Juarez to End Visa Processing for TCNs from 11.01.2002
Posted Oct 25, 2002

Effective November 1, 2002, the U.S. consulate in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico will stop processing nonimmigrant visa applications for third-country nationals (TCNs), i.e. for non-Mexicans. No appointments are available at Ciudad Juarez as of that date for TCNs. [Narrow exceptions to this prohibition are explained later in this article.]

Reasons for this change in procedure, according to the U.S. Department of State Visa Office, are that the U.S. consulate in Cuidad Juarez, Mexico is backlogged in processing approximately 250,000 V visa applications. These applications are for a very limited group of spouses of permanent residents. The processing of these visas is moving at a slower rate than expected. Furthermore, the consulate is understaffed, having many vacant visa specialist positions. Recruiting for and filling these open positions has been difficult. It is not clear whether or when Cuidad Juarez may resume processing TCN visa applications.

There is a limited exception to this prohibition for residents of the district covered by Cuidad Juarez. These Mexican residents, even if TCNs, can continue to have applications processed at the consulate. These individuals will have to present proof of residence. This same ability to process is also extended to TCNs who live in southern New Mexico or West Texas and work in Ciudad Juarez.

This announcement does not appear to alter the ability of TCNs to process nonimmigrant visa applications at the U.S. consulates in Canada or at the other consulates in Mexico.