Green card process

[Storekeeper 0]

Hello,

I think the IR-1/CR-1 is the correct forum for me to post my inquiry:

I'm a US citizen and married a Thai national in March 2004. We spent the first 3 years of our marriage in Japan until I retired from the military and then spent 3 years living in Thailand. We've been back in Japan now since March this year when I got hired into a federal civil service position. I also have a step-daughter through this marriage who is now 12 years old. I still have a little over 2 years left on my obligation to this job but we're now ready to head to the USA. Specifically WA state.

When do I need to start the process to ensure we can be out of Japan by March 2013 ? If I applied early next year and then whenever the application is approved would it be legal to do a quick turn-around and fly right back to Japan with green cards in hand ?

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

Edited December 15, 2010 by Storekeeper

[rin and john 71]

Hello,

I think the IR-1/CR-1 is the correct forum for me to post my inquiry:

I'm a US citizen and married a Thai national in March 2004. We spent the first 3 years of our marriage in Japan until I retired from the military and then spent 3 years living in Thailand. We've been back in Japan now since March this year when I got hired into a federal civil service position. I also have a step-daughter through this marriage who is now 12 years old. I still have a little over 2 years left on my obligation to this job but we're now ready to head to the USA. Specifically WA state.

When do I need to start the process to ensure we can be out of Japan by March 2013 ? If I applied early next year and then whenever the application is approved would it be legal to do a quick turn-around and fly right back to Japan with green cards in hand ?

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

As you live overseas, look into Direct Consulate Filing (DCF). DCF is done locally in Bangkok and is much faster than the USA processing followed by Embassy processing. You can check others timelines under the "Immigration Timelines" listed above.

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/immigrant_visas/immigrant-visa-process.html

Read step one of the above link. If you can prove six months residence in Thailand, then you can file there.

John

[Wayne and Claudia 40]

As you live overseas, look into Direct Consulate Filing (DCF). DCF is done locally in Bangkok and is much faster than the USA processing followed by Embassy processing. You can check others timelines under the "Immigration Timelines" listed above.

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/immigrant_visas/immigrant-visa-process.html

Read step one of the above link. If you can prove six months residence in Thailand, then you can file there.

John

He has lived in Japan since March of this year according to his words. Most consulates require a residency status of 6 months in country in order to do the DCF. You should have not problem "proving" this since you are working as a civil servant. Check the US Embassy site for Japan since many of the embassy sites are treasure troves of information.

What would be the purpose of a "quick turn around" if your intent is to move your family to the US? You will recieve an IR visa so the green card is a 10 year card with no restrictions.

Edited December 15, 2010 by Wayne and Claudia

[Storekeeper 0]

He has lived in Japan since March of this year according to his words. Most consulates require a residency status of 6 months in country in order to do the DCF. You should have not problem "proving" this since you are working as a civil servant. Check the US Embassy site for Japan since many of the embassy sites are treasure troves of information.

What would be the purpose of a "quick turn around" if your intent is to move your family to the US? You will recieve an IR visa so the green card is a 10 year card with no restrictions.

Wayne & Claudia,

Sorry for the confusing question. The purpose of the "quick turn around" is in case I need to continue employment in Japan pending a job opening stateside. And yes I'm in Japan and really don't want to file in Bangkok.

[Storekeeper 0]

Follow up:

I filed at the Tokyo US Embassy in July and the petitions were approved in December for my wife and step-daughter. Is there a time limit on when we must take the next step to begin the process to apply for the immigrant visas ?

[Darnell 8,479]

did you receive specific instructions for 'whats next', from the IV unit, yet?

[Storekeeper 0]

We received a letter dated 12 December 2011 that once all the documents are ready I can request an immigrant visa interview.

[Darnell 8,479]

was there any duration or 'intake period' or anything mentioning a time span?

Don't know squat about Tokyo IV, but

for Guangzhou IV, can delay things up to a year at this stage, IF one keeps in contact with the IV unit via email every 3 months or so.

[Storekeeper 0]

No, I've read and re-read the paperwork we received and no indication of a time limit. The issue we have is that I just accepted another position that will keep us in Japan for 3 more years.

[Storekeeper 0]

How long would my dependents have to stay in the states once the immigrant visa are approved if I decided to just proceed with the process ?

[Darnell 8,479]

4 hours, enough time to go through a poe and jump on the next plane out.

coming into a POE triggers the green card production process.

[Slade&Natasha 7]

4 hours, enough time to go through a poe and jump on the next plane out.

coming into a POE triggers the green card production process.

Yes, but wouldn't they need to visit the US at least every 6 months for the next 2-3 years (ie until they relocated permanently back to the US)?

If you can swing it, I'd suggest accelerated naturalization: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/136606-n-400-expedited-naturalization-319b-information/

[Darnell 8,479]

yes, there's that, as well. HOWEVER, if he's USA civil service or military or military contractor, there's another way as well, I can't recall the category, alas.

[Storekeeper 0]

Thanks for the responses. I always get something that helps from this forum.

Update:

I've decided not to take the job and now intend to accept another offer to return to the states as soon as possible. So, I've got my letter from the US Embassy in Tokyo dated 12 December that the I-130 petitions for my wife and step-daughter were approved. Now we need to get the medical evaluations and background checks from the military base we live on and the Japanese police. (Reminder ... my wife and step-daughter are Thai). And then schedule the interview which the embassy website says takes 3-5 weeks. My question is this ... if the interview goes well how long will it take before all is good to go to fly to Seattle ?

Yes, I am USA civil service.

Edited January 28, 2012 by Storekeeper

[Darnell 8,479]

interview goes well = visas issued.

Unsure about Tokyo, but USUALLY each visa is mailed out IN A VISA PACKET, utilising some courier service.

So figure 1 to 2 weeks after the interview date, to have VISA PACKET IN HAND.

It may be possible to get VISA PACKET same day as interview, but must ask for this AT THE INTERVIEW, and the answer might still be no. It could be yes, as well, but...