Hi All,
This forum really helped me a lot and now it is pay back time.
reached Tucson Sunday evening on 08/13, drove to Nogales by renting a car. I had been told that you don't need to rent a car as the shuttle is available from Tucson to the International border for $10.
I stayed @ Motel 6 in Nogales (USA) for $30/night. You don't need to stay in Best Western for $60/night although it is 1 mile from the border. Motel 6 is just 4 to 5 miles from the border.
Next I woke up early and reached border at 6:30 AM. Parked my car @ Mc'Donald's parking lot for $4/day. Crossed border through a revolving gate ( no need of mexican visa, if you see a guard at the gate just don't look at him and keep on walking) . Took the cab to the consulate ( Consulando). Cab drivers are poor in English but they can understand little bit english. No need to bragain as they ask for no more than $8 in most cases. Never pay more than that either.
You can take watches into the consulate but no cell phones or remote keys allowed in the consulate. I left my cell phone in my car as I don't think I need it in Mexico. (There are small store across the consulate who charge $4 to take care of your stuff but I have been told that they are not safe). Unfortunatly I had my keyless remote of my car and thanks to a generous hispanic lady (morning) and venkat's wife (afternoon) I didn't had to deal with the stores across the consulate. I went in around 8:30 AM and came out at 9:30 AM. Every one that day got visa and as far as I know no one got rejected. At the consulate the general questions 'Job Duties, responsibilities, resume'. Well I'am a civil Engineer not a software, so my questionaire might be different than others.
When I came out at 9:30 don't know what to do as I had to return at 3:00 PM so i was just walking through the town.
With regard to Banamex I got before my trip and I would recommed to buy it in advance. The bank I would say may be a 1 KM from the consulate but they open at 9:00 Am. If possible buy mexican pesos for $20 as they might be useful when you dine out or to pay for the cab. They make excuse of not having any dollars if they need to return any money. I just had fun as I knew little bit spainish.
Came back at 3:00 PM collected my passport, and don't forgot to enter your information in the computer before you leave. (It will help you get yout I-94 quicker while returning back).
I thought the interview is over but for me they asked more questions at border than at consulate. My only mistake was i took the CBP (Customs Border Patrol) for granted and that made me stay longer for my I-94.
Got my I-94 after a lengthy stay of 3 to 4 hours. Crossed back into US and drove to Tucson luckily got a flight to Vegas same day.
So I finished my trip in one day.
1) If i were you I would never use a credit card in Mexico ( except at the consulate, and I used cash there too). I would say if you are not staying in Mexico then one $100 bill, 2 $20 bill and 3 $10 bills and little bit change would be sufficient. If possble get some mexican pesos.
2) You don't need a mexican visa to enter Mexcio as they got lot of problems besides checking your status. Never ever stare at a Mexican police or fedrally or a official. You might get in trouble.
3) Going to consulate early might not help because everyone got to stay till 3:00 PM.
4) Staying in Best Western motel is no better than at Motel 6 or Motel 8 which you can get for half the price.
5) I had more problem at border than at the consulate. For me my actual interview was at the border. They asked me about my country (INDIA), company I work for, my duties etc. Never underestimate them.
I hope this might help and if any one need any help don't hesitate to ask me.
By the way this is my first H1-B stamping.
This forum really helped me a lot and now it is pay back time.
reached Tucson Sunday evening on 08/13, drove to Nogales by renting a car. I had been told that you don't need to rent a car as the shuttle is available from Tucson to the International border for $10.
I stayed @ Motel 6 in Nogales (USA) for $30/night. You don't need to stay in Best Western for $60/night although it is 1 mile from the border. Motel 6 is just 4 to 5 miles from the border.
Next I woke up early and reached border at 6:30 AM. Parked my car @ Mc'Donald's parking lot for $4/day. Crossed border through a revolving gate ( no need of mexican visa, if you see a guard at the gate just don't look at him and keep on walking) . Took the cab to the consulate ( Consulando). Cab drivers are poor in English but they can understand little bit english. No need to bragain as they ask for no more than $8 in most cases. Never pay more than that either.
You can take watches into the consulate but no cell phones or remote keys allowed in the consulate. I left my cell phone in my car as I don't think I need it in Mexico. (There are small store across the consulate who charge $4 to take care of your stuff but I have been told that they are not safe). Unfortunatly I had my keyless remote of my car and thanks to a generous hispanic lady (morning) and venkat's wife (afternoon) I didn't had to deal with the stores across the consulate. I went in around 8:30 AM and came out at 9:30 AM. Every one that day got visa and as far as I know no one got rejected. At the consulate the general questions 'Job Duties, responsibilities, resume'. Well I'am a civil Engineer not a software, so my questionaire might be different than others.
When I came out at 9:30 don't know what to do as I had to return at 3:00 PM so i was just walking through the town.
With regard to Banamex I got before my trip and I would recommed to buy it in advance. The bank I would say may be a 1 KM from the consulate but they open at 9:00 Am. If possible buy mexican pesos for $20 as they might be useful when you dine out or to pay for the cab. They make excuse of not having any dollars if they need to return any money. I just had fun as I knew little bit spainish.
Came back at 3:00 PM collected my passport, and don't forgot to enter your information in the computer before you leave. (It will help you get yout I-94 quicker while returning back).
I thought the interview is over but for me they asked more questions at border than at consulate. My only mistake was i took the CBP (Customs Border Patrol) for granted and that made me stay longer for my I-94.
Got my I-94 after a lengthy stay of 3 to 4 hours. Crossed back into US and drove to Tucson luckily got a flight to Vegas same day.
So I finished my trip in one day.
1) If i were you I would never use a credit card in Mexico ( except at the consulate, and I used cash there too). I would say if you are not staying in Mexico then one $100 bill, 2 $20 bill and 3 $10 bills and little bit change would be sufficient. If possble get some mexican pesos.
2) You don't need a mexican visa to enter Mexcio as they got lot of problems besides checking your status. Never ever stare at a Mexican police or fedrally or a official. You might get in trouble.
3) Going to consulate early might not help because everyone got to stay till 3:00 PM.
4) Staying in Best Western motel is no better than at Motel 6 or Motel 8 which you can get for half the price.
5) I had more problem at border than at the consulate. For me my actual interview was at the border. They asked me about my country (INDIA), company I work for, my duties etc. Never underestimate them.
I hope this might help and if any one need any help don't hesitate to ask me.
By the way this is my first H1-B stamping.