I have been a silent reader of this forum Now its the payback time
I will post my experience based on consulate in Nogales
PRIOR TO GOING TO NOGALES
(Although you should go to Mexico with positive attitude make preperations for the unexpected-If you have to stay back in Mexico for a week or if to Go to India)
1)get the banamex receipt using services of Victor garcia or Mexico assistance services
2)For people flying to tuscon/Phonenix-Book the motel in Nogales for 2 days
Best Western -Nice Desi owner
3)Get all documents ready namely DS 156/7/8,passport size photographs,All documents from Undergraduate to present,employer letter,Resume and photocopy of everything.
4)Keep a list of contacts in US
5) Verizon does not work once you cross the border.So if you have a problem in Mexico and need to contact somebody in US u would need a calling card(Cingular works atleast near US consulate-Nogales)
6)Take atleast $400 with change in singles,fives and twenties
7) Take a bag to fit all documents,car keys,cellphone charger,wallet
IN NOGALES
1)Get up early in morning so that you are out of the hotel and reach the parking spot in front of Mcdonalds by 6.45 AM(they charge $ 4 per day-NOTE DOWN YOUR RENTAL CAR PLATE NUMBER,THE PARKING PLACE OWNERS NAME,CELL PHONE NUMBER-so that if you have any trouble and have to stay back in mexico yopu can let people know in US)
2)Cross the border-Just like crossing a revolving gate,Make sure you have $ 7.00 cash.If you have a friend can share it.
3)Except the required documentsand your wallet,keep the rest in the bag and the vendors outside the consulate will look after it for $3-4 .
It is important that you arrive at the cionsulate and stand ahead in line.
Answer consular officers questions confidently and you should not have trouble getting the visa.
4)Afetr the succesful completetion of intervies MAKE SURE THAT YOU FILL UP THE DETAILS OF THE PASSPORT IN AN EXCEL FILE IN THE COMPUTERS IN THE CONSULATE---THEY ARE TRANSMITTED TO THE BORDER POST SO THAT IT WILL HURRY UP THE PROCESS OF ISSUING I-94 .iF THE COMPUTERS ARE NOT READY EARLY IN THE MORNING GO BACK AT NOON AND FILL IT UP
Pay the visa fee in the bank (by card/cash-us dollars)
5)Now the most boring part is kill time between your interview and picking up passports at 3.00 PM
Some suggestions-
Walmart,Movie theatre,dominos and other pizza places are nearby.
6)Make sure you are around the consulate by 2.30 Pm and you are well ahead in the line.Collect the passport.NOW DONT FORGET TO COLLECT THE BAG THAT YOU HAVE LEFT WITH THE VENDOR IN THE MORNING
7) Get the border ASAP .Eventhough you fill up details in the us consulate it still takes time.Get there early and get the new I-94
I could come back to us by 6.00 PM
8)Now for those staying back in Nogales and flying back next morning -Nogales is pretty boring place.If you like to hang out,Tuscon is pretty good.Drive to tuscon in the night should not take you more that 50 minutes.But if you decide to go to tuscon MAKE SURE YOU CARRY YOUR PASSPORT IN ADDITION TO DRIVERS LISENCE for there is a border outpost on your way to tuscon and YOU WILL BE CHECKED.Nobody check you on your way to nogales.
(Next day drive carefully to tuscon and go home safley
This is my experience in Nogales to the best of my knowledge
Good luck everybody
I will post my experience based on consulate in Nogales
PRIOR TO GOING TO NOGALES
(Although you should go to Mexico with positive attitude make preperations for the unexpected-If you have to stay back in Mexico for a week or if to Go to India)
1)get the banamex receipt using services of Victor garcia or Mexico assistance services
2)For people flying to tuscon/Phonenix-Book the motel in Nogales for 2 days
Best Western -Nice Desi owner
3)Get all documents ready namely DS 156/7/8,passport size photographs,All documents from Undergraduate to present,employer letter,Resume and photocopy of everything.
4)Keep a list of contacts in US
5) Verizon does not work once you cross the border.So if you have a problem in Mexico and need to contact somebody in US u would need a calling card(Cingular works atleast near US consulate-Nogales)
6)Take atleast $400 with change in singles,fives and twenties
7) Take a bag to fit all documents,car keys,cellphone charger,wallet
IN NOGALES
1)Get up early in morning so that you are out of the hotel and reach the parking spot in front of Mcdonalds by 6.45 AM(they charge $ 4 per day-NOTE DOWN YOUR RENTAL CAR PLATE NUMBER,THE PARKING PLACE OWNERS NAME,CELL PHONE NUMBER-so that if you have any trouble and have to stay back in mexico yopu can let people know in US)
2)Cross the border-Just like crossing a revolving gate,Make sure you have $ 7.00 cash.If you have a friend can share it.
3)Except the required documentsand your wallet,keep the rest in the bag and the vendors outside the consulate will look after it for $3-4 .
It is important that you arrive at the cionsulate and stand ahead in line.
Answer consular officers questions confidently and you should not have trouble getting the visa.
4)Afetr the succesful completetion of intervies MAKE SURE THAT YOU FILL UP THE DETAILS OF THE PASSPORT IN AN EXCEL FILE IN THE COMPUTERS IN THE CONSULATE---THEY ARE TRANSMITTED TO THE BORDER POST SO THAT IT WILL HURRY UP THE PROCESS OF ISSUING I-94 .iF THE COMPUTERS ARE NOT READY EARLY IN THE MORNING GO BACK AT NOON AND FILL IT UP
Pay the visa fee in the bank (by card/cash-us dollars)
5)Now the most boring part is kill time between your interview and picking up passports at 3.00 PM
Some suggestions-
Walmart,Movie theatre,dominos and other pizza places are nearby.
6)Make sure you are around the consulate by 2.30 Pm and you are well ahead in the line.Collect the passport.NOW DONT FORGET TO COLLECT THE BAG THAT YOU HAVE LEFT WITH THE VENDOR IN THE MORNING
7) Get the border ASAP .Eventhough you fill up details in the us consulate it still takes time.Get there early and get the new I-94
I could come back to us by 6.00 PM
8)Now for those staying back in Nogales and flying back next morning -Nogales is pretty boring place.If you like to hang out,Tuscon is pretty good.Drive to tuscon in the night should not take you more that 50 minutes.But if you decide to go to tuscon MAKE SURE YOU CARRY YOUR PASSPORT IN ADDITION TO DRIVERS LISENCE for there is a border outpost on your way to tuscon and YOU WILL BE CHECKED.Nobody check you on your way to nogales.
(Next day drive carefully to tuscon and go home safley
This is my experience in Nogales to the best of my knowledge
Good luck everybody