Visa Stamping from Canada/ Mexico

All,
My h1b renewal was a success yesterday at the Tijuana consulate. All of the information on this blog was extremely useful. There are a few changes - the BANAMEX brach has moved closed to the consulate (across the street on Paseo de Los Heroes - opposite the Abraham Lincoln statue). This is really convenient.

Also, inside the consulate, there was a 3-step process followed, which was also new and made us a little nervous (we were 4 individuals, a family of 4). There was also an Indian couple - and it looked like their stamping was successful too. The 3 step process involved going to one officer, who took the I-797 and passport, took a picture and took finger prints. She then verified the PIMS information, took a copy of the I-797 and PIMS information and gave it back. We then waited for another lady officer to call us. She only asked about our job and employment verification letter. She returned the original I-797 and kept the passport, copy of I-797 and employment verification. She again told us to wait (this part made us nervous). After a wait of about 30 minutes, we were called again by the same lady, who took our fingerprints again and asked us to come and collect the passports at 3 pm. It is possible that the finger print machine was not working the first time she called us, but that wasnt clear. So in case any of you goes through this 3-step process, theres nothing to worry. We hung out in the mall (Plaza Rio) and went back to the consulate at 2:15pm. We only got our passports back at 4:30 pm or so.

Overall the process was very smooth - the only difference between what has been documented before on this blog and our experience was the 3-step process mentioned above. Feel free to contact me if you have questions. Also, it is very important to get your PIMS verification to the consulate at least 72 hours before your appointment.