brian87

I'm fixing to go to my interview in the next couple of weeks, but I just realized that all the planning I had done might have been in vain now.

Do I have to go to the NEW US Embassy or the OLD one?

If it's thew new one, then how far is it from the old one?

Could I stay at a hotel close to the old one and be able to walk to the new one? I was thinking about staying at Los Cedros hotel that is recommended here in the site.

Thanks

Arianna, good to see things have progressed well for you. Don't panic the finish line is in sight.

The new embassy is not very close to the old one at all. I personally did not find the area around the old one very dangerous, but the new one is in area of town which is very modern/new and has better accomodations.

But I would skip the Los Cedros, because it is about twenty minutes away. And there should be hotels within walking distance of the new building.

Brian

Glad to see the thread still alive. To everybody waiting it will work out and then it just seems like your SO has always been in the U.S. by your side.

Working on my Adjustment of Status stuff, so I will be more active.

Gosh, I need to update my timeline.

Looking forward to meeting the new people and getting reacquainted with the ol'regulars.

Brian

Hi all...I'm new here and just wanted to join the forum. The info on here is great and I feel so much more confident about the process being able to read experiences from those who have gone before. Thanks!

Good luck and speedy processing to all of you!

Glad you are aboard. I suggest reading the thread from pg. 121 forward. There is a lot of good info. Plus, the answers to almost all the basic questions have been answered several times.

Though we all appreciate someone who learns from the past, don't hesitate to ask questions if you cannot find the answers. Half the value of this site is the re-assurance that you did not screw something up big time.

Brian

is it worth it to take a plane from puebla to ciudad juarez or does everyone go in car or bus ??

I would say it'd be worth your money to fly there.

Hey Caity, I totally agree. By the way, I want to congratulate you again on your approval. I think I did earlier, but I have been mucho occupado lately.

However, I did do the drive from Guadalajara to Juarez with my fiancee. I would never want to make that trip again, but it did add a spirit of adventure. 16 hours each way, not overly competent in my spanish, depending on a woman for directions. :-)

I tell people that I have seen more of Mexico than most Mexicans. I really enjoyed Zacatecas (sp?) on the way back.

One of the most interesting parts of the drive was the autopista (sp?) which is the toll highway and really the only highway. We were stopped at four different military checkpoints. They were not like professional checkpoints, just 5 or 6 teenage looking men with machine guns and a sand bag machine gun nest for back up.

But in all honesty, they were very, very, nice. Our car was only searched once outside of Juarez, and it was very minimal search. The soldiers always showed us great respect. One of those times were my initial perceptions were way off base.

Brian

so i received my NOA2 on 09/12/2008, and supposedly NVC said my case was fwded to the consulate on 10/10/2008. i have yet to receive anything from the consulate and my fiance hasn't received anything as well. should i be worrying at this point ? judging by my dates when should i expect to receive this "invitation letter"?

when i do receive the invitation letter, will it have a date of when the interview is? will the medical have a date or when the appointment is? or will everything just have a Monday-Friday 8am-5pm ???

Reading the thread from page 121 forward will answer most questions, plus Ronin's post on 121 has a lot cool pics.

In an nutsehll, K-1 and the medical is an open appt. There have been several discussions about the time frame required over the last dozen pages.

5-6 weeks after the embassy receives the package seems to be running the norm for receiving the consulate package. All the forms in the packet are also posted on embassy website which a link to has been posted several times on this thread.

Brian

Alright... Angel got to the clinic around 6:45 AM, and by 7:45 he had already taken chest X-rays and was waiting for his blood to be taken. So he's in the line to pay now and it's 10:00 AM there.

I am so glad he showed at up about 7 am. So many people at the hotel and other places were like oh no 4am, 4am. He probably got done quicker than the 4 am'ers since the clinic does not open until 6 am.

Nobody who reads this thread should have any doubt about the silliness of showing up before 7 am for either the medical or the embassy interview for a K-1 visa.

Brian

And he's going to retake his passport pictures after the medical exam.

Thanks!

Caity

That was probably a smart thing to do. I wish we had just gone ahead and had them done there. I was sick to my stomach about my SO having to run out and get them re-done. For $8 or so, it is worth the peace of mind.

I hope your SO arrives at the medical at a decent time and not the 4 am stuff. And of course, 4 am makes no sense on embassy day, since you truly do not get in before 8 am. And the group was only maybe 100 strong for the 8 am time slot, with at least half being there for support and not allowed inside.

Brian

I remember those feelings Caity, though I must admit that I had a reasonable calmness once I got to Juarez. It was kind of like, what will be will be.

Those pics of Ronin's on p.121 were priceless. I remember pulling in town about 11 p.m, not knowing where I was. Then I saw some some landmarks in Ronin's pics and it was as if I had been there before. I remember laughing as I saw the famous blue tarp over the rental chair area.

Everything will go smoothly, Caity.

Brian

Just saw Gaby&Talbert's post. I would trust the regulars. But I would still hate to be out of status for a prolonged period of time. But trust the regulars.

Brian

Hey everyone, i have a question. How long can Alfredo and I be married in the U.S before we apply for the AOS? Just a question because the AOS costs 1000+ dollars i believe with all the fees with the fingerprinting and everything, and we just dont have it right now. Let me know what you think or what you have read.

Here is a good VJ link that answers a lot questions about the K-1 Visa timeline:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...amp;page=k1flow

As mentioned at the link posted above, you are expected to file your AOS paperwork prior to you K-1 visa expiring. The visa expires 90 days after your SO's entry into the U.S.

Therefore, the safe answer is that you must submit within 90 days. Now, exceptions are made for people who go beyond, but I have not researched as to whether it is easy to get a waiver or not. Your biggest obstacle would be having a valid reason for the delay.

You and any co-sponsors, are vouching to the government that your SO will not be a hardship case. So I am reasonably sure that financial pressure would not be an acceptable excuse.

Your mileage may vary,

Brian

I was under the impression he would have no contact with the outside world until he left the interview...

No contact, unless they don't like your American passport photo's. Then your allowed to scamper across the street with a hint of panic to re-take your photo's.

But I digress. I am so thankful that our K-1 interview was nothing more than a mere formality.

Caity, your SO will do fine.

By the way, I checked for my copy of the form with the # thingy on it and did not have one. It kind of surprised me how little they actually kept.

For proof of income, keep in mind I am self-employed, they only kept a copy of my '07 return, and

an original letter from my accountant stating my occupation and a summary of my previous returns.

They returned both original I-134's I had done, my '06 and '05 tax returns.

You will be fine. Heck, you have actually read this whole thread, just like I did.

Brian

Hi everyone.

i have just recieved a notice on october 18th that my fiances petitin was approved and is waiting to be sent to NVC . i have been reading up on most of your dates concerning when everything went through. do you guys think you can give me an estimite on when the interview for my fiance might be.

You do not have to make an appt. for the actual consulate, just go within a year of the appt. letter and between those times, and you should be fine.

Everyone on this thread seems to go to the doctors the day before they go to the consulate, as to not waste any time.

Actually, both these points need clarification. From my K-1 visa perspective:

1. Your NOA2 does actually have an expiration date. It is printed in the top right hand corner. It is

always four months beyond the date of your NOA2. I personally did not need an extension, but

from other posts extensions seem like no big deal, but you have to ask and receive permission

if you wish to have an interview beyond the four month window.

2. You cannot do the medical and the K-1 interview on the same day. It is a two day process for

everyone. You do not get your medical results back until 2 pm or later on the day you visit the

medical clinic. And as previously posted, you cannot make nor need an appt. for the medical

clinics.

Brian

I know I've asked this a number of times already- but to those who were approved the visa recently- what did your fiances put in the "National Identification Number" slot? I've heard that some leave it blank, some put none, some put N/A. Angel said he thinks it's a bad idea just to leave it blank... any suggestions that have worked??

I am real sure we put in N/A. But I will double check. But you are right, Mexico has no "National Identification Number", so I either put in N/A or left it blank. Trust me, I know the nerves are starting to work overtime, but N/A or blank will not have an effect on the outcome.

And yes, the only time I was a true "nervous nellie", was the week before. Keep asking the questions because I remember how much the re-assurances I recevied from the regulars meant to me.

Brian

YOU DO HAVE TO MAKE THE APPT FOR THE DOCTORS THOUGH, SO DONT GET CONFUSED!!!

Are you sure about this GueraKristina?? I don't think an appointment at the doctor's is necessary. There are two clinics that do the medicals near the consulate, and I believe you just show up

You abosulutely DO NOT make an appointment. You cannot make an appointment even if you wanted to.

You simply show up. I posted my experience at the medical clinic just a couple of pages ago about people showing up at 4 a.m. for no good reason. The clinic does not open until 6 a.m., and the wait is about 4 hrs regardless when you show up. We got there at 7 am and were done at 11 am. A couple from Las Vegas was there at 4 am and finished at 8 am. And honestly, at around 9:30 am the initial waiting room was empty, but I am not sure how long the wait was for those people to finish up.

Brian

Angel has passport pictures to bring the the interview, but I have this feeling that they will tell him they aren't the right size or whatever... have your fiances/spouses re-taken their passport pictures in CDJ before the interview just to be safe?

The passport pics is the only part that made me mad.

I took our photo's out of the drugstore passport folder, so as to not raise any suspicions. As has been noted in the past, sometimes American photo's are denied just because.....

Well, the lady asked my SO where the pictures were taking. And my SO truthfully answered in the U.S. Not good enough, she had to leave the embassy go across the street and have them re-done. The cost was $8 U.S. a couple of weeks ago before the exchange frenzy.

It turned out okay, my SO thought the she looked prettier in the photo. ( Geeez, women). And of course we were approved with no problems and done by 1 pm'ish. But it did add stress.

I would just have them re-made, unless you want to stand on principle or if your SO won't weird out at maybe having to leave and go back. The latter sounds like a tougher task for your futura hubby.

Brian

I hope no one gets frustrated with my over-abundance of questions... if you do, well then you just don't have to answer them

Hey, all bet's are off at the last moment. Ask as many as you want. The week before was my worst week for nervousness and self-doubt.

Brian

Just out of curiosity- what time was your SO out of the consulate by?? I know it's a lot of waiting so I was just curious what time... thanks

About 1 p.m. or so, for our approval. Another K-1 came out at the same time, so I think 1 pm is probably the earliest people come out with an approval.

Brian

As Caity mentioned, you really need to dig into this thread for questions concerning Juarez:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...896&st=2565

A. The entry visa is good for 6 months, but only for one entry.

B. The Mexican SO will probably never see the embassy packet.

Mine has yet to receive it. However, I received my copy on Sept. 10th

C. Once the embassy package is mailed out, you have four months to

pick an interview date. You decide what date and just show up.

D. As mentioned before, your SO will likely receive nothing. Blame it

on the Mexican mail system. However, if you want a head start, the

documents are on the Juarez embassy website. And there is a link it

to it somewhere on the Juarez thread linked above.

Reading the Juarez thread was my single best source of information. I was with my SO two weeks ago when she got her visa.

Brian

I mentioned in an earlier thread about how getting to the medical clinic at 4 a.m., was a waste of time, IMO. Well, the same goes for getting to the embassy. There is no need for anyone to get there at 4 a.m.

Everybody has an invitation/appointment letter with a time on it. For K-1's it is always 8 a.m. or when you show up and for other types of visa's I am personally aware of 6:45, 7:45, and 9:00 a.m. time slots.

Yes, people do get there at 4 a.m., and line up single file. Why, I have no earthly idea. We showed up at 7:15. The consulate had divided the line into two groups at that time. The 6:45's and everybody else. At this time the line for the second group was two single file lines. And we were towards the back. Then they decided to create three lines and moved us up right next to, you geussed it , the 4 a.m., people.

I actually ended up beside my Las Vegas buddy who the day before had been at the medical clinic 4 am and had also been at the embassy since 4 am.

Then once it got closer to 8 a.m.; the security guards made sure that only the 7:45's and 8:00's were in the second group, and everybody else was moved further down to create a third group. This included my Las Vegas buddy who apparently had a 9 am time slot.

So basically, him, his wife and their 7 yr. old son stood in line for four hours, just to be moved back to another group that would not get in before 9 a.m. What was the point in all that waiting?

Anyway, they let our group start entering the embassy at 8 a.m. on the dot. The line moved quickly because a lot of the people in line were companions like myself who were not permitted in.

In conclusion, early arrival does not give priority at all. You do need to ask questions and understand why the lines are shifting, otherwise you might be standing in the wrong line. We experienced two major shifts before the guards had clearly created a 7:45/8:00 entry group.

My SO was in at about 8:15 and we arrived at about 7:15. And don't panic about the number of people in line. I would guess almost half the people are their for support and do not actually enter the building.

Brian

Congrats Brian!

We finally got our interview date : 11/5/08

I wish you the best on the interview. It is nice to know that the waiting game is over for the moment. Atlanta looks to have a 3/4 month average for AOS. I so don't look forward to filling out more paperwork. I just wanna have fun.

Brian

caityrose, let us know how much the vaccinations are at the medical clinic. When I looked at the list of shots and prices varied from about $70 a shot to $120 U.S. But I had no clue about which ones were needed or not.

While I was there, I know of another U.S. couple that had also decided to wait until entry into the U.S.

But, I would never disagree YGandMAT, since her wealth of knowledge is self-evident. And her tidbit about the free shots is something that I will pass on to my SO. Thank goodness for the regulars.

Brian

At the time the Holiday Inn was about 700 peses. Of course the exchange rate went crazy the week I was there.

I am sure the Cedros is fine. The couple that were staying their seem to be a classy couple. And the area really is safe. Would I want to walk down dark alleys at 3am no, but I would not do that in Atlanta either.

Brian

Where did you stay in Ciudad Juarez? Angel is goign to stay at Los Cedros, have you heard anything about that hotel?

We stayed at the Holiday Inn/Hotel Lincoln which was recommended several times in this thread including by YgandMAT. I know my review on the hotel means little with the embassy moving.

However, I was very happy. The hotel was VERY secure. Like a fourteen foot wall around the parking lot and two or three security guards at the entrance or patrolling. The room was nice with a great pool. The whole place was like a quiet oasis.

For me, the best part was the Subway sandwhich shop across the street along with the 24 hour S-MART which is a large grocery chain store. I felt very safe everywhere during the day and no problems walking to the S-Mart and the little mall late at night.

As for the Los Cedros, I did meet a couple from Californina who were staying there. They made no comment to me one way or the other about it. And I do not recall seeing it.

Brian

Well, visa is in hand. The actual interview was very minimal.

Only seven questions were asked.

1. What is the name of your fiance?

2. What is the profession of your fiance?

3. What is your profession?

4. How did you meet?

5. How long have you been dating?

6. Do you plan on working in the U.S.?

7. Have you ever had any immigration problems?

Then, okay you are approved for your visa. They never once asked to see any photographs or any proof of relationship. The whole conversation lasted less than 5 minutes, and literally every answer was a one or two word answer.

I am thankful it was soooooooo simple. But, at the same time, it seemed anti-climatic.

Brian

caityrose, I will post more about the experience that day I promise. For all others, please remember this is a brief review for a K-1 visa not K-3, which would be more thorough.

But here are the questions that were asked and it was hardly an interrogation:

1. What is the name of your fiance?

2. What is the profession of your fiance?

3. What is your profession?

4. How did you meet?

5. How long have you been dating?

6. Do you plan on working in the U.S.?

7. Have you ever had any immigration problems?

Then, okay you are approved for your visa. They never once asked to see any photographs or any proof of relationship. The whole conversation lasted less than 5 minutes, and literally every answer was a one or two word answer.

I am thankful it was soooooooo simple. But, at the same time, it seemed anti-climatic.

Brian