I'm not sure if procedures have changed since then...but there is a yellow envelope with documents that must be given to an immigration officer. Didn't your husband have to do that? Or did he surrender the envelope at the port of entry in LAX???

thegreatgate,
The resumen that you posted in spanish is what I was trying to tell you. Tell your fiance not to worry about having to receive a stamp. She will get it at her point of entry. Good luck with everyything!

sanfranguy,
Good luck, let us know how it goes.

ygandmat,
Yes my husband did receive a yellow envelope in Juarez. He turned it in until he arrived in Los Angeles, I was there with him. In 2 days it will be ONE YEAR SINCE JUAN HAS BEEN IN THE U.S. Wow, time sure does fly!

Do not go to the bridge to get any kind of stamp, it isn't a stamp anyway it is your I-94 which is your entry permission to the US by CBP/USCIS. Especially since you are K1 because it would be your one entry permitted. If you are getting a K3 then it doesn't matter because it is a multiple entry permit but it is not needed until your a ready to enter the US.

hi all. we just got back from the medical exam. it wasnt too long. we went to the clinic thats right next to the consulate since it had a shorter line instead of the one that was across the street. we checked in with the receptionist and she took the passports of my fiance and her daughter and told my fiance to go to room 4 and that I should go to room 2 with her daughter. I waited till they called her daughters name and we went in to have her physical done. Then we were told to go room 3 for the tb shot. We waited there for a while , I would say about 2 1/2 hours till her name was called. Her mom was done with her physical and her blood test by that time so she was with us. They gave her daughter a tb shot and gave us a lil slip telling us to come back Thursday so they can see if comes back positive. So were suppose to come back at 12 thursday and pick up the results at 3pm. Btw, we got there at around 7:30 am and were out of there about 11am. From there we went to get something to eat nearby and headed to the banamex to pay the visa fee. They asked us for the passports and gave us a receipt for each passport. So now we wait till Thursday and head to the interview Friday.

I think I saw that hotel gate we actually got a ride from my fiances co worker. The ride was about 20 min or so from the airport to the apartment where were at. Its 5 minutes away on car from the consulate.

I am really proud of my fiancee. She called me from the airport almost crying because the taxi driver wanted $40 to take her to the hotel. Then she hung up on me and wouldn't answer her phone. Finally, she answered and told me she took a bus to the hotel for $5.

She has her medical appointment tomorrow and visa appointment Wednesday so I will report back with some updates soon.

I am furious right now. My girlfriend sent me a text message telling me that the consulate is closed tomorrow for some unexplainable reason. It is not a holiday, they did not have any warnings on their website, and it is flat out not right.

This whole process has cost me my entire life savings, I am down to the bare minimum and then this shi+ had to happen. My travel agent is about to give me the numbers on how much it will cost to get the flights moved an extra day. I am guessing close to $400 which I really don't have.

She said when she goes to pick up her medical results which is probably occurring right now, she will go to the consulate and see if she can have her appointment.

Are they really strict on letting people into the embassy for a K1 visa only between 8 and 10 am???
Probably impossible for her to walk in at 2:30pm, right?

Damn that sucks gate. Im gonna go down there right now and ask around to see if it will be open on Friday. That would screw me up too. I doubt they'll let anyone in after 10am.

That does suck! Sorry.

My girlfriend called me crying (she is very emotional!) and apparently when she went to pick up her medical results, something was found in her lungs???

She said they need her to come back tomorrow at 6:00 am, then maybe come back Monday, then wait 3-4 weeks, and eventually at some point pay $400 before she can return to the consulate for her visa appointment??? Has anyone heard of this???

The problem is I am about 65-70% fluent in Spanish and I cannot speak it like I can English so I do not know what exactly is going on. I will post an update late tonight after I talk to her again. She said she is going to e-mail me the paper that the medical examiners gave to her.

GG, I just wanted to lend my support. I have yet to reach the Juarez stage, heck my K-1 check just got cashed last week. But I totally feel for you.

My only advice is to remember that everything always works out eventually. You and your fiance will be together. From reading your posts, it is obvious that you are a bright and an energetic individual.

You will find a way to resolve this situation. It might be next month, but in the grand scheme of things, it is drop in the bucket to the lifetime of joy you will share with your wife.

Brian

I just got off the phone with the medic in Juarez. Something showed up on the x-ray in her chest so she has to come back tomorrow morning for another test. Then the results take 3 days. Then she has to wait 10 weeks.

I am not really sure why it takes so long but at least it gives me time to save up more money.

Looking on the bright side, arriving into the US 2 months from now will allow us to tie the knot on either 7/11 or 08/08/08

I sincerely hope that everything will turn out right. With your love and determination, you two will overcome this obstacle.

It could be something as minor as an error with the x-ray and it needs to be re-done.

Or, worst case scenario, if it has anything to do with TB, she will have to take antibiotics for a few months and then have another x-ray to show it's gone. Here's a situation: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=80355 Read the posts by the person named "vsmtghdy." I think this'll help with some answers, but again, this is just if it's worst case scenario...

Ok, so it looks like, from what I am understanding, she needs to do a sputum test (per Medline Plus: "A sputum sample is obtained by coughing deeply and expelling the material that comes from the lungs into a sterile cup. The sample is taken to a labarotory and placed in a medium under conditions that allow the organisms to grow. A positive culture may identify disease-producing organisms that may help diagnose bronchitis, tuberculosis, a lung abscess, or pneumonia") so they can check samples of her phlegm.

She has to do it at 6:30 in the morning on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, and can't do it after she's brushed her teeth, has to be before. She can find out the results at 10 am after her third sample (Wednesday). To get her results, wait an average of 10 weeks after she's done an x-ray that costs 40000 pesos.

I don't understand the last part... looks like... "if you were assigned to this study and it isn't complete, the papers that'll be send to the American Consulate will be incomplete?"


I did a Google search for "testing TB consulate" to see what happens with this, and I found this info from a UK website for student visas. The process is probably pretty similar: http://www.cf.ac.uk/for/prospective/inter/...tion/index.html and here's what it says for UK applicants:

"You will need to book an appointment with the IOM clinic to arrange for your TB test. When you attend your appointment, you will be given a chest X-ray. (Pregnant women will be given an optional mouth swabs or a sputum smear test). If you are found to have signs of tuberculosis on your chest X-ray, you will need to have mouth swabs or sputum smear tests at the clinic (over 3 consecutive days).

"If found to be free of infectious TB, you will get a TB health certificate valid for six months from the date of issue. This should be submitted to Visa Handling Services with your visa application. If issued with a visa, you must bring your TB health certificate with you when you travel to the UK.

"If you are found to be suffering from infectious TB, you will be asked to seek further treatment and will not normally be allowed to apply for a visa until after you have been successfully treated and are certified free of infection."

And here's a little more info: http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/23069042/

If this is the case with your fiancee, and she has an active infection, it will just slow things down for a few more months. Hopefully, this won't be the case.

My wife was pregnant when she had her medical and they didn't do any tests.

[/quote]

My wife was pregnant when she had her medical and they didn't do any tests.
[/quote]


The reason the greatgate's fiance is going through these extra tests while in Juarez is because they found something in her x-rays while in Juarez. They must be checking for active TB. Don't worry greatgate, everything will turn out fine. If Diana doesn't get her visa right away, at least you can save up a little more money until when she has to return back to Juarez.

Has any one got an interview date in the last month for a k3 i received a letter from NVC dated March 27 2008 the said they have received and processed the petition already and will be shipping it to juarez, would happens next? what should i expect? how long until i know my interview date?

I believe you wait for your packet from Juarez along with your interview date. This would be a question for YGandMAT or Gaby&Talbert, because they know more info. regarding the K3 since they are the experts with this type of visa. Most of us in this CDJ thread went thru a K1.

A quick update on Diana. She went to the medic Tuesday and when she went to pick up the results the doctors said they found something on the x-ray. So she needed to come back Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday morning at 6:00 am sharp. Tomorrow is the last time she needs to go to the medic. Then Monday she picks up the results.

Here lies the problem. She was talking with some people that are familiar with the way things work in Juarez at the medical exam and consulate and what not. Some of the people said that if the doctors in Juarez see a young girl or boy that is alone and sort of appears helpless and easy to victimize then the doctors will make up lies so that they can get money.

Diana does not have a cough. She does not have the symptoms (loss of appetite, yellowish skin, lack of energy, night sweats, etc.)
She looks healthy and she feels healthy. It never occurred to me that the doctors would pull a scam like this but I think that is what they are doing. At least it is a definite possibility that they are pulling a fast one.

At any rate, her results will be ready Monday and if they say she is bad, she pays 4000 pesos, if they say she is good, she doesn't pay a dime. I will let everyone know the outcome of this mess Monday night.

THEGREATGATE,
I pulled up this bit of info. regarding what may be happening to your fiance. It would be terrible if the doctors in Juarez are doing this just to make some money though and I hate to think that they would be doing something this terrible. Hopefully nothing is found on Diana so you may bring her home! Let us know what happens. Here is the info I found on VJ:




CDC IMMIGRATION REQUIREMENTS: Technical Instructions for Tuberculosis Screening and Treatment 2007
Tuberculosis Screening Report and Travel Clearance:
The evaluation is complete when all required aspects of the medical examination have been completed, including final report of culture results, and the applicant can be assigned a Tuberculosis Classification.
Travel clearances are valid for 6 months from the time the evaluation is complete for applicants who have no Tuberculosis Classification or only Class B2 TB or Class B3 TB and who do not have HIV infection.
Travel clearances are valid for 3 months from the time the evaluation is complete for applicants who are Class B1 TB, Pulmonary or Class B1 TB, Extrapulmonary or who have HIV infection.
Applicants not traveling within the clearance period will need to restart the tuberculosis screening process.
Any applicant diagnosed with pulmonary or laryngeal tuberculosis who needs treatment is not cleared for travel until completion of successful treatment, regardless of the diagnostic criteria.

It is important that tuberculosis disease be correctly diagnosed among applicants for U.S. immigration. Correct diagnosis of tuberculosis will ensure that applicants with tuberculosis disease receive correct treatment, reduce further spread of the disease, and reduce the likelihood of treating applicants who do not have the disease, thus unnecessarily delaying their immigration.

Regarding TB SKIN TEST: TB Skin test may not be that reliable especially for those that have childhood BCG vaccine as this may cause "Flase positive" result. TB Skin Test will only prove that you had been exposed and not necessarily means that you are active for TB.

Panel Physicians can make recommendations/remarks and it is up to the CO (Consul) to make decision to grant or not to grant visa to an applicant. But usually (especially in the Philippines, but not a generalization), in this case category, the applicant can be granted the visa and "may" however be advise to have further check-ups or follow-ups (if warranted) in the U.S. For those that have an Active TB Disease, they will have to be treated for a minimum of 6 months, after which a re-evaluation will be done and if found negative, then they are granted the visa.

Hi all. We just got back. An update on how it went today when we picked up the results. We went back today so they can take a look at the tb shot they gave my fiance's daughter on Monday. It came out negative so they had us go straight to room 3 today so the nurse can sign off as negative. We were then sent to the reception desk to pick up the xray packet for my fiance and the smaller packet for her daughter. I kept insisting that they need to fill out the vaccination form that was on each result packet with the shots that my fiancee and her daughter already had taken prior. They kept telling me that they dont do that since its a K1 and shots arent required. After asking another nurse and she told me the same I gave up. I know they were wrong because on one section of the form it says " written records" and on the other it says "vaccination given by panelist" wich is the doctors there. So I guess we will have to take the shots in the U.S for the AOS stage. Anyhow... tommorows the big day. I hope nothing goes wrong since we have everything in order. Well wish us luck everyone. I'll be back tommorow evening to post the good news. Were staying positive.

Sanfranguy, everything sounds good! I was hoping that when my fiance has his medical exam, that he would've already had any needed vaccinations so that we don't have to pay the extra money at the adjustment of status stage. But based on what I've read about your (and others') experience, I guess it's easier to just not deal with the hassle and just do it at the adjustment of status time.

Greatgate - I hope everything turns out well for her and that she doesn't need to take any type of medication and have this process slowed down.

Everyone else - tax season is almost over! Just out of curiosity, does anyone know how taxes are done in Mexico (for Mexican citizens)? Do they have a system like ours, and do most people pay earned income tax and get a refund/pay by a certain time (like us, in April)?

Sanfranguy,
Best of luck tomorrow, you'll see everything will turn out fine. Don't worry about the vaccinations, you will get them done in the U.S. That's why none of us who had previously gone to Juarez for a K1 visa ever received the vaccines there, we just didn't want to risk it and them not be valid in the U.S. or anything. Maybe what the forms say about vaccinations is in reference to K3 visas, which are a little different. Don't worry about vaccines now, concentrate on the interview. Please let us know all the details when you get a chance so we can do the happy approval dance.

OUR K1 VISA CASE MUST BE ONE OF THE FASTEST TO DATE!!!

Check our timeline:
Filing: Feb 27, 08
NOA1: March 02,08
NOA2 (Approved): March 21st, 08!!
Consulate appointment notice (CDJ): April 2, 2008

WE'RE READY TO GO!!! in less than 40 days!!!

Now this thread has proven sooo useful for our incoming appt in CDJ (now I know where to stay, what to expect from the medical interview, the actual embassy interview).

I have a few questions though:
Does my birth certificate (I'm the mexican beneficiary) needs to be translated? if so, where can I do that??

For financial support do I need to file 2 Affidavits because my girlfriend does not meet the poverty guidelines and my aunt which is a USC she meets by far any support requirements...will I need to get anything else? I don't have a bank account but I could take a few thousands of dollars in travelers checks for the interview and prove immediate solvency....

This is soooo exciting! we'll probably be in CDJ at the end of this month (April 08) and I'll post any news!!!
J

The Mexican birth certificate does not need to be translated. In fact, your interview will most likely be done entirely in Spanish. I do believe that when you arrive in the U.S. and file for adjustment of status you will need to translate it to English, since you are bilingual that won't be a problem.

The USC needs to file an affidavit and get it notarized as the sponsor and your SO's aunt will need to file an affidavit as the cosponsor and get it notarized at a local bank.

It takes about 1 month to get the letter from the consulate with the appointment date and what documents are required. you can go to the consulate website and get the same list. You will probably be scheduled for an appointment around the first part of June, at least this is the time frame we had last year. Non immigrant visa appointments like k visa were faster the CR/IR appointments. Be prepared for the heat, June is very hot there.



Does anyone know if they will keep the appointment for the interview open until needed or will he have to reapply?

I'm not sure but I know Gaby told me that her tax refunds were sent to the company she worked for and she had to pick them up there. She worked for Delphi in Juarez so they did alot to help their employees so this may not be the case with all employers.

If everything is good can she go to her visa appointment after?

[quote name='joey_77' date='Apr 11 2008, 01:25 AM' post='1745559']
OUR K1 VISA CASE MUST BE ONE OF THE FASTEST TO DATE!!!

Check our timeline:
Filing: Feb 27, 08
NOA1: March 02,08
NOA2 (Approved): March 21st, 08!!
Consulate appointment notice (CDJ): April 2, 2008

WE'RE READY TO GO!!! in less than 40 days!!!

J

Wow, your timeline is an inspiration. I just filed on April 1st. I did not think June could be a real possibility. I am going to Guadalajara to visit my fiance for Cinco de Mayo. I kind of wish I didn't already have the tickets, because it sounds like I could be heading back to Mexico in just four or five weeks.

And that would be a good problem to have.

Brian

Well I talked to her today and she said that no matter what she will be able to go to Juarez for her appointment in 10 weeks, good or bad. We got the NOA 2 on February 4, 2008 so we will still be within the 6 month timeframe.

It is actually a blessing in a way because I can save up money and take summer I classes without leaving her bored while I am at school. There are two summer school sessions at my school. Summer one goes from early may to June 26 and 10 weeks from now will be the week of Monday, June 23 so it works out perfect. And June 27 is her birthday so we will be together by then for sure.

(As long as they don't give us any problems with my dad's tax return. It was for 2006. He is just now filing his 2007's. He is well over the poverty guidelines. Do you think they will demand the 2007 return or will we be okay?)

I am going to go see a movie to take my mind off of things. Do you think this movie will be therapeutic or will it only make things worse!!!! You will be surprised when you see the trailer! Looks good, but really sad. I think everyone in this forum should go see it. Here is the link:
La misma luna (Under the Same Moon)

I'll look for this movie.....and thanks for the info on both of my questions...good luck to you and Diana!!!! let us know what happens!

I went to go see that movie about 2 weeks ago with my husband, it was a cute movie. When the movie ended, several people stayed in the movie theater because they were crying. I didn't cry though, (which is surprising because I cry easily) but would recommend the movie to everyone in this forum.

sanfranguy,

I am waiting for your news, so that we may do a happy dance.

hey everyone. we got the visa's ! you can do the dance now cutie:) ill add a review in a bit. gotta pack up for our flight tommorow. thanks again everyone.

Just a small correction, the I-864 (affidavit of support) does not need to be notarized...

Hi there,

My husband and I also watched this movie...it has funny and sad parts. It's OK I guess....I feel it is mainly focused for female (Hispanic) audience...

Many females were crying...

AWESOME, yay! yay!

Congrats to sanfranguy, woo hoo for visa approval, now it's time for my dance,

Congratulations on the visa Sanfran

so we got to the consulate at 730am. We told the guard that we had a k1 open appointment and he didnt make us get in the long line of people that had set apps. He escorted us to entrance 1. At that moment he had her pull out her invitation and hers and her daughters passport. She was then let in and was sent to room C and they asked for the invitation and the proof of payment from Banamex and they then gave her a number. It is not by order so dont expect to be called on order. Then they called her and she went to window 9 and they then asked for all her documentation that was requested. She was not given a specific list of what was needed, just to hand over all her paperwork. After that they told me to sit down and wait to be called for fingerprints. At around 45 min after they took my fingerprints. Then they told me to go to room B for the interview. There they just call your name..no number is given. About 45 min after they called me to window 31. He asked her for photos wich she kept on her in a photo album. The book wouldnt fit through the slot on the window hehe... so she had to turn them page by page against the window. Then he asked her what I did for a living, if we were married and where will she reside once she gets the visa. He then said "ok ..your visa will be ready in 3 hours...please wait in room B". They then called my name at window x at around 3:30 and they handed me 2 manila packets that have to be turned in to immigration at point of entry and the 2 passports with the visa placed neatly on one page.
While she was inside I went across the street to this place called Don Beto's where they do visa work for you. They charged me 200 pesos for a plastic chair so I can sit under a tarp all day. It was pretty warm and the sun was beating on my face. I got a damn sun burn! They even charged to use the filthy room they called a bathroom for 100 pesos. Thank god I only had to do #1. Theres a cafe next door with wireless access if you decide to bring a laptop. So I got chewed out by my fiance since I forgot to give her money to buy food. A nice lady inside gave her some money so her daughter can get some chips and soda. My fiance came out at around 4pm and I already knew she got the visa since people that came out early came out sad or crying cuz they didnt get the visa or they forgot some kind of paperwork. Everyone kept saying around me that if they are there after 2pm or so that they are waiting for the visa. My fiance got the interview at about 10 -1030 or so. So she basically waited all day for the actual visa to be prepared. She got approved in 3 hours more or less.
Well I hope this will help out in some way. Good luck to everyone thats headed there........

Julio and Juany.

So Sanfran, did the consulars interrogate the crap out of you or did they pretty much just look over the papers quickly (1-2 minutes) and say that you were approved? And were they nice and friendly or mean and cruel or in between?!?!

Also, Diana will be returning to Juarez late June, from your experience, do you think it will be a problem that she has only a 2006 tax return from my dad (cosponsor)? (I provided 2007, 2006, and 2005.)

Lastly, that movie "La misma luna" was very good. It was kinda funny when they were smuggling the kid across the border there was a sign that said 2KM to Ciudad Juarez!!!! They went through the Juarez/El Paso border so it was kinda cool to watch.

If you can get the 2007 return by the interview it would probably help.

Congrats! I was there last June and it was 106 degrees I got sun burn too lol

thegreatgate,
I agree with Gaby, that you should try and provide 2007 tax return. All you have to do is request a tax transcript, they're free and take about 3 weeks to receive. Plus, if Diana is going until June, you have plenty of time to obtain what you need and then send it to her.

Speaking of taxes, does anyone know how taxes are done in Mexico (for Mexican citizens)? Do they have a system like ours, and do most people pay earned income tax and get a refund/pay by a certain time (like us, in April)?

Hey gate,

They didnt interrogate her at all. She had an american guy interview her and all he asked were 3 questions. What does your fiance do for a living, how did you meet, and where do you plan on staying once you arrive in the u.s. All he wanted to see were fotos and since she had a foto album it wouldnt fit through the slot on the window pane so she had to flip the pages through the glass. He just saw 4 pages and he said..ok thats enough, thank you" for the tax question.She said he was nice and joked with her a bit. Bit of advice...when you get there in the morning ,I would say 7am to 730 is ok, tell the guard you have an open appointment for the K1 and he will escort you to door 1 and Diana wont have to stand on that long line for set apps. For your tax question I only gave them my 07 1099 and tax return forms...both copies, not originals and also provided about 3 months of recent pay stubs. They gave back the stubs and kept the rest. We havent heard of that movie but it sounds good. I'll look out for it. Well gate.. dont worry. You should be fine once you get around to the interview. Im sure you'll have more than enough to satisfy them. I suggest you concentrate on the 07 returns. Good luck.

To those who have been to Juarez recently, was there much talk about the new embassy and when it would open. I would be interested in knowing whether the new embassy is near the old one. I have read that it was scheduled to open in June of 2008.

Of course, I am sure that anything involving immigration automatically means that the time line will be delayed.

And, knowing my luck, they will be shut down an entire week for moving while I am there.

I have read about the last 50 pages of this thread, and feel really comfortable with the rest of the process. Just a quick thanks to those incredibly knowledgeable persons who continue to post long after their Juarez journey.

Thanks,

Brian- who hopes to be in Juarez by June/July