I see there is no review, and I wanted to write something to help people who need to re-new or…read moreextend their US Visa in Tijuana.
First, you need to go for fingerprint.
Do not take nothing with you, no bags, no phone, no makeup, no usb, nothing. If you have someone who can keep an eye on your things before you stand in line, better. If not, there is a guy over there who work at the parking next to the fingerprint location. He will keep your things until you exit. This is the guy's job, so I think it is safe. Otherwise, go to your hotel, leave the things and only take to the fingerprints money, the hotel card and the documentation you will need.
Then, you have the interview at the Consulate. Also there you are not allowed to enter anything. They made me throw a little something I use to gather my hair.
You will wait there for at least 3 hours, I recommend you to have breakfast before.
If your appointment is at 10am, you can go before, even 9am will be fine. You will be ask to go through security, then to wait until they call you number to give your paper to someone. Then, you wait in line for fingerprint identification and then, you sit down and someone will call you for a short interview.
We were lucky and our visa was delivered the next day, but I can not asure that it is the same for everyone. All the people who I first saw at the finger print I saw the day I picked up my Visa; what makes me thing that perhaps if you are not from Tijauan/Mexico, your Visa is ready right away.
If they told you to pick your passport up at 3.00pm, do not try to come before time because they open at 3.00pm, sharp!
Besides the regular things your lawyer told you to bring, I recommend you to take with you any documentation you think that might help: marriage certificate, bills, student card, a letter from you employer, last tax paid, driver's license.
From there you can return to San Diego through Otay, it is muuuuuuch better than San Ysidro. A taxi from the consulate to the Garita can cost 100 pesos - 10 minutes drive. The same Taxi that took you to the consulate, can wait for you and take you to the Garita Otay.
We slept at the Camino Real and was great. Next to the hotel there is a Mall (like UTC), where you can eat, have a coffee at Starbucks and even watch a movie for 4 dollars.
We eat a lot and veeeery tasty!!! One place I recommend is Cabanna!
I gave 3 starts to the process because it is annoying but very well organized by the personnel out there.