arianak

I called to find out...read through old posts! you will learn a lot from other people's experiences ;-)

Hello Everyone!

I finally filed the I-130 for my husband in Mexico City on Monday. I´m a bit worried because they gave me nothing called NOA or notice of action. I have read on this forum that those who went to Mexico City to turn in their forms in person got this NOA the same day or the next. The woman who was there when I went told me I could expect to hear something in 2 months! What should I do? How did these people find out if they were approved the next day? I could cry. Help!

Hi Cicle10,

I just wanted to let you know that I was approved after having my FM3 for only a few months. I brought all kinds of proof of domicilio (read some of my old posts...we didn't have bills really either so I got people in town to write stuff up for me!) I brought them all when we turned in our 130 in mexico city and he took one or two and said the fact that I had the fm3 was enough, he wasnt so worried about time. I say try it.

We were in the same boat, we got married right before- a quick civil (do start early with the papers - permiso para extranjeros or whatever it is and tell them you are in a hurry...they rushed mine and i had it that day!)

feel free to email me/send a message or look through my old posts (Arianak) as our situation was really similar!

all the best!

Hi Mexico DCFers,

The folks in the K-1 forum here at VJ told me I should look into DCF in Mexico instead of the K-1 process since we live here in Mexico (Guanajuato) and we are looking for the quickest process possible. They told me to come check out the DCF forum.

After reading this DCF-Mexico thread I find myself a little confused since I am a pure newbie.

Here is my/our situation:

I have lived here in Guanajuato for a little over a year. My fiancee has lived here with me that whole time.

I do not have my FM3 but, according to the expat crowd in nearby San Miguel, there are facilitators there that can get your FM3 in about a week (legitimately) for 400 pesos extra.

We are not married yet (since we were thinking K-1 was the best way to go) but we are willing to do a quick civil wedding to accelerate the process.

Is this going to work for us? Do I need to have my FM3 for 6 months or only be able to prove that I have lived here that long. We live in an apartment with all utilities included in the rent so I have no utility bills but the landlords would gladly provide written proof that we have lived here for a year... will that suffice?

Any feedback would be wonderful,

Thanks!

Hey everyone...for those of us who have "crossed over ;-)" just a reminder to fill this out:

http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/poereviews.php

I know at least for me I used every resource on this website and I've tried my best to give back wherever possible. So don't forget to put your reviews not just here but also in consulate reviews too.

Thanks and good luck to everyone!

Hi Ulises,

contact them through the Juarez consulate page and call the 1900 number (I talked about this in a previos post probably in August/Sept). The told me they had no info and then I called the 1900 (from here in Mexico...from a caseta telefonica and they didn't charge my credit card!). They gave me the case number via the 1900 call.

Once you have the number, put EVERYTHING in packet 3 , DS part I and II (don't sign ds part II) and put your case number at the top of every page.

Best of luck!!!!

Oh, and one more thing, once I get a case number, do I have to mail all the documents in packet 3, or only the DS part I? And later take all my documentation to the interview?

hey pnewton! if he's there with you, go to the SS office and request a card- but you don't have to file when you make under 9,000 (not 80,000!).

Hi DTBrooklyn,

Oops, that was a typo! Yes, I meant 1-864. Both my mom and I filled out our own copies of that form, and she just checked the box stating that she was our sponsor.

As for paying the I-130, I think a money order works. When we paid in Monterrey, we paid in cash (pesos) at a register in the Consulate.

Good luck to you both and feel free to ask any questions as they come up!

P.S. We got double copies of the "Welcome" letter in the mail! Hmm...and no Social Security card, yet. Czmjcq, what are you planning to do about the SSN for taxes? If we don't have his SSN by then, I was thinking of just including a note on it?

Pnewton just came on to see how things went for you guys and wanted to congratulate you both. All your hard work really paid off! And leaving such a detailed review will continue to pay off as it will really help people going through this after you. What a great feeling huh? Felicidades!

Hi everyone--

Thanks! We feel so relieved to have the process finished. My husband finally received the package at DHL yesterday around noon. To recap, he was the last to interview on Thursday, and then got it on the 3rd "working" day. From the people that we met at the hotel, a few others picked up their visas on the 2nd working day, but nobody on the day right after the interview! Ah well...he really got his fill of reading, watching tv, sleeping, chatting with people and eating La Quinta breakfasts!

And speaking of those breakfasts, just another note on them--as I mentioned before, earlier in the morning is better--waffles, molletes, and a nice spread of (tiny!) pastries but one morning when we went late, we saw a rather...baffling...breakfast option! Let's just say that it was composed of a viscous, vibrant bright red sauce and it appeared to have some floating, chopped up hot dogs in it! AHH!! Hehe, somehow there was plenty to still go around even late in the morning! But I can't bash it, because I didn't actually try it, and now, for some reason, I keep remembering it when I think back on our trip! It was just so visually...unexpected!

Anyway, once he got the package, the shuttle dropped him off at the border at the Zaragoza bridge and he said that he was able to go through pretty quickly! He says the stamp basically says the date that you entered--haha, I hope it's the right stamp! I'm sure it must be, but it sounds pretty darn simple for all of the work that we put into getting it!

After getting it, he called the shuttle and waited about 20 minutes for it to come. He headed home and now it's all behind us! We just will have to see when his SSN card and permanent residence card come in the mail here. I'll let you guys know, and please feel free to ask me any questions!! As I mentioned before, everyone was such a big help to me, and I'm going to continue to try and check the website in case questions come up and I can be of any assistance.

P.S. Good luck Grangkm! Let us know how everything goes on your next trip!!

Hi Ulises,

The casa de cambio literally right across the street from Santander and the Embassy...it felt much safer to do it there instead of walk around/travel with checks, but it's up to you! Also note one user brought a check from her own bank and they didn't accept it (Our $355 cheque de caja from HSBC wasn't going to work for them http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/242117-dcf-mexico/page__st__30)

I don't remember exactly who the check goes to: USCIS maybe US Department of Homeland Security? Does anyone else know?

Maybe its on the CDJ consulate website? It's not on the 130 app....I only knew because they gave me a piece of paper with the info at the embassy.

http://ciudadjuarez.usconsulate.gov

Hi Ulises.

1) Talk with CZJMAC (?) about dual citizenship (she was the first and only in this forum to have the experience of applying with dual citizenship and she encountered a different situation than the rest of us...namely she had to be present at her spouse's interview, so make sure you go!)

2)We paid the UCSIS fee in front of the Embassy (I posted about this on this forum a while back). I pulled money out of the Santander ATM a few buildings down from the Embassy, then bought a cashier's check in front of the Embassy at a Casa de Cambio near Starbucks, and made a copy of it at a copy place a few stores down. I didn't want to travel with the money and wanted to turn it in myself. This seemed the best way to do that. I would recommend turning it in in person if you are worried about losing money as some people have had their packet lost in the mail! If you must send, then buy the Giro Bancario through your bank and make copies of everything you send!

3) Definitely bring/send marriage and birth certs (we took both long and short copy so they could choose), translate them yourself with the template on this website, and definitely send at least 3 recent bills in your name from here in Mexico (I also posted about what we brought..I will look for this post for you and repost it)

4) We did a cover letter, but they didn't seem to care...he ripped it off the packet and went through and pulled out the things he wanted. If you are sending by mail do one saying what is enclosed in you packet, if anythign it helps you feel more organized!

Best of luck! and stay on this forum as the good advice abounds ;-)

Hi, I thought that by clicking on "New Post" I would add a new post to this group, but apparently this is a single thread.

Anyway, my post was opened as a new thread in DCF General Discussion.

I reproduce here, and appeal to your kindness to get an answer.

Hello,

I am a US citizen that also has Mexican citizenship.

I will file this week on Mexico City Embassy office.

I called the office last week to ask how I should pay and they told me that either with a cashier check or with a Money Order.

I called my bank and they told me that did have cashier checks (actually I think they said "Giros bancarios") and that I had to buy them.

My bank is Santander in Guadalajara.

How you guys have paid and where did you get the check/money order?

I don't want to screw it up, as I will apply for my wife and 2 kids, so I don't want to lose my money.

Also, they only asked me for Marriage and Birth certificates to prove relationship, and something to prove that I live in Mexico.

Did you also bring a cover letter? They didn't mention such a requirement but I have seen it in many blogs.

Thanks in Advance,

Ulises

Pnewton most people don't have vaccination records (we didn't nor did our other 2 couple friends) I was under the impression they give you most vaccines no matter what! And like other said, Mexico does not require te carta de no antecedentes etiher....good luck!

Thanks, everyone, for the advice! As for the vaccination card, my husband still can't find his original one and he went to the Seguro and they told hiim that as they don't have those on file anywhere, there's nothing they can do...What?! Seriously annoying. The info on the vaccines and medical clinic on the Consulate page says to bring it if you can, but if not, don't worry. Which, of course, doesn't really reassure us enough! My husband is going to try and call the two clinics directly and see if it's ok to not have the records. Do you know of anyone who has gone who didn't bring vaccination records?

Hi Czmjacq

So glad you guys are finally in the clear! We travelled on the MEX passport with the temp visa in it (only good for a year) and his official "greencard" just arrived 2 weeks ago (I haven't seen it yet, my mom got it- it came almost 2 months after our approval). On the way back to Mexico after our first trip the guy at the airport was kind of jerky trying to "advise" us that we were going to need his alien number to re-enter the US (which I'm not sure is true, as the visa in the passport is good for a year, and we could have feasibly made many trips in those nearly 2 months before the actual greencard came...) but other than that, no problems. The visa in the passport is enough for getting in and out.... Congrats!

I'll have to check in to what happens next -- his VISA shows it was issued March 2010 and expires March 2011 (not sure where they got those dates from??) But I'm guessing that in the meantime something else (his green card?) will arrive so he won't actually be presenting his MX passport with his US VISA in it for travelling to the US??? If you or anyone has any insight, let me know.

Thanks!!

Arianak--I have a question about getting the Social Security card. Once the visa is approved (I assume at the Consulate or at the POE?), will Social Security be automatically contacted and then issue the card within 2-3 weeks? Or when you went to the office in CA, did you have to apply for the card in person?

Hey Pnewton- We checked the SS box on one of the forms, but I had read on other sites that even though some people had asked to have the SS card sent to them it never came. My advice just was not to go the SS office until at least 3 weeks from your approval date as they won't have any info. I think that countdown probably begins from the POE as that's when your packet gets activated. But either way, your husband would have to go to the SS office himself if he doesn't get the card in the mail 3 weeks after entering. Good luck in Juarez...it's going to go great!

ps- As for evidence, they didn't want to see anything from my husband, but they did ask him many more questions than the woman who went before him..I think the guys do get treated differently...so have your hubbies study up;-)! good luck to everyone!

Hi,

I say you call the juarez 1900 to see if you have a case number yet, then you can put it on your packet 3 docs.

Hello All!

I have been a little MIA from the forum lately because we are just waiting to recieve Packet 3.

I was just wondering what you all think about this...

We submitted our I-130 on Sept 9th in person in Mexico City and have still not heard anything. I literally call every single day and it is SOOOO hard to get a hold of anyone. About a month ago I did speak to a women who said they normally take at most one month to process I-130s which it has been 2. Also she said mine was "approved" and a packet was in the mail. On top of that I recieved a call yesterday and of course when trying to return the call no answer and no returned message. He also said in his message I could check the case status online, but I dont have a receipt number!!!!

I am SOO frusterated. I know it takes time, but the most frusterating thing is the lack of communication and being able to contact someone. I constantly get hung up on or transfered over and over.

I have all the DS-230 docs...can I just send them in?

What have your experiences been with this? Is this normal?

Hi Ana- There is a lot of great info on waiver cases here :http://***removed***/forum/waivers.php also at www.smf.juarez-mexico.com ( I think you said you had been on these forums, but just in case)

Also Laurel Scott is an attorney who specializes in waiver cases and does free chat sessions and stuff.

http://www.smf.juarez-mexico.com/index.php?topic=3504.0

http://www.scottimmigration.net/I601Memo.pdf

http://www.scottimmigration.net/

Almost everyone we met at the La Quinta while we were there for 6 days (! cant believe its over!) were waiver cases. For some reason they don't show up as much on this forum though. Best of luck!

anyone here have to do a I601 waiver?

Hi everyone.

just wanted to let you know we went to the Social Security office as soon as we got to California but they told us we wouldn't be able to get his card until at least 3 weeks from the date of approval.

But then! We actually got the social in the mail our second week there (the day before we were leaving in fact!) so give it a few weeks either way...

Hi La Gringa-

Yes, leave for the consulate at like 645, have him bring everything (passport, any correspondence you have from CDJ, the hotel info, and a book:-). My husband wasn't in the clinic until 840 and got out and got his results at the same tiime as the people that were waiting there since 4 am!!

Hi, everyone!

Thank you, Ariana, for all the information you provided. I'm sure it will help us all along our way!

We're getting everything ready for next week. I'm going to go with my husband, his interview is thursday. Our letter never arrived (well, there's still tomorrow and friday!) so we're gonna have to get one at the consulate. One question, we arrive tuesday afternoon and planned on getting the letter first thing wednesday (I think the consulate opens at 7?) then going to the medical. Will we have enough time to get the letter and run to the medical and still get the results the same day?

Ahhhh, I'm getting a bit nervous!

Hi Marisol.

As long as it is the one that has MEDICAL APPOINTMENT *************** on the bottom it should be fine. If not, go in the AM. Consulate services is from 7am-1pm.

Jaremedios- I just had Bank of America add my husband as a cardholder when I applied for our amex cards. they didnt ask for anything. I also did it after the fact on a VIsa card, same thing. Just put him as a card holder, no SS... I dont know that it builds credit as there is no SS, but it worked!

I just received the appoinment letter in USA Address.. is dated September 20, 2010.

Anyway, a friend in USA scanned for me and sent it by email.. but I think in the medical they still will want an original right?

Hi Pnewton. I understand your concerns about CDJ. I have to say, I felt really safe there. It was really easy to mostly stay in the hotel (the first day there the shuttle took us to the grocery store which you can see from the hotel its probably a block away but we made a pact we wouldn't walk ANYWHERE) so we got some snacks and were fine hanging out at the hotel. The security at the hotel is great and it really is a pleasant place. Everyone there is a bit on edge with safety concerns so people are all really sensitive (the shuttle driver is so cool about taking you ANYWHERE, even if its right across the street...the manager changed my room to a suite bc I didn't want to face the street, stuff like that). Anyway, we also went to the movies in the mall and felt fine...

But I don't know that its a necessity by any means. The only case was CZJMAC (sp?) who had the unique case of being Naturalized MExican and it seemed they would have wanted to talk to her, but in most cases it seems the USC spouse really doesn't need to be there...so it's up to you.

Most people there are doing waiver cases (families with family members who entered the US Without Inspection and/or criminal records. So they are there for a while, and have to make 2 trips. Pretty much everyone at the hotel was doing this...

Hope that helps!

Ariana--

Thank you for the great details! Everything is really invaluable to hear before doing the whole adventure ourselves! I'll have more questions latermade a , but for now, I'm just curious if you gathered that the majority of couples you meet/saw were together with the American spouse. We're currently trying to decide whether I'm going to accompany my husband, and I would like to be there to help him, but my family is very nervous about me going. I'm also concerned (perhaps not rightfully so!) that if we say on the 230 that he'll be going alone, he might have harder time of it in the interview. Is there anything in particular you can say about the security situation after having been there almost a week?

PS- Im not sure why on the 230 you would say he's going alone to the interview...they want to know who would be going to the US with him

Hi Pnewton. I understand your concerns about CDJ. I have to say, I felt really safe there. It was really easy to mostly stay in the hotel (the first day there the shuttle took us to the grocery store which you can see from the hotel its probably a block away but we made a pact we wouldn't walk ANYWHERE) so we got some snacks and were fine hanging out at the hotel. The security at the hotel is great and it really is a pleasant place. Everyone there is a bit on edge with safety concerns so people are all really sensitive (the shuttle driver is so cool about taking you ANYWHERE, even if its right across the street...the manager changed my room to a suite bc I didn't want to face the street, stuff like that). Anyway, we also went to the movies in the mall and felt fine...

But I don't know that its a necessity by any means. The only case was CZJMAC (sp?) who had the unique case of being Naturalized MExican and it seemed they would have wanted to talk to her, but in most cases it seems the USC spouse really doesn't need to be there...so it's up to you.

Most people there are doing waiver cases (families with family members who entered the US Without Inspection and/or criminal records. So they are there for a while, and have to make 2 trips. Pretty much everyone at the hotel was doing this...

Hope that helps!

FM3- a side note for any newcomers to this thread. I was told I would need to have my FM3 for 6months in order to do DCF, but I had it for a month before we processed, and we were approved. We also got married 2 weeks before submitting the 130 which was not a problem!

Border crossing:

We were assigned Zaragoza bridge (most people seemed to get Cordoba). We arrived at 8 pm, the hotel shuttle left us in front of the bridge and we walked across (about 5 mins). Then we entered an immigration building where we went right away to the window, they took the packet and said they would call us. It took about 8 mins for them to call us, and the passport was stamped!!! Then our passports were checked again, then we walked out with our baggage and got an el paso taxi to the airport La Quinta for $30USD (he took us to an ATM on the way). The bridge crossing was so easy and fast, but i heard it really depends on the time of day and the bridge, so make time ! Oh yeah, and like others have said, 5 pesos per person. Only bummer was El Paso Airport Quinta is a DUMP, especially compared to Juarez! who would have thought we would be longing for Juarez...what an adventure ;-)

Ok. Here's the long review, which Im also posting under consulate reviews. Thanks to everyone who shares on this site, I have learned so much here and am glad to return the favor, hope you all do the same ;-)

ACCOMMODATIONS:We arrived on an Interjet flight from Mexico City and took an airport taxi to La Quinta Inn for about 20$. La Quinta Inn is gated and off the main "Consulate Row". The street is still busy, but with the windows closed it is silent. The hotel itself is very nice and clean. The beds are comfortable, flat screen TV, desk, wireless internet, tubs, mini-fridge and microwave,hairdryers, iron etc in every room. Breakfast is extended continental- cereal, yogurt, fruit, milk, juice, coffee, waffles, eggs, and beans. There is no lunch or dinner but many local places will deliver (Denny's, Papa John's Pizza, etc). The hotel has computers, printer,small gym, pool, laundry, parking and the free shuttle that will take you pretty much everywhere you will need to go. We booked on the laquinta website and paid $52 a night, which was well worth it. I highly recommend this hotel for this purpose.

MEDICAL EXAMMy husband left at 6 and was given a number and then when they began reviewing his documents they said he was missing the letter for the medical exam, he only had a letter with an appointment for the visa interview. He was told to go to the Consulate for this letter, it took them about 1/2 an hour to give him a copy. He returned to the clinic and turned in his documents (passport, letters and hotel information- i just printed our confirmation) and took his pictures. Then they took his chest xrays, then he had his blood drawn. They then separated women/children and men. Then he had blood pressure, vision and hearing checked. Then he was told to wait in his underwear. Then a female nurse came in and inspected his genitals for about 30 seconds. (She did not touch him but had him show her).She asks about drug use, tattoos, criminal history (drunk driving), and if it was his first visit for this purpose. Then she checked his breathing and he received his vaccines. He told them he had chickenpox and tried to show scars but they gave it to him anyway (one in each shoulder and one in the buttox) He recieved Tdap, Chicken Pox, and MMR. It cost about $360 in total. He paid with a US credit card in his name. Save the receipt and bring it when you return. We returned for the results at 4pm (though they didn't ask for the reciept. Check the info on the packet and DO NOT OPEN THE ENVELOPE. (he did not have a urine test)

INTERVIEW

Brought DS230 (unsigned),2 photos,medical packet copy of packet 3, and evidence...Arrived 20 mins before appointment. Security search (no belts, watches, cell phones etc allowed). Had to throw out sandwich, gum, water, hand sanitizer (man in front of him had to throw is watch out!).Though they did say you could rent a locker around the corner. Was asked for pasport and appt. letter. Was given number, walked to back area where he watched screen (they call AFTER your number passes, but sometimes they dont call. must watch screen). 30 mins later number appeared, went to wait in next area. Turned in passport, medical info 2photos (they wanted bigger ones, they seem to be used to the photos they take in front of the consulate) his birth cert and marriage cert (original and copy). At this window asked if it was our first marriage and if we have children together/apart, and where was I (USC wife). Then 30 mins later again for payment (used US credit card in his name- i just had him added as an Amex user with no SS, though they didnt ask for ID. In the event of a problem with a card, they give a pass to allow you to leave to bank and return).30 mins later went for finger prints, woman checked info from his birth cert (were you born in xTown, 19xxx, etc). Then 40-60 mins later he was called for interview. Took oath. Young male interviewer speaking Spanish. Friendly. Asked:

Who is (wife's name?)

Is she a US citizen born there?

Where did you guys meet?

How?

Did you start dating right away?

What was she doing there? (thesis for school...what was her thesis about?)

Where was she born? (he said the place i was born)

Where does she live? (he said my US address but said we have been living together in MExico for last 2 years)

How long have we been married for? (he said we have been together 5 years, but just got married 5 months ago)

Where were we married?

What does she do? (he said teacher, interviewer asked of what?)

Who is XXXXX(wife's mothers name, she was our sponsor)

What does she do for a living?

How long has she been doing it?

Where does she live (wifes mother)?

What do you do for work?

Have you been to US?

Canada? Where in Canada?

Problems with immigration? Police? (in spanish he sadi: entonces si te portas bien?)

Was not asked for ANY other docs.(not my birth cert, nor any copies of anything we'd ever sent, etc). He asked interviewer if he wanted to see pictures, interviewer said no thats fine you've been accepted. Felicidades. He paid DHL and was picked up by hotel shuttle. I stayed at hotel, which I was glad for ;-). Waiting area is seperate building. Whole thing took 3 hours from interview time!(interview was scheduled at 1:15, there was not a lot of people at this time).

DHL

Checked DHL that night there was something at about 6 that it the confirmation for sending was received or something, but all next morning, nothing!!! Went to DHL at 2pm with a couple who had their interview at same time as us they day before. They said that sometimes it takes an hour or 2 to show up on the computer but its actually there, so we all went to the DHL office on a whim. they got theirs, we didnt . So bummed. Rented antoher room at 5pm, checked again at 6, and it was there!!!!! Went running to DHL before it closed at 6. TIP-CHECK DHL ONLINE UNTIL 6PM FOR UPDATES!!!!!!!!

Off to cross at Zaragoza... (will write about that once we're there!) Good luck to everyone!

Hi everyone! We were approved too! We are sooooooo happy. I wrote up a really long review of the whole thing that I will post here, and under consulate reviews as well. Just want to make sure we physically have it before I post... more this afternoon!

Pnewton- we put my husband's parent's info there. I think if it was spouse's parents it would say Spouse's parents, like it does above. But again, we will know tonight! ;-)

Thanks, Ariana...Let me know. Maybe they accept it both ways, but with parents' joint tax statement, I want to be sure. I can always try to email CDJ and see if they can give me a definitive answer, too.

Another quick question: on the 230, part 1, does my husband put his parents' names, date and place of birth, etc or do I put my parents' info. It's kinda confusing because it doesn't specify whose parents we should put and it's right under the area where he fills in my info.

Pnewton- I remember seeing something on another forum about someone having a major problem with using 864a, and that is why we used the regular 864. It had something to do with joint filing (something like the petioner's father filled out the 864a, but since he filed taxes jointly with his wife they would need something from her or something messy like that). Sorry i don't remember better. but that is why we used the regular 864, and hopefully it's fine. Will let you know tommorrow night ;-)

Yes Marisol, they can give you both letters there, it took about 40 mins though!

Hi !

in the information window of the Consulate gave you the medical appoinment letter? and also the appoinment letter for the interview?

Good luck on Monday !.. and stay safe

Letter update: The letter he was missing was the medical appointment letter, which for some reason did not in fact come with appointment letter (but it is supposed to). The issue wasn't the copy, but the fact that we didn't have the letter. I didn;t understand this all this AM as he was just text messaging me. Sorry for the confusion. Either way, bring all your letters ;-) More on Monday....as for now, things feel weird here, and I think the best idea is staying between the hotel and the mall (if you end up here with extra time as we did, monday interview). La Quinta is super clean and really nice- pool, laundry (charge) and the shuttle is awesome!

BRING YOUR ORIGINAL INTERVIEW LETTERS. Hi everyone. My husband got to the clinic today with a copy of our interview letter (we never got it in Mexico so my mom scanned the one that came to California and I printed that) Anyway, the clinic wouldn't accept it and he had to go to the consulate for an original. Not that big of a deal, but annoying. Will keep you posted on the rest....