Sarah&Michael

Hi Sarah&Oscar

We have a whole community of us in Mexico that are going through the process right now. It's called DCF Mexico. Check that out.

At the moment I'm in Juarez, my interview is on Tuesday. The whole DCF process has been very fast and organized. If you have all of your documents, I'd say 3-4 months if your case isn't complicated.

Feel free to post in that forum if you have other questions that aren't answered there.

Cheers!

Hi!

Why are you in Juarez and you flag is from Canada?

Are you going to the medical on Monday or you already went? If you haven't could you please ask, since I am taking kids on a K2, how many days it takes for them? What if I went early on a Monday? Early on a Thursday? I would appreciate it so much! I called and they said I would go Monday and I get them Wednesday, but the site says 4 working days, so just to double check could you please ask? And another question for you, are you planning on waiting for your visa there in Juarez? Thanks!!

And some people are getting it, so I decided to ask the consulate directly. I have their reply in writing saying no, it's not necessary for Mexico.

Maria is right, I asked today Holiday Inn, Microtel and La Quinta. By the way, Maria, how far is La Quinta from the Consulate? Will they take you there or the medical services at 6 am? Thanks!

So you DID take kids on a K2 visa?? Fantastic!!! Kim and I have been searching for this info as there don't seem to be many people who have done this. We want to know, in order to schedule our interviews, what the actual time is to get results for the kids, let's say we have the medical on Monday, when for sure will we get them? And did you hear people had been waiting a long time for their visas, like a week or so? Now, Richard, believe me I will be making lots of questions since you are the person we were looking for! haha

No appointment necessary?? Are you sure??? when did you have your interview?

I will try to answer your questions. The Visas are pasted into your passport. It will feel weird giving them to the American Consulate, but have no fear. You will get them back. DHL has a desk area right there near the interviewing windows inside the consulate. Pay them immediately. You will be paying for each Visa packet. You will be receiving a DHL envelope for each passport/Visa. The yellow envelope that DHL provides, I believe, can be opened. Also, I believe that it HAS to be opened there at the office, to compare your identification to the documents inside. Make plans to arrive at the DHL office early. People will line up early. You will know when your documents will be delivered, because DHL will give you a tracking number. I do not remember what the address is to the office, but it will not be at the office, inside the consulate.

As far as the 3-ring binder, that is a tough one. The consulate does have an X-ray machine like you will find at any airport. We received a list of do's and don't's at the consulate, but that is because I waited for about 3 to 4 hours at the information window. The Information waiting line is entirely different from the line of people waiting for their Visa interviews. Tell the guards that you want to wait in the line to obtain information, and you will be able to pass. Once again, if you arrive early enough, you will not have to wait as long as we did, but still, arriving at 4:30 a.m., and waiting outside the consulate, to me, is unsettling. Since you will be entirely focused on getting through the Visa process, waiting just seems to be a part of it. One other thing that I want to mention is that you will have a pre-interview at the same time/day that you have your entry interview. The person at the first window will look over your documents to make sure that you have everything in order. It was a great help.

You can bring money. In fact, inside the consulate you will be waiting outside in the first waiting area until they call your number. There they sell soft drinks and snacks. Whether you bring a purse or not, personally, I would bring some money, especially for the kids. In this situation, less is better, and I would not bring the purse. I might even decide to leave the 3-ring binder at your hotel also. There are other alternatives, and too many unknowns.

As far as how long we waited for the Visas to arrive at the DHL office, I believe it was just a couple of days, but the delivery service has to wait on the consulate to do their part. Believe me, IF it would only take ONE day, it would still feel like an eternity. It was for us! Be prepared to wait longer, especially if DHL receives your packets on, or near the week-end. Many people had to wait longer because of this.

Before you go into the American Consulate, make sure that you have paid for each Visa. I reccommend that you pay for it in American dollars. There is a Banamex Bank inside the mall, accross the street from the consulate. You can pay for your Visas there, and they will give you a recipt. The guards in front of the consulate will ask to see the reciepts, or you will not be allowed to pass. By the way, the mall is very American, and modern. It was a good place for my wife, and I, and our children to eat. You can walk there from the consulate. If you have brought anything to the consulate that you should not have, there may be a Paqueteria in front of the parking lot, accross from the consulate. Bring water, or something to drink and eat, but you cannot take it into the consulate. Also, only the beneficiary, and the K-2 applicants can enter into the consulate for the interview. I went in with Abi, but we had the three children, and it would have been very difficult for Abi to control them, and still focus on the interview. In the end, it was serendipitous that I went in. We still lacked a few documents, and they allowed me to leave, with a pass to re-enter, to get the documents, and return quickly; I was also interviewed at the second window, which I believe was more positive proof that we were genuine in our determination to get married when we entered into the United States.

As far as lodging. We arrived there by bus, and took a cab to a Hostel. They are located near the consulate. We stayed at the hostel, because we felt that since we did not have our "official" welcoming packet, that we would be there longer than we planned, also we still needed to obtain everyone's passports. There are near-by hotels, some close enough to the consulate that you can walk. Remember, the hotel may include transportation with your paid room, this can include shopping for food, going out to eat, obtaining and copying forms, etc...

Finally, you asked about the date of the interview. Most people are unaware, but K-1 Visa applicants do not need to have a interview date or time. It is an open interview, and no appointment is necessary.

You didn't ask, but I want to talk to you a little bit about the Health Physical. Get there early. Bring your health card (cartilla de salud) with a list of all your vaccinations. It will do you no good because their attitude is that ALL health cards are fakes, and you will HAVE to pay for all new vaccinations. It doesn't help to get mad at this. This is where I had the most grief. The women's physical is very thorough. Be prepared to remove your clothing. The kids will also have an exam. You will not be given all the vaccinations that are necessary, (you will get more vaccinations in the US, which I reccommend. This way you can be more confident in the quality of vaccinations that we have here in the United State), but you will be given a TB skin tests, in which case you will need to wait about 72 hours before they can read the results. Keep in mind, we entered on a Fiance Visa, and therefore were not excluded from crossing the border, even with a positive skin results. In fact, only the children were given TB skin tests. Abi was not given one. Tuberculosis is no longer a requisite to deny a Visa. If the tests are positive, they will give you so many days to deal with it in the United States. Your care will be free, and you will be cured of TB. It is a truly invasive process to eliminate tuberculosis, but it is well worth it, and it is against the law to deny medical help concerning tuberculosis.

So, be prepared for the un-known, and always expect the unexpected. Every Visa case is different. If I can answer any more questions, feel free to ask. I will check VJ again, later. And as my mother always said, the squeaky wheel gets the oil.

So you DID take kids on a K2 visa?? Fantastic!!! Kim and I have been searching for this info as there don't seem to be many people who have done this. We want to know, in order to schedule our interviews, what the actual time is to get results for the kids, let's say we have the medical on Monday, when for sure will we get them? And did you hear people had been waiting a long time for their visas, like a week or so? Now, Richard, believe me I will be making lots of questions since you are the person we were looking for! haha

Hey Richard, did you wait in Juarez for her visa? if so, for how long and when? Thanks, I hope you don't mind me asking more questions later

I already have one more Where did you stay? Do you recommend that one or do you think it would have been better to stay at another one? and when you call to schedule your interview, how soon can you do have it from the moment you call? Well, more than one actually...

Can I add my two-cents here? When you all go to Juarez, be very careful while waiting in the line to go in. Also, there will be a very long line. Do not wait in this line. Tell the guard that you are there for a fiance Visa. I do not know if they do this all the time, but the guards allowed us to pass through their barriers to a waiting area much shorter than the other. Very official people in uniforms walk up and down the lane, saying that they work for the consulate and that they are there to make sure that all your papers are in order. Do not trust them. They are there to steal from gullible desperate people, who would do almost anything to go to the United States. One other thing, do not bring anything with you, including nail clippers, your purse, not anything, or you will not get to pass through. I can't remember if we brought the baby stroller, but you get the idea.

Most hotels will have a shuttle that will drive you to where you need to go, usually this is paid with your hotel bill. Do not trust any type of public transist, including most taxi's. If you need a taxi, ask the front desk at your hotel. No guarantees but it is less risky.

One more thing. When you get your medical packet and CD disk, do not open it. Do not open it. And, when you get your approval packet from DHL delivery, do not open it. Do not open it. Take it to the port of entry that you will be using to cross into the United States.

Hey Richard, did you wait in Juarez for her visa? if so, for how long and when? Thanks, I hope you don't mind me asking more questions later

Lucky I live in Wisconsin...LOL...the fiancee's will live in Minnesota poor Viking lovers...I am a Cheese head!

Minnesota is in the middle of the country by Lake Superior Canada!

Guess we won't be going out for coffee jeje!

Colorado is beautiful Sarah!!!

Yes, so I've heard. Who says we can't go out for coffee? Not every weekend, but once in a while! Let's keep in touch after this journey

No, New York. Minnesota is not on the right coast, right? so how far is it from CO? He is from NY but lives in CO, which is where the kids and I are going.

If you still need them in a month, I will be in Mexico City by then. Let me know by mid June and I will get them if you want

Si!! I got it super quick too! I cant believe how fast this is happening, but I'm so happy and excited!! And we didnt call USCIS or NVC a single time, maybe that's why?

When are you scheduling your interview?

Saludos,

Sarah

want some crackers too? hahaha

Sorry I will be attentive to people's replies and see what I can learn too

When I called on a Thursday I was able to book my my fiance's interview for the following week. Maybe it varies if there are a lot of people? When you go on the website and make your profile you can look at different appointments that they have available.

It's possible that you'll get your packet before June 20th but not likely. CDJ received ours Feb3 and we got the packet March 21st so if yours processes the same time you'll probably get it early July and can make your appointments mid July.

I think if everything goes normally that you'll be done with plenty of time to get back to school!

We got Packet 3 only 2 weeks after NOA2. Not all the cases are the same. I didn't even call NVC to check if it was there or ask for case #. It all came together to Michael's door.

Yep!

That's exactly what it means!

Thanks TwoCats, wow, after waiting and waiting for NOA2 time is flying after it!! Congrats everybody receiving their NOA2, still I look everyday to check if Monyfer got theirs, hoping they do very soon

I asked CDJ consulate and they answered it is not required (I have their answer in writing)

We received packet 3. Does it mean our file is at the consulate already? Thanks!

You call the DOS number instead of the NVC number.

They can tell you.

What is the DOS number? What is DOS?

We were advised by a lawyer that helped us gather our documents (we didn't know about VJ at the time) that it was a better idea not to go, which we didn't like because I was planning to visit him in January, since he had come to Mexico twice already. But he visited agan. I have also read here some people saying if you can wait, then wait, and welcome your loved one in your country. We did it because we absolutely, as you say, wanted to put no risk on our process, so he came. But it makes sense that if you are going, take evidence that shows that you are coming back. I think it's silly because if you wanted to stay there, why would you want to get a K1 visa, right? Best luck with whatever you decide to do

Answer from the Consulate:

*** Do not reply to this email. The Consulate will only respond to inquiries made through the website inquiry form. We will do our best to respond within the next 10-15 business days. ***

Dear Ms. ______,

The police certificate for Mexico is not required.

For a more rapid reply, direct all inquiries through our online form at https://ciudadjuarez...uiry_form.html. Inquiries sent by mail or fax will face significant delays in processing. Sincerely, Consular Information UnitU.S. Consulate General Ciudad Juarez, Mexico

ok, here is the answer from the Consulate:

*** Do not reply to this email. The Consulate will only respond to inquiries made through the website inquiry form. We will do our best to respond within the next 10-15 business days. ***

Dear Ms. ______,

The police certificate for Mexico is not required.

For a more rapid reply, direct all inquiries through our online form at https://ciudadjuarez.cms.getusinfo.com/public_inquiry_form.html. Inquiries sent by mail or fax will face significant delays in processing. Sincerely, Consular Information UnitU.S. Consulate General Ciudad Juarez, Mexico

Soooo, one thing less to worry about

Definitely call. You may be able to schedule your appointment already. We have almost identical timelines, and they told me they sent our packet 3 on 4/4 (makes no sense but allowed us to make our appt nonetheless). You probably dont want to schedule it for another couple weeks at least, if only to make sure you get the invitation letter first, but it will allow you to start making concrete plans. Let me know what they tell you.

Hi! Why did you decide not to have medical and ASC on the same day?

APPROVED ! ! ! ! ! ! !

On May 11, 2011, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E)

GOOD IS GOD!!! All the positive thinking, the praying and leaving it all to the hands of God !!! Before our 4 months mark!!!!!

I had to ask Chris several times if I was reading it right!!

Diana!!!!!!!!

Hehe, congratulations!!! What a feeling, huh?? I'm so happy for everybody getting their NOA2, of course I will be REALLY happy when I have my visa in my hand but NOA2 is a very happy moment!! Enjoy it!!

I don't think you can petition her unless you are a USC

But I mean, really patient. Some people start optimistic and then after 2 months can't seem to control themselves and let aside if the "5 month mark" is passed. Some people call USCIS every day several times a day to check their status and want to jump off the window if they get an RFE. I say program your mind to wait for 6 months, if it happens before then great. Keep yourself busy, get a hobby, and be positive! Register your case number on the USCIS web page and check your case there. You can ask to get a text message and an email when your status change. We got the three of them. Good luck on your journey!!

Si, I have been thinking about programming like that after you told me, but I will be calling the medical services to make sure the medical results would be delivered on Monday, or have you called them? What if they ask to come back on Tuesday?? And yes I would love to have the taxi driver's number to have him take us to the hotel. Thanks Kim