My Interview Is Scheduled for Consular Processing in Cuidad Juarez: What Can I Expect?

The U.S. consulate in Ciudad Juarez processes the largest volume of immigrant visas in the world for any U.S. consulate or embassy; typically at least 100,000 immigrant visas per year. In the past, this consulate handled all family immigrant visas for Mexican citizens. However, now the Mexico City consulate interviews brothers and sisters of U.S. citizen cases and international adoptions cases.

Be On Time -- But Not Too Early

The U.S. consulate in Cd. Juarez does not want applicants to show up early. You should plan to arrive no more than 30 minutes before the interview. No applicant is allowed into the consulate before their scheduled time.

The consulate also does not want applicants to bring a lot of cash, for security reasons. Credit cards are better, because if a credit card is stolen, it can easily be cancelled and replaced. Typically, if the visa fee has already been paid, no additional fees need to be paid at the immigrant visa interview.

Wait Time

There is a waiting area just outside the consulate, where applicants are encouraged to spend their time before the scheduled interview.

The waiting area is sponsored by the city. Instead of waiting on the street in front of the consulate, visa applicants will be required to start out in the waiting area. This waiting area provides security and protection from the weather. Street vendors are not allowed in the area.

The average wait time for a visa applicant once in the consulate is approximately two hours. 

Fingerprints, Photographs, Documents and DHL Fee

After the applicant enters the consulate for the immigrant visa appointment, he or she will go to three windows: one for the taking of fingerprints and photographs; one for receiving and reviewing documents; and one for the immigrant visa interview. The visa interview typically lasts only two to five minutes. Then, the applicant will be asked to pay the DHL fee.

In the future, the consulate will no longer handle taking fingerprints or photos of the applicants. The applicant will receive a letter informing him or her to go to another location for taking their photo and fingerprints. If the consulate is going to approve the visa, it still takes two to three days after interview to receive the visa. So, in most instances, applicants need to plan on being in Cd. Juarez for about a week (longer if children need the TB skin test, and much longer if a waiver is required).

Once the visa is approved, the applicant no longer has to remain in Cd. Juarez after their interview for delivery of the visa.  Instead, applicants can choose any of the numerous locations within Mexico where DHL courier service is available.