Tijuana stamping exp Oct 2013

[para1200]

I am from San Diego and recently went for visa stamping to TJ (Oct 2013). Here is my experience in Tijuana. I hope it helps. Please post your question and replies. I will answer as much as possible. I am not going to talk much about actual appointment as it’s been talked about way too much. I will try to give you more insight about overall experience and Tijuana itself. You can take your family with you for stamping. It is safe in TJ. At least the area where I stayed, the ASC and where the consulate is. As long as you follow general travel precautions, you will be fine. I traveled with one bag-pack only, helped me a lot and kept me mobile and flexible - no luggage to haul around. I dressed Business casual for visa interview. Jeans and T-shirt for - ASC appointment and visa pick up. Take local currency, about $1000-1200 Mexican pesos with you (you will see later why). Wells Fargo does currency conversion. Also carry some USDollars too. $60-80.

 

Getting to Border & Parking: I do not know how the issuing of new I-94 works if you were to drive back in your car, but personally, I feel it’s better to park on the US side and walk to Mexico, because ONE, driving in mexico needs different skill sets and TWO, your US insurance will not cover your car in Mexico. Park the car at any of the parking lots near border, cost $5-8/day. Or somehow, get to San Diego Old Town or Downtown and take a trolley to San Ysidro  - travel 20 min (last stop at the border).  

 

Entry into Mexico: Pedestrian entry to Mexico is clearly marked, but if you are confused, ask anyone at San Ysidro, and they will tell you. Take Mexican Visit visa. There were some Mexican officials at the entry and they might ask for documents. Go to Mexican consulate in your city for visit visa 2-3 weeks before your stamping date. Simple 1 page form. Mostly same day visa. Cost $36-40. (Very IMP: Here is a tricky situation – You go to Mexican consulate 1 week prior to your appointment, say Tue, unfortunately, they are booked for that entire week due to too many applications. Your US visa appointment is Mon & Tue of following week in TJ US consulate. You take the risk of going there without a Mexican visit visa. Let’s say your US visa is expired and you only had valid I797. I kept walking along with other people. But I noticed there were Mexican Authorities randomly stopping people and asking for IDs. By the time you are at that spot, you have crossed into Mexico through one way turnstile and there is no going back into US without a valid visa. If you were stopped by Mexican Official, I cannot even imagine the consequence; I just don’t know what would have happened.) Therefore do yourself a favor and get Mexican visit visa (2-3 weeks in advance).

 

Border to Hotel: I negotiated the fair before getting into the taxi. If you are paying in USD they will always tell you, $10, $15 USD. If you give them $20 they generally say they do not have change, hence carry local currency. I said $100 Pesos, he said OK. I always got good deals for Taxi due to Mexican Pesos so I always gave them tip in USD ($1-2).

 

Stay in Mexico: Book the hotel online. I stayed in Grand Hotel. It’s like Marriott. Cost $80/night. Hacienda Del Rio is like motel, but it is decent. Cost $74/night. Both hotels allow early check in. I paid using my regular visa credit card at check out. Taxis available just outside of both the hotels.

 

ASC appointment for fingerprint and document check (1^st day): ASC is walking distance from both Hotels. Search Google maps. Walk 7-10 min. Reached hotel at 11am, checked in and walked to ASC for 1pm appointment. Do not take cell phone, USB, luggage or anything other than important papers with you to ASC. I kept everything in my hotel room. Appointment rule - simplified version: You can not have visa interview before ASC-Fingerprinting; Visa Interview and ASC-Fingerprinting can not be on the same day.

 

Food: There are lot of places within walking distance from both hotels. Burger king, McD, Subway, local places, starbucks, etc. (If you are staying at Del Rio, ask anyone for ‘Food Garden’, you will love this place). You can have a decent Lunch and Dinner for $75-150 Pesos at any place. (3 lunches, 2 dinners – $400-700 pesos). Stay away from street food, please. Other than that, it’s all good.

 

Appointment at US consulate (new location) at 10am (2^nd day): All the taxi drivers know this place, just tell them new US consulate. I met couple of guys during ASC appointment. We shared the taxi for remainder of the stay. Negotiated $100 pesos for 3 of us from Hotel to US Consulate. Even if the appointment is always at 10am, no one is timing you here. You can go there as early as you like, say 8.30 or 9am. You will be done sooner. Same thing, documents only, do not take anything else. Nothing to eat here other than a small kiosk which sell some snacks. Total time – 2-4 hours. There are always taxis waiting outside of the consulate. US Consulate to hotel - $120 pesos.

 

Passport (Visa) pick-up from US Consulate (New location) (3^rd day): Eat lunch, Check-out at 1pm, Go to US Consulate. They open window at 2pm. No need to go early. It only took 10min even though there were 50-60 people. Hotel to Consulate - $120 Pesos. You can take anything and everything with you, luggage, cell phone, water. It’s just like a ticket window on the outside of the building.

 

Consulate to Border: We reached border at 2.30pm. Taxi - $120 pesos for 3 of us. I-94 permit line is separate from the ‘general public’ and wait time can vary tremendously. For some reason, the line was not moving for 2 hours. But when it started moving, it took us total 1 hour to get to US side. As soon as you enter through the big gate, Your I-94 will be issued inside the first building on the right hand side. Pay $6 USD fee for I-94 card. (They have change now…. J : no need to carry exact change, well if you have it - good). Get your new I-94 card with new validity date. Check for correctness. Proceed to customs scan and actual border crossing. That’s it, you are in US. You will exit right next to the San Ysidro trolley station.

 

General Notes: Re-stamping is very stream-lined and easy now, so don’t worry, but prepare well. Be travel smart -Travel light. Don’t be macho man and try to explore unknown areas at night, day time is very safe, lots of school kids and families. Most of younger generation speaks English.     

 

Dedicated to,

All who helped us on these forums..…

I would love to read detailed stamping exp for Mumbai......

 

Prashant

 

 

[ashley1986]

Hey

Could you also give an idea as to what kind of questions were asked?

 

thank u

[h1bmexico]

Hi para1200,

 

Congrats on your stamping...

 

Could you please tell me are you working in FT or EVC model.

 

I am planning for H1B visa stamping in Tijuana next month, I am working in EVC Model.

 

Please tell me if these will be a problem??

 

Thanks a lot.

[para1200]

Ashley: Questions asked were all regular questions. Company, where, how long, degree, etc. Nothing out of ordinary.

 

Kumar: I am working FT. I don't know the challenges about EVC model. Please check with someone in same situation.

Prashant

[srinuk39]

Hi Prashant,

 

Can you tell me if you paid the fees using credit card or MRV Fee option Cash at Scotiabank or Banamex while scheduling the appointment in the website? 

 

Srinu.

[apulsar]

Hi Prashant,

 

Very very informative post. Info I was exactly looking for.

 

Reg Mexican Visa: Lot of people in forum and ******* were saying we dont need Mexico Visa for crossing. But good to have MExico Permit which is issued at the border. Is there anyone who ended up needing Mexico visa or permit in their experience?

 

I live 2 hrs from Chicago, I dont how long it will take here for Mexico visa, no answers when I call them. But I will definenitely try to get one unless they want me drive to chicago couple times and longer process time.

 

Also please tell how early do you suggest booking for US visa  and ASC dates ? I am planning to go for stamping in 2 nd week of december and I dont exactly know my schedule yet. 

 

 

Thank you.

 

Anil.

[para1200]

Srinu, I paid in USD online while scheduling the appt.

 

Anil, Normally it takes same day for Mexican visa. At the time I was booking the appt, there were many slots available. Book your appt as soon as you know your plan/schedule. I don't know anything about the 'permit issued at the border by mexican authorities'? I would highly recommend getting mexican visit visa from your local mex consulate (in your case - Chicago).

Good luck,

Prashant

[apulsar]

thanks for the reply, I still have few questions if any one can answer as soon as possible.... i would really appreciate it.

 

1. when I clicked on ASC website,http://www.usvisa-info.com and then clicked on non-immigrant visa, it shows different countries. I thought we need to click on India, But i dont see option of India. I guess we need to select Mexico as I am planning to attend visa interview in Mexico. Is that right?

 

2. How and when do i select (if I need to ) that I want to collect passport at the consulate next day? they say i need to select to a DHL location in the information page. I have not created a ASC site login yet.

 

3. I can go along my wife who needs a H4 renewal right? I mean H4 renewals also allowed in mexico ?

 

4. What documents needed at the time of Passport collection on the last day? ID card????

 

5. Do US cell phones work in Tijuana? is it considered international roaming with huge bills?

 

6. lastly, do I need to book a appointment for Mexico visa at their consulate? or i can walk in.

 

.....please list the documents needed to obtain a Mexico visitor visa as their websites are in spanish and no one answers email/phones.

some websites/forums say Birth certificate is needed for applying mexico Visa, is that true?

 

thanking you all in advance.

 

Anil.

[hendi]

I am from San Diego and recently went for visa stamping to TJ (Oct 2013). Here is my experience in Tijuana. I hope it helps. Please post your question and replies. I will answer as much as possible. I am not going to talk much about actual appointment as it’s been talked about way too much. I will try to give you more insight about overall experience and Tijuana itself. You can take your family with you for stamping. It is safe in TJ. At least the area where I stayed, the ASC and where the consulate is. As long as you follow general travel precautions, you will be fine. I traveled with one bag-pack only, helped me a lot and kept me mobile and flexible - no luggage to haul around. I dressed Business casual for visa interview. Jeans and T-shirt for - ASC appointment and visa pick up. Take local currency, about $1000-1200 Mexican pesos with you (you will see later why). Wells Fargo does currency conversion. Also carry some USDollars too. $60-80.

 

Getting to Border & Parking: I do not know how the issuing of new I-94 works if you were to drive back in your car, but personally, I feel it’s better to park on the US side and walk to Mexico, because ONE, driving in mexico needs different skill sets and TWO, your US insurance will not cover your car in Mexico. Park the car at any of the parking lots near border, cost $5-8/day. Or somehow, get to San Diego Old Town or Downtown and take a trolley to San Ysidro  - travel 20 min (last stop at the border).  

 

Entry into Mexico: Pedestrian entry to Mexico is clearly marked, but if you are confused, ask anyone at San Ysidro, and they will tell you. Take Mexican Visit visa. There were some Mexican officials at the entry and they might ask for documents. Go to Mexican consulate in your city for visit visa 2-3 weeks before your stamping date. Simple 1 page form. Mostly same day visa. Cost $36-40. (Very IMP: Here is a tricky situation – You go to Mexican consulate 1 week prior to your appointment, say Tue, unfortunately, they are booked for that entire week due to too many applications. Your US visa appointment is Mon & Tue of following week in TJ US consulate. You take the risk of going there without a Mexican visit visa. Let’s say your US visa is expired and you only had valid I797. I kept walking along with other people. But I noticed there were Mexican Authorities randomly stopping people and asking for IDs. By the time you are at that spot, you have crossed into Mexico through one way turnstile and there is no going back into US without a valid visa. If you were stopped by Mexican Official, I cannot even imagine the consequence; I just don’t know what would have happened.) Therefore do yourself a favor and get Mexican visit visa (2-3 weeks in advance).

 

Border to Hotel: I negotiated the fair before getting into the taxi. If you are paying in USD they will always tell you, $10, $15 USD. If you give them $20 they generally say they do not have change, hence carry local currency. I said $100 Pesos, he said OK. I always got good deals for Taxi due to Mexican Pesos so I always gave them tip in USD ($1-2).

 

Stay in Mexico: Book the hotel online. I stayed in Grand Hotel. It’s like Marriott. Cost $80/night. Hacienda Del Rio is like motel, but it is decent. Cost $74/night. Both hotels allow early check in. I paid using my regular visa credit card at check out. Taxis available just outside of both the hotels.

 

ASC appointment for fingerprint and document check (1^st day): ASC is walking distance from both Hotels. Search Google maps. Walk 7-10 min. Reached hotel at 11am, checked in and walked to ASC for 1pm appointment. Do not take cell phone, USB, luggage or anything other than important papers with you to ASC. I kept everything in my hotel room. Appointment rule - simplified version: You can not have visa interview before ASC-Fingerprinting; Visa Interview and ASC-Fingerprinting can not be on the same day.

 

Food: There are lot of places within walking distance from both hotels. Burger king, McD, Subway, local places, starbucks, etc. (If you are staying at Del Rio, ask anyone for ‘Food Garden’, you will love this place). You can have a decent Lunch and Dinner for $75-150 Pesos at any place. (3 lunches, 2 dinners – $400-700 pesos). Stay away from street food, please. Other than that, it’s all good.

 

Appointment at US consulate (new location) at 10am (2^nd day): All the taxi drivers know this place, just tell them new US consulate. I met couple of guys during ASC appointment. We shared the taxi for remainder of the stay. Negotiated $100 pesos for 3 of us from Hotel to US Consulate. Even if the appointment is always at 10am, no one is timing you here. You can go there as early as you like, say 8.30 or 9am. You will be done sooner. Same thing, documents only, do not take anything else. Nothing to eat here other than a small kiosk which sell some snacks. Total time – 2-4 hours. There are always taxis waiting outside of the consulate. US Consulate to hotel - $120 pesos.

 

Passport (Visa) pick-up from US Consulate (New location) (3^rd day): Eat lunch, Check-out at 1pm, Go to US Consulate. They open window at 2pm. No need to go early. It only took 10min even though there were 50-60 people. Hotel to Consulate - $120 Pesos. You can take anything and everything with you, luggage, cell phone, water. It’s just like a ticket window on the outside of the building.

 

Consulate to Border: We reached border at 2.30pm. Taxi - $120 pesos for 3 of us. I-94 permit line is separate from the ‘general public’ and wait time can vary tremendously. For some reason, the line was not moving for 2 hours. But when it started moving, it took us total 1 hour to get to US side. As soon as you enter through the big gate, Your I-94 will be issued inside the first building on the right hand side. Pay $6 USD fee for I-94 card. (They have change now…. J : no need to carry exact change, well if you have it - good). Get your new I-94 card with new validity date. Check for correctness. Proceed to customs scan and actual border crossing. That’s it, you are in US. You will exit right next to the San Ysidro trolley station.

 

General Notes: Re-stamping is very stream-lined and easy now, so don’t worry, but prepare well. Be travel smart -Travel light. Don’t be macho man and try to explore unknown areas at night, day time is very safe, lots of school kids and families. Most of younger generation speaks English.     

 

Dedicated to,

All who helped us on these forums..…

I would love to read detailed stamping exp for Mumbai......

 

Prashant

Hey Prashant, can you tell us more detail about the questions? did they ask other paper?

thx