Hi all,
A little about our background. My husband was always on H1 and I recently changed status from H4 to H1.
The first step was taking the decision on where to get the stamping done. We ruled out India coz we heard of the stringent regulations. Even our attorney did not encourage that. Our next choice was Canada. We thought our chances would be slim coz I had a non-US degree which has been an issue in some cases in Canada. So we finally settled down on Mexico.
The second step was to book the appointment. You can do it online at http://www.visa-usa.com.mx/ for a fee.
The third step was to fill out the forms DS-156, DS-157, and DS-158. You can fill these online at http://www.visa-usa.com.mx/VisaForms.aspx and take a printout.
Now for the documents we carried
• Passport (original)
• Photos -2 (they ask only one)
• DS-156, DS-157, DS-158 (for both males and females)
• Appointment Confirmation letter (just a take a printout when you log into your account on http://www.visa-usa.com.mx/)
• Banamex bank DD
• I-797 (original)
• I-129 (copy)
• LCA (copy)
• Employment offer letter (from current employer)
• Letter from employer to Consulate supporting your stamping (Employee strength, offices, turnover, projects / clients of that company)
• Letter from client stating your current work experience
• Previous experience letters
• Education Evaluation
• Pay stubs
• Bank statements
• Photos of your employer company showing cubicles, nameplates of the Company etc.,
• Degree cert, marksheets (original)
• Resume (that was submitted with I-129 and updated with current projects)
• W2; Tax returns (if applicable)
• Proof of address ( utility bills etc.,)
• SSN card
• Brochures of employer (if unavailable, take printouts of Company info from their website; you can do this for your previous employers too)
Pretty much, I am sure you will not need anything outside of this list. Of course they don’t ask for everything. The most important ones are the first 6. Try to take everything listed here. You can sort them with tags and put them in a multi-leaved folder in the same order as listed. This will ease your tension when you are interviewed and you don’t end up groping for docs.
For first timers, you can do a write-up on 2 things – your job description and details of your employer. This will enable you to rattle on when asked.
If you have an appointment at 8.00 am and you are worried about getting Banamex DD (bank opens at 9 am), you can do it beforehand for a fee. If you are staying at Best western, Nogales, Arizona before going to the consulate, then the manager there can do it if you contact him about 2 weeks in advance. His name is Mr. Manu and he is very helpful. Check this link
(http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/productInfo.do?propertyCode=03013)
Stuff to do before going to the Consulate:
Plan your trip. Book your accommodation. On the US side, best western is an ideal place to stay at Nogales, AZ coz the manager is sure to help you with small details. On the Mexico side, if your visa is not issued on the same day and you don’t want to spend on cabs, then stay close to the consulate (Marques De cima). Else stay close to the border (Fray Marcos) where there are petty shops. Don’t expect the rates to be cheaper in Mexico, be it food or accommodation. Also don’t expect hotels to be as good as in US. Be mentally prepared although these are trivial issues. Even in restaurants people don’t speak English. We went to Applebee’s and had trouble communicating.
Take printouts of directions, map of Consulate etc.
Check your docs.
Getting a visa/ permit to enter Mexico is your discretion. We found it not necessary.
Day of the Interview:
Crossing Mexico border: This is so easy. We parked our car at Best western (except for docs and clothes for overnight stay, we put the rest of the stuff in the car.) We took a cab to the border ($10)You just walk through a revolving gate and that’s it. We took a cab to the consulate. ($8) We were prepared for overnight stay and hence had a suitcase, cell phones, which we left with the vendor (mobile cafeteria) opposite the consulate. There is only one such vendor and you cannot miss it. Lock your suitcase. Try to be in the consulate at 7.00 if your appt is at 8.00 am
We stood in line and were questioned whether we had the appt. confirmation, DS forms and Passport. The lady put a mark on these and at the gate, the sentry checked it and allowed us in. Inside they do the security check. The next is the counter (like a reception counter). They ask for the abovementioned docs and your I-797 and staple it together and give it back with your token no. You can then sit in the group facing “biometrics”. When your number flashes, you can go the respective counter (like in DMV). They take your photo (which will be used for your visa) and your fingerprint. You then have to sit in the next group facing the interview counters. You go the respective counter when your number flashes and hand over the stapled docs to the Visa Officer. The one who interviewed us was very cool and didn’t ask for anything. He gave the blue slip which states you can collect your visa the next day. The VO told us to come back at 3 pm the same day and check. And that’s it, we came out. We spent time at Wal-Mart and the Nogales mall which are pretty close, came back at 3 pm ( only 1 of you need to go in) and collected our passports with the visa.
Re-entering US:
Next to the revolving gate (that you entered Mexico) is the Immigration building. We stood in line. The officer enquired whether we just got stamping and needed fresh I-94s. When we replied in the affirmative, another officer escorted us upstairs. We were issued fresh I-94s and came out of the building into US.
If any of you need further help send me a message and I’ll be glad to help out.
All the Best!
A little about our background. My husband was always on H1 and I recently changed status from H4 to H1.
The first step was taking the decision on where to get the stamping done. We ruled out India coz we heard of the stringent regulations. Even our attorney did not encourage that. Our next choice was Canada. We thought our chances would be slim coz I had a non-US degree which has been an issue in some cases in Canada. So we finally settled down on Mexico.
The second step was to book the appointment. You can do it online at http://www.visa-usa.com.mx/ for a fee.
The third step was to fill out the forms DS-156, DS-157, and DS-158. You can fill these online at http://www.visa-usa.com.mx/VisaForms.aspx and take a printout.
Now for the documents we carried
• Passport (original)
• Photos -2 (they ask only one)
• DS-156, DS-157, DS-158 (for both males and females)
• Appointment Confirmation letter (just a take a printout when you log into your account on http://www.visa-usa.com.mx/)
• Banamex bank DD
• I-797 (original)
• I-129 (copy)
• LCA (copy)
• Employment offer letter (from current employer)
• Letter from employer to Consulate supporting your stamping (Employee strength, offices, turnover, projects / clients of that company)
• Letter from client stating your current work experience
• Previous experience letters
• Education Evaluation
• Pay stubs
• Bank statements
• Photos of your employer company showing cubicles, nameplates of the Company etc.,
• Degree cert, marksheets (original)
• Resume (that was submitted with I-129 and updated with current projects)
• W2; Tax returns (if applicable)
• Proof of address ( utility bills etc.,)
• SSN card
• Brochures of employer (if unavailable, take printouts of Company info from their website; you can do this for your previous employers too)
Pretty much, I am sure you will not need anything outside of this list. Of course they don’t ask for everything. The most important ones are the first 6. Try to take everything listed here. You can sort them with tags and put them in a multi-leaved folder in the same order as listed. This will ease your tension when you are interviewed and you don’t end up groping for docs.
For first timers, you can do a write-up on 2 things – your job description and details of your employer. This will enable you to rattle on when asked.
If you have an appointment at 8.00 am and you are worried about getting Banamex DD (bank opens at 9 am), you can do it beforehand for a fee. If you are staying at Best western, Nogales, Arizona before going to the consulate, then the manager there can do it if you contact him about 2 weeks in advance. His name is Mr. Manu and he is very helpful. Check this link
(http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/productInfo.do?propertyCode=03013)
Stuff to do before going to the Consulate:
Plan your trip. Book your accommodation. On the US side, best western is an ideal place to stay at Nogales, AZ coz the manager is sure to help you with small details. On the Mexico side, if your visa is not issued on the same day and you don’t want to spend on cabs, then stay close to the consulate (Marques De cima). Else stay close to the border (Fray Marcos) where there are petty shops. Don’t expect the rates to be cheaper in Mexico, be it food or accommodation. Also don’t expect hotels to be as good as in US. Be mentally prepared although these are trivial issues. Even in restaurants people don’t speak English. We went to Applebee’s and had trouble communicating.
Take printouts of directions, map of Consulate etc.
Check your docs.
Getting a visa/ permit to enter Mexico is your discretion. We found it not necessary.
Day of the Interview:
Crossing Mexico border: This is so easy. We parked our car at Best western (except for docs and clothes for overnight stay, we put the rest of the stuff in the car.) We took a cab to the border ($10)You just walk through a revolving gate and that’s it. We took a cab to the consulate. ($8) We were prepared for overnight stay and hence had a suitcase, cell phones, which we left with the vendor (mobile cafeteria) opposite the consulate. There is only one such vendor and you cannot miss it. Lock your suitcase. Try to be in the consulate at 7.00 if your appt is at 8.00 am
We stood in line and were questioned whether we had the appt. confirmation, DS forms and Passport. The lady put a mark on these and at the gate, the sentry checked it and allowed us in. Inside they do the security check. The next is the counter (like a reception counter). They ask for the abovementioned docs and your I-797 and staple it together and give it back with your token no. You can then sit in the group facing “biometrics”. When your number flashes, you can go the respective counter (like in DMV). They take your photo (which will be used for your visa) and your fingerprint. You then have to sit in the next group facing the interview counters. You go the respective counter when your number flashes and hand over the stapled docs to the Visa Officer. The one who interviewed us was very cool and didn’t ask for anything. He gave the blue slip which states you can collect your visa the next day. The VO told us to come back at 3 pm the same day and check. And that’s it, we came out. We spent time at Wal-Mart and the Nogales mall which are pretty close, came back at 3 pm ( only 1 of you need to go in) and collected our passports with the visa.
Re-entering US:
Next to the revolving gate (that you entered Mexico) is the Immigration building. We stood in line. The officer enquired whether we just got stamping and needed fresh I-94s. When we replied in the affirmative, another officer escorted us upstairs. We were issued fresh I-94s and came out of the building into US.
If any of you need further help send me a message and I’ll be glad to help out.
All the Best!