Tokyo Embassy K-1 Interview Questions

[jwc72 0]

We are preparing for our K-1 interview on the 25th, and have three questions specific to the Tokyo USEM:

1) The link on the embassy site specifying how to arrange the documents for the interview (http://206.130.125.5...arrangement.pdf) references the "Appointment Letter" with a "page that contains the UID barcode". All we have is an email from the embassy with our appointment date/time, but there is no barcode nor any attachments. Will something else be coming from the embassy, or is this instruction document simply outdated?

2) The ustraveldocs website where we paid the fee before scheduling the interview does not seem to reflect the fact that we have an interview scheduled at all. The dashboard says "no appointment is currently scheduled", even though we have it scheduled and the email from the embassy confirming (scheduled through the embassy's "request an appointment" form). Is this a concern, or can we just ignore this?

3) I (USC) plan to accompany my fiancé to the interview, but do I need to get any special pre-approval to do so? I have tried calling the support number, but never can get to speak with a real person to check.

Thanks for your feedback in advance.

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

~ Moved from K-1 Process to US Embassy & Consulate Discussion to be grouped with similar topics ~

[MochiKamo 93]

We are preparing for our K-1 interview on the 25th, and have three questions specific to the Tokyo USEM:

1) The link on the embassy site specifying how to arrange the documents for the interview (http://206.130.125.5...arrangement.pdf) references the "Appointment Letter" with a "page that contains the UID barcode". All we have is an email from the embassy with our appointment date/time, but there is no barcode nor any attachments. Will something else be coming from the embassy, or is this instruction document simply outdated?

2) The ustraveldocs website where we paid the fee before scheduling the interview does not seem to reflect the fact that we have an interview scheduled at all. The dashboard says "no appointment is currently scheduled", even though we have it scheduled and the email from the embassy confirming (scheduled through the embassy's "request an appointment" form). Is this a concern, or can we just ignore this?

3) I (USC) plan to accompany my fiancé to the interview, but do I need to get any special pre-approval to do so? I have tried calling the support number, but never can get to speak with a real person to check.

Thanks for your feedback in advance.

1. I made the interview appointment from the website while in the US. I also visited Tokyo and attended the interview. We were given a packet with instructions on what order to place the documents but I don't remember any mention of the UID barcode. I am not 100% sure though.

We used this checklist when preparing and it doesn't mention an appointment letter.

http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/visa/tvisa-niv-kchecklist.html

2. As long as you have confirmation from the embassy, I wouldn't worry about that.

3. You don't have to get any special approval. We just showed up together. When they called her, she went by herself. Persons interviewing stood just a bit in front of the waiting area similar to the arrangement in the DMV. I gave her my passport to take and eventually the interviewer called me and asked me a few questions.

[TeamM&M 4]

All the help line did was to enter an electronic query if I could attend. I got a response with a typo saying I could attend. I took it with me as I accompanied my Fiancé. Submit a request for approval to attend online.

Take that email printout for sure.

Our travel docs page never said we had an interview scheduled.

[Wprecision 0]

No one is talked bout the I-129f as originally summited that was sent down to the beneficiary...

[jwc72 0]

Thanks everyone!

We had submitted an online request through the traveldocs site about my attendance (the same time I posted here, just to cover all bases), and today got a very unhelpful one-line response that "only the interviewee is normally allowed in the interview room".

I will just go together with my fiancé as you recommend -- fingers crossed!

[MochiKamo 93]

Unless things have changed substantially in the last two years, there was no interview room per se, though that comment is probably worded figuratively. I think hat comment refers to the fact that only the interviewee is actually interviewed and everyone else waits in the waiting area. However, like I mentioned before once the interviewer realized that I was nearby he called me up to ask questions. The entire interview lasted about 20 minutes, and 5 of those minutes were my part.

There were many couples together when we were there.

[jamesv 3]

I will just go together with my fiancé as you recommend -- fingers crossed!

Hey jwc72, any update on how this went? were you able to attend?

I'll be in the same situation soon as well .. and I would like to attend, as I think it would make things go the smoothest.

[jwc72 0]

Hey jwc72, any update on how this went? were you able to attend?

I'll be in the same situation soon as well .. and I would like to attend, as I think it would make things go the smoothest.

Hi jamesv, what we did was to put a note in our interview request that I would be attending; we were never able to get any confirmation from the embassy that I would be allowed. But we brought a printout of our interview request showing that note, and that was enough to satisfy the policeman at the checkpoint.

Best of luck to you!

[jamesv 3]

Hi jamesv, what we did was to put a note in our interview request that I would be attending; we were never able to get any confirmation from the embassy that I would be allowed. But we brought a printout of our interview request showing that note, and that was enough to satisfy the policeman at the checkpoint.

Best of luck to you!

Thanks! I figured actually getting in would be the easy part - with a US passport aren't you allowed in anyway?

So I assume they let you sit at the interview desk then as well?

[jwc72 0]

Thanks! I figured actually getting in would be the easy part - with a US passport aren't you allowed in anyway?

So I assume they let you sit at the interview desk then as well?

As you will be entering the visa section, it seems you need something that shows your business (maybe I could have gotten in without it, but I can't say for sure).

As for standing at the interview window (no desks, just a long row of bank-teller style windows ), I don't know if that is guaranteed, but I was given the choice and it looked like all the people there before us were allowed to as well.

[jamesv 3]

As you will be entering the visa section, it seems you need something that shows your business (maybe I could have gotten in without it, but I can't say for sure).

As for standing at the interview window (no desks, just a long row of bank-teller style windows ), I don't know if that is guaranteed, but I was given the choice and it looked like all the people there before us were allowed to as well.

Great - thank you! Your response is very appreciated!

[jamesv 3]

Hey guys, just another question to resurrect this thread if you don't mind.

We got our NOA2 about a month ago, and the letter from Tokyo USEM last week. They're requesting we mail a few things in. My fiancée has a Chinese passport, but has been living here 10+ years. They're requesting only a birth certificate, Japanese residence card, and old passports, and DS-230.. No mention of a health check or affidavits of support or anything like that yet. I found this surprising.

Will they request we bring health checks and support affidavits to the interview later on? They actually process health checks and support affidavits at the interview? I'll be attending the interview with her.

I'm just surprised the list of requirements was so light, so far. I just want to be sure we don't need to send in the health check/support affidavits now, and they just neglect to mention this. On the I-129F instruction form, for example, there's no mention of 70% of the requirements described on this site - I just wanted to make sure this isn't the same situation with the Tokyo USEM.

Thank you so much for any info.

James

Edited November 24, 2014 by jamesv