HOW TO APPLY FOR A NON-IMMIGRANT VISA

All visa applicants are required to complete the CEAC Visa Application via the Internet prior to registering at the Applicant Service Center (ASC). Applicants should plan ahead and take into account the wait times to obtain an interview date that will allow time to process and deliver your visa, which could take up to 4 weeks.

While individual experience may differ, below are the basic steps you should follow and what you can expect throughout the visa process.  These 5 steps are necessary for all applicants regardless of the visa classification (including laser visa, H1B, F, J, etc…).

How to process your visa in 5 steps:

• Step 1:  Pay the peso equivalent of USD $26.00 for a scheduling service PIN number and USD $131.00 application fee at any Banamex branch. Payment is accepted in pesos and cash only.
• Step 2:  Use either a telephone call or Internet to schedule your appoinments first to register at the Applicant Service Center (ASC) and then to interview at the Consulate.
• Step 3:  Complete the CEAC application and prepare the visa application documents prior your visit to the ASC and to the Consulate.
• Step 4:  Attend your appointment to register at the ASC.
• Step 5:  Attend your appointment at the Consulate for your visa interview.

Step 1:  Obtain at any Banamex branch a $286 peso PIN number for each applicant.  You will need this to schedule your appointments, register at the Applicant Service Center (ASC) and to arrange visa delivery if your application is approved.  Also pay the $1450 peso non-refundable application fee for each applicant. All fees must be paid in Mexican pesos and in cash. You will need to present a passport valid for the duration of your proposed stay in U.S. when you pay the fee.  Overpayments cannot be refunded. This fee does not guarantee visa issuance; the payments only cover the visa application process and interview with a Consular Officer.

Step 2:  Use your Banamex PIN number to schedule appointments by telephone or Internet through our Scheduling Service  

 


By telephone, please call: 01-800-112-8500 provided you have bought a PIN at Banamex By Internet Appointment Complaints: 01-800-719-2525 (Toll-free from within Mexico)

 

Call Center Hours of Operation:
Operators are available:
Monday through Friday	from 7 A.M. to 9 P.M.
Saturdays, Sundays and holidays	from 9 A.M. to 3 P.M.

Helpful hint:  To expedite your call (and reduce your telephone costs), you must have the visa applicant’s passport in hand to provide necessary information to the telephone operator.  The Scheduling Service operator will ask for the full name and applicant’s passport number (Note: the passport must be valid for the duration of your proposed stay in U.S. ). The appointment service operator will give you a date and time both to register at the Applicant Service Center and for your interview at the Consulate.

Step 3:  Complete the CEAC internet visa application for each applicant and print out the bar code generated once the application is complete. Prepare your application documents prior to your interview at the U.S. Consulate.

• Original birth certificate for children and a photograph if the child is under the age of seven (select Visa for a Minor for details).  Applicants ages 7 or older do not need to bring a photograph
• If you have a visa that is lost or stolen, be sure to bring the original police report.  See Lost and Stolen Visas for more information.
• Original documentation showing the applicant has strong ties in Mexico which would ensure their return to the home country after a temporary visit to the United States.  Some of the ties that may be considered during the interview include professional, employment, educational, family or social linkages to a foreign country. For more details visit Helpful Supporting Documents.

Step 4: Day of your application process registration at the ASC

At your scheduled time, take passports, Banamex receipts and your CEAC bar code to the Applicant Service Center, located at Hidalgo 400 Pte Street, corner of Hidalgo and Rayon St. If applying for an L1, H1B, F1, J1, etc. also take any USCIS approved I-797 petitions or SEVIS forms.  At the Service Center, your application will be registered and your photo and fingerprints will be taken.  You will also arrange for visa and passport and/or border crossing card delivery.  You will receive a bar code from the Applicant Service Center that confirms your registration, as well as a delivery receipt for the delivery of your visa if approved. These items are what you will present at the Consulate the day of your interview.

Step 5: Day of your interview at the U.S. Consulate

Arrive on time for your interview at the consulate.  Since we schedule a high volume of visa interviews daily, you may be asked to re-schedule your appointment if you do not arrive on time.  There are other applicants scheduled at the same times but, our consular officers will make every effort to minimize your wait.  As you walk up to the window for your interview, be prepared to present to the consular officer the following:

• Applicant Service Center bar code (see step 4)
• Passport valid for the duration of your proposed stay in the U.S,
• Original Banamex receipt for the $1450 peso non-refundable application fee
• ASC delivery receipt
• For petition based applications:  DHS notices of approval, DS-2019, etc.,
• For children applying for the first time, birth certificates and parent’s visas

The Consular Officer will ask to see your additional supporting documentation, if necessary.  Please have the documentation organized and ready to present to the officer.  Be honest during the interview; do not accept advice to mislead the Consular Officer.  Misleading or lying as well as presenting false or altered documentation could result in a permanent visa ineligibility.

If no additional processing is needed and your application is approved, you will receive your visa at the address registered through the ASC delivery service as follows:

• Laser visa (credit card size) – 3 to 4 weeks
• Laser visa (pasted in your passport – BBBCV) – 3 to 4 days
• Other visa categories or if the visa is approved for a specific event – 3 to 4 days

10 year validity laser visas serve as border crossing cards and are issued to Mexican nationals who travel to the United States for tourism, business or shopping.  If you do not receive your visa or a notification from the Consulate within the delivery timeframe, please contact the delivery service at the Applicant Service Center, phone 01-800-765-6345.

Do not make travel plans until you receive your visa.