I have successfully stamped my H-1B visa at Tijuana, Mexico on May 19, 2004.
I have already posted my case on this thread...
http://boards.immigrationportal.com/showthread.php?t=121413
I was very much worried because my immigration lawyers had insisted that I should check Yes to two of the questions in Question No.38 in DS-156 - Visa application form. A few days before my appointment, the immigration lawyers after consulting with a person who has worked as a consular office in a few consulates changed the stratergy. They asked to me check No to all the questions on Question No.38 in DS-156. I would hide the fact that I started working 10 days before my H-1B was filed. If the consular officer were to dig deep, I would tell him more details about my case. My lawyers had given me a letter describing my case. I would give this letter to the consular officer.
I made all arrangements to get to Mexico with a border permit through Mexico Immigration Consultants. Check out their website at http://www.mexicoimmigrationconsultants.com/. The owner of the firm Jorge Gonzalez is very professional and prompt in returning my phone calls. I would highly recommend this firm for assistance with getting Mexico Border Permit and travel to Mexico for getting H-1B stamping in Mexico.
I flew to San Diego and took a shuttle to the Holiday Inn Express in Chula Vista. After checking in the hotel, I checked with Jorge who told that he will pick me at my hotel lobby at 8:00 a.m. in the morning.
Jorge of Mexican Immigration Consultants was in the hotel lobby at 7:45 a.m. sharp. I left my suitcase at the Holiday Inn Express. If my visa was not accepted, Jorge will bring my suitcase from the hotel. If my visa was rejected, I have to fly to India from Mexico and this was a nightmare for me. Jorge came with a Mexican Border permit for 3 days and the visa application fee in the form of Banamex cheque. He drove me to the Mexican border. We went to the Mexican border post to get the entry stamp on my passport. Jorge talked with the officer in Spanish and got the entry stamp on my passport.
After getting the entry stamp, we drove to the US Consulate in Tijuana. At the US consulate we met with Roy, a taxi driver who would drop me back to the US Border and take me for lunch. Roy works for Jorge and he would be outside the US Consulate till my interview is over. Roy would provide any assistance if I would need anything.
I stood in the queue of around 40 people waiting to enter into the US Consulate. At the entrance, the security guard checked the appointment letter, Passport, visa application form and the banamex draft. Before I went in for the interview, an officer(a mexican) checked all the documents and took my photo. Some Mexicans were asked to provide their fingerprint at this time. They did not ask me to provide a fingerprint.
It was around 11:30 by the time I was called to wait in the line for the interview with the consular officer. There was a chineses guy who was being interviewed in front of me. There were 3 chinese students who I think came to get a F-1 extension or new H-1B. The consular officers were asking them a lot of questions. I took this opportunity to goto the restroom. When I came back from the restroom, the officers were still questioning the chinese guy who was in front of me. I was kind of worried when the officer told the chinese guy that they are going to do a background check on him and it may take around 2-6 months for the Consulate to give a decision on the visa. Some of them where given a paper with some questions.
It was my turn! I greeted the officer and then gave him the following documents Appointment letter, DS-156, DS-157, I-797, I-129, Original Transcript and Degree Certificate.
Officer: What visa do you need ?
Me : H-1B
Officer: What do you do ?
Me : I am an implementation Consultant. I goto Customer sites and get the complex business requirements and implement solutions on [my company]'s architecture by writing Java, J2EE and XML code.
[The officer returned the Original Transcript and Degree certificate and was going through other documents].
Officer(pointing to I-797): Do you have a copy of this ?
Me : Yes
[I passed the photocopy]
Officer: Have you been on H-1B before ?
Me: Yes I have been once....Actually I had two different H-1B visas.
Officer takes out a book which was titled "Non-Immigrant Visa handbook". He was going through the H-visa pages and then looked at the computer. I was wondering if I should have given my job description in detail. I knew I made it when he started writing the reciprocity fee in a small paper. He asked me to pay the fees and collect the passport at 3 pm. I was relieved that they did not ask the recent paystubs, W-2 form and Tax returns.
I went to pay the fees. I gave the US Postal Money Order of $50.00. The cashier told me that they accept cash only. According to the appointment letter from USCIS, the reciprocity fee can be paid by case funds or money order. I tried my best to refrain from reasoning with the cashier about the money order. Had this been a shop in US, I would have wanted to speak with the supervisor. I paid $50.00 in cash and got a receipt. The receipt would be needed to get the passport back.
I met with Roy(the taxi driver) of Mexican Immigration Consultants was waiting for me outside the consulate. Roy took me to a shop to get Phone cards. I called my wife, my HR manager, my lawyer and friends about outcome of the visa interview. Roy took me to Tijuana downtown for lunch. He told me that he can drop me in the downtown and pick me after 2-3 hours if I want to spend sometime in the downtown. I asked him to pick me at 2 and explored the Tijuana downtown after having lunch at an Restaurant which had lot of American tourists. There is nothing special to write about the Tijuana dowtown expect the strip clubs dotted along the downtown.
I stood in line to collect the passport at the US Consulate by 2:30 pm. A consulate officer was looking for me in the queue. I thought I was in trouble. He came with my passport and DS-156 visa application form. My date of birth was not correct in the DS-156 application form. He wanted to verify which was my correct date of birth. I apologized for the mistake and told him that my passport had the correct date of birth. I collected my passport and then verified if everything was correct in my visa.
After getting the passport, I asked Roy to take me back to the US. Roy drove through small streets to avoid the traffic at the border crossing post. He dropped me right by the Mexican Border. I met Jorge there. Jorge took me to the Mexican Border Post to get the exit stamp on my passport. I presented my passport to the Mexican Immigration Officer who was looking for the entry stamp on the passport. The entry stamp on my passport has magically disappeared on my passport. The officer was concerned. We searched throught the pages on the passport throughly and finally realised that the US Consulate has pasted the US Visa on top of the Mexican entry stamp. Jorge explained to the officer in Spanish and we also showed the entry stamp at the back of the Mexican Border permit. The officer was convinced that I have come into Mexico legally.
We walked across to the US border post. Here I got a new I-94 card. They charge $6 for the I-94 card. The require exact change for $6. Luckily I had a $10 and $1 bill. The officer accepted it and gave me $5 back. The immigration officer took my old I-94 card and issued a new I-94 card. I did not fill any forms and the officer did not verify any of my immigration documents.
After getting my I-94, I was finally relieved because my visa problems were all over. Jorge took me to his office so that I could check my e-mails on his computer. It was very nice of him. He also offered to drop me at the San Diego airport. It was very kind of him and I was able to get an earlier flight out of San Diego.
Please let me know if you have any questions about stamping in Tijuana.
Documents I took with me
0. Appointment Letter from USCIS
1. DS-156 form with Photo
2. DS-157 form
3. Original I-797 B H-1B Petition approval
4. Copy of I-129 LCA
5. Original Transcripts from undergraduate (BE) degree
6. Degree Certificate
7. Recent payslips (Jan 2004 to Mar 2004)
8. 1999 to 2003 W-2 and Income Tax returns (Did not have 2000 and 2001 W-2)
9. Offer Letter
10. A letter from attorney explaining my situation
11. A document from INS when my B-1 was cancelled at POE.
12. Photocopies of all the documents.
I have already posted my case on this thread...
http://boards.immigrationportal.com/showthread.php?t=121413
I was very much worried because my immigration lawyers had insisted that I should check Yes to two of the questions in Question No.38 in DS-156 - Visa application form. A few days before my appointment, the immigration lawyers after consulting with a person who has worked as a consular office in a few consulates changed the stratergy. They asked to me check No to all the questions on Question No.38 in DS-156. I would hide the fact that I started working 10 days before my H-1B was filed. If the consular officer were to dig deep, I would tell him more details about my case. My lawyers had given me a letter describing my case. I would give this letter to the consular officer.
I made all arrangements to get to Mexico with a border permit through Mexico Immigration Consultants. Check out their website at http://www.mexicoimmigrationconsultants.com/. The owner of the firm Jorge Gonzalez is very professional and prompt in returning my phone calls. I would highly recommend this firm for assistance with getting Mexico Border Permit and travel to Mexico for getting H-1B stamping in Mexico.
I flew to San Diego and took a shuttle to the Holiday Inn Express in Chula Vista. After checking in the hotel, I checked with Jorge who told that he will pick me at my hotel lobby at 8:00 a.m. in the morning.
Jorge of Mexican Immigration Consultants was in the hotel lobby at 7:45 a.m. sharp. I left my suitcase at the Holiday Inn Express. If my visa was not accepted, Jorge will bring my suitcase from the hotel. If my visa was rejected, I have to fly to India from Mexico and this was a nightmare for me. Jorge came with a Mexican Border permit for 3 days and the visa application fee in the form of Banamex cheque. He drove me to the Mexican border. We went to the Mexican border post to get the entry stamp on my passport. Jorge talked with the officer in Spanish and got the entry stamp on my passport.
After getting the entry stamp, we drove to the US Consulate in Tijuana. At the US consulate we met with Roy, a taxi driver who would drop me back to the US Border and take me for lunch. Roy works for Jorge and he would be outside the US Consulate till my interview is over. Roy would provide any assistance if I would need anything.
I stood in the queue of around 40 people waiting to enter into the US Consulate. At the entrance, the security guard checked the appointment letter, Passport, visa application form and the banamex draft. Before I went in for the interview, an officer(a mexican) checked all the documents and took my photo. Some Mexicans were asked to provide their fingerprint at this time. They did not ask me to provide a fingerprint.
It was around 11:30 by the time I was called to wait in the line for the interview with the consular officer. There was a chineses guy who was being interviewed in front of me. There were 3 chinese students who I think came to get a F-1 extension or new H-1B. The consular officers were asking them a lot of questions. I took this opportunity to goto the restroom. When I came back from the restroom, the officers were still questioning the chinese guy who was in front of me. I was kind of worried when the officer told the chinese guy that they are going to do a background check on him and it may take around 2-6 months for the Consulate to give a decision on the visa. Some of them where given a paper with some questions.
It was my turn! I greeted the officer and then gave him the following documents Appointment letter, DS-156, DS-157, I-797, I-129, Original Transcript and Degree Certificate.
Officer: What visa do you need ?
Me : H-1B
Officer: What do you do ?
Me : I am an implementation Consultant. I goto Customer sites and get the complex business requirements and implement solutions on [my company]'s architecture by writing Java, J2EE and XML code.
[The officer returned the Original Transcript and Degree certificate and was going through other documents].
Officer(pointing to I-797): Do you have a copy of this ?
Me : Yes
[I passed the photocopy]
Officer: Have you been on H-1B before ?
Me: Yes I have been once....Actually I had two different H-1B visas.
Officer takes out a book which was titled "Non-Immigrant Visa handbook". He was going through the H-visa pages and then looked at the computer. I was wondering if I should have given my job description in detail. I knew I made it when he started writing the reciprocity fee in a small paper. He asked me to pay the fees and collect the passport at 3 pm. I was relieved that they did not ask the recent paystubs, W-2 form and Tax returns.
I went to pay the fees. I gave the US Postal Money Order of $50.00. The cashier told me that they accept cash only. According to the appointment letter from USCIS, the reciprocity fee can be paid by case funds or money order. I tried my best to refrain from reasoning with the cashier about the money order. Had this been a shop in US, I would have wanted to speak with the supervisor. I paid $50.00 in cash and got a receipt. The receipt would be needed to get the passport back.
I met with Roy(the taxi driver) of Mexican Immigration Consultants was waiting for me outside the consulate. Roy took me to a shop to get Phone cards. I called my wife, my HR manager, my lawyer and friends about outcome of the visa interview. Roy took me to Tijuana downtown for lunch. He told me that he can drop me in the downtown and pick me after 2-3 hours if I want to spend sometime in the downtown. I asked him to pick me at 2 and explored the Tijuana downtown after having lunch at an Restaurant which had lot of American tourists. There is nothing special to write about the Tijuana dowtown expect the strip clubs dotted along the downtown.
I stood in line to collect the passport at the US Consulate by 2:30 pm. A consulate officer was looking for me in the queue. I thought I was in trouble. He came with my passport and DS-156 visa application form. My date of birth was not correct in the DS-156 application form. He wanted to verify which was my correct date of birth. I apologized for the mistake and told him that my passport had the correct date of birth. I collected my passport and then verified if everything was correct in my visa.
After getting the passport, I asked Roy to take me back to the US. Roy drove through small streets to avoid the traffic at the border crossing post. He dropped me right by the Mexican Border. I met Jorge there. Jorge took me to the Mexican Border Post to get the exit stamp on my passport. I presented my passport to the Mexican Immigration Officer who was looking for the entry stamp on the passport. The entry stamp on my passport has magically disappeared on my passport. The officer was concerned. We searched throught the pages on the passport throughly and finally realised that the US Consulate has pasted the US Visa on top of the Mexican entry stamp. Jorge explained to the officer in Spanish and we also showed the entry stamp at the back of the Mexican Border permit. The officer was convinced that I have come into Mexico legally.
We walked across to the US border post. Here I got a new I-94 card. They charge $6 for the I-94 card. The require exact change for $6. Luckily I had a $10 and $1 bill. The officer accepted it and gave me $5 back. The immigration officer took my old I-94 card and issued a new I-94 card. I did not fill any forms and the officer did not verify any of my immigration documents.
After getting my I-94, I was finally relieved because my visa problems were all over. Jorge took me to his office so that I could check my e-mails on his computer. It was very nice of him. He also offered to drop me at the San Diego airport. It was very kind of him and I was able to get an earlier flight out of San Diego.
Please let me know if you have any questions about stamping in Tijuana.
Documents I took with me
0. Appointment Letter from USCIS
1. DS-156 form with Photo
2. DS-157 form
3. Original I-797 B H-1B Petition approval
4. Copy of I-129 LCA
5. Original Transcripts from undergraduate (BE) degree
6. Degree Certificate
7. Recent payslips (Jan 2004 to Mar 2004)
8. 1999 to 2003 W-2 and Income Tax returns (Did not have 2000 and 2001 W-2)
9. Offer Letter
10. A letter from attorney explaining my situation
11. A document from INS when my B-1 was cancelled at POE.
12. Photocopies of all the documents.
Last edited by a moderator: