biggish data

Driving to Juarez

we Opt for driving around in my mother in laws, Ugly van. always with the doors locked. I havent heard anything about the insurance on car rentals from el paso. but I know car rentals here in juarez are expensive. there are american car rental companies here. I think theres a budget. & i dont remember the other one. This city has yet to have their own cabbie killer. there are a few bus drivers convicted of assaulting their last passengers though. Oh yeah, what you do need is spare change for the people in the parking lots, they'll watch your car. were always very nice to them. I guess the best advice i can give you is to behave like locals. Theres plenty of El Pasoans who still come over to this city.. God KNOWS WHY??? But some people are still friendly here. Specially around the consulate. most likely you will meet a couple who is willing to help you guys out with directions or something, I find people waiting in line with me very trustworthy.

inwayovermyhead

Female

Mexico

2009-09-10 02:44:00

my wife has visa interview in juarez

Hey, I'm currently in Juarez, I had my appointment of the 15th of july, on sept 23rd i had my waiver appointment. THANKS to all of the advice and all the friends i've made through this process and overall Thanks to God.

I wish you the very best of luck in this journey, dont despair, and dont give up hope!!
Pm me anytime for support!

inwayovermyhead

Female

Mexico

2009-09-24 16:18:00

Embassy at Ciudad Juarez, Mexico

Congratulations on your approval!! Im sorry to tell you but many people are in Juarez for the same reason. I met some people from veracruz, puerto vallarta, aguas calientes. and they all have to come to this consulate. they mainly stay in appartments or bed and breackfasts kind of places around the old consulate. they charge about 100 to 200 dlls a month, or you can pay on a week to week basis. One of the changes that have now taken place formerly known as the "pilot program" is that this particular consulate handles IV k-1 k-3 cases. Juarez has a completely different US embassy for locals. now known as OLD consulate. Thats where they take care of border crossing cards or Lasers and they have a visa call center and things like that. So basically you are surrounded by out of towners and local Jerks trying to sell you bottles of water for 2 dlls. But about the violence, your fiance wont have to stay here long. he should arrive a couple of days prior to his appointment for his med exam. I've been here for two and a half months and all thought the violence is getting to me.. psychologically mainly, I have yet to witness something violence. the best advice i can give is to stay indoors. I have my son with me. so I only go out really early in the morning for essentials. or maybe for a walk. i dont go out after dark.

Edited by inwayovermyhead, 09 September 2009 - 11:27 PM.

inwayovermyhead

Female

Mexico

2009-09-09 23:25:00

hey you guys!!! well my interview was on the 15th,i got there 15 mins before my appointment & the guards let me right in.I had no idea what to expect, there's a waiting area, outside, (this was unexpected) a bunch of chairs outside with a light roof, it makes good shade, & i'm glad i was there in the heat than in the cold, well that day was 107 degrees but the shade was pretty helpful. & yep, just like everyone says, look at the screen. It will make you sleepy!! finally after 45mins, my number appears & i get to go inside, the lady who took my docs was pretty polite,& she spoke only spanish, she wrotte the abreviation CHIH on my application, well, i think its abreviation for chihuahua, but lets face it, government agencies have their own accronims, I started to get nervous, she told me to go wait in line to get finger printed, I dont know why she didnt do it herself, because the line was about 20+ long, my appointment was at 2:15 by the time i got to that line it was 3:15 by the time the stupid line was over it was about 4:15m so i got moved to the next day. at 6:45. It was a hasstle because, the consulate dosent open till 7 & by the time my number appeared it was 8:30. the very nice lady who had my file, asked me 2 questions, when did you first enter the u.s & when was the last time you left the U.S. she said, Oh okey, well you qualify for a waiver, signed & checked 2 blue papers & gave me the instructions sheet on how to file a waiver accordingly, she said, have a good day that is all for today. it took all like 7 minutes!! so, i got my waiver appointment for september 23rd. for now i'm just hanging around. there's not much to do here in juarez, if you dont have family here it could get pretty boring!!!
anyone else around here waiting for their waiver appointment?

inwayovermyhead

Female

Mexico

2009-07-20 10:49:00

well, hello!! i did my docs appt yesterday!! it wasnt too bad. except i got vaccinated

i payed $235.00 I also took my shot records but they said they were outdated, i'm 27, so that makes me not age appropriate for most shots, i got MMR, varicela, tetanus, i didnt write you guys, because i felt terrible. but i feel better now, anyways here it goes.
I went to the clinic that is right accross the street from the old consulate, I arrived at 5:30 am. there was about 60 people in front of me. the clinic opens at 6. When the doors opened, they asked for passport & appt letter, they didnt let my husband inside, & if you have children, they'll make your husband stand in line for you, & you get to sit down with the kids, that way the line is shorter, i ended up being about #27 in line!! then they called out our names we went to go take a picture & they verifyed the appt letter & the shot record, then off to blood sample, x-ray, shots, Then exam from a doctor, then pay, ofcourse! the people arent very nice, but not mean either, Just busy i guess. i was out of there by 8 am. then they told me to come back at 4 for the results, i did, but little did i know that we were again to get in line!!! i should have arrived earlier, not to minimize the wait, just for the sake of getting a good spot in line with shade in it!! other than that it went rather quickly, they call out your name & you receive your file, again the little one is for the appointment & the big one is just your x-rays. when i was there, there were charter buses, & taxi's & hotel buses bringing people in from the other clinic. So my advice, is... get a taxi to take you to this location in the first place. its very well organized, & like I said, it all went by so fast!!
that was my experience, oh yea parking was 40.00 pesos. theres people everywhere trying to sell you passport pictures, i had mine taken at walgreens before i left, but just in case your unprepared, passport pictures places are everywhere!!! & well i'm still here, i didnt get to witness any of the violence, that area is pretty protected.

inwayovermyhead

Female

Mexico

2009-07-14 07:51:00

QUOTE (Pily @ Jul 11 2009, 12:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

they are waiting for the visa, when you get the approval they send you tp a DHL stand inside the consulate, there you paid for your pack to be delivered to the local dhl office here, they give you a tacking number, the pack will be a selaed envelope which you will have to deliver to the USCIS officer at the border when you cross, the pack will contain your passport and your visa along wit some other docs for the immigration people. So we all have to hang aroud here till we get that envelope. Also that envelope will tell you what bridge to go to, you can't cross anywhere you have to go excatly where they tell you even if you're not planning on going to the Satetes right away you still have to go to that specific bridge to deliver the pack and and have your passport stamped.
Is your husband coming with you??

OH i see, Thanks, If i get approved, I gotta get home asap!! but anyways, no my dh will join me on wednesday afternoon. i'm gonna ge on my own for the medical, & if all goes well, ill just hang around on tuesday. & try to prepare emotionaly the best i can for wednesday.

inwayovermyhead

Female

Mexico

2009-07-11 13:10:00

QUOTE (Pily @ Jul 11 2009, 09:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi!! I paid $325 total the exam is $175 and they gave me three shots Varicella. MMR and Tetanus. The card counted they gave me a second shot of tetanus because they said I needed it, so if you can get the second one there get it, that itself is $55. Another one, I don't know how old you are, but if you're 26 or younger they are going to give you the Human Papilomavirus and thats the most expensive one $197.
Will try to enjoy the weekend and relax,
Good luck!!
PS Did you book a flight back?? Because we've meet some people who have been waiting for their packages form more than 3 days!!! so we don't really know when we'll be able to get out of here.

Hey, THank you sooooooo much for your help, ill try to get up early on sunday, & hope to get the docs appointment, I was so worried about the shots, I know they are going to run me!!!! i dont have a shot record. so i'm looking to spend about 500?

i hate shots. I"m sorry, are these people waiting for the results of their exam? or a reply from the consulate?

inwayovermyhead

Female

Mexico

2009-07-11 11:59:00

QUOTE (estrella @ Jul 10 2009, 05:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (inwayovermyhead @ Jul 10 2009, 03:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

has anyone had a recent experience, like in the past week, they would like to share?

At least not that I know of but We'll hear from some experiences soon, I'll post mine as soon as i'm done with it, I promise

I'm a CR1 too maybe IR1 if i'm luck, my 2 years anniversary is the 21st of july 5 days after my interview so maybe i'll get the 10 years green card if i'm lucky, if not, oh well i'll see you here in 2 years ha ha

Ha ha, well i'm not too well informed, when we filed our I 130 we had not yet been married for 2 years, but now, its been 2 1/2, so yea im hoping for IR1 myself. Best wishes to you!! Ill try to post my experience as well. for all of the august people, because, i've been reading past theads, & the differ from most recent experiences, even thought the "pilot" is now "normal" its still alittle different.

inwayovermyhead

Female

Mexico

2009-07-11 11:54:00

has anyone had a recent experience, like in the past week, they would like to share?

inwayovermyhead

Female

Mexico

2009-07-10 15:15:00

QUOTE (estrella @ Jul 10 2009, 01:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (inwayovermyhead @ Jul 10 2009, 02:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Pily @ Jul 7 2009, 05:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi everyone!!! I'll be in Juarez on the 9th i'll keep in touch, I think i'll be a good idea to give eachothera list of docs we are bringing to the interview in case some is missing something.

Good luck!!!!

hey, how is it going in Juarez? I'm going tomorrow, & i'm terrified, please let me know how things are going. whens your appointment? mine is on the 15th?

Good luck, I'll arrive to Juarez on monday, my appointment is on the 16th

Best of Luck to you too!! cr1- applicant here. how about yourself?

inwayovermyhead

Female

Mexico

2009-07-10 15:13:00

QUOTE (Pily @ Jul 7 2009, 05:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

hey, how is it going in Juarez? I'm going tomorrow, & i'm terrified, please let me know how things are going. whens your appointment? mine is on the 15th?

inwayovermyhead

Female

Mexico

2009-07-10 14:08:00

i hope you guys remember that today is a mexican holiday, the also had a 3 day weekend the 7th of september ,so thats 2 weeks in a row that they've worked only 4 days. that may explain why they are getting backed up. just hang in there, your file is at the consulate now, the wait is a lot shorter. Good luck!

inwayovermyhead

Female

Mexico

2009-09-16 14:10:00

hey did you heard anything yet?

inwayovermyhead

Female

Mexico

2009-09-13 23:09:00

I got this from the US consulate general website for CDJ

Fiancé(e) Visas

Fiancé(e) visas are for foreigners who plan to marry a U.S. citizen in the United States and then reside in the U.S.

To obtain a fiancé(e) visa, you must first have a fiancé(e) visa petition (form I-129F) approved by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) in the United States. Once an I-129F is approved by USCIS, the paper file will be forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC). NVC will then prepare the case for processing.

Once processing is complete, NVC will transfer the I-129F petition to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country where the fiancé (e) resides. The case will be registered and prepared for interview, and the Consulate or Embassy will forward a packet with additional information to the applicant and/or the petitioner.

The fiancé(e) packet explains what documents the applicant needs to present at the time of the fiancé(e) visa interview. Once the applicant has all of the necessary documents, he or she may apply at the Immigrant Visa Section on any weekday morning (excluding the second Wednesday and last Friday of the month and Mexican and American holidays). No appointment is necessary.

THEN: theres a link that explains & downloads the "required documents"
fiance packet

I really hope this can put you at ease!

inwayovermyhead

Female

Mexico

2009-09-11 13:12:00

QUOTE (gerrymeridamx @ Sep 11 2009, 10:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Call back and see if you get another person. I am really getting nervous and excited, hopefully we get something in the next few weeks. Did you see the guy who wrote the story on visa journey today called "Weird way to get a visa" ? http://www.visajourn...howtopic=217479
I read that and I thought of you. I thought OMG that is what Margaret was going to do!
I think the guy was just lucky. I would be afraid to do what he did. But good for him.

If you find out anything let me know becuase we have our NOA1s NOA2s around the same day and our 129fs got to Juarez near the same time.

http://ciudadjuarez....list28aug09.pdf
have you tried this link? It helped me. they posted my apptment date a few days before I got the notice through mail. I mean if your case is stuck in Juarez. If it came from NVC it shouldnt take that long for Juarez to receive.appointment list

inwayovermyhead

Female

Mexico

2009-09-11 13:02:00

QUOTE (gerrymeridamx @ Sep 10 2009, 08:51 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Wow, thanks so much for all of that info. You are really helping me develop a more clear picture of what we are about to do. I hope your process is smooth from here on out.

I am getting ready to call the Department of State. Cross your fingers.

fingers crossed! I wish you the best.

inwayovermyhead

Female

Mexico

2009-09-11 00:05:00

QUOTE (chinman @ Sep 9 2009, 10:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (inwayovermyhead @ Sep 10 2009, 12:11 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hey you guys!!! i havent been on the forum because I honestly thought that Estrella and I were the only ones in Juarez.
well My packet 4 left nvc June 17th, i got my apptm letter two weeks after telling me that my apptmt was july 15th.
I need to file a waiver, so Im still in Juarez, I came here july 12th did my medical on monday 13th(expirience on page 222) went to visa appt. on July 15th but after a short review of my papers a nice officer re-scheduled me for the 16th, it was late and they were about to close, so i went n the 16 at 6:30 was out of there by 8:30 with blue paper and my next appt is in sept 23rd.
Kind of like the story from strelleas acquaintance from hotel. I spent 21 dlls making the stupid waiver appointments.
I do remember beeing so stressed when i called nvc and all they could say was your case has been sent to cdj.
Have you tried the cdj website? theres link under the Visas Tab then click IV then it has a link stating all of the appts scheduled for the next two months.
also i have a useful number for you guys. : its a local juarez number, this is the number they use to communicate with employees at the non immigrant visa part of the consulate. dont press any numbers for the recording,just let the operator talk and then it will be transfered to a live persons, then you ask her to communicate you with IV, the num is 227-3000 so i guess if your dialing long distance dial 0115265 or: 227-3354 Im really sorry for not reading any of these sooner. I hope to be of help, because man...... its stressful being without my husband here in Juarez. he comes see me once a week. but you know.....

lets just say i miss a few thing a lot more than others!

You just confused me. Were you K1 or K3? Why have you been there so long?

sorry about the confusion, Im a Ir1-

Edited by inwayovermyhead, 10 September 2009 - 02:59 PM.

inwayovermyhead

Female

Mexico

2009-09-10 14:58:00

NO worries, Your questions are welcomed!!
Well I did see various couples in line waiting for me. the first couple was an blonde american man with his very nice fiance from chiapas.. she asked the guard if he could enter and the guard said no. Only the applicant, we were both re-scheduled for next morning. so the next morning she asked a different guard if he could enter because he was her translator, and they let him in... we in the line knew she was lying about the whole translator thing. but we didnt say anything because we wish we would have been as cunning as she....my dh waited outside, because the waiting area was still not opened.
They are, actually the surroundings of either consulates here are prepared to receive the amount of "torists" theres a Mall, theres a Denny's and a starbucks. as far as walking goes. I dont know how they walk where your from... but here.. its like a herd.. never cross the street by yourself. even if its in the "walking" zone. drivers here dont respect. I try to wait for several people whom are intending to cross, then i go with the flow. Bus drivers are JERKS!!! they drive really fast and very careless. I find the safest way to get around the city is through Taxi, or shuttles from your hotel.
I have very much felt the need for a car, thank you for asking. I dont have my own, because hubby is affraid i'll get carjacked. Define safe?? I feel incarcerated. it really depends on who you ask. ITs true, theres an average of 10 grizzly murders a day in this town. Most happen at night, But It is also true that it is between gangs, and mobs, and retard criminals. I have not witnessed anything yet. but there have been murders around the house where I'm staying.
Im just trying to hold on to my innocence, Im not affraid of getting attacked Im affraid of seeing something that will change me or make me cold hearted. So I keep to myself.
I hope that answers all.. And dont worry. I'll answer more if you need me to. I was just as insecure as you are right now when the appointment date came & i knew i would have to come over here.

inwayovermyhead

Female

Mexico

2009-09-10 02:36:00

Hey you guys!!! i havent been on the forum because I honestly thought that Estrella and I were the only ones in Juarez.
well My packet 3 left nvc June 17th, i got my apptm letter two weeks after telling me that my apptmt was july 15th.
I need to file a waiver, so Im still in Juarez, I came here july 12th did my medical on monday 13th(expirience on page 222) went to visa appt. on July 15th but after a short review of my papers a nice officer re-scheduled me for the 16th, it was late and they were about to close, so i went n the 16 at 6:30 was out of there by 8:30 with blue paper and my next appt is in sept 23rd.
Kind of like the story from strelleas acquaintance from hotel. I spent 21 dlls making the stupid waiver appointments.
I do remember beeing so stressed when i called nvc and all they could say was your case has been sent to cdj.
Have you tried the cdj website? theres link under the Visas Tab then click IV then it has a link stating all of the appts scheduled for the next two months.
also i have a useful number for you guys. : its a local juarez number, this is the number they use to communicate with employees at the non immigrant visa part of the consulate. dont press any numbers for the recording,just let the operator talk and then it will be transfered to a live persons, then you ask her to communicate you with IV, the num is 227-3000 so i guess if your dialing long distance dial 0115265 or: 227-3354 Im really sorry for not reading any of these sooner. I hope to be of help, because man...... its stressful being without my husband here in Juarez. he comes see me once a week. but you know.....

lets just say i miss a few thing a lot more than others!

inwayovermyhead

Female

Mexico

2009-09-09 23:11:00

QUOTE (estrella @ Jul 14 2009, 06:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Copy pasted from IR-1 / CR-1 in Ciudad Juarez

Now, is my turn yay! ha ha. IT's been a long hot day here in Juarez but is finally done

My medical, well my hotel provided us the ride to the clinic, and it took us to the old one, the one that inwayovermyhead is talking about. wearrived there at 7 and we were out before 9 unlike the other clinic there's a covered space for your husband, wife or whoever is going with you to sit down.

I arrived pretty nervous, getting naked in front of strangers is not something i'm used too ha ha not even doctors, so i was dreading that, we arrived there was a small line in the reception desk where they take your passport vaccines records and appointment letter and ask you to sit down and wait to be called, (this was the longer wait for me, after that it all was pretty fast)they call your name to the place where they check your stuff and take a picture, then you sit back down and wait to be called for the next step, witch in my case was to have blood drawn they call you in groups of like 5 or 6 and do it as they were giving me a band aid to put where they drawn the blood from i heard my name being called from the xray part, so i had to go right away there, there were 2 other women waiting and then a 3rd one came one of them got called and then the rest of us went in, it was a male doctor who handed us paper robes to put on, and told us to only take our shirt and bra on, there were changing rooms, like where you try on clothes at the stores, to take our shirts and bras off, the doctor doesn't see anything because you are not facing him when he takes the xray, so it was quick and easy, then he asks you to put everything back on and to go out again to a mini waiting room where they take your pressure, temperature and breathing rate, then you go into a mini exam room where they weigh you and measure you, they make the eye exam, and the doctor (female) asks you to get undressed and put the robe on, she leaves so you can do this, she comes back and asks you if you've done drugs, smoke, last time you were pregnant and last time you had your period, give a date, don't say like last week or something like that ha ha they want a date ha ha then she tells you to lift your robe she looks at you for 2 seconds then asks you to turn around to see your back and that's it. After that she left and lets you get dressed and the nurse with the vaccines came in and she tells you witch vaccines she's gonna put on you, in my case i got the same ones plus papiloma one so i got shots in both my arms and my but cheeks and they still hurt ha ha. Then after that you go pay, I payed 560 Dollars or something like that.

The rate peso dollar is 1 Dollar= 13.50

After that we went out and my mom found out about the bus going to the other clinic, and since we wanted to check out the consulate and the mall over there we used that bus to get there, and they told us to be at the new clinic at 3 so the bus could take us back to the old clinic, there were lots of people waiting for the bus so they didn't let companions go with us, the bust left like at 2:50 we arrived at the clinic like at 3:10 the let us in, and we all sat in the same waiting area like in the morning, they start calling out names we all got our results and went back to the bus. If you get your results it means you are healthy enough for the consulate ha ha, if for some reason you need more examining or something they will let you know and give you something to take with you to your appointment so they know that you did have your medical but there's something going on, after they make you the more testing if everything is ok the clinic will forward your results to the consulate so when you go again they will have it, if there's something wrong the clinic people would call you

Seriously check and double check your results because a guy's result had his name misswritten and now he has to go again tomorrow to pick them up because of it

I think that was it if i forgot something i'll come back and let you know ha ha

PS. The lady who draw our blood was really nice too us

glad that's over!! yeah, My but cheeks still hurt too. & the lady who drew my blood, left me a huge bruise, I look like a junkie. im gonna wear a sweater tomorrow for the interview. i'll tell you guys all about it when i return.
WOW!! you payed a lot! for the shots. you know... now that i think of it. the guy who handed me my results, didnt say one word to me. aside from the time he called me up to the front. he was being quite friendly with everyone else.. maybe he knowss something i dont... oh darn... im just being paranoid.. good night all..

inwayovermyhead

Female

Mexico

2009-07-15 01:28:00

QUOTE (Jorge y Chary @ Jul 10 2009, 03:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (inwayovermyhead @ Jul 10 2009, 02:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (estrella @ Jul 10 2009, 11:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Jorge y Chary @ Jul 10 2009, 12:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (estrella @ Jul 10 2009, 09:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Jorge y Chary @ Jul 9 2009, 06:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My fiance got approved today and did not encountered any difficulties as long as your truthful and well informed there shoud not be any problems obtaining your visa. The part I hate is waiting for DHL.

How long was the wait?

She is still waiting for DHL and it's 12:21 CST. I hate this wait because I don't see the purpose of sending Visa package to DHL unless somebody knows something I don't.

I don't know why either, but is the same with the tourist visa the only difference is the tourist one arrived at my house.

Maybe they don't want a bunch of people picking up visas in the consulate so they make us pay DHL so the bunch of people is in DHL and not the consulate?

This the first I've heard or read about pilfering visas. Anyway I happy to report that Chary finally picked up her Visa and is heading to the border.

For all you future K-1's petitioners allow for up to 1 week for your stay in Juarez.

On a another note, did anybody notice that the consulate was closed this past Wednesday for an Administrative Day? The are only closed on Mexican or American holidays and the last Friday of each month. I suspect that they were reviewing their computer system due to the alleged North Korean hacking.

Have a beautiful weekend everybody.

They hired DHL to discreetly mail the visas to the recipients because of the high level of THEFT!! its for our own good, but at the end of the day, dhl is robbing us too. anyways, i prefer to loose 8 dlls to dhl..

well ive lived in El Paso, for about 9 years now, & its common for visas or bc's & drivers licences to be stolen. sometimes that all they want.
also with the new "pilot" program, if everyone is in the building waiting for their visa's then theres no room for other people to come in and begin their processing, I think its only fair, to those whom like us have been waiting for that moment that will define our future!!

inwayovermyhead

Female

Mexico

2009-07-11 12:07:00