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Important Information for Non-Mexican Visa Applicants

ALL APPLICANTS WILL HAVE TO SPEND BETWEEN 1 AND 3 NIGHTS IN NUEVO LAREDO AFTER THE VISA IS APPROVED BEFORE THEY WILL HAVE THEIR PASSPORT WITH VISA RETURNED TO THEM.

All applicants must make an interview appointment.

The US Consulate at Nuevo Laredo WILL ACCEPT the following types of NIV applications from Third Country National (TCN) applicants who are currently in the U.S.:

  • Renewals of A, C, D, F, G, H, I, J, L, M, O, P, Q, R visas, if the initial visa was issued in the applicant's home country or at one of the border posts in the past few years.
  • Applications for visas that reflect a change of status (e.g., F1 to H1B, F1 to J) if the applicant has the original change of status notice (I-797) from DHS and the applicant originally entered the US in other than B status.
  • Applications for those with a B visa issued in their home country that includes an annotation indicating they are entering the US with an intent to change visa status, such as "Prospective Student".


    • We WILL NOT ACCEPT the following TCN cases:
  • Applicants who entered the US with an unannotated B visa issued in their home country who changed status to another visa category, e.g., F, J, H1B.
  • TCN E1 and E2 cases, including renewals.

    • IMPORTANT NOTICES
    Due to an April 1, 2002 change in regulations, applicants will only be able to reenter the United States if they are found eligible for a new visa and actually have the visa placed in their passport. I-94 forms (even if still valid), accompanied by previous expired visas, will no longer be valid for the automatic re-entry of persons traveling from Canada or Mexico if during their visit they applied for a new visa that has not, in fact, been issued.

    Applicants should be aware that any kind of problem/encounter with a law enforcement agency in the United States could result in an FBI record. A visa cannot be issued until mandatory processing requirements are completed, which can take several weeks. In addition, some visa applications require additional special clearances or administrative processing, which requires additional time. Most special clearances are resolved within 30 days of application.  However, the time required will vary based on the individual circumstances of each case. Either of these situations (law enforcement problems or special processing requirements) would leave the applicant outside the U.S. for a lengthy period of time and without a valid visa to return to the U.S.

    We can no longer accept applications from TCNs who are nationals of the seven countries currently designated as state sponsors of terrorism unless they are residents of Mexico. For more information, please see the Notice: Special Visa Processing Procedures Pursuant to Section 306 of the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Reform Act of 2002.