MEXICO, CIUDAD JUAREZ K-1 VISA - medical exam, interview & approval

[jessekins09 3]

Our I-129F Petition for Fiance was approved about a month ago and I have now been informed that all the paperwork is going to be sent to the US Embassy in Ciudad Juarez. I am new to this site and have been reading MANY things here about time frames, about the medical examination, the interview process, etc and I am just looking for some people to share their experience with this whole process on the K1 Visa. Just some things to think about...

- How long does it take for the packet to arrive?

- What immunizations will my fiance need? I have seen people from other countries say that it is not necessary to have immunizations for the K1 Visa. Is this the case in Mexico as well?

- What happens during the examination? We have heard lots of different things: that most of it is just questions about your health, some say that you have to remove all your clothes while others say no, some say that women go with female doctors and men go with male doctors, that a chest x-ray is taken instead of doing a TB test while others say that neither is performed. I guess at some places you have to have an appointment and at others no. What should my fiance take with her?

- What is the time frame between the time you make the appointment for the interview and the actual date of the interview?

- What documents does my fiance need to take with her to the interview? What kind of evidence is best? What does it mean by "original birth certificate of US Citizen"?

And we have a very important question. Here's the story....
My fiance's father left the family when she was really young and he lives in the United States. On the petition we put that he lives in North Carolina, USA because it asked for the current residence of her parents. We are worried that during the interview that they will see that her father lives in the US and that they might think that she wants to come here to be with her father and not to get married to me and that they might deny her visa because of it. My fiance hasn't seen her father in over 12 years; he calls her every once in a while and he knows that she is getting married, etc but I mean he really hasn't been a part of her life and we just don't want the visa to get denied because of him. Does anyone have any suggestions of what we should do? I spoke to someone who still has family in Mexico and she told me that it would be a better idea to just not put an address on the form and say that he left when she was little (the truth) but that she doesn't know his address. Obviously she could get his address but all we know is that he lives in North Carolina and that was already stated on the Petition so we would just continue with that fact and from there say that she doesn't have contact with him. We don't want to lie about anything but that is what some people have suggested we do so that we don't risk the visa being denied. We have been engaged since November 2011 and have been waiting for the visa since then as well. It's been a LONG time!!!!

- After the interview, and if the visa is approved, how long does it take to arrive at the DHL office that my fiance chooses? Also, she can have the visa sent to a DHL office in Mexico City where she lives, correct?

Any help, suggestions, experiences, etc would be great appreciated on any of these subjects.

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

You need to get your CDJ case #, invoice # and beneficiary ID # from the NVC before you can fill out the DS-260 by calling 603-334-0700.

Juarez will send the USC and the beneficiary in Mexico a letter. Sometimes the letter does not reach the person in Mexico because of the crappy mail system there. If the only one that receives it is the USC, it can be mailed or scanned and emailed and printed out by the beneficiary in Mexico. It does not have to be the original. If neither one receives the letter before going to Juarez for your appointments, then you can show up early the first morning you arrive in Juarez and ask to get the letter printed out for you from the customer information window there at the consulate.

The letter you receive points you to the sites where the instructions, forms and place to schedule your appointment and interview is. The letter is the only 'packet' you will receive. You should go to the links(which I am posting below) listed in the letter. The letter will be needed by the K-1 applicant at their ASC, medical and interview in Juarez, along with the confirmation page from the DS-260.

Here are the forms: http://ciudadjuarez.usconsulate.gov/fianceforms.html ,

instructions (very important to follow and they explain a lot): http://photos.state.gov/libraries/ciudadjuarez/231771/PDFs/packetk1may.pdf ,

schedule interview and ASC: http://mexico.usvisa-info.com , and

CDJ info: http://www.visajourney.com/consulates/index.php?ctry=Mexico&cty=Juarez

While waiting, you can read through the reviews to see how the procedure works and what documents were needed by others applying for a K-1: http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/index.php?cnty=Mexico&cty=&dfilter=5

Here is a post that another VJ member so kindly spent time typing out about going through the website to schedule the appointments> http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/437504-cdj-ds-260-how-many-one-for-fiancee-k1-and-one-for-child-k2/?p=6324284

If you read through all the links and information and still find you have some unanswered questions, feel free to ask them here.

[jessekins09 3]

Thank you so much for the response! It helps SO much!! But I am so absolutely confused about something....

I read the reviews, etc and some people are saying that they had to have shots and others are saying that they didn't because the doctor or whoever said "vaccinations are not required for a K1 Visa." So, which one is it?!

My fiance hates shots and is really not looking forward to any of this. She is quite nervous about a lot of things and so I am trying to find information in order to help her understand what is required and what will happen in hopes that she will feel better (because when one doesn't know, your mind runs and imagines the worst).

So, are vaccinations required for a K1 Visa or not? It would really help to know also so that she can get the vaccinations that she needs BEFORE going to the exam. She has a record of the vaccinations she has had and well I am also curious about what to do about the chicken pox shot. She has already had chicken pox but how do we prove that (as one person stated that they had to get the shot because they didn't have it on record as having had chicken pox)??

Also, what is the point of having to remove all of your clothes and put on a gown?? Seriously?! At least from what I know and have experienced that is not done anymore when someone has a physical. Talk about lawsuits and I'm sure thats why it isn't done anymore. PATIENTS HAVE RIGHTS. So what is the point? What are they looking for?

I guess I haven't said that my fiance is 19 years old, and I'm 22. I do not know if age has anything to do with the medical exam and the interview process or if it is the same for everyone regardless. She's healthy, has never had any medical problems, no alcohol, doesn't smoke, no drugs, NOTHING... and just to rule out stupid STDs, she's a virgin. So, what is the purpose?!

Thanks for the help guys! I'm hoping to be able to help her relax and feel comfortable and at ease.

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

As for having chickenpox, they take your word for it. No need for proof.

Unless something has changed very recently, they do not give vaccinations for those applying for a K-1 visa. You will need to get the vaccinations on your own in Mexico or in the US after you arrive. Make sure to get a vaccination record that shows you had them done. You will need to find a civil surgeon in the US to fill out and transcribe your vaccinations onto the I-693 form to send in with your AOS. If they do now give vaccinations to those getting a K-1, then get them there, have them marked off on the DS-3025 and get a copy of it. This will save you from having to see a civil surgeon in the US later and pay more.

From the recent reviews though, it seems they still do not give K-1 applicants vaccines and hand them a blank DS-3025, if they give one at all.

If you read through the reviews, there are quite a few people that describe what happens at the medical. Yes, you strip down to your underwear, get a chest x-ray and have a short exam by a doctor, along with eye exam and blood work. Sometimes people are asked to give a urine sample and/or sent for a psychological exam.

http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/index.php?cnty=Mexico

[JohnE 57]

As far as packet 3 or the famous invitation letter goes the USC might get the letter in one month. Our package was received at the Consulate's office in Ciudad Juarez in late June and I (the USC) received not one but two invitation letters yesterday. I called the Consulate's office a number of times trying to secure the letter. We had already decided to go to the information window at the Consulate's office to get them to print us the letter but now do not have to do that step.

[jessekins09 3]

Do I have to wait for the letter or can I call and get the invoice # and beneficiary ID # so that I can have my fiance start filling out the forms and make the appointment for her interview? From what I hear interviews are at least 1 month out from the day that the appointment is made so that would leave enough time for the letter to arrive and have it in hand for the interview...and if not, well, she can have it printed out at the consulate, right? We are really trying to move this along! We have been waiting for such a long time!! I filed the petition back in November 2012 and we finally got approved on July 3, 2013. We didn't even hear anything back from USCIS until May when they had sent me a request for evidence (because they wanted copies of my passport showing that I had been to Mexico so I made copies of all 4 visa stamps so that they could see that I keep going back to visit her and it was shortly after that that the petition was approved).

So, I would appreciate any suggestions on how to make this move a little faster because we have waited so long. We were originally planning on getting married in August (we thought that from November it was more than enough time to get all of this stuff done) but that has since been done away with and now we would like to get married on October 4 (just because it has special meaning to us) so we are VERY hopeful that we can make it happen!

[JohnE 57]

Yes you can move forward with forms without having the letter (packet 3). Call the National Visa Center (NVC) at 603-334-0700 to get your case number (case number will start with CDJ), your invoice number, and also your beneficiary ID. The NVC will need information about your and your soon to be better half (names, birth dates, etc) in order to confirm who you are before they will give you the information you need. The best thing to do is click on the link in Jay-Kay's above post about Ciudad Juarez. That will give you the web sites where you can enter your data and pay your visa fee. You will also schedule your interview from the web site. You still have a number of forms to complete so get started to get a jump on the process. Let me know if you have any other questions.

[jessekins09 3]

Thanks so much!! I called today and well I had to wait forever in order to talk to someone but I was able to get the case #, invoice # and beneficiary ID #

So now we can create a login and fill out the forms, correct? We can then pay for $240 and make an appointment for the interview?

Quick question....
The letter that we are waiting for to come in the mail, will my fiance need that in order to have the medical examen? Or is it needed at the interview? Or what exactly is the reason why we need the letter?

Once again, thank you so much for the help!

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

Thanks so much!! I called today and well I had to wait forever in order to talk to someone but I was able to get the case #, invoice # and beneficiary ID #

So now we can create a login and fill out the forms, correct? We can then pay for $240 and make an appointment for the interview?

Quick question....

The letter that we are waiting for to come in the mail, will my fiance need that in order to have the medical examen? Or is it needed at the interview? Or what exactly is the reason why we need the letter?

Once again, thank you so much for the help!

You need it for the ASC appointment, medical and interview. I believe it is required to show that you do indeed have a pending case at the consulate.

[jessekins09 3]

Does my fiance need to fill out form DS-156 as posted on http://ciudadjuarez.usconsulate.gov/fianceforms.html ?? What about DS-156K?? We are filing for the K1 Visa. We are not yet married, only engaged. Thanks for the help!

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

Yes, you need the forms on that page. It is the K Visa Application Forms page. Two copies of the DS-156. The DS-156K is a supplement form for the DS-156 and is also needed, though not stated in the instructions. It is only listed on the forms page. The DS-260 is the only form that is not actually supposed to be used for a K visa. It will have no option for a fiance(e) and so you must select spouse.

[jessekins09 3]

thank you!!

we filled out the form DS-260 (and selected spouse) and went through the process on making the appointment for my fiance's interview and it said that the next appointment was 13 days away (August 12, 2013). we were super excited to see that but did not make the appointment because of how we want to work everything out. She wants me to go to Mexico and go with her to Ciudad Juarez and from there go back to her house (Mexico City) and present me to all of her family (since only her immediate family members have met me) and help her pack etc and bring her to the US with me...yes, all in one trip. We have been waiting since November 2012 for this and we are planning the wedding for October 4th, so, we just want to make it all happen as soon as we can.

I do have another question....the ASC appointment and interview appointment are not the same thing? I thought that they take your fingerprints and everything the same day as your interview.

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

The ASC fingerprinting is a separate appointment and not done at the consulate. It is next door. It needs to be done before the interview.

[jessekins09 3]

From what I am seeing, the ASC appointment for fingerprints etc happens on the same day and that you will get a number and go up to a window when your number is called and have your fingerprints taken etc. Does this sound about right?

Also, the "packet" is the invitation letter? I am reading that it says that for a K1 visa it is not necessary to bring the invitation but that they security guards do not know that and so that wont let you in without it. So my question is, my fiance can't get there and have them print the invitation letter? (since it says that security wont let my finace pass without it). I guess our whole thing is that we don't want to wait for them to mail us this stupid thing before we can continue. My fiance filled out DS-260 yesterday and we have looked at making the appointment and all it says is "the next available appointment is in 13 days." It doesn't give us a date or anything (which I think is very strange).

https://usvisa-info.com/es-mx/selfservice/ss_country_welcome

This is the website to make the interview appointment, correct?

I would like it if someone could give me a little bit more information on this. We would like to get this all done with. My fiance is really struggling now and we just want to be together already. Her family was okay with everything and all of a sudden they have changed their minds and do not support her whatsoever. She is still firm in her decision that she wants to come to the US and be married etc and I have no reason to doubt her intentions. We have been together for almost 2 years So please, any help is GREATLY appreciated. At least I know that people here will understand. Thanks guys!

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

Where exactly are you reading all of these things?

Read the information I posted in post #2 of this thread > http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/443559-mexico-ciudad-juarez-k-1-visa-medical-exam-interview-approval/?p=6396168

Yes, that is the website you schedule both the interview and ASC appointment through. You must pay the fee and then you will be able to see the full calendar. You will schedule the interview first, then the ASC. See this link from the post above about scheduling. It is about scheduling with a K-2, but the info about how to schedule is still helpful for a K-1 only > http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/437504-cdj-ds-260-how-many-one-for-fiancee-k1-and-one-for-child-k2/?p=6324284