desiworker
New Member
Most of the H1B applicants got their visas. One person got a background check and had to stay back for 3 weeks.
Some useful info I can think of. It would have helped me as I had the same questions:
- You DO NOT need a permit to go into Mexico at Nogales. You can stay for at least 72 hours in Mexico without a permit. Not sure if this is true for other cities/consulate.
- Take your resume with you. Most people were asked for their resumes during interview.
- If you already have a expired H1B visa in your passport, risk is very low
- Fill up DS-156, DS-157 AND DS-158.
- Banamex bank opens at 9 AM. It is 10-15 mins walking distance from the consulate. You can go the bank, pay the application fee and come back to consulate to stand in the line even if your interview time is 8 AM. They are flexible about the time. They will let you in till 11 AM also. But ofcourse, the earlier you get in, the earlier you get out.
- Preferably, take cash for the bank.
- The most important documents are, your H1B approval notice of action, DS 156,157,158 forms, Banamex receipt with your passport number on it.
- Other essential documents: Employment letter, LCA, I-129 petition, recent paystubs, resume.
- You can put either the US address or the India (home country) address on the form. Doesn't matter much.
- You can stay at Nogales at bestwestern. It is just 1 mile from the border. The owner is a nice Desi man. He give a good rate. $50+tax.
Best Western Siesta Motel.
673 N Grand Avenue,
Nogales, AZ, 85621-2215.
Phone: 520-287-4671
- If you have never been out of status, not changing your visa category (like F1 to H1, H4 to H1, etc.), or other obvious issues, you don't have to worry too much. Be confident at the interview.
- Most likely you will get the passport the same day. They won't allow you to form a line before 3 PM. They will tell you when you can form a line to collect your passport. It will take 1 to 2 hours to get your passport with the visa. Check your visa thorougly before you leave the window.
- It will take 1 to 2 hours to cross the border into US. You will have to get a new I-194. The process takes time. They may interview at the border too.
- If everything goes smoothly, the average time when you will get back into U.S. will be around 7 PM.
- There is a second border post about 50 miles into the US. There may be a waiting time of 15-20 mins here. Factor that time into your travel plans.
- If you do get stuck in Mexico and have to extend your stay, contact the http://mexicoimmigrationconsultants.com/
Jorge Gonzales or Maria
374 East "H" Street Suite A, PMB 231, Chula Vista, CA 91910
Toll Free 1-800-510-9975 Fax 619-374-2298
email: visas@mexicoimmigrationconsultants.com
They may be able to help you get the permit extension.
- Mininumum taxi cab fare is US $6.
- Average cab fare from consulate to border is $7
- Some cab drivers at the border speak little english
- Very few local people speak english. Learn some spanish or take a translation sheet with you.
- Here are some common translations. http://www.canuckabroad.com/language/spanish.shtml
- Keep your index fingers scratch-free, cut-free. They will scan both index fingers.
- Most cell phone services work in Nogales in Mexico. They may charge you roaming though.
- You can't take electronics, cosmetics, food, remote car keys inside the cosulate. This applies for interview and for collecting the passport.
- You can leave your car keys remote and cell phones with a food vendor right across the street. They will charge $2.
The above info is true/valid to the best of my knowledge. Pls do double check, do your own research and use at your own risk. (my legal disclaimer
).
Any questions, post here or email livesmart123-mexvisa (at) yahoo.com.
Best of luck.
Some useful info I can think of. It would have helped me as I had the same questions:
- You DO NOT need a permit to go into Mexico at Nogales. You can stay for at least 72 hours in Mexico without a permit. Not sure if this is true for other cities/consulate.
- Take your resume with you. Most people were asked for their resumes during interview.
- If you already have a expired H1B visa in your passport, risk is very low
- Fill up DS-156, DS-157 AND DS-158.
- Banamex bank opens at 9 AM. It is 10-15 mins walking distance from the consulate. You can go the bank, pay the application fee and come back to consulate to stand in the line even if your interview time is 8 AM. They are flexible about the time. They will let you in till 11 AM also. But ofcourse, the earlier you get in, the earlier you get out.
- Preferably, take cash for the bank.
- The most important documents are, your H1B approval notice of action, DS 156,157,158 forms, Banamex receipt with your passport number on it.
- Other essential documents: Employment letter, LCA, I-129 petition, recent paystubs, resume.
- You can put either the US address or the India (home country) address on the form. Doesn't matter much.
- You can stay at Nogales at bestwestern. It is just 1 mile from the border. The owner is a nice Desi man. He give a good rate. $50+tax.
Best Western Siesta Motel.
673 N Grand Avenue,
Nogales, AZ, 85621-2215.
Phone: 520-287-4671
- If you have never been out of status, not changing your visa category (like F1 to H1, H4 to H1, etc.), or other obvious issues, you don't have to worry too much. Be confident at the interview.
- Most likely you will get the passport the same day. They won't allow you to form a line before 3 PM. They will tell you when you can form a line to collect your passport. It will take 1 to 2 hours to get your passport with the visa. Check your visa thorougly before you leave the window.
- It will take 1 to 2 hours to cross the border into US. You will have to get a new I-194. The process takes time. They may interview at the border too.
- If everything goes smoothly, the average time when you will get back into U.S. will be around 7 PM.
- There is a second border post about 50 miles into the US. There may be a waiting time of 15-20 mins here. Factor that time into your travel plans.
- If you do get stuck in Mexico and have to extend your stay, contact the http://mexicoimmigrationconsultants.com/
Jorge Gonzales or Maria
374 East "H" Street Suite A, PMB 231, Chula Vista, CA 91910
Toll Free 1-800-510-9975 Fax 619-374-2298
email: visas@mexicoimmigrationconsultants.com
They may be able to help you get the permit extension.
- Mininumum taxi cab fare is US $6.
- Average cab fare from consulate to border is $7
- Some cab drivers at the border speak little english
- Very few local people speak english. Learn some spanish or take a translation sheet with you.
- Here are some common translations. http://www.canuckabroad.com/language/spanish.shtml
- Keep your index fingers scratch-free, cut-free. They will scan both index fingers.
- Most cell phone services work in Nogales in Mexico. They may charge you roaming though.
- You can't take electronics, cosmetics, food, remote car keys inside the cosulate. This applies for interview and for collecting the passport.
- You can leave your car keys remote and cell phones with a food vendor right across the street. They will charge $2.
The above info is true/valid to the best of my knowledge. Pls do double check, do your own research and use at your own risk. (my legal disclaimer
).Any questions, post here or email livesmart123-mexvisa (at) yahoo.com.
Best of luck.