Transit Visa

Hi Friends,

Let me first thank every one who has contributed to this forum.

Here is my experience and some suggestions. Here is a disclaimer also: As you all know we can not certainly say that you can get your Visa if you follow all these....so these are all our experiences and hopefully help others.

Experience:
Stayed at Best Western Siesta Motel in Nogales, AZ (US side). The owner is an Indian (Manu) and really a nice man and very helpful. If you book your hotel well in advance, there is a good chance that he might give you a call to find out if you are coming for Visa stamping. You can as well call him and tell him that you need his help with getting draft for visa etc. (his phone # 520-287-4671).
Left my car at the hotel and took a cab at 7.40 am to border and paid $6. Cab driver showed the gate to cross the border.
There is no one to ask you any questions while crossing the border. Just walked through the revolving gate. Went straight and took a cab to BanAmex and paid him $7. Waited there till the bank opened at 9 am and it took 10 minutes to get draft (paid $109).
Took a cab and went straight to US Consulate, paid $6 for the cab. Left the bag with chai wala (just like in India). Chai cart is digonally opposite to the consulate. Paid him $2 to keep the bag.
Stood in the lane for consulate. One lady came to me aksing if I had all the forms filled out. Then she sent me straight ahead to the entrance with out waiting in the queue.
Went inside the consulate and there was a security check, they will not allow any electronic items (keys, cell phones etc). Then they sent me inside.
Typically there are 3 steps once you enter the consulate.
1. One lady checked passport and applications (I 156, 157 and 158) and gave me a number to go ahead and wait in the first part of waiting hall.
2. First 7 counters are for biometrics. I got my turn in 10 minutes to give biometrics (fingerprints and a digital photo). Once that is done I had to wait for almost 2 hours for the final step.
3. Personal interview with the Visa officer. Usually straight forward questions if we have not changed jobs. As I had changed couple of jobs from the previous employer shown in the Visa (which was expired Sep 2006). Then she asked why I had to change so many jobs. Its not really tough to convince them. Also questioned what kind of work I do. Then questioned why I need stamping now? I had to also fill the details of my travel plans to India in the form I 157.
Then she gave me a slip with information about collecting the Passport the following day at 3 pm. When I asked her if she can give the same day, she said NO.

Came out of the Consulate and spent some time in the Mall behind the Consulate. Met another Indian family who came for Visa. Spent some time and they wanted to check if we can get our Visa the same day, I went along with them and luckily it was given the same day at 3 pm. Other Indian family and few others from Turkey and Japan had to wait for one more day.

Took cab to border and paid $8.
Walked through the Immigration, there was one officer checking Visa and he allowed me inside, he did not talk about I-94. I asked him about I-94, he directed me to go to second floor and there is one office to issue I-94. Officer sitting there asked few questions and issued new I-94, we need to pay $6 for the I-94.
I walked back and took a can to hotel.

So the whole process is pretty simple and we really dont need any agents help to get Visa.

Here are some tips:
If you dont have Banamex reciept, you can actually enter Mexico around 8.30 am and go straight to Banamex (tell the cab driver to Banamex). You dont have to go early.

If you dont get the Visa the same day be prepared to stay in Mexico for a day or two. Visas are issued only at 3 pm every day. Also have the hotel information (Plaza hotel, Fiesta Inn) handy, just in case if you need to stay back for a day or two.

Your Cingular/ Verizon cell phone might work only for incoming calls. Outgoing will not work. I am not sure if we are charged for the roaming.

Please let me know if you have any questions ([email protected]). I will be more than happy to help you.


You dont really need any agent to take you to Mexico. It is really straight forward process. If you are travelling from far off places please book return flight atleast the late next day of your visa appointment.

Hi

I am planning to get my visa stamped on 26th April'07 at Nogales. If you know of anyone who can get the draft arranged beforehand, please let me know. so that I can collect the draft on the 26th morning before proceeding to the consulate).

If anyone had gone recently, could you share your experience and whether they return the passport on the same day?

Thanks
Venkat

Hi,

Is anybody going on March 5th to Nogales,AZ for Visa Stamping

Hi All!

Thanks to this forum & all the friends who given the information and helped me a lot for successful stamping. I am writing here about my Nogales trip for H1-7th year extension.
Went to Tucson Intl' airpot at 10.30 and got a rental car at 11 Then reached at Nogales (USA) 12.10PM then get into best western hotel (previously Called and booked the room). Hotel manager is Indian and his name is Manu and he is very helpful guy. Taken rest for 3 hours and went out and checked for next day morning Car parking at border. Next day morning got up at 5 and vacant the room at 6 and started journey to Nogales (Mexico). Parked the car (McDonalds opposite road left side parking lot) for $4 and walked for 2 min. to border and crossed the border from one gate And taken one taxi and went to consulate (paid US$8). (Need banamex receipt which I got it before I went to Nogales). Went to consulate at 6.45 and there is nearly 70 to 75 people ahead of me. I went with my wife and 11 months old baby. I requested security guard for me to go inside first because its very cold outside and I am with my baby.. They said ok and given me first number. At consulate:
1) One lady came and checked my appointment letter, DS-156, 157 & 158(for h1 and h4). (Don’t take any cell phone, remote keys or any electronics) at 7.30AM
2) Inside they checked us and sent to next counter.
3) The same lady who checked appointment letter that lady checked passports, banamex receipt and given token and asked us to sit in front of finger prints room.
4) Finger print officer called us and taken finger prints and photo and checked all the US address and asked few questions at 7.50AM.
5) Then we went and sit in front of Interview cabins at 8AM
6) Interviewer called our number at 8.10AM.
Interview:
VO: Hi!
Me: Hello Maam, Good Morning
(My wife is holding baby)
VO: Hi baby how are you.
Baby: laughed and shouted very loudly.
VO: she asked my wife to take the baby to play area (inside consulate)
VO: Which company you are working for?
Me: I told company name
VO: For how long?
Me: answered
VO: What your company will do?
Me: bla bla bla....
VO: Right now for which company you are working on project?
Me: answered
Now she checked my ds-158 and in that I dint write all parents and my brother sister’s names.. So she asked me and my wife to write those names and come back. I have completed and went again.. She checked all the information and said your visa has been approved and given one blue slip to collect the passport.(In blue slip its written to collect the passport next day but it will ready on same day.. for some people they will get next day.. they might check background process for delay) came out at 8.40AM.
Went to wallmart and nogalus mall and spend rest of hours. I will suggest to go burger king.. really cheap and good.
That’s all.. I collected passport at 3.10 and went to border by taxi And got the New I-94 at 4.10PM (at border the I-94 issuing officer is very slow) came back to US-Tucson at 5.30 and got the flight on time.
If you need any more information send a message I am happy to assist.

Thanks
Raj

I wish to post a warning to anyone attempting to use a bogus “immigration consultant” under the name of “ATO Immigration Services”, run by M.B. Wanli aka Mohammed B. Wanli. This man is NOT a member or CSIC or an Immigration Lawyer, but acts as if he is a legitimate consultant. He has injured DOZENS of potential immigrants both in Canada and attempting to Immigrate to the US.
Go to British Columbia Court Services Online:
https://webapps.ag.gov.bc.ca/cso/index.do
Click on “Search Civil” put in the name “Mohammed Wanli”

You will find some 40 entries (the most ever in BC) where he is involved in civil litigation. He is neither a lawyer www.lawsociety.bc.ca nor a member of CSIC (Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants) www.csic-scci.ca . Check with either organization. In fact, there was a BC Court order forbidding him to practice law in BC. in 2000.

“Mohammed B. Wanli, a non-lawyer of Vancouver, B.C., was charging fees for drafting documents in family law matters. B.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Donald Brenner has ruled that Mr. Wanli cannot give legal advice or provide legal representation to clients”

Check BC Supreme Court file 21925 where he pleads guilty to 4 counts of theft/fraud on March 29, 2004.

Check the Better Business Bureau of BC www.bbbvan.org and put in ATO immigration. He has been named an “unsatisfactory” record and 9 negative unresolved counts.

Contact your local Authority if you have been injured by this man.

Best of luck.

Hi All,

Is any one going to Nogales via AZ on Jan 9th 2007? It would be great to have company and share details. Thanks in advance.

Rads.

I have an appointment at 8.00 a.m on the 3rd of Jan, 2007. I see that the Benamex does not open until 9.00 a.m. Can someone suggest how can I get the draft made and attend the interview?

Also, if anyone is going to Nogales on the 3rd, please let me know.

Hi All,

Is any one going to Nogales via AZ on Jan 9th 2007? It would be great to have company and share details. Thanks in advance.

Rads.

Paying $55 for transit visa and getting treated like crap at a European airport. Take a direct flight to India instead. Its worth every penny.

I am visiting Ghana in December and will be transiting via the UK. I actually need to change airports. From Heathrow to Gatwick. All in all, my stay in the UK will be under 12 hours.

I am a Ghanian Citizen and i hold a Canadian Green Card issued in 2003.

Do i need a visa or not?

Pls help!