Ciudad Juarez to Cease Third Country NIV Processing

Cite as "Posted on AILA InfoNet at Doc. No. 02101840 (Oct. 18, 2002) ."

Update from the AILA State Department Liaison Committee

The State Department Visa Office has confirmed that the U.S. Consulate in Ciudad Juarez (“CJ”) will cease taking appointments for third country national (“TCN”) nonimmigrant visa processing effective November 1, 2002. The National Visa Appointment Reservation System (“NVARS”) appointment system shows no more appointments available in CJ after that date.

The stated reasons are two-fold. First, CJ, under pressure to process some 250,000 V visa applications, has found the process far slower going than anticipated, especially with the perceived need for personal interviews. Second, CJ has had tremendous difficulty recruiting for civil service visa officer positions, and reports that 15 of its 38 civil service visa specialist positions are vacant. Visa Office is unaware of plans to allocate resources to the other border posts.

CJ will continue to accept applications from all residents of its district, principally Chihuahua, plus the states of Durango and Coahuila. CJ will also continue to accept applications from any TCN who is a resident (i.e., holds an FM-3) and from TCNs who live in the general El Paso area (southern New Mexico/west Texas) and work in Ciudad Juarez, on presentation of their FM-3 as proof of residence. Our thanks to AILA members Kathleen Walker and Bernie Wolfsdorf for pursuing this matter and bringing it to AILA's attention.

(10/19/2002)

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