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Crossing from Ciudad Juarez to El Paso

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Mexico
Timeline

Hello everyone. Well, my fiance is still waiting for his visa (they said to check back tomorrow morning), but he plans on crossing into El Paso the following day and then flying out of the airport there. Can anyone give me an idea of how long it takes to cross the border there and then get to the airport? I am only finding flights for the late morning/early afternoon and I am wondering if this will give him enough time since it is such a busy place to cross. Any feedback would be great! Thanks!

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
Timeline

Your best resource would be the Port office itself, si man: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contacts/ports/tx/2402.xml

Call and ask not only when the busiest times are, but when the BEST time might be for enough personnel to be on duty to handle a K-1 entry. Who knows -- you might even be able to arrange a special appointment for a 2-hour window, or some such. Your calling ahead might also garner a little more courtesy or better service to your fiance, since his name would be known to the CBP ahead of time.

If the Port office is completely unresponsive (a very remote possibility; CBP agents are typically quite courteous on the phone), could your fiance perhaps enter at Ysleta? The traffic would be MUCH lighter there, but I'd absolutely call ahead to ensure that adequate personnel would be on hand. It's a much smaller port.

Too bad Santa Teresa (New Mexico) isn't a walk-through POE, and too bad Columbus, NM is probably too far. The CBP agents at Columbus are nice, and Palomas (the Mexican town across from there) is wonderful, si man.

Edited by TBoneTX

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
Timeline

Addendum: The CBP agent whom you call can probably also tell you the distances and time involved in clearing the Port and reaching the airport, si man.

Where would he be flying -- Detroit? Would he expect to purchase a ticket on a walk-up basis? Take care not to draw the attention of the TSA, no man.

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Mexico
Timeline

Thanks for the info. I will try calling them. I would buy the ticket before hand and I am trying to get him a ticket to Marquette (the Upper Peninsula of Michigan) instead of him flying into Detroit (7 hours away). Thanks again!

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Filed: Country: Mexico
Timeline

Thanks for the info. I will try calling them. I would buy the ticket before hand and I am trying to get him a ticket to Marquette (the Upper Peninsula of Michigan) instead of him flying into Detroit (7 hours away). Thanks again!

can u post on here what they tell you?? were going thru juarez also and are catching a plane in el paso to michigan can u let me know how long it took at the border to cross?? thanks!!!!

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Mexico
Timeline

Hello everyone. Well, my fiance is still waiting for his visa (they said to check back tomorrow morning), but he plans on crossing into El Paso the following day and then flying out of the airport there. Can anyone give me an idea of how long it takes to cross the border there and then get to the airport? I am only finding flights for the late morning/early afternoon and I am wondering if this will give him enough time since it is such a busy place to cross. Any feedback would be great! Thanks!

Hi there!

I have done some research on this here;

http://www.smf.juarez-mexico.com/

Lots if info for you.

We are waiting until we get into El Paso to make flight arrangements since it can take anywhere from 3-5 hours to cross depending on traffic & customs checks in general. You should be able to purchase a flight quickly once he is across...if need be he could sleep a night at an inexpensive hotel in El Paso & catch a shuttle to airport the next morning. Be careful about making flight arrangements until his feet walk onto US soil!

I sure hope DHL gets his visa today...I am thinking about you both!

Kim

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Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: Mexico
Timeline

We crossed by car starting around noon on a Thursday. We waited about 1.5 hours in the car in line to get to the P.O.E. and then about an hour inside to get the paperwork completed. People crossing by bus and by taxi waited right along side us. However there is a covered pedestrian walkway right along side the lanes that goes directly to the exact same P.O.E office. We sat in our car and watched all kinds of people stroll on up while we scorched in our vehicle.

If you are looking for the quickest way over I suggest to take a bus or taxi to the border and then just walk up to the P.O.E., then when the paperwork is complete call another cab on the U.S. side. Though if your fiance has never been to the U.S. that might be a little complicated. My friend took the bus across and they were confident they could get her from the CDJ station to the El Paso station in 2 hours which they did. I wondered how the bus handles it if you are crossing with paperwork to do at the P.O.E., maybe they leave you behind and you can get on the next one?

By the way there are a couple P.O.E's and inside the envelope that he will receive DHL there is a paper that tells him which one he needs to go to. If you are calling them you might want to try them all just to be prepared.

Yeah!!! Good luck!!!

I-129F

NOA1- August 23,2010

NOA2- January 24, 2011 (NOA1-NOA2: 154 days)

NVC Receive- January 31, 2011

NVC Sent- February 1, 2011

Consulate Receive- February 3, 2011

Consulate Sent Packet 3- March 10, 2011 (CDJ Receive-Packet 3 sent: 35 days)

Receive Packet 3 in U.S.- March 21, 2011

ASC Appointment- March 23, 2011

Interview- March 24, 2011

Crossed into the U.S.- April 7, 2011

A.O.S.

I-485 in the mail- June 14, 2011

I-485 received at Chicago Lockbox- June 16, 2011

NOA1- June 17, 2011

event.png

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Mexico
Timeline

Thanks for the info both of you! My fiance finally got his visa this afternoon and is on his way to the Zaragoza bridge. We decided that it would be better for him to cross tonight so that he can make his flight tomorrow morning. I will feel so much better once he is on that plane tomorrow. Almost there!

BTW-I tried calling the port of entry office and I ended up with the voice mail of a worker. But, that link is very helpful-it has a link called "Border Wait Times" which will give an up to date amount of time you can expect to wait. But, as C_Maria said, you don't get to choose. They will tell you where to cross.

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
Timeline
They will tell you where to cross.
Ah -- I learn something new every day, si man. There are several bridges from CdJ.

Please continue to post developments in this thread, including what actually happened at POE and thereafter!

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Mexico
Timeline

All went well at the crossing for my fiance. His brother dropped him off as close as he could and then he walked (he said it was kind of far) and then waited for about an hour inside. He said the officials were really nice and were joking with him about now being "trapped" since he is getting married. There were no problems at that point. The only thing that wasn't so great was that there weren't any taxis waiting on the U.S. side (I had read about this so I gave him some numbers to call) and no one answered at the taxi companies I had given him. He asked a woman that was waiting and she gave him another number and after about 20 minutes a taxi came. He stayed at the La Quinta Airport Hotel, which seemed to be the only La Quinta with an airport shuttle. He paid $35 for the taxi to the hotel. He flies out this morning and I can't wait! Thanks for the help everyone!

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
Timeline

Wonderful to hear, si man! Be sure to post again after you're in each other's arms. :) It would also be interesting to hear what flights you ended up booking for him.

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Mexico
Timeline

But, as C_Maria said, you don't get to choose. They will tell you where to cross.

I'm confused-- so a mexican k1 visa holder entering the US can only enter into the US at certain POEs? or is that only if you're doing a land crossing? We're flying in, and we were definitely not planning on flying through Texas!...

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Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: Mexico
Timeline

When you want to cross by land at El Paso POE they tell you which one to go to. I think its just so they don't get bogged down at one or something like that since it's a really busy one. This only applies to crossing CDJ to El Paso, otherwise you can cross by any land or air POE you would like!

BTW: all the taxi drivers seem to genuinely think that everyone needs to "activate" their visa at the border before getting on the plane. That's not true! You just board the plane with what they give you at DHL: your sealed envelope and your passport with the visa inside, you fill out a small form on the plane or when you arrive and take it all to the immigration at the airport.

I-129F

NOA1- August 23,2010

NOA2- January 24, 2011 (NOA1-NOA2: 154 days)

NVC Receive- January 31, 2011

NVC Sent- February 1, 2011

Consulate Receive- February 3, 2011

Consulate Sent Packet 3- March 10, 2011 (CDJ Receive-Packet 3 sent: 35 days)

Receive Packet 3 in U.S.- March 21, 2011

ASC Appointment- March 23, 2011

Interview- March 24, 2011

Crossed into the U.S.- April 7, 2011

A.O.S.

I-485 in the mail- June 14, 2011

I-485 received at Chicago Lockbox- June 16, 2011

NOA1- June 17, 2011

event.png

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