First-time visa stamping in Mexico is allowed only if you have a previous visa in the same category. This previous visa can be valid or expired.

Examples:

• F1 & F2 are same F visa category
• H1B & H4 – H visa category
• L1A, L1B & L2 – L visa category
• E3 & E3D – E visa category.

If you want to get a visa stamp for H1B and currently have an F1 visa in your passport, then you are not eligible.

Passport Processing Time in Mexico

You can expect to receive your passport in about 2-3 days after the interview.

The passport delivery is handled by DHL and you may be asked to visit the designated DHL location for pick up.

Best Location – Approval Rates

We have tried and tested Venkat & Ernesto stamping in Mexico services and they recommend these Mexico locations based on their experience for smooth visa approvals.

#1 F1 (Masters & Phd), F2, F2 to F1 (O), F1 to F2 visa renewals

Monterrey is best, followed by Nuevo Laredo, Nogales, Tijuana, Ciudad Juarez, Hermosillo and then Guadalajara.

They recommend avoiding Hermosillo if you have been on an F1 visa for more than 5 years or are doing 2nd masters.

#2 H1B & H4 / L1A, L1B & L2 / E3 & E3D Visa

If you are working as a contractor for a third party company, your first choice should be Nogales followed by Nuevo Laredo, Matamoros, Tijuana, Monterrey, Hermosillo, Mexico City, and Ciudad Juarez.

For all EVC, EVVC, and other such client and employer relationship visa stamping for H1B or L or E visa, you should carry client letter and master service agreement copy between each layer.

For full-time employment, there is no specific embassy that’s better than others. You can choose any.

The general guidance is to avoid Guadalajara for all visa interviews in this category. You should avoid Hermosillo for H1B to H4 and H4 to H1B change of status stamping.

Visa Fees Payment

US embassy in Mexico does not accept visa fees payments by credit or debit cards at this time. You have to pay US visa interview fees in cash to any Citi Banamex or Scotiabank branch. The Mexican bank would accept Mexican Pesos or will convert your US dollars to pesos.

The biggest hurdle in stamping in Mexico is the MRV fee payment and that too has to be made an in-person visit to Bank location.

Sensing the opportunity, many third party companies have started providing “stamping in Mexico” as a service. They help you with visa fees payment in Mexico and even take care of your boarding, lodging in Mexico.

If you want to handle Mexico fees payment yourself, then

1. Create a user account on the official US embassy website here.
2. Add your information to complete the registration.
3. Continue with the visa scheduling until you arrive at the Payment page.
4. Select Pay by Cash on the payments page.
5. Download, print, and follow the Cash payment instruction sheet.

Remember that you do need the visa fees payment slip to carry for your visa interview. The visa fee payment generally gets activated within hours of payment and then you can book the appointment.

Form 221G in Mexico

You can be issued form 221g in Mexico and may have to wait there. In most cases, the client verification is done within 1 to 3 weeks and your visa is issued.

But, in other cases, where your DUI or OPT case status checks are required, it can take more than 3 weeks too. The visa processing time varies with each case.

FAQ

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What is Mexico FMM?

Mexico tourist permit is known as Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMM) and is given free of cost for 7 days.

The one for 180 days costs approximately USD $30.

Many people crossing the border by land for US visa stamping never take the Mexico Permit.

The funny thing is that there is no immigration checkpoint and you can just walk into Mexico.

They assume that it is your responsibility to go inside the border immigration office, fill out the tourist card, get the Mexico Entry stamp in your passport, and get the FMM card (Mexican equivalent of US i94).

Since there are no checks by Mexican authorities at a land border, people in the US take it for granted and just never bother to get the FMM card on their entry to Mexico.

This works fine as long as you have an unexpired US visa stamp and can go back to the US using the land border again.

If you do not take FMM, there is no Mexican entry and exit stamp posted on your passport either.

Mexico Permit by iVisa.com?

The ivisa.com is popular among the Indian H1B community in the US who think that they can get the Mexico Tourist permit (FMM) online.

This is NOT completely true.

• ivisa.com only helps you fill the official Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMM) application form online for service fees of USD $20 + the official application fees. This same service is available FREE of COST on Mexico’s official government website.
• You will off-course need to pay the FMM application fee of approx. USD $29 if you intend to get this permit for more than 7 days from either website.

In both cases, you need to present this FMM card at the Mexican border Immigration office and get an official stamp to make it valid.

You do need a valid passport and a valid visa from the US, Canada, Japan, or Schengen country to make this FMM legal.

Do not believe the myth that once you have applied online on ivisa.com and they have sent you an FMM PDF file, you are good to go.

Problems – Didn’t Stamp FMM at Land Border

There is no problem if you enter and exit Mexico by land border without FMM for non-Mexican citizens. They do not check anything at all.

The problem will arise if you enter by land and want to exit Mexico by air. Airlines do not issue the boarding pass unless you have FMM.

There is a way out though by paying the fine of about USD $29. The immigration counter at the airport will issue a new FMM card.

Many people who lose their card or overstay the 7-day free permit do pay the fine on their exit from the international airport. It is a standard process.

Entered Mexico by Land Using US Visa for US Visa Stamping

If you came to Mexico for US visa stamping and used your existing valid US visa, you can get the FMM easily.

Although the 7-day permit is free, I still strongly suggest getting it for 180 days by paying the application fees. Why? I explain next.

Your existing US visa will be canceled without prejudice at the time of your interview and then you will not be able to extend your Mexico FMM beyond 7 days.

Note that you cannot re-enter the US while waiting for your form 221g processing like DS 5535 at the US embassy using visa Automatic re-validation within 30 days or entering Mexico.

Some people have reported on our WhatsApp groups that they were allowed entry to the US from the Nuevo Laredo border even though they had a pending US H1B visa application at the US embassy. I consider this as an exception, as legally, CBP cannot allow you.

I know of people who tried a similar thing at Nogales and Ciudad Juarez Mexico land border and were denied entry.

Canada Visa vs Mexico Visa

A Mexico visa is another option if you want to go for a US visa stamping in the Mexican US embassy.

The better option though is to apply for a Canada visitor visa as it comes with a 10-year validity and allows you to enter Mexico whereas a Mexico visa is given only for 6 months.

Canadian visa also helps you travel through European countries like Frankfurt, Brussels, and Germany which would otherwise ask for a transit visa.

Note that an FMM card is required in all cases when you enter Mexico by Land or Air.

When flying into Mexico, airline staff will give you the FMM form to fill ahead of landing. When entering by land, you can either fill it online or fill it at the immigration counter.

FAQ

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Visa Stamping in Mexico, Canada

First H1B stamping in Mexico is allowed for third-country nationals (TCN) like Indian, and China citizens.

You cannot attend B1/B2 and H2 visa interviews in Canada or Mexico.

First Time Visa Stamping

• US embassy in Canada allows first-time visa stamping.
• Mexican US embassy also allows first-time visa stamping but with conditions.

Many people visit Nogales or the US embassy in Matamoros due to its proximity to the Texas land border.

One of our guests Anand got his first-time H1B stamping in Nogales approved for 3 years.

His experience:

Note that you should have an existing US visa stamp in your passport in the same class to visit Mexico. The existing visa stamp in the same class can be either valid or expired.

Example:

• An H4 visa holder can visit Mexico to get a first-time H1B stamp.
• An F1 student cannot get first-time H1B or H4 stamping in Mexico. Canada allows a change of visa class though.

Visa Renewal Stamping

Visa renewal visa stamps can be obtained in Mexico as well as Canada.

Many people visit Canada and Mexico for H1B renewal stamping including the H1B Amendment, Transfer, or extensions instead of visiting their home country.

You will need to carry proofs of your H1B approval including the original i797 approval form and client letter (most important), especially for third-party consulting companies with the EVC model.

H1B to H4 COS Visa Stamping

• Mexico: H1B to H4 change of status stamping in Mexico is allowed if you are currently on an H1B visa residing and working in the USA.
• Canada: Visiting Canada is also a good option to get onto H4 status quickly given that H4 COS processing times are too high.

Many people get an H4 visa stamp and then quickly file an H4-EAD work permit after re-entering and saving time.

I also recommend people get an H4 visa stamp in either Mexico or Canada instead of filing H4 COS while they are in an H1B 60-day grace period after a job loss. Off-course, your spouse should have approved H1B for you to get an H4 visa.

Explain why H1B to H4 COS Reason

You may be asked the reason for changing from an H1B work visa to an H4 dependent visa by the visa officer. You can speak truthfully about the H1B extension denial or a job layoff.

Do not try to hide the information as the visa officer will have all your details.

You should answer the question “I will not work on an H4 visa” if asked, “do you plan to work in the USA” as you are applying for H4 at this time. H4 is not allowed to work until you have H4-EAD.

It is perfectly fine and legal to apply H4 and then apply H4 EAD after returning to the US.

F1 to H4 / H1B Visa Stamping

Mexico allows US visa holders to enter their country without a separate Mexico visa.

• Mexico: US embassy in Mexico does not allow change of visa class stamping. This means that the F1 class of visa change to H4 or H1B is not allowed in Mexico.
• Canada: Allows F1 to H4 or H1B category change stamping in the US embassy. You would need a Canada visitor visa (or if you have other types of Canadian visas) to enter Canada.

Related: US visa Stamping in Mexico – Ciudad Juarez Experience

Out-of-Status Visa Stamping

Suppose you have been out of status in the USA because you violated the terms of your current visa like H1B or overstayed the validity printed on your I-94.

In that case, you are not eligible to apply at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in Canada or Mexico as a citizen of any other country.

You must go for visa stamping in your home country i.e. nationality or passport.

You can prove your legal status using your current i797 approval notice or EAD card or renewed i94.

Form 221g, DS 5535

Form 221g can be issued in Mexico and Canada. If you are asked to submit more documents, you will have to stay there till a decision is made on your application.

You can get your passport back if you want to travel out of Mexico while your form 221g is processed. The form 221g admin processing after visa approval can still take anywhere between 7 days to 8 weeks.

Off late, a form called DS5535 is issued to get your last 15-year travel history which can delay your visa processing.

FAQ

Source: travel.State.gov

Official US Embassy Mexico guidance for Non-Mexico Citizens

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