DCF Tokyo US Embassy CR-1 (I-130 Approved)

[sms305 0]

I had the first appointment at the embassy on 4/12 where my 864 was accepted and I-130 was 'conditionally approved' based on my (US citizen) background check. The embassy said this background check will take about 2 weeks. After that, they will notify me and I will be able to schedule the final interview for my wife.

In the mean time, I believe I'm supposed to be getting her Japanese police certificates and medical exam completed.

To request the police certificate, she is supposed to receive some special packet by mail which authorizes the release of the police record. Does anyone know if the embassy will send this packet before or after my background check is completed? The Japanese police record will take about 3 weeks to get according to the website.

My understanding is that we should be getting something in the mail before the background check is complete. However, some of their documentation is conflicting on when this packet is sent. I'd like to have the visa in hand by May 27 for repatriating reasons. If anyone has any experience with the timeline for DCF with the US Tokyo Embassy for CR-1 visa processing after the I-130 form was approved, I'd love to hear it.

Thanks

[sms305 0]

I also have this form from the embassy saying 'Congratulations you have completed the I-130 petition interview....'. It's on embassy letterhead. I'm wondering if we could just take this to the Japanese police headquarters in Tokyo and try to get the process started.

Thanks for all the great information from this site. It's been really helpful.

[kristinakiko 0]

I just received my letter that my background check cleared. It took about 2 weeks. There were 3 sheets of paper in the letter, onse saying our case number and file name, one explaining where to find more information on the web, and one for a police certificate. Ours had an explanation of how to obtain a UK cert. and written on the back was a Japanese explanation. We plan to take that paper with us to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police office this weekend to get the cert. If you are anxious to go and get one you could try using the congratualtory I-130 letter but there will be a specific police certificate letter in with the background check clearance letter that comes in the mail. Hope that helps!

[sms305 0]

Thanks!

I learned a lot from your other posts. I think we'll try on Monday with the congratulatory letter and see what they say. My understanding is that you can now make your final interview appointment. Have you tried scheduling that appointment yet? Just wondering about the lead time.

[kristinakiko 0]

Thanks!

I learned a lot from your other posts. I think we'll try on Monday with the congratulatory letter and see what they say. My understanding is that you can now make your final interview appointment. Have you tried scheduling that appointment yet? Just wondering about the lead time.

We made our appointment already, for June 7th. The website they give you in the letter has a link to a form you fill out. Appointments are only for Monday and in a drop down field they ask you which week of what month you want to reserve. They contacted us that same day to let us know the appointment had been confirmed.

[sms305 0]

Sounds good. It looks like things will be close but on-time for us. Good luck with everything!

[kristinakiko 0]

Everything has been pretty timely from the Tokyo offices, my friend got his Japanese wife's visa recently and from the very start to finish it took two months. Actually, I think they were "pre-approved" of sorts because they went in for the final interview and the next day the magical packet arrived in the mail. So if you've got your stuff together and you're able to get a timely appointment date I don't see why you shouldn't have your visa by the end of May. Good luck to you too!

[sms305 0]

Just an update for future DCF Tokyo filers. You can request the police report with the "congratulations" letter received from the embassy the day of filing the I-130. You can also get the health check from the Tokyo British Clinic while waiting for the US background check to complete and case number to arrive.

Still...waiting on that case number though. It will be 3 weeks on May 3rd, but with golden week its making our timeline very tight. Hopefully we'll see it in the mail today or tomorrow.

[ElleKell 0]

I was living with my husband for a year in Japan and filed for CR-1 there but didn't realize I could've filed with DCF. I've just clocked in at 1 year of waiting and I've got about 2-3 months more to go.

Me right now.