Here are some of the questions we get asked frequently. Please go over this page if you have any questions. We will be adding more soon.
Q: Does MAS provide an airport pick up service?
Q: Can we take our children with us for the stamping even though they are US citizens?
A: You most definitely can. In fact, parents with young children usually enter first through the consulate doors. The US consulate may require to show proof that they are indeed your children so please have their passports handy. MAS has child seats available upon request.
Q: Can you give me the contact information of someone else with the same appointment date?
A: Sorry but the answer is NO unless they have checked off the appropriate box on our checklist which authorizes us to give out the email address of any client. We keep all of the MAS client information confidential unless you give us authorization to pass it on to other MAS clients. This is to protect our clients' privacy.
Q: What should I bring for my child(ren) who is/are a US citizens? Do they require visa to enter Mexico?
A: Please bring some food/change of clothes and the US passport. They will not require anything else.
Q: Do we need a Mexican Visa to enter Mexico now for stamping?
A: The Mexican Immigration office will no longer require a permit to enter Matamoros for US visa stamping purposes. We do however recommend applying for the Mexican Visa if at all possible in the event that more travel in Mexico is required. You can do so by visiting the nearest Mexican consulate and apply for the Mexican Tourist Visa at a cost of only $36.00 per person and is usually obtained on the same day.
Q: What are the steps needed to avail your services?
A: Step 1. Find out if you are eligible for stamping in Mexico. You can do so by consulting 
with an immigration attorney to ensure you have everything in order.
Step 2: Schedule your appointment with the U.S. consulate in Mexico.
Step 3: Contact us. We will do our best to help you or direct you to someone who can.
Step 4: Fax/Email us the req. documents, make your travel/hotel arrangements.
Step 5: Meet up in the morinng at 7:45 A.M. at the La Quinta Inn and Suites for pick up.
Q: What documents do I need for my interview?
A: This is another popular question and unfortunately we don't have an anwer to this one. We tell all our clients to consult with an immigration attorney before coming down to ensure all the paperwork is in order. We have an attorney listed on our site in the Immigration Attorney Link who can provide a complete documentation review and prepare you for your interview for a nominal fee for being an MAS client. Remember, we only take care of the logistics, getting to/from the consulate safely, legally, and ON TIME!
Q: Can you schedule the appointment for me?
A: No. You need to set your own appointment. You can do so by visiting www.usvisa-mexico.com. We try not to get too involved with anything that has to deal with the consulate directly in order to avoid being held liable for anything.
Q: Do I get a refund if I decide to cancel or reschedule my appointment?
A: Sorry, but the answer to this is no. We do not issue refunds once we have begun processing your paperwork. We begin processing immediately after receiving your documents. The U.S. Consulate also clearly states that the visa application fee is non-refundable, therefore, if we make that deposit for you, we can not refund that either. We ask that you make sure you are coming down before sending your documents. Time is a big factor with this which means we begin processing immediately. Please only send your documents once you are sure you are coming down for stamping. Terms and Conditions.
Q: What happens if I need to reschedule my appointment?
A: The visa application fee receipt will be valid for up to one year at any US consulate in Mexico. All you will need to do is notify us when you plan on coming down and we will provide the transportation at no additional cost.
Q: How can I send money via PayPal if I am not a registered user?
A: You do not need to be registered with PayPal to send money. All you need to do is send us an email stating what services you need and for how many people and specify that you want to pay with PP. We will send you an online invoice from PayPal. Simply follow the directions and you can send your payment within minutes. We will get immediate confirmation once it is done. Please be as specific as possible to ensure you get an invoice for the correct amount. Please click here for more details.
Q: What happens if I get rejected? Will I be allowed back into the U.S.?
A: We do not have an anwer to this very popular question. It is up to the officer interviewing you to answer that if it does happen. You can apply for a visa waiver at the port-of-entry for $550.00 + . You may also ask the consulate to allow you to re-enter for a short period of time to gather your belongings. If you are not allowed in either office, we will take you to the nearby hotel BestWestern Gran Residencial which is walking distance from the consulate in Matamoros. We will further assist you by picking up your luggage from the hotel in the U.S., return rental car if needed, purchase clothes for you if needed, apply for the departure permit if needed, etc. in a reasonable time frame. If you enter Mexico without a Mexican Visa, the departure permit will cost $150.00 which will be paid directly to the Mexican Immigration. You will then be able to depart Mexico by air.
Q: What is the worst case that you have encountered with your previous clients?
A: We have had 20 people get rejected since we began in January 2004. 3 clients had apparently been out-of-status for some time in the U.S. and each were told to apply in their home country. One of our clients given a temporary visa to come back for a short period of time. One client had failed to mention on the application of a DWI arrest. We also had another client get denied and asked to stamp in the home country. We have had other issues which have come up, but nothing major, only minor delays etc.
Q: What other issues have you come about?
A: About 2 % of our clients have encountered the following problems: forgetting documents or people having to go through extra security clearances which may take up to 3 weeks or more. Every issue like this has been resolved one way or another in either 1 day to 3 weeks. We ask that you please come prepared.
Q: How long will the whole process take? (*VERY POPULAR QUESTION)
A: There is no way of telling how long it will take. You can visit our updates page to see how long the previous trips have taken. Plan on using the whole day for this purpose, although you probably won't need that much time. Stamping as of January 1, 2010 is taking all day. We start at 7:45 A.M. and usually finish by 7:00 P.M.
Q: How many people can go on a single consulate trip?
A: We are currently set up to accomodate up to 14 adults and children. If you require a consulate trip to accomodate more, please let us know in advance so we can make the proper arrangements. Our trips as of January 1, 2010 usually consist of 3-5 people per trip.
Q: Am I the only person using your service on that day?
A: At times we will only take one person, but usually it is between 3-5 people per trip.
Q: Is it necessary to obtain a Mexican entry document? Why?
A: NO. We do however highly encourage you to apply for the Mexican Visa if you still have a valid US visa and are near to the Mexican Consulate.
Q: Once I obtain my visa, am I guaranteed return to the U.S.?
A: The U.S. Immigration Office has the final say as far as your return into the U.S. We have not encountered any problems yet with clients at the US Immigration once they have obtained the US visa.
Q: Where do you pick up? What time?
A: La Quinta Inn and Suites. 7:45 A.M. every morning. M.A.S. clients get the guaranteed of $79.99 year-round.
Q: Who will pick us up at the airport?
A: MAS provides you with the airport shuttle service if you need it. Please contact us for more details.
Q: How can I pay for your services?
A: You can pay with check/money order or credit card using PayPal payable to Mexico Assistance Services. We will accept personal checks ONLY if they arrive 10 business days prior to your appointment date. All other forms of payment will be accepted before.
Q: Why do you recommend that we pay the application fee in advance?
A: Banks open at 9:00 A.M. By paying the fee in advance, we are able to go straight to the U.S. Consulate on the day of your appointment, and arrive early. Banamex Bank is one of the busiest banks in Mexico and lines can be long when they open. There is no Banamex Bank near the US Consulate in Matamoros.
