What should i expect? traveling to Juarez for visa

[mpadilla 1]

Hi everyone. I am in the process of helping my husband get a visa and just wanted any new info or suggestions or comments that can help us. I have read a lot, but sometimes you miss certain things and other times people who have already gone through the process can give a better insight as to what to expect.

I filed the I-130 in 2014 and it got approved rather quickly. Then we held off on going forward because of finances and just my fear of him getting denied. We now have submitted both the I601 waiver and the ds-260. Which have both been received. Just got an email last week stating that they will hold off on a date for visa until I have an answer for the waiver. So now we just wait. If the waiver is approved and we get a visa interview date it will be in Juarez. I will be traveling with my husband from SFO. Any recommendations on flights, hotels, etc. How does the interview process go. Will I be able to wait outside with in the gates of the consulate? Are the fingerprints done there? How long will we wait? Any suggestions to help is be better prepared?

Background- We have been together 11 years married 6 have an 8 year old daughter.

[Ryan H 3,790]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to Mexico, Latin & South America regional forum; topic is Mexico specific.

[UnaMexicana 153]

I suggest you do not wait outside. There is a hotel just across the street called City Express Junior Consulado. It is rather plain and rooms are tiny, but the location is everything. You can walk to the mall or walk to the consulate and be there in 3 mins. You might find it dull and boring since you will be there for fingerprints, medical and appointment... but if you really want to be next door to the places where you need to go, that is the best option.

I flew from Mexico City but I think if you fly from SJC or OAK to El Paso you might get a better deal than flying directly into Juarez.

I suggest google flights to check prices and orbitz for hotel.

All the best!!

[mpadilla 1]

I suggest you do not wait outside. There is a hotel just across the street called City Express Junior Consulado. It is rather plain and rooms are tiny, but the location is everything. You can walk to the mall or walk to the consulate and be there in 3 mins. You might find it dull and boring since you will be there for fingerprints, medical and appointment... but if you really want to be next door to the places where you need to go, that is the best option.

I flew from Mexico City but I think if you fly from SJC or OAK to El Paso you might get a better deal than flying directly into Juarez.

I suggest google flights to check prices and orbitz for hotel.

All the best!!

Thanks UnaMexicana. My husband does not want me waiting outside either if it's not within the consulate gates. I don't mind been bored and waiting it's more of a safety thing, but i keep reading that its pretty safe around the consulate. I think we will see how the atmosphere is when we are there and doing the medical and biometrics. Is the area pretty safe? how is the local mall I hear about?

So far i have been browsing for hotels and flights although we dont even have and interview or know if he will be approved for the i-601a, but i rather be prepared for when if happens that scramble around last minute. I like to read reviews on hotels and get the best price for them and flights.My husband prefers a hotel that is known in the U.S. like La Quinta, Holiday inn, or the one by wyndham.

I have never beed on an airplane so i have some anxiety and would prefer the shortest time flying which means SFO-LAX-ELP but most flights get there after 6pm and we would much rather be in the hotel before night time.Other options involve SFo to either Guadalajara or Mexico City and then to Juarez but they are forever. but some of those flights can be there early in the morning some with long layovers.

what is the best way to get from El Paso to the hotel? and do any hotels pick up at the Juarez airport?

[TBoneTX 43,058]

Several threads in this forum will yield answers to many of your questions.

[mpadilla 1]

Several threads in this forum will yield answers to many of your questions.

Yes I have been browsing the threads but im still new and this site has so much info it can be hard finding exact answers. I have read some Consulate reviews but nothing specific to flights and/or best way or time of arriving at Juarez. I havn't seen any hotel specif threads that answer how to get there and if any pick up at the airport. Is there is a thread you can direct me to where i can find more of this information?

[MariaR323 199]

Yes I have been browsing the threads but im still new and this site has so much info it can be hard finding exact answers. I have read some Consulate reviews but nothing specific to flights and/or best way or time of arriving at Juarez. I havn't seen any hotel specif threads that answer how to get there and if any pick up at the airport. Is there is a thread you can direct me to where i can find more of this information?

I've been doing some research myself and I believe the best way to confirm if the hotels have airport pick-up is to ask directly or look it up in their specific profile reviews. For ex, on Expedia they have a lot of filters. Find some hotels you like using the map so you can have some options then go into their review and they should say in their descriptions if they have airport shuttles. I've found a couple that only do airport drop-off so make sure you confirm.

If you don't want a late-night arrival or the long layovers, look for a flight into El Paso, TX... you'd then have to either walk across or grab a taxi but be prepared to pay a bit if you do grab the taxi to take you across into Mexico.

[mpadilla 1]

I've been doing some research myself and I believe the best way to confirm if the hotels have airport pick-up is to ask directly or look it up in their specific profile reviews. For ex, on Expedia they have a lot of filters. Find some hotels you like using the map so you can have some options then go into their review and they should say in their descriptions if they have airport shuttles. I've found a couple that only do airport drop-off so make sure you confirm.

If you don't want a late-night arrival or the long layovers, look for a flight into El Paso, TX... you'd then have to either walk across or grab a taxi but be prepared to pay a bit if you do grab the taxi to take you across into Mexico.

Thats what i was thinking to just call the hotels im interstes in and ask if they pick up at the airport i think I tried looking at their websites but it didn't provide that info.

We definitely don't want a late night arrival. I don't mind certain layovers where we can maybe go grab a bite to eat and look around. my priority is just arriving in Juarez during the day. I dont mind crossing from El Paso but that would mean we need a taxi from the border to the hotel and my husband wants to avoid taxis in Juarez if he can.

The good thing is i still have some time to figure it out. Thanks

[TBoneTX 43,058]

Yes I have been browsing the threads but im still new and this site has so much info it can be hard finding exact answers. I have read some Consulate reviews but nothing specific to flights and/or best way or time of arriving at Juarez. I havn't seen any hotel specif threads that answer how to get there and if any pick up at the airport. Is there is a thread you can direct me to where i can find more of this information?

Dunno if you've tried "Advanced Search" at far upper right of your screen. I clicked that, put in the words "Juarez Hotels," clicked the Mexico/Latin/South America forum, and got several promising-looking threads (some more recent than others). You might try the terms "Flights to Juarez" or "El Paso Taxi to Juarez" or variations thereof, to see what the results yield.

It's great that you're planning early and thinking in such detail. I learned the hard way, years ago, that leaving travel plans till the last minute (or till "too late") only courts disaster.