Starting on my Visa

(image taken from the internet)

 

I wrote last month that I was going to soon begin the process of getting my permanent residency visa.  Two years ago when I got my temporary visa, the process had been so stressful that this time I hired a law firm that specializes in assisting in immigration matters.  They had made an appointment for me at the National Institute of Migration for this past Monday at 12:30.  

Alejandro and I drove to the migration headquarters in the Polanco district.  There we were met by a young fellow from the law firm.  He checked that I had all the necessary documents to hand in and waited with us in the courtyard in front of the building.  There were many other applicants waiting, but other than a busload of young Mormon missionaries, I didn't see anyone else who was obviously from the United States.  Our assistant told me that the largest number of applicants are now from China.

After waiting outside for about an hour, the people who had appointments for the 12:30 time slot were called into the building.  Alejandro was not allowed to go in with me.  We were seated inside and were called up individually to one of the windows.  I handed in my documents and paid my fee which was around 450 U.S. dollars.  One of the documents that I had to turn in was an official copy of our wedding certificate.  That will be checked with the civil registry office to make sure that it is legitimate.  The lady at the window could not tell me how long that takes.  I was concerned because my temporary visa expires later this month, but she said it does not matter since I have started the process for my permanent visa.  She also told me that Alejandro and I had to return the next day.

After leaving the building, I asked our assistant from the law firm how long the process takes.  He said it could be a month.  (I later read on the internet that it can take between 2 and 8 weeks to receive the permanent visa.)  I told him that I was planning on traveling to Ohio in September for a high school reunion.  He said to inform him once I have made my plane reservations, and he will get me a special document that allows me to leave and return to Mexico while my visa is being processed.

On Tuesday, Alejandro and I went back to the migration office.  We were separated, and we each had to fill out a long questionnaire to prove that we actually know each other as a couple.  To my dismay, I realized afterwards that I had answered a couple of the questions incorrectly.  For example, I am mildly color-blind, and I goofed up on the question asking the color of Alejandro's house.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that a couple of errors will not result in my application being denied.  I don't want to be deported!!!  😕