US Immigration from Mexico

Hello,

Our K-1 application has been in a ready status at the CDJ embassy for one month, but we still have yet to receive the letter/email letting us know we can schedule the interview (the scheduling website for CDJ is adamant that we have this before we schedule). Curious if anyone that has gone through the CDJ embassy for K-1 recently could let us know how long it took between the Ready status on the CEAC site and receiving the interview letter.

When I went through the fiancee visa process in Ciudad Juarez with my wife about 10 years ago I remember we had a biometrics appointment prior to the interview where they took fingerprints and photos. Is this still a requirement? We have IR5 visa interviews for her parents coming up on October 4. I was figuring I would schedule the medical exam for October 2. My other question is do they still make you wait for your visa to be sent via DHL or do they just give you the visa right away and/or stamp your passport?

I am petitioning for my husband and three stepdaughters (ages 18, 16, and 14); each are principal applicants. Originally, the consulate gave my husband and two of my stepdaughters (18 and 16) an interview appointment for September 26. My other stepdaughter (14) was delayed one month at the NVC, so we didn't receive an email for her interview appointment like we did for the others. I immediately sent an NVC expedite, and she was assigned an interview for September 15. I called the consulate to see if they could reschedule her appointment, and they said she could just go to her dad's. When I explained to them that she couldn't because her appointment is BEFORE her dad's, they sent an escalation to request the change. This routine of me calling and them escalating continued for a few weeks.

Last week, they finally responded aaand..... they rescheduled my husband's appointment for September 15. So, now there are two appointments -- one for my husband and stepdaughter (14) on 9/15 and the other for my stepdaughters (18 and 16) on 9/26. I again requested that they be changed to all the same, but the consulate refused.

What we're thinking is that we could take everyone to CDJ for the first appointment and at least do their medical/biometrics -- how long do the medical results last before they expire? We could try to get them to be seen all together, and if that can't happen, we'll just go back for the 26th appointment.

Does that seem feasible? Anything you would do in our situation?

I have a question about travelling abroad after entering the US on an IR5 visa. My wife's parents just received their interview date set for October 4. After approval we will pay the USCIS immigrant fee right away. They will likely be entering the United States as soon as they receive their visas. My question is, it says it may take 90 days to receive the green card in the mail after paying the immigrant fee. We travel to Mexico over Christmas and New Years almost every year and we'd like to take them with us. Will they be able to re-enter the United States without that green card. Is the passport stamp good enough?

On 8/6/2023 at 10:33 AM, Crazy Cat said:

Removal of Conditions is not a fun experience. You should avoid it if, at all, possible.

Context: My husband and stepkids are currently scheduled for their interviews at CDJ in Mexico on September 26, and our plan is to have them cross as soon as they get their visas (hopefully a week or two after - early-ish October). Our second wedding anniversary is March 11. We are (like many of us here on VJ) dying to finally live together; plus, getting my stepdaughters enrolled in school and having my husband get a U.S. job sooner rather than later is a major advantage.

Could you expand a little on why ROC should be avoided if possible? I've read through this thread and others that it is expensive ($595 x 4 for us - goodie!) and is extremely delayed. I guess my initial reaction is - well, sure, it may be a lot more waiting, but at least we'd be waiting together, living together. It's been hell doing all of this paperwork and paying all of this money, plus the waiting and waiting and waiting, all while living apart.

Is the ROC process particularly nerve-wracking? Is there a chance of losing status? Are the chances of getting denied high?

All that to say, this thread has me rethinking our plan a little bit. To wait until March would break my heart and crush me, but I'm curious of ROC is bad enough that it would be worth it to wait.