SalsaCouple

First of all Congratulations!!!! It is such a wonderful feeling when you hear those final words, "waiver approved" I cried, jumped around like an idiot, and thanked God when I heard it with my husband.

Your husband is sending in his Passport so that they can print his Visa into it, our case was a little different because my husband had to return to CDJ for a 2nd Medical (approval updated in the system 1 wk after the 6 month expiration) so he delivered his directly. From the time he left it at the consulate to when they delivered it to DF it took about a week for him to get the passport with visa in hand (this included a weekend). You will need to factor in delivery time from where your husband lives to CDJ, processing time, and if i'm not mistaken they return it to him express overnight or next day. Delivery is also tricky check the DHL site often and have him call as well, in our case they waited to update the system 5mins before the office closed and had to wait till the next morning to pick it up (good memories, lol) He will also get in the box a sealed black plastic envelope with DO NOT OPEN written across it. This needs to be carried with him (not packed in checked luggage) on his flight home and given to the Customs Agent at his POE (according to my husband, its just his waiver packet)

I recommend you start searching for return flights home but DO NOT buy until he has his VISA in hand, you don't want to have to pay to change the dates of the flight. I brought my honey home within a week. Good Luck and Congratulations again!

congrats! But now, I have a question...

we had POE on the same day, 5th of may from El Salvador...

05/21/2012 we received welcome letter...

nothing else, no green card, SSN, anything else other then the welcome letter. Was I supposed to submit something after POE? I asked SSN to be mailed to my home at time of interview...

We didn't submit anything additionally. We were actually surprised that we had received his SSN and welcome letter so soon. If I'm not mistaken after 30 days you can go to SSA and have them look into it. They may just have you to resubmit request and then you get it in the mail within 2 weeks.

Just wanted to give folks a quick timeline of events since my hubby came home. Thought this could help someone else:

POE - Atlanta (5/5/12) Happy Cinco de Mayo! - Very easy inspection at immigration, about an hour long wait because it's Atlanta and there were a good number of people waiting before him.

Received SSN (5/14/12) Happy Birthday to my hubby! Best B-day gift ever. Our attorney asked that the SSN Card be assigned at POE, we didn't need to go to the office at all.

USCIS - Texas Office Receives our Immigration Packet (5/17/12) - Receipt date is written on our Welcome Letter, Welcome Letter is produced (again date is on the letter)

Welcome Letter Mailed out (5/18/12) - Date on the envelope, it's a metered stamp

Received Welcome Letter (5/21/12) - We finally have an A-Number. Now we can move forward, hubby can get drivers license, job, etc.. Checked status online with new receipt number and tracking site states Alien Registration Card production has been ordered ))))

Received Green Card (??/??/??)

*** It's very possible that we got this so quickly after his POE because the distance for our documents and notices to travel is short. POE was in Atlanta, USCIS office is in Texas, we live in Memphis, TN so when you compare the turnaround time please take that into consideration.***

Hope this helps someone.

After a very long 8mos of separation, 3 trips to Juarez and a lot of money spent my husband finally has his visa in hand and will be home on May 5th!!! Thank you to everyone that has posted on this site. While I have only recently been contributing my own advice and experience reading the information of others has been very helpful. I wish the very best of luck to everyone that is continuing in the process.

tejana67,

My husband delivered our waiver packet and had the waiver interview on Oct 24th, it was approved on Dec 28th, CDJ mailed notification of the approval via mail on Jan 10th, but the computers were not updated until Mar 12th. About a week and a half later he got his passport and a letter via DHL stating he had to return to Juarez for another medical (the medical exam is good only for 6 months and my husbands expired on Fed 29th)and to turn in those results and his passport via DHL - he is currently in Juarez doing this now. We should be getting his passport back via DHL sometime next week. In all since his waiver interview to now it has been 6months. I am not telling you all this to make you sad only to set an expectation (there have been, according to our attorney, many other people that have taken much less time) I have learned in dealing with USCIS that if you have averge or little expectation the process is much easier to endure, you may even get a pleasant surprise along the way! Good luck to you

Wait a minute they didn't give it to him right there and then? Did they specify y?

Sorry one more ? Did he get the same officer as when he went to the first interview?

He had a waiver so the medical eval was performed during his initial visa interview. The waiver interview was 2mos later. They didn't give him his visa then because of the waiver that needed approval. You are not guaranteed the same IO at the interviews from what I understand its like going to the DMV and getting a number, whichever IO is available is the one you report to.

It's so frustrating but you have to hang in there...I'm sure you will get some great news soon.

Thank you for your kind words, I really hope we do hear something soon.

I'm no expert on CDJ, but I thought your medical was good for 1 year from taking it. In the Philippines it's only good for 6 months for sure. Hope I'm right, might save you some headache and money. Best of luck!!

Bob

Unfortunately, the medical is not good for more than 6mos. I verified this with the info line and our atty office. It looks like we'll be spending some money after all. Thanks for your kind words.

So, my Mex husband had his waiver approved officially on 12/28/11. We rec'vd the approval letter early in Jan. I have called the 703# almost every week since 1 month after the waiver interview and they still show our application as pending. Today was the 6mos expiration of his Medical eval. and still when I called today there was nothing new. At this point I don't even know what to think, the ppl at the 703# say if nothing is rec'vd by 3/16 then they will take action (don't know what) I am so frustrated because now not only do we continue to be separated and have to wait but now we need to spend more money sending him back to CDJ for another eval and then to wait for an unspecified amt of time to get the visa. This is so overwhelmingly stressful. Is there anyone that has recently been in this situation or are currently in it that have had better luck?

I found out from CDJ that the medical expires 6mos from when it was done initially so we have until Feb.

My husband had his waiver interview on 10/24/11, on Thursday 1/12/12 I got a call from our attorney that they recieved the APPROVAL of our I601 (talk about a weight being lifted off of my shoulders.) I got the same notice on Saturday. The notice is dated for 12/28/11 and wasn't mailed until 1/10/12 (I will give USCIS the benefit of the doubt and say it was delayed due to the holiday.)

My questions are:

(a) About how long until we get his passport with the visa?

(b) how long are the medical exams good for? Our atty said that he may have to return to Juarez -READ: we need to spend another $500+ - to get another if the first (from 8/29/11) has expired.

I am putting together my husband's waiver package. My husband was arrested for driving without a license, that is how all this process started. Do I need to have record of what happened at this arrest?

Also I have read that others are including their household bills and it is my understanding that these are not needed. What is the common practice... do i include them or not?

Thanks,

Diane

Diane,

There would be no reason to include your husbands arrest record in your waiver. Disclosure of any information pertaining to his arrest would have been done on the I-130 or the DS-260. The sole purpose of the waiver is to show what EXTREME HARDSHIPS you as the USC would endure if (a) your husband is made to stay in Mex for an indefinite amt of time and/or (b) you were forced to move there if he is denied entry into the US. It is up to you whether or not you include household bills in your packet (my husband and I did so as we were advised by our atty) While claiming financial hardship is not enough for USCIS to approve the waiver it certainly can be a part of it. Financial struggles are a very real issue and the stress that comes along with it can lead to many other issues. Please seek the advice or aide of an attorney BEFORE you send the waiver. It is very difficult to get a skillfully written waiver approved you want to do it right.

Also, a word of advice... I have browsed this site for at least a year before my husband and I even got married and for much of our process I have remained a silent member only recently offering advice to those in need. While an overwhelming number of ppl are extremely helpful in quelling fears and providing knowledge there are also a number that are know-it-all's (making comments with useless information), rude and just not helpful. Please ignore these people, do not banter with them or even give them the satisfaction that what they said mattered in the least. You will get much futher dealing only with those ppl that are genuinely trying to help versus those that just want to up their member status.

Good Luck!

OMG thats a long time!!! thanx for ur response...although i went to USINFO-VISA.COM and it gives us a waybill n umber and says ready for pick up but when i click to see the tracking it says waybill number not found...

First of all let me start by expressing how jealous I am that you have a waybill # already... Now that that is over, I would copy/paste the waybill # over to the dhl website and see what info they have on your package. Also, you could have your husband call or go to the office where it should be delivered. From my understanding/experience things are very very very unorganized in Mex and sometimes the only way to get things done is to show up in person. Good Luck!

No, you will keep the same number for the process, I think (don't quote me) that the CDJ case #'s are for direct filers to the consulate and those applications that went in before the electronic process. MEP stands for Mexico Electronic Processing. Good Luck!

No, I have No Experience with this. But, I see 4 Positives from your Post.

1. Did not reject the Application

2. Took the Paperwork

3. Took his Passport

4. Pay the Fees (Whatever that maybe)

It looks good from a standpoint. It will depend on what the Waiver is for. You will know soon.

As it currently stands you have completed standard procedure of the waiver process. They take the application/waiver packet, your spouse pays the $585 waiver fee , and you leave the passport with them (so that when they do approve the visa time isn't wasted trying to get it to them for visa printing) I will tell you not to count on the 2-10 week notification period, not that it is not possible but, my husband had his interview on 10/22 & was told we would hear a response in 1 month and it has now been 2 months and still when we check online and call they say its still under review. When he (my husband) submitted his paperwork they did ask him many of the same questions as in the initial interview, I'm guessing that that practice is based on the IO he's talking to, the IO your spouse was working with may just not have felt it necessary to ask all of the same questions again, and just let your waiver packet stand alone. I wouldn't read much into the lack of questioning. Good Luck with everything!

When my husband did his in Juarez back in August, he took all his childhood records and a copy of his medical files from his doctors here. They told him none of that information mattered unless it showed updated immunizations (which they weren't). I did the math before he left and it turned out that it was cheaper for him to get the shots he needed at the Medico than it would have been for him to do it stateside. In total we paid $355 for the exam and 2 or 3 (can't remember how many) immunizations.

We have not heard from CDJ either. My husbands interview was on 10/24 and the IO told him we would hear something in one month. That time has now come and gone and we are at one month and one week, now the real waiting begins.

Anyone that has had their interview in JUAREZ, MEXICO, around how much was the cost for the medical and the vaccinations?

My husband went to his Medical Appt at the end of Aug, the total cost of the exam and 3 vaccinations (I don't remember which ones) was $350 usd - give or take a few dollars

I would say that the pictures are very important. Anyone can merge their lives on paper and in records. Pictures tell the story of your life together, they show you in different places, with different people or the same people at events, parties, family gatherings, etc. When we sent our I-130 we sent 20 pages of pictures (printed on 8.5 x 11) paper and when he went for his interview they asked him for updated photos since the original submission and asked questions about our friends in them and where we were and how long ago they were taken. Also, many of the people in the photos were the same friends that wrote us affidavits of support for our waiver interview so that proves again that we are a tried and true couple. Any pictures would be better than no pictures at all. Good Luck!

Can you pay by creditcard or cash only?

Wish my luck, tomrrows the BIG day!

Im more nervous than I was at my wedding. This should be in K3 but I feel like more people do K1 in Cd: Juarez

This is the link to the CDJ Fees page and it describes what amounts are to be paid and how they can be paid http://ciudadjuarez.usconsulate.gov/hivcosts.html Good Luck to your family!

Ok, thanks. I guess that is better than nothing at all. We also have the possibility of someone else calling and him catching it at just the right time.

Hey everyone!

This is my first topic posting, but I have learned a lot from reading the threads that have been posted to this site. Thank you to all of you for sharing your knowledge and experience. It certainly has made the journey for my husband and myself a bit easier.

Anywho, back on task...My husband will be going to CDJ for his waiver interview on Monday. When he went to his initial interview he was accompanied by a family member that has always resided in Mx. on that trip when they needed to call the hotel for the shuttle (he stayed at the LQ) they used his phone. This time my husband will be traveling alone and due to the fact that (a) money is tight b/c he's not working and I am supporting both of our households and (b) we are hoping not to make any long term plans for Mx, he has not gotten a cell phone. My question is are there phone located at the Salsa de Espera for him to use in order to contact the hotel shuttle?

Since you are the immediate relative you are still the one petitioning for his visa. With that you must be the primary on the I864 even if you don't make enough money to be the sole sponsor. Your father then becomes the co-sponsor and he must show that he is able to support everyone in your household with his current income. Both you and your father must sign the I864 as it is a contract with the US Gov't that your spouse will not become a charge of the state (receive federal/state financial support) and if he does then both you and your father (mainly your father) can be held liable financially to repay any distributed amounts.

Also, since you have a job now, if your current salary is enough to support your household then you won't need your father at all. An employment letter from your employer, with your number of hours worked/week, your salary amount, a statement of your start date and confirmation that you are still gainfully employed is necessary. Copies of pay stubs wouldn't hurt either, and still you must send your IRS forms & W-2's for the last 3 years.