Ask the US Consul:
Greetings from the U.S. Consulate! 
By Karen E. Martin - U.S. Consul
April 2007

My husband, B.J., and I have been in Mexico for seven months and have enjoyed meeting many of you in person.  We are honored by this opportunity to represent the United States Government here in Merida and have been overwhelmed by your warm welcome.  For those of you that we haven’t met, we appreciate the generous offer of “Yucatan Today” to host this “Ask the Consul” series as way to share important news and discuss issues of general interest.

The first big news is that after 47 years on Paseo Montejo, we have relocated to:

Calle 60, No 338K x 29 y 31
Colonia Alcala Martin
Merida, Yucatan, Mexico  97050
Tel:  999-942-5700
Fax:  999-942-5759

Increased capacity at the new location has reduced the wait time for scheduling a visa appointment to visit the United States.  Most applicants should be able to receive an appointment within five working days by calling 01-900-849-49-49 or using our new internet based appointment system at:  http://www.usvisa-mexico.com
/visa-web/index.jsp?locale=es_MX 

Equally helpful, applicants now can receive their approved visas much quicker, usually within two weeks!  Beginning in January 2007, we ceased processing Laser Visa cards and began local printing of visas, which are placed in the applicant’s passport.  These traditional visas provide the same rights as the Laser Visa but the turn-around time is much faster.

We’ve added staff, including a dedicated telephone operator and a second passport assistant, to improve service in those areas.  We’ve also hired a new consular agent who will be based in Playa del Carmen, greatly expanding our presence in this fast growing area.  We are in the midst of setting up this new office and processing the Agent’s accreditation with the Government of Mexico.

Finally, we are working hard on a new website to provide more information about available consular services.   The new website should be “going live” within the next few months.

In addition, to all the activity at the Consulate, you may have noticed that we’ve hosted some high level visitors over the last few months.  The two Presidents received the most attention.  However, Presidential visits don’t happen in a vacuum.  Well over 100 colleagues from the U.S. Embassy and other Consulates throughout “Mission Mexico” traveled to Merida to assist with logistics, communication, security, press, and other support.   

Our Embassy Colleagues and the White House staff were universally impressed with the outstanding support provided by the City of Merida and State of Yucatan.  On behalf of the entire team, thank you so much for your consideration and attention.

If you have any suggestions for future articles or improvements to our service at the U.S. Consulate, please send an e-mail to:  ConsularMerida@state.gov

Karen E. Martin
U.S. Consul - Merida

Address & Info
Calle 60, No 338K x 29 y 31
Colonia Alcala Martin
Merida, Yucatan, Mexico  97050
Tel: (999) 942 5700
Fax: (999) 942 5759
Email: ConsularMerida@state.gov

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