H1B Stamping Experience

I got this update from Rekha on Feb 11th, 2010 who emailed her recent experience in Tijuana about H1B Stamping. Here is her experience in her own words. Rekha, thanks for your update and sharing your experience with others

Hi,

Had a successful visa stamping at Tijuana on 9th Feb. 2009:

1 - Parked the car at San Ysidro border. Walked through the gates. No one was checking but had a valid Mexican Visa. Got it in 2 days from Mexican Consulate (costs $36 and pretty simple process)

2. Took a cab from Mexico side to the US consulate for $3 . Went to the hotel (Real Del Rio) and got a room for $63 one night (hotel is behind consulate - 5 mins walking distance). They have a toll free number to call and reserve 1-877-517-6479. Hotel staff were nice. We reached there at 7:30am and they did let us do an early checkin.

3. Kept the stuff at hotel and went to Banamex which is also 5 minutes walking. Bank opened at 9am . Paid the fees by showing my passport (bank receipt will have your passport number) in 5 minutes and went to consulate and joined the queue.

4. Appointment at consulate was at 9:30am. Had the interview and came out at 11:30am.

5. Joined the queue next day at consulate at 3pm and got the passport back at around 3:10pm. Hotel can keep your stuff at counter and give u a receipt. Went back to hotel to collect stuff and then paid $3 to get the taxi back to San Ysidro border

6. Went to "PERMITS" and paid $6 to get a new I-94

7. Went through the US custom and immigration counters . Back in US, picked the car from the parking lot.

(A shopping complex Plaza-Rio is nearby. You can find McDonalds, BurgerKing, Panda Express,... there and can pay in US dollars)

Hope this helps.

Thanks.

RD

Thanks again Rekha.