Process for Visitor Immigration

The U.S. Embassy in Mexico processes Visa applications each working day, Monday through Friday (please keep in mind the Visa section is closed on American and Mexican holidays). An appointment is required. You can apply for an appointment by phone at 01-900-849-4949

If it is the first time that you are applying for a Visa, your previous Visa was issued for a limited period of time, or your previous Visa was lost or stolen (and you have a police report) the appointments are usually given during the morning.
For the renewal of a Visa that had a validity of 10 years and will expire shortly or has expired less than a year ago, or if your spouse possesses a valid 10-year Visa, appointments are usually given during the afternoon.

You Must:

Bring them to your appointment the Banamex receipt indicating that you have paid the required PESO EQUIVALENT of $131.00 U.S. dollars for the processing fee
Present your Mexican passport with a minimum validity of six months from the date of your appointment
You must fill out the Visa application; form DS-156, on the internet before coming for your interview
If you are male between 16 and 45 years of age, complete the supplementary application
In case of a lost or stolen previous Visa, present the original police report
Must be able to prove you have the financial means for self-support
- In order to comply with this requirement, it is suggested that you present original documents that support your claim of economic solvency. Depending on your particular situation, you may wish to present original, recent bank statements (letters from banks are not acceptable substitutes), receipts of payroll and the pink copy of the Social Security registration if you are employed, your stamped income tax return if you are a business owner, documentation regarding your business, your tax receipt if you own property, your professional I.D., etc. We reiterate: copies are neither acceptable nor necessary.

A Consular Officer interviews all applicants. The interview is brief but detailed. At this point you should have the application filled out, and the Consular Officer will review it. The application should be filled out in its entirety, accurately and truthfully.

IMPORTANT: If you intend to travel as a tourist, you should be able to explain and prove how and when you plan to travel, where you plan to stay, and how you will pay for the trip. United States law specifies that you should prove “that it is reasonable to suppose that you will return to your place of origin once you have completed your trip.”

Typical wait times for appointment is 1 – 3 days

Non-immigrant Visas

*B-1 Visa* This visa is a non-immigrant temporary business visitor visa, for the persons who are traveling to the United States on behalf of their foreign employer to attend meetings, trainings, conferences or conventions in the U. S. You are not allowed employment with this visa. Related Forms: DS-156, DS-157, I-134

B-2 Visa This is a non-immigrant temporary tourist visitor visa, you may enter the U. S. for pleasure, medical treatment, or business. It also allows the spouse, children and parents of a B-1 holder visit the U. S. Related Forms: DS-156, DS-157, I-134

J-1 Visa This visa is for International exchange visitor program visa, allows the interchange of knowledge, persons and skills in the educational fields, arts and sciences. Related Forms: DS-156, DS-157, DS-158, I-612, DS-2019

Vocational and Language Students N-9 - Child of parent accorded special Immigrant status. N-8 - Parent of alien (minor) accorded special Immigrant status. Point of Contact: Apply at local embassy with USCIS Form I-20 ID and proof of relationship.

Witness or Informant If you are a witness or informant regarding criminal activity, then you will be granted this visa. If an individual is in the US to provide critical information, then their dependents may also be granted a visa. S-7 - Dependent of S-5 or S-6 Visa Holder Point of Contact: Attorney General and Secretary of State must approve this visa. The law enforcement agency must make this application. An S-7 visa requires dependent information to be listed on Form I-854, Inter-Agency Alien Witness and Informant Record.

Victims of a Severe Form of Trafficking in Persons If a victim is in the United States due to reasons of trafficking, a T series visa may be applied for. This visa applies if victim will suffer hardship if removed from the United States. Victim should apply at designated Department of Homeland security offices. Family members of victims should apply at local consulate, if not living in the United States. Dependents must be able to show relationship. T-2 – Spouse of a trafficking victim T-3 – Child of a trafficking victim T-4 – Parent of a trafficking victim Point of Contact: USCIS-Vermont Service Center 75 Lower Welden Street St. Albans, VT 05479-0001 Website

Victims of Certain Crimes If you are the victim of certain types of crimes or criminal activity including such as rape, torture, abuse, assault, prostitution, slavery, blackmail or other crimes, then you may qualify for this type of visa. The crime must have occurred in the United States. Family members may also be granted a visa. A law enforcement official or authority must investigate the criminal activity and certify the application form. Family relationships must be verified. U-3 – Spouse of victim U-4 – Child of victim Point of Contact: USCIS - Vermont Service Center 75 Lower Welden Street St. Albans, VT 05479-0001 Website

E-1 Visa

This visa is a non-immigrant visa for Treaty Traders to enter the U. S. to conduct trade in America. You must be from an eligible country that has a treaty agreement with America.

Related Forms: DS-156, DS-156E, DS-157, I-129, I-129E, I-907

E-2 Visa

This visa is a non-immigrant visa for Treaty Investor. You must be an investor or plan to invest a considerable amount in the U. S.

Related Forms: DS-156, DS-156E, DS-157, I-129, I-129E, I-907

H-1B Visa

This visa is for non-immigrants visa for persons who are in a specialty occupation with a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Related Forms: DS-156, DS-157, ETA-9035, I-129, I-129H, I-129W, I-907

H-1C Visa

This visa is for foreign Registered Nurses sponsored by a hospital or medical facility looking for temporary work in the U.S.

Related Forms: Hospital must complete form ETA-9081, I-129

H-2A Visa

This visa is a non-immigration temporary visa for Seasonal agricultural workers. Employer must apply for the employee, you may not petition for yourself.

Related Forms: Labor Certification form, I-129, ETA-750A, ETA-790

H-2B Visa

This visa is a non-immigrant temporary visa for foreign trainers or seasonal workers who can work when no U.S. workers are available.

Related Forms: DS-156, DS-157, ETA-750A, I-129, I-129H, I-907

H-3 Visa

This visa is for foreign trainees coming to America for training, only if training is not available in the foreigner country.

Related Forms: DS-156, I-129, I-129H, I-907

This visa is for International exchange visitor program visa, it allows you to participate in the interchange of knowledge, persons and skills in the educational fields, arts and sciences.

Related Forms: DS-156, DS-157, DS-158, I-612, DS-2019 (Institution Specific Form)

L-1 Visa

This visa is a non-immigrant visa for Intra-company transferees who must be a person with special knowledge and skills or in a higher position to enter the U.S. to manage organizations major functions or division.

Related Forms: DS-156, DS-157, I-129, I-129L, I-907

O-1 Visa

This visa is a non-immigrant visa allows a foreign who has special ability to engage in activity in the U.S. such as education, athletics, arts, science, television, or motion pictures production.

Related Forms: DS-156, DS-157, I-129, I-129 O/P, I-907

O-2 Visa

This visa is a non-immigrant visa for the support personnel of an O-1 visa holder.

Related Forms: DS-156, DS-157, I-129, I-129 O/P, I-907

P-1 Visa

This visa is a non-immigrant visa for artists, athletes and entertainers who will be performing or in a specific event in the U.S.

Related Forms: DS-156, DS-157, I-129, I-129 O/P, I-907

P-2 Visa

This visa is a non-immigrant visa for foreign bands or troupes to enter the U.S. to perform temporarily as an entertainer or artist as part of a group or reciprocal exchange program.

Related Forms: DS-156, DS-157, I-129, I-129 O/P

P-3 Visa

This visa is a non-immigrant visa for foreign person to teach, perform, or coach as an artist or entertainers in the U.S. under a cultural unique program as an individual or as part of a group.

Related Forms: DS-156, DS-157, I-129, I-129 O/P, I-907

Q-1 Visa

This visa is for foreign persons involve in a program of international cultural exchange to provide employment, training and sharing the history, traditions, and culture of the foreigner home country.

Related Forms: DS-156, DS-157, I-129

TN Visa

This visa allows non-immigrant Mexican or Canadian professional workers temporarily enter the U.S. for employment.

Related Forms: DS-156, DS-157, I-129, I-907, ETA-9035