Successful H1B stamping Matamoros - Dec 14 and 15

[al1401]

Wanted to share my experience of successful stamping from Matamoros on Dec 14 and 15, 2016. I took Mexican Visa from Chicago consulate, they took a week to process and give the passport. Reached out to Salvador for assistance during the trip, i would recommend him 100%, it made our lives much easier while entering Mexico, travel to ASC for finger prints, CSC for interview and passport pickup and drop at POE for re-entering US.

Reached Brownsville and crossed Border - 6:00 PM Dec 13, 2016.

ASC - 08:00 AM Dec 14, 2016.

Documents to Carry:

I carried all the documents i had for interview but below ones are needed for ASC.

1. h1b interview confirmation
2. ds160 confirmation
3. passport

CSC - 09:00 AM Dec 15, 2016.

Documents I carried:

1. visa confirmation
2. ds160 confirmation
3. I797, LCA, I129
4. passport
5. employer letter
6. client and vendor letter
7. Past w2's
8. approved i140 (scanned copy)
9. pay stubs for last 6 months
10. bank statements for last 3 months
11. tax returns for last 3 years.
12. Educational certificates

Questions Asked:

VO: Good Morning!

ME: GM Sir!

VO : Please hand over the passport.

ME: Gave him.

VO: Asked if i worked for same Employer?

ME:Yes.

VO : Asked for annual salary?

ME: Answered.

VO : Asked if i did my MS in Software Engg?

ME: Yes.

VO : Asked which university?

ME: Answered.

VO : Asked for I797 and last year tax returns?

ME: Handed him.

VO : Asked if i had the employer abuse and rights document?

ME: Yes, from last stamping.

VO : Your visa is approved, handed a slip and asked to pick it up at 3:00 PM same day.

ME: Thanks Sir!

VO : Have a good Day?

ME: You too Sir!!!

Passport Pickup - 03:00 PM Dec 15, 2016.

Took slip and collected the passport, verified all entries and headed for re-entering US.

POE Brownsville - 06:00 PM Dec 15, 2016.

Reached POE around 3:15 PM, Had to wait for couple of hrs before my turn came up.

Questions Asked:

1. Asked for passport?
2. Asked for I797 and Employer Letter?
3. Gave the passport back, paid 6$ and entered US.

Word of Advise will be to remain confident and carry all documents that you can to make it a successful trip. Feel free to drop me an email on my profile if any questions.

[Joe03]

Thanks for sharing the experience.Came to find that Port of entry questions are more and deeper than Visa Consulate stamping.Did you ever see with other guys at Port of entry?

[al1401]

I believe that the POE questions are same as at any other. Yes, similar questions were asked at POE to others who attended visa interview with me.

[Joe03]

Okay thanks appreciate it.

[chary]

Hello,

 

Thanks for sharing the experience,

Do we need to have a Mexico visa to travel to Matamoros for stamping? I was told that if we don't have the visa then we would get a permit at the port of entry which would be suffice, what has been your observation and situation?

I intend to travel for Stamping in the 1st week of Jan, please advise.

 

thanks

 

 

[sk8899]

@chary

Yes, you can get a 7-day permit at the Mexico border. I have done that myself. It costs $25 or so. I went to Matamoros and can comment and give details of that Mexico entry only.