stay in line when called go to the counter, check your name and company name for any typo.

22. Don’t waste time, come out and pick a taxi(5$) to the bridge near border. If you waste time, you may need to wait for more than 1 hour at border protection office. You need to walk 5-8 minutes from the place you get out of the taxi to US customs and border protection office. You will get I-94 here. Go stand in line, pay 6 dollars in cash get your new I-94.

23. Show passport with I-94 to the officer, come out of the building wait near the telephones. Call Victor. He will come and pick you up and take you the airport. Bon Voyage…