Ciudad Juarez Available for TCN Visa Processing
Posted Apr 18, 2003

The U.S. Consulate in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, has announced that it will resume the processing of nonimmigrant visas for Third Country Nationals (TCNs) in the very near future. The processing of nonimmigrant visas for TCNs will be available for renewals and for individuals who changed status in the U.S.

For those who are not familiar, a TCN for the consulate in Juarez is a person who is not a citizen of Mexico but of a third country, like India or Australia, for example, who wishes to apply in a neighboring country like Mexico for the nonimmigrant visa. This is more convenient for the individual than having to travel all the way back to his or her home country or country of citizenship, saving time and money. At one time, Mexican and Canadian consulates accepted TCN visa applications but ceased this practice due to time constraints and insufficient personnel or inability to verify security status. Now Juarez is again willing to consider this option due to its workload. It is necessary that one schedule a visa appointment. It is anticipated that the scheduling of appointments will begin in the third week of April 2003.

The Consulate has explained that there are limitations with respect to individuals who changed status from B-1 or B-2 visitor to another nonimmigrant status. These individuals will have to return to their home countries to obtain new visas, if desired. The only exception to this prohibition is for those who entered with the B-1/B-2 containing the annotation "prospective student." These individuals would be allowed to apply for student visas through the U.S. consulate in Ciudad Juarez. The other exception to this rule is that the consulate in Ciudad Juarez will not process E or "special processing" cases, due to workload restrictions.

While the ability to apply for a visa in a neighboring country can be a great convenience, we recommend reading our March 15, 2002 article, Overhaul of "Contiguous Territory" Rule: Eliminated for Many, before deciding to apply for a visa as a TCN in one of the neighboring countries like Canada or Mexico.