Hi1 B stamping experince in tijuana May 3rd

[mystery192]

Itinerary details:

I flew from San Jose Airport and took southwest flight at 7:50 am in morning, arrives at 9:35 in san diego. From San Diego Airport I took SD-MTS Bus 992. This bus has stops in front of all of the airport terminals. For a $2.25 fare you can take this bus to the American Plaza stop from which you can pick up a Blue Line Trolley southbound to the final station, San Ysidro. Get a transfer when you board the bus and the Trolley will only cost you an additional quarter (you'll need to buy a $0.25 ticket from a machine at the American Plaza stop). I took a full day $5 pass, then you don’t have to buy anything else.

I used the San Ysidro border crossing bridge to walk from San Diego to Tijuana, then I took yellow cab $5 from across the border to hotel. I stayed at : Real Del Rio $60/night. Call & book them early enough ( they are listed at hotels.com as well).

My ASC appointment was on the same day at 3:00 pm. I reached the hotel at around 12:30 pm, checked in, ate a little bit and then I walked to the ASC from hotel ( you can take the cab as well its $10 from the hotel). The distance in less than a mile and it’s a straight road so I preferred to walk. At ASC they take, picture, verify your documents and take finger prints. When I reached there was no one so I didn’t had to wait and was done in 5 minutes. Don’t carry your cell phone with you they don’t allow and you will have to pay for lockers at parking lot ( going rate is $5)

Next day I went to consulate, and reached there at 9:00 even though my appointment was at 10:00 am (Don’t carry your cell phone with you) They allowed me to enter early, but there is a big line. I took cab from hotel to consulate the cab fare is $12, while returning I paid $15. Interview questions are very basic ( you are renewing with the same company?, what you do for them? How many people in your team?, who do you report to? Etc)

It’s a three step process at consulate, first they will check documents, then you will have to do finger scan and then interview with visa officer.

If your visa is granted they will keep your I797 and petition packet and will ask you to return next day at 1:00 pm to collect your passport ( don’t go before 1:00 as you will stand in sun unnecessarily I did this mistake).

Next day, I had checked out of the hotel in the morning and then I went to consulate to collect my passport (I left my bag at front desk). While returning from consulate I negotiated cab ride from consulate to border for $20 with a stop at hotel to pick up the bag.

Line across border is huge and you have to get a new I94 ( costs $6). It took me 5 hours to stand in the freaking line.

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Application Process & document checklist

you can begin your application at:

https://mexico.usvis...lfservice/login

I filled out the required forms and booked my date two weeks in advance. When you book your date online, please be very careful while paying the amount using credit card. Your credit card could be denied at the first attempt. In such case, don’t try again. Just call and verify, before you click again.

Complete This Checklist 1 Week Before The Appointment:

- Fax/Email docs for PIMS at least 1 week before the Appt. ( See the email below)

- Complete DS-160 form online & Print Confirmation(s)

- Schedule A Visa Appointment

- Get a Mexican Visa if your current US Visa has expired. My H1B was still valid for one more month so I just took FMM form at the border, this allows you multiple entires for 6 months to mexico and costs $23. You can get this at San Yisdro border.

- Passports of all Applicants are valid for at least 6 months

- Book a nearby Hotel for 1 night

Complete This Checklist The Day Before Your TJ Trip:

- Passport(s)

- Complete I-797 packet with I-129

- DS-160 Confirmation Page

- Visa Appointment Letter and 1 Copy

- Latest Employment Verification Letter

- Cash...minimum 300 USD per applicant

- Original Degree Certificate(s) & Transcript if applicable

- W2 Tax Forms and Tax Returns (Last 2-3 years)

- Latest 2-3 Paystubs

- Bank Statements for last 2-3 months

- Updated Resume

- Business Card

- Passport Size Photos

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PIMMS email format : tijuanainfo@state.gov

Full Name

ABC.. drive

XXXX.XX@gmail.com

04/25/2012

To:

US Consulate in Tijuana

Paseo de Las Culturas s/n

Mesa de Otay,

Delegacion Centenario,

Tijuana, Baja California

Mexico 22425

Date: 04/25/2012

SUBJECT: I-797A H1B approval notice for PIMS process

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am ( Full Name ) working as a AAAA ( job title) on H1B with XXXX Corp. I scheduled an appointment at Tijuana Consulate, Mexico for getting my H1-B visa stamped on Date and my confirmation number is below:

Scheduled Date and time

I-797A receipt Number

May 3rd, 2012 at 10:00am PT

WAC-XX-XXX-XXXXX

I would like to know if my PIMS check is already cleared for my I-129 petitions. I am attaching scanned copy of approval of I-797 and appointment letter as PDF file to this mail.

Attachments:

1. I-797A.pdf

2. Visa_Appointment_letter. PDF

3. U.S. Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) confirmation pdf

Hope to hear from you soon.

Regards,

Full Name