Tijuana - H1B Stamping Experience

I had a pleasant experience with my second H1B visa stamping in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico on June 7^th 2007. Me and my wife (H4-visa) drove down from Los Angeles, CA to the US border the same morning of my appointment and arrived at the border around 8AM. We parked the car behind the Jack in the Box restaurant for $5 per 8 hrs. The Jack in the Box address is 402 W SAN YSIDRO BLVD, San Ysidro, CA, 92173 721 E SAN YSIDRO BLVD, San Ysidro, CA, 92173 Ph: 619-428-4679. Look at the FAQ more info on getting there and parking info.

We walked from there to the border using the bridge. If you are not able to spot the entry to the bridge ask some officers for guidance. Visa is not mandatory as no one will check. We saved around 200 bucks by not getting the Mexico visa.

When you enter TJ, there will be a bunch of cab drivers waiting and they know you are there for your Visa. So depending upon where you want to go, either to Banamex or to the Consulate just let them know and they charge will $5 to take you there. Banamex is no more next to consulate like before in Tijuana. They moved few blocks away from the consulate. Click here for directions on how to go from Banamex to the Consulate. Also check my FAQ blog. One thing you have to keep in mind is that the entry for the Banamex is from the parking lot behind. You will see a lot of people standing over there in a line. They open at 9 AM and I had an appointment at 10AM. So I had enough time to catch up. Just mention to the bank officer that you are here for the visa and give them your passport and money. They will give you a receipt after they process it.

Now you can walk to the consulate. When you arrive at the consulate you will see a whole lot of people standing in the queue. Talk to the security guards and let them know that you are for your H1B visa stamping and then depending on your appointment time they might either let you in or will make you wait in the line.

They let me inside right away which was pretty cool. Just as soon as you enter the building there is a small window where they ask you for your appointment letter and passport. Here they will there give you a token number. So next is security check. They don’t allow any electronic items or big bags inside the consulate. So if you have stuff with you, just put those things in one bag and there are stores next to the consulate that hold your bags for $3.

After you pass the security, there was a man who asked me if I was for an H1B visa. I said yes. So he told me to ignore the token number as they are having some special line for H1B people, which was some real good news. He directed me to that special line where one Mexican lady checks the documents. She will make sure all information is correct. The bar code you print should be very clear otherwise she will have to re-enter it all over again. Check my FAQ on bar code information. Click here for list of documents you have to carry.

After this I was asked to go to a line for interview which was specifically meant for H1B applicants. Then the visa interview began. I gave him my Passport, DS-156 and DS-157. Then I was requested to provide I-797, I-129, LCA, pay stubs and work confirmation letter. Then he started to shoot some questions.

1. What do u do in the company?
2. What does that software do?
3. How many employees does the company have?
4. How long are you planning to stay in United states?
5. How many programming languages do you know?
6. How many languages do you speak?
7. Where are you from in India?

For question number, 4 make sure you tell him the year mentioned on your I-797 expiry date. After these questions he told me that the visa is approved and should come back at 3PM same day to get the visa. He gave me a token which I need to show when I collect my passport.

I was out of the consulate by 10:15AM. So now we had to kill some time. I had researched before as to what places I should go and visit in Tijuana, to kill time. There are two places that we went to. Revolucion (Pronounced as revolution) and Plaza Rio. I have included some information about these places in my FAQ. We spent some nice time at these places.

Came back to collect my passport at 2:45 PM and found that they have already started to issue the visas. But I found out that my passport is not ready yet and they have some trouble with their computer and I will have to wait inside.

So we waited inside with few other people for around 45 minutes and one lady announced that the computer problem is not resolved yet and we might have to wait till 4:45PM and if that is still not resolved by then, we will have to come again the next day after 12 Noon. This worried me because it was not safe to leave my car at some parking lot at the border and moreover we didn’t know what to do that evening and where to stay. So I advise people to be prepared to stay till the next day as a worst situation and also if you go on Friday, you may get stuck there for the whole weekend.

Then I got lucky at 4:15 PM when our passports came ready with the visa. I verified my name and other details and left thanking them.

We came out of the consulate and took a cab back to the border for $6. He dropped us to the border and we saw a big line of people standing to go to the US. It took us around 40 minutes in the line to get to the immigration officer. The visa officer looked at the visa stamping and its validity. Without asking even a single question he let us in and there we arrived inside US without any problems. We walked to the parking lot and took our car back home.

Overall it was a pleasant experience. I recommend Tijuana for H1B visa stamping as it very easy.

Good Luck to you all for your visa and have safe trip.

Banamex to Consulate Directions

Banamex to Consulate Directions. Approximate time of walk is 10 minutes.

Banamex is in Del Los Huroes.

Update: Thanks to Ajay for sending us the updated map about BanAmex. BanAmex has moved. See the map below and for its exact location. After you come out of the bank walk towards the right hand of Abraham Lincoln Statue. If anyone finds that the map below is wrong please email me. Thanks.

Sample DS-156

You need to print an electroic copy of DS-156. You cant fill it out by hand. Fill up the form and submit it to should generate a bar code. Instructions to fill out the form at http://evisaforms.state.gov . Fill out the DS-156 from at http://www.visa-usa.com.mx/VisaForms.aspx . Fill up the blank spaces as either None or NA. I have attached the sample DS-156. Use it at your own risk.

Update: The new website for accessing this information is http://www.usvisa-mexico.com Thanks for the user who informed me. In this website you may have to change the language to English by clicking on the top icon.

Update: On the top RHS corner of DS-156 you will find Expiration date. Make sure this date is after your appointment date. If not resubmit DS-156.

Documents to Carry

Below are the documents I carried for H1B Stamping. I have compiled this list to the best of my knowledge and use at your own risk.

1. Passport*
2. $108 $135 fees for each applicant.*
3. Photographs 2x2 inches. Check photograph requirement here. *
4. Appointment letter from consulate.*
5. Filled out ORIGINAL DS156 and 157 application form (electronic copy).*
6. I-797 (H-1 approval from INS) - top and bottom part in ORIGINAL.*
7. Employment verification letter from your employer.*
8. Offer Letter.*
9. Pay stubs last few months.*
10. Copy of I-129 (petition filed by your lawyer on your behalf).*
11. Copy of LCA (Labor Condition Approval).*
12.Latest Resume.*
13. ORIGINAL master’s degrees' certificates/transcripts.*
14. ORIGINAL bachelor's certificates.*
15. Copies of tax returns.*
16. Social Security Card.
17. Driving License.
18. Business Cards.
19. W2s.
20. I20.
21. Latest bank statement showing enough money to survive.*
22. OPT - EAD Card.
23. Marriage Certificate.
24. Marriage Invitation Card.
25. pictures of workplace.

Some of the documents listed above came straight from the Mexico consulate website.

Apart from this list check my FAQ for more information that I might have to provide you.

My H1B Stamping FAQ - Tijuana

Q. More info about Consulate?
A. Some visitors of my blog have commented that there are two different consulates in Tijuana. My understanding was that the old one is closed....Anyway, you will have to go to one that gives you H1 Visa. The address should be on your appointment letter. Show the Taxi driver where you want to go. If still not sure, refer to the map that I have posted.

Q. How do I book for an appointment for visa stamping in Tijuana US consulate.
A. Go to http://www.visa-usa.com.mx/SelfServiceLogin.aspx to book the date. Create a login for $10 and you can schedule. Go through the website before you book the appointment.

Q. Do we need separate appointments for Husband (H1-B), Wife and kids on (H4) visa?
A. No. One appointment is enough. Add wife and kids as dependents who want to come for visa stamping along with you while booking the appointment.

Q. DS-156?
A. This is required for all applicants one for each.

Q. DS-157?
A. Required for all male applicants.

Q. When will the consulate return the passport after stamping?
A. For me they returned the passport the same day. You might have a different experience. I have heard people getting stuck for a weekend because of some technical problems. Also, if you are working for some defense related company you might be requiring some security clearance which could take even a week or so. So be prepared depending on the situation but for most people passports are returned the same day. Look at some comments that are posted to see other peoples experience.

Q. How many times can I generate DS-156 bar code?
A. Any number of times you want.

Q. Can I handwrite DS-156?
A. Better not. You can only sign and date by hand. But can submit DS-156 again and generate a bar code.

Q. Can you provide sample DS-156?
A. Yes. Click here.

Q. What is LCA?
A. It is labor conditioning approval. Ask your employer to provide a copy of this before you go for the stamping. This is a mandatory document to carry.

Q. What is I-129?
A. This is one of the H1B Petition application. Ask your employer to provide a copy of this before you go for the stamping. This is a mandatory document to carry.

Q. Bar code Information?
A. Bar code should be clearly visible on DS-156 on page 1 and 3. The bar code in page 3 is very important and if that couldn't be scanned then information will have to be typed all over again. So make sure Bar code is printed clean and complete.

Q. Do we need DS-158?
A. Tijuana consulate does not require this form. I didn't take it. Other forms might be required. This might change time to time. Check the website at the time of booking your appointment .

Q. I have lost some documents you have mentioned, what do I do?
A. Some of the documents are very much required and some are optional which may be asked to provided at the time of Interview. The required documents are mentioned in the website (http://www.visa-usa.com.mx). You will have to create an account and click on "NON IMMIGRANT VISA INFORMATION" on home page to access this information. These are the most important ones. If you don't have the required documents which are mentioned in this website then you might be in trouble. So be careful. Other documents that I have mentioned is optional and may be requested by the visa officer. You never know. Better be safe than sorry.

Q. Is it safe to ride a Taxi?
A. Yes, I believe so. I think taxi drivers are very helpful in fact. Your experience might differ. Be alert. One word of caution is that you should always fix the price before you ride the taxi.

Q. More information on how to go to the border or Jack in the Box for parking?
A. When you drive I805-south, take the exit which mentions "Last USA Exit" go 0.3 miles. Turn left on "Camino de la plz" go 0.3 miles. Turn right on E San Ysidro Blvd and you will see Jack in the Box immediately. There you will find number of parking spots. There is $8 parking as soon as u take right on San Ysidro Blvd. If you want $5 parking take left on the first light(signal) after you take right on San Ysidro. You will there see a sign for parking $5. If you still not sure then park some where around and the border is very near.

Q. What suppose I miss the exit?
A. If u miss the "Last USA Exit" don't panic. You will get a chance to make a U-Turn and to make the U-Turn be on the left side of the Free way and will probably have to take the exit. If you still miss this then you will be welcomed to Mexico in your car ;)

Q. How much does the Taxi ride cost?
A. Border to Banamex: $5
Banamex to Consulate: Walking distance
Consulate to Border: $6
Consulate to Plaza Rio: Walking distance (this place is opposite to Banamex)
Consulate to Revolucion: $5

Q. Does the bank accept US dollars?
A. Yes, US dollars are widely accepted all over Tijuana and just not bank. So you don't need to convert your money to pesos.

Q. How far is Banamex from the Consulate?
A. Banamex is about 10 minute walking distance from the consulate. For walking directions click here.

Q. Can I carry my bag inside the consulate?
A. Yes, you can carry a small bag containing all your documents. No electronic devices allowed what so ever. If you have items with you that are not allowed then you can leave your items in some shops next to the consulate. They will hold your stuff for $3.

Q. Do I need a new I-94 on arriving at the border?
A. In my case I knew I didn't needed because the date on my I-94 was as per my new I-797. If the date on I-94 is expiring I think you need a new I-94. It is better ask the Visa officer or the immigration officer if you are not sure. If you need a new I-94 just let the immigration officer know at the border.

Update: If you need a new I-94 card you will have to go get this card from adjacent building (outside building with 3 flag poles) and as per people experience this might take couple hours. So instead of waiting in the line that actually gets you into US, you will have to go this line which issues new I-94. If you are not sure where to go just ask some officers there and they might help. So it is very helpful to know if you need a new I94 or not. Otherwise your experience might be frustrating.

Q. Do you need a Mexican visa to enter Mexico?
A. Technically yes, but there is no one to check while you are entering Mexico. So it is not mandatory. This is true only when you are crossing the border by walk. But you might need a Mexican visa if you are flying by air and arrive at an Airport. Find it out yourself.

Q. What are good places to visit in Tijuana?
A. We visited two places Revolucion (pronounced as Revolution) which is mainly downtown Tijuana and Plaza Rio which is very close to the consulate.

Q. More information about Revolucion(Revolution)?
A. Revoucion is in downtown Tijuana. You will have to take a Taxi($5) from the consulate to get here. There a big arch there. You will find more information when you google it. I have included some pictures here. It is not a pretty place but it is place to kill some time. But this place is not nice to hang around with kids. Its a Sin place. Lots of shops with Bars, Clubs and adult places. When you shop, do it wisely. They will always demand some ridiculous prices. Some of them quote five times the actual value. So be wise. You can always bargain. This place has nice food joints. You will even find KFC, McDonald's andBurger King at his place.

Q. More information about Plaza Rio?
A. This is decent place to hang out as it is in much upscale community. It is on opposite side of Banamex. So it is 10 minute walk from the consulate. It like a mall with lot decent shops. It has Burger King if you are hungry. Lot of people hang out here.