Persons applying for an E visa, who will be working in South Texas, or are from the state of Tamaulipas, must send their documentation to the Consulate for review prior to obtaining an appointment.

The Consulate will accept out of district NIV applicants (i.e. visa applicants from areas of México outside of Tamaulipas). As with all NIV applicants, however, they must be able to prove to the interviewing consular officer that they are not intending immigrants to the U.S. It may be slightly more difficult for them to do this since Post's consular officers are not as familiar with documents from other parts of México.

Fees (per person), all fees are not refundable:

• Nonimmigrant visa application processing fee, Form DS-156 - $100
• Border crossing card - 10 year (age 15 and over) - $100
• Border crossing card - (under age 15). For Mexican citizen if parent or guardian has or is applying for a border crossing card - $13

To apply for a visa, each person must pay an application fee of $100 USD or the equivalent in Mexican pesos. Mexican national children under the age of 15 have the option of paying a $13 USD fee, if they are applying for the tourist visa known as the laser visa. The laser visa will be valid until the child's 15th birthday. If the child is applying for any other type of visa, the $100 USD fee applies. All applicants, regardless of nationality, may pay the application fees at the BANAMEX of their choice. BANAMEX will provide each applicant with a fee receipt, which will be attached to the applicant's application at the consulate. An additional fee may apply depending on the visa class and nationality of the applicant.

All NIV applicants must bring to the interview appointment the following documents:

• Valid passport
• One recent photograph (taken within the past six months), 2x2 inches (5x5 cm), color. It must show a front view, full face, on plain light (white or off-white) background.
• A receipt for the US$100 visa application fee from any BANAMEX (Banco Nacional de Mexico) branch in Mexico. The hours of operation of Banamex are Monday-Friday from 9:00am to 4:00pm.
• A properly completed DS-156 Form and supplement DS-157 for all males between the ages of 16 and 45.

Immigrant Visa
The Immigration and Nationality Act allows for the immigration of foreigners to the United States based on relationship to a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident. Family-based immigration falls under two basic categories: unlimited and limited.

Unlimited Family-Based: Immediate Relatives of U.S. Citizens (IR): The spouse, widow(er) and unmarried children under 21 of a U.S. citizen, and the parent of a U.S. citizen who is 21 or older. Returning Residents (SB): Immigrants who lived in the United States previously as lawful permanent residents and are returning to live in the U.S. after a temporary visit of more than one year abroad.

Limited Family-Based: Family First Preference (F1): Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, and their children, if any. (23,400) Family Second Preference (F2): Spouses, minor children, and unmarried sons and daughters (over age 20) of lawful permanent residents. (114,200) At least seventy-seven percent of all visas available for this category will go to the spouses and children; the remainder will be allocated to unmarried sons and daughters. Family Third Preference (F3): Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, and their spouses and children. (23,400) Family Fourth Preference (F4): Brothers and sisters of United States citizens, and their spouses and children, provided the U.S. citizens are at least 21 years of age. (65,000)

Petition. Relatives of intending immigrants who plan to base their immigrant visa applications on family relationship must obtain a Form I-130, Immigrant Petition for Relative, from the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services in the Department of Homeland Security (BCIS). The petitioning U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident must submit the Form I-130 to the BCIS office. Forms and instructions are available from BCIS. Once BCIS approves the petition, they will send the petitioner a notice of approval, Form I-797. BCIS will also forward the approved petition to the Immigrant Visa Processing Center, which will contact the intending immigrant with further information.

Attorney Representation
Attorneys, immigration consultants and paralegals are not permitted to be physically present at the interview window with client.

Contact Information:
U.S. Consulate General, Matamoros, Mexico
Calle Primera 2002, Col. Jardin
Matamoros, Tamaulips 87330 Mexico

Main: (+52) (868) 812-44-02
Fax: (+52) (868) 812-21-71

http://matamoros.usconsulate.gov/matamoros/index.html