cici_ortiz

What is the A # on the i 485??

Congrads and best wishes to everyone!! and thank you for the support!

I am now in the US! Plus I am no loner a Miss. but a Mrs.!!! Everything went great!! I so happy to be here with my hubby!

Next step AOS

I've posted bits of info about our experience last week so this post isn't going to be really long. I can't say much more than cici did in her post about the overall time line and procedures at the consulate. My fiance actually printed out her post to study while she was in Juarez. I'll give a little info about the questions that were asked at the interview.

1. Where did we meet.

2. How long have we been dating.

3. What state would she be living in in the USA. She didn't have to give the full address but I've read that they can ask and you should have your fiances memorize it!!!!

4. Questions about our son. Where was he born etc

5. Has she ever been to the USA. Not even illegally?

6. What was she going to do in the USA? She wrote work on the DS-156 and she had an offer of employment letter.

For proof of relationship, they didn't ask to see anything but pictures. That still seems crazy to me given this day and age of digital pictures and powerful computers. It's not that hard to doctor photos. She also looked at our son's birth certificate so maybe that was considered as proof of relationship too.

For those of you who are getting nervous about your upcoming trips, post some specific questions and I'll give you an answer(if I know the answer of course). Be prepared that things are expensive in the hotels and stores/restaurants close to the consulate. There isn't any sort of Wal-Mart close either. If you have extra room in your bags, pack some snacks and water unless money isn't an issue for you. Don't be so nervous about the violence. The locals told her that things have changed dramatically in the last month since the arrival of more military. Men should be prepared to be stopped at random by military and asked for ID and being questioned.

Good Luck to all!

One other thing!

After several times of referring to me as her fiance, the CO suddenly referred to me as her husband and my fiance said: "Don't you mean my fiance". She said the CO's reactions was sort of weird about that and my fiance really thinks she was trying to catch her calling me her husband. We have been living together for over 2 years so perhaps the CO thought we were already married. Drill it into your fiance's head that they need to refer to you as their fiance. I know in Mexican culture, it's common for people to refer to their significant other as husband/wife even when it's not legally the case.

Oh MY! The OC did the same thing to me too!!! Twice!! And he looked at me funny too (Very funny)!!!

Hi everyone! I'm back from spending some wonderful days with my fiance and of course, with some doubts that popped out while going through everything together.

He was telling me that since he paid some money when sending the packet for the first time, he's not sure we have to pay the $400USD when I go to Juarez. Could you please let us know if we have to pay those $400USD too? Thanks!!!!!!

No, you don't have to pay $400 again. That was the initial fee for processing the petition. You will have to pay for the medical exam (approx USD $150) and the visa appointment fee, which used to be $131, but I hear they raised that by a few dollars.

Hey!!

I will be flying out on wed!! and my wedding is on sat!!! yipppy!!!!!

PS:

The appointemt fee is about 161 now

Thanks! She said it was just a little weird. She said she saw other consulars laughing and being so nice with people and almost shouting they were approved that she was so taken back by her experience. She said she overheard a guy explaining when he was in the USA illegally and explaining why he was in jail multiple times and the guy was approved. So she was a little shocked with what happened to her. I would've been so furious if that was the reason for denial. How can they ask to see an American passport? Why is that even their business? He's an American citizen just like me. He doesn't need a damn visa to get into the country. I don't get it...............Anyways now the wait for DHL.

Yeah I was told to watch out for women consulers and American born spanish consulers... they tend to be the meanest...... sorry to hear it went so bad... But at least you got it!! I am so happy for you!! Congrads!!!

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...&start=3015

It takes about a month for the letter to be sent....... they don't send a package anymore just a letter

So they just send the letter that is the "open invitation" and we are able to go?? So then I can start getting all the information together for the "packet" which is supplied online?? Once the letter is received we can go down for the medical exams, schedule the interview and hope for a positive outcome??

Actually..... Let's say you called the Juarez hotline and they tell you they sent the package Apirl 1th but you haven't recieved the letter yet. You can actually go to juarez even if you dont have the letter yet as long as The juarez hotline tells you it has been sent. if you do that you will have to get it printed out in juarez.

I hope you the best and if you want more information please go to the juarez consulate foreum under the emabssy section (around page 181)

It takes about a month for the letter to be sent....... they don't send a package anymore just a letter

Well, my fiancee and her daughter just checked into the Holiday Inn and her first impression was that it is very nice. She said that the area around the hotel/consulate looks nice and new. She mentioned that there were a lot of military at the airport and she saw several trucks full of military while taking the taxi to the hotel. The taxi driver told her that this is the nicest area of the city and that she shouldn't be worried about anything during the day.

Tomorrow they will go for their medical exams. If there is any relevant/helpful info from that, I will post it tomorrow.

Yeah, She will be safe!! Good luck!

Hello,

Soon we will start AOS but I would like to know what Vaccination are requied. I lost My record a long time ago and don't have any other proof. I would like to go to a doctor and have them do a "titer test" but I have to know what Vac. Are needed so I can test for them.

I don't want get them again them,

Hi everyone.

I'm going soon to the consulate in Juarez for my interview and I had a couple of questions.

= Does my fiance have to attend the interview or with just me (the beneficiary) its ok?

= Do my documents have to be translated? (birth certificate, police records, etc?) they are apostilled right now but I was wondering if I had to translate them.

Cheers everyone and thanks cici for the incredibly detailed and helpful comment.

You will have to stay outside, she has to go alone to the interview...

Spanish is good you don't need to translate is thats the case

actually it's 160 now starting march the 17th. The medical is afew buck more too... I don't remember how much though...

very soon my fiancee and I will be married.

We would like to know how to change my name to my married name ona El salvador passport to avoid any possible problems

Can anyone tell me exactly how one would go about doing this? Thank you!!!

I really don't know... You could try???

We just got our K-1 Visa last week!

Si, man!

I was wondering what the process is to actually crossing thru the border...Ex: what do they ask you, what are the things they ask you to do? and about how long it would take to actully cross there? I will be traveling with people that I am not Comfortable sharing my visa status with and I really don't them to over hear anything personal.

I will be crossing thru the Colombia International Bridgelocated on the US mexican Borderin the city of Laredo, Texas

For the best information, see this link:

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contact...rts/tx/2304.xml

Scroll down to "Facilities & Crossings" and call the phone number for the appropriate bridge (or, the general phone number at the top of the page). A Customs & Border Protection agent will be happy to tell you everything that you need to know. Among the questions that you already have, ask how best to handle questions at the CBP's inland checkpoints (25-50 miles inside Texas) when you are stopped there, which you WILL be.

Let us know if the above referral pans out for you, and be sure to post what they tell you, for the benefit of others here.

Thank you!! I will call then ASAP!!

We just got our K-1 Visa last week!

Si, man!

I was wondering what the process is to actually crossing thru the border...Ex: what do they ask you, what are the things they ask you to do? and about how long it would take to actully cross there? I will be traveling with people that I am not Comfortable sharing my visa status with and I really don't them to over hear anything personal.

I will be crossing thru the Colombia International Bridgelocated on the US mexican Borderin the city of Laredo, Texas

For the best information, see this link:

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contact...rts/tx/2304.xml

Scroll down to "Facilities & Crossings" and call the phone number for the appropriate bridge (or, the general phone number at the top of the page). A Customs & Border Protection agent will be happy to tell you everything that you need to know. Among the questions that you already have, ask how best to handle questions at the CBP's inland checkpoints (25-50 miles inside Texas) when you are stopped there, which you WILL be.

Let us know if the above referral pans out for you, and be sure to post what they tell you, for the benefit of others here.

Hello,

Congrads to everyone here!!!

I am a Aug 2008 filler And I would like to inform you all I recieved my Visa Last week!

I was wondering what the process is to actually crossing thru the border...Ex: what do they ask you, what are the things they ask you to do? and about how long it would take to actully cross there? I will be traveling with people that I am not Comfortable sharing my visa status with and I really don't them to over hear anything personal.

I will be crossing thru the Colombia International Bridgelocated on the US mexican Borderin the city of Laredo, Texas

Thanks!

No only one person (You could try the gruads might not stop you from waiting in line), The line is outside the consulate. I think even you could insted of your fiance. No not on saturdays and sudays, Last friday of the month and Mexican and american Holidays. Sorry

Hello,

We just got our K-1 Visa last week!

I was wondering what the process is to actually crossing thru the border...Ex: what do they ask you, what are the things they ask you to do? and about how long it would take to actully cross there? I will be traveling with people that I am not Comfortable sharing my visa status with and I really don't them to over hear anything personal.

I will be crossing thru the Colombia International Bridgelocated on the US mexican Borderin the city of Laredo, Texas

Thanks!

Thanks for all the info cici!! Did they try to push any vaccines on you at the medical exam? I've heard that they like to tell K1s that they need them when they don't. I'm worried my fiance might not stand up for herself if they try to give her vaccines. Thanks again.

She only has to say she is there for a fiance visa and she doesn't need them! they really won't fight her much

On PS PS:

FYI: DON'T fly viva arero bus!!

On Wed I got a call from Viva Aero Bus tell me they have chaged my flight from 7pm on sunday to 9 am on sunday! Then I got to the airport at 7:20 am (I wanted to be early for check in) and I found out my flight was leaving without me!! It seems that after they called me the chaged to flight aging to 7:20!! and they forgot to tell me!!! There were 6 of us they forgot to call!! they airline took no action for there mistake!! They did not give us our money back nor did they book us another flight home !! they want us to pay for a second ticket!!!! We all said no and booked a different airline ... Alll the passenger left behind will be making sues againest them.

PS:

You can track you DHL Package online heres the website! http://www.dhl.com/publish/g0/en.high.html

It went great!!! I just posted on Juarez Consulate forum if you would like to read it!! please forgive my bad writing though! I hope u will be able to understand

Hey Everyone Thank you so much for you support!!!

Heres My story!!!

Day 1 Monday:

Monterrey to Juarez Vivaaerobus

I met a couple on the flight that sat next to me they were also heading to juarez for a K1 Visa. We arrived around 6:55. The couple and I shared a taxi to the consulate. When we got off the taxi there was a "Consulate guide" who took us to a place to see if we were missing any forms. Of cousre this was a scam!! they wanted to charge the other couple 1000.00 peso to do the online form!!!

8 am

waited for the banks to open so I could make the payments! The banks open at 9:30

There is a mall right in front of the holiday inn/consulate were you can find a Banamex and a Bancomer

Plus you can take you picture for 65 to 75 pesos!

10ish am

I was not really going to do my medical until tuesday but I said want the heck, why not now! so I went to the medical office right next to the consulate there i was asked for a passport, my letter and my Vac. records ( Which I did not take and Did not need becuase I was a K1)

Next I was let in the medcial office I waited for a while but was told some time later that some of us had to go to the OLd medical clinic. which was great, the buses are nice and becuase of this the whole thing was faster!!! We got there and as easy as 1-2-3 we were done!! we were put back on the bus and taken back to the new medical place and were told to be back there at 3 on the dot NO LATER!! so that they could takes us back to pick up the exams!! When Got them they told us not to open them!!! the old medical place is 30 mins away from the new one!

On the bus I met another couple that were really nice!! They ask me for some help for there forms... PLEASE remember to help other while you are there ! Some ppl didn't have the luck as to find VJ!

Tuesday!

I spent the day talking to ppl and finding out information about the interview and conulate and getting mentaly perpared for interview! Allot of ppl were being sent out for Pictures and missing documents (One girl got sent out 8 times) remember if you get sent out it doesn't mean you lose the whole day! you might be in there longer though!

WED! INTERVEIW!!!

got to the consulate at 7:30.... Tip: You will see a line but do not form your self in it go to the front for the consulate and ask a Guardia (Securaty officer) were do you stand in line for a Fiance visa (If you your lucky he might make a line just for you!!) which is faster!!! Outide they will ask to see you forms ( passport, letter, DS-156k and DS-156 etc.)

Got in the consulate a 7:40 (with out my fiance!) went thru a check! they gave me a number and took my letter... they sent us outside in the back of the consulate! ( It was cold that day) there you have a TV were you have to be watching for your number. The guard will seperate ppl some outside and some out!!( you have to get lucky)

9:3- ish

my number was show on the screen I went up to a window was asked for all my documents!

Passport

Statement of Intent to Marry, form CDJ 402

Form DS-156

Form DS-156K

Medical Examination

Public Charge Information

Fee information - Banamex receipt

They asked me to sign every document in front of that person! They also took my fingerprints at this moment!

10 ish am

The officer told me to sit back down and wait for my number again to show up on the screen. ( At this point I went to have a snack!)

10:20 ish am

MY NUMBER WAS CALLED!!! interview time!!

At the window the consulate ask me to lift my right hand and tell the truth, the whole truth!! I said I DID! ( I was shaking by this point!)

He opened my medical exam , read it the he started to make conversation with me...( I think he was trying toplay it cool and ask me sneaky quetion, lol) of course he asked me the basics like were did we meet, how long have we been dating, were dose he work, where do I work, What my parents did for a living etc....

At the end it went great!! He said I had been aproved!!

Tip:

Be cool! don't worry about anything!!! and remember to breath!!!!

10:40 ish

He gave me a paper to give to the DHL person. DHL was located in side the consulate in a conner.

The DHL person give me another paper with a phone number , tracking number, addresses for the offices were you have to pick it up.

The guy told me to call around 3 to see if my package was ready to be picked up and they would also tell me what office I should pick it up from.

3 pm

Nothing..... They said to call back at 6 pm

6pm

Nada.... they said to call back a 9 Am the next day...

Thursday 9 am

Zip.....the told me to call back at 11 am

11 am..

NO! told me to call back at 3 and said it could take from 2 to 5 days!! oh no!!!

3 pm!!

Yes It's there!! BUTTTT I have to call back in 45 min to see if i can pick it up that day of the next! (#######) they said they had to make sure it was mine!!

3:45

Yes I can pick it up now!!

3:55

on a taix on my way to the DHL office! I HAVE the visa in my hand with the package i have to hand at my point of entry to the USCIS!

DONE!

Last past of Thursday to Saturday!

site seeing with my love!!

Tips:::

The block were the consulate is is very very safe!!! Go to the mall in front and the resturants around, DENNY's Barrigas and DIANA

Hotel

I stayed at the holiday inn for the frist 3 days then the Microtel on street Paseo de la Victoria for the last part! both are very good! they are some of the closes to the consulate!

tours:

VERY SAFE!!!!

Chihuahua tours

tel: 52 (656) 142-8754

Chihuahuatours.esmexico.com

ask for Julian Alvarez

We went everywhere with these ppl... we felt super safe!!

Hey!

I am back from Juarez with Visa in hand (I just flew in 30 MIN. ago!) You can go and get them to print it out for you at the information line!! You need to take an ID with the case number on NVC letter!!!! There is no more package for Juarez just a letter with a link which will send to were all the forms are!

PS: medical is easy you really don't have to go so early!! But you will have to wait in a very long line to get the letter, but don't worry I showed up for the Medical at 10:00 juarez time!!!