All Japan Filers

[gracies 0]

Got NOA1 on the 17th. No touches yet... I really hope this process goes quickly... what are the odds she can get an interview date by the end of Semptember? I'll be over there this summer but I have to come back here for classes, I'd love to attend the interview (and love even more for her to come back to the US with me at the same time) but it seems pretty unlikely at this point...

I just want to be with my girl again asap

This timeline from a Japan filer was less than 2 months NOA1 to NOA2! Is that possible or highly highly unlikely?

I think she will be able to have the interview before september.. They're very quick in processing but that's case to case basis. I hope yours is not complicated. Good luck!!!

[dougiehossy 0]

Best wishes to everyone and just posting to make sure Yoko and I are up to date on things. We are finally able to send in our package but we are super nervous about making sure nothing is messed up or missing. I have checked over and over again using the guides for the K1 but still am worried something might be missing. Is there someone I can at least PM a list of what we have to make get a more confident yes you have the right stuff answer from lol?

[HelloMiffy 1]

Hiya!

Does anyone here live in upstate New York area? If so do you know if we must go to General Consulate of Japan in NYC to register for our marriage together? If I can go there alone, I want to do so because we can't make a day trip there (since it's 5 hours of driving from here) and my hubby doesn't want to miss his work

[redglasses 1]

Hiya!

Does anyone here live in upstate New York area? If so do you know if we must go to General Consulate of Japan in NYC to register for our marriage together? If I can go there alone, I want to do so because we can't make a day trip there (since it's 5 hours of driving from here) and my hubby doesn't want to miss his work

I am pretty sure your husband doesn't have to be present.

You can also mail the papers for marriage registration or register when CGJ-NY comes to one of those cities listed in http://www.ny.us.emb-japan.go.jp/jp/h/1day_ryouji.html

This way you can save time and money to go to NY.

[HelloMiffy 1]

Hiya!

Does anyone here live in upstate New York area? If so do you know if we must go to General Consulate of Japan in NYC to register for our marriage together? If I can go there alone, I want to do so because we can't make a day trip there (since it's 5 hours of driving from here) and my hubby doesn't want to miss his work

I am pretty sure your husband doesn't have to be present.

You can also mail the papers for marriage registration or register when CGJ-NY comes to one of those cities listed in http://www.ny.us.emb-japan.go.jp/jp/h/1day_ryouji.html

This way you can save time and money to go to NY.

Thanks for the link. That's very helpful. I'm glad to know that my hubby doesn't have to go

[vny 0]

Just wanted to say Konnichiwa. Didn't know there was a Japan thread until just now. Our Case just finished NVC on April 15, 2009 and my wife is scheduled for interview on June 8th. Will be visiting her next week, leaving on 5/6 and will miss the interview. Any way Konnichiwa. Matane.

[Akiko 0]

Just wanted to say Konnichiwa. Didn't know there was a Japan thread until just now. Our Case just finished NVC on April 15, 2009 and my wife is scheduled for interview on June 8th. Will be visiting her next week, leaving on 5/6 and will miss the interview. Any way Konnichiwa. Matane.

Good luck with the interview!

[Akiko 0]

Hey guys.

I just got my birth certficate/family register and I am planning on getting my police certificate once golden week is over.

For the police certificate, I need passport, inkan, birth certificate, and a residence certificate. Am I right? Which means I will have to go and get my residence certificate and the kuyakusho(?).

How long does it usually take for the police certificate to come in?

[vny 0]

Hey guys.

I just got my birth certficate/family register and I am planning on getting my police certificate once golden week is over.

For the police certificate, I need passport, inkan, birth certificate, and a residence certificate. Am I right? Which means I will have to go and get my residence certificate and the kuyakusho(?).

How long does it usually take for the police certificate to come in?

Arigatougozaimasu Akiko-sama!!!

I'm not sure of everything my wife needed when she went to get the police certificate but I know she just took a copy of the NOA2 and they said it was okay. She only had copy that I emailed to her. But it took 2 weeks for them to do the police certificate. She did it in Ageo-shi in Saitama, where she is now living with her parents. She was living in Musashino for 15 years before she moved back with her parents after we got married last year.

She also was able to do her medical at the same time with the NOA2. She just looked up the approved Doctors that is listed on the Tokyo embassy website and went to one of them. I think it was the Tokyo British Clinic, but I'm not positive. You can look here http://tokyo.usembassy.gov/e/visa/tvisa-ivmedfacilities.html Oh, but I'm not sure if you are in Tokyo area???

Anyway, good luck!!!

Matene, bye bye

vny

[Akiko 0]

Hey guys.

I just got my birth certficate/family register and I am planning on getting my police certificate once golden week is over.

For the police certificate, I need passport, inkan, birth certificate, and a residence certificate. Am I right? Which means I will have to go and get my residence certificate and the kuyakusho(?).

How long does it usually take for the police certificate to come in?

Arigatougozaimasu Akiko-sama!!!

I'm not sure of everything my wife needed when she went to get the police certificate but I know she just took a copy of the NOA2 and they said it was okay. She only had copy that I emailed to her. But it took 2 weeks for them to do the police certificate. She did it in Ageo-shi in Saitama, where she is now living with her parents. She was living in Musashino for 15 years before she moved back with her parents after we got married last year.

She also was able to do her medical at the same time with the NOA2. She just looked up the approved Doctors that is listed on the Tokyo embassy website and went to one of them. I think it was the Tokyo British Clinic, but I'm not positive. You can look here http://tokyo.usembassy.gov/e/visa/tvisa-ivmedfacilities.html Oh, but I'm not sure if you are in Tokyo area???

Anyway, good luck!!!

Matene, bye bye

vny

Hey thanks for the answer.

I'm in Yokohama, close to Tokyo. And I am planning to make appointments at the Tokyo British Clinic soon.

I've only lived in Japan for a few years. I was raised in Hawaii, but it they don't require police certificates from the U.S., right?

I should just call the police headquarters since it seems every place requires different things.

Thank you again!

[vny 0]

Hey thanks for the answer.

I'm in Yokohama, close to Tokyo. And I am planning to make appointments at the Tokyo British Clinic soon.

I've only lived in Japan for a few years. I was raised in Hawaii, but it they don't require police certificates from the U.S., right?

I should just call the police headquarters since it seems every place requires different things.

Thank you again!

Hey Akiko,

No problem. I hope everything works out for you. For my wife, after we got the NOA2, she went ahead and did the police records and medical. It was a good thing too, because we actually was delayed in sending in one of the forms waiting a few days for her police record to be finished. So I would say, do it as soon as you can. Even the medical too. She had to go for two appointments. I think she needed to get some vaccinations too.

Oh, so you lived in Hawaii for a while now. Why are you back in Japan? Actually, I've been trying to get a job in Japan in Yokosuka. I work at Pearl now and was hoping to get a job in Yokosuka.

But I'm going to visit her next week. Leaving on the 6th and we will go around Japan and even go to S. Korea because she had some extra miles on one of her airlines mileage clubs. And we will visit Yokohama on the 14th-15th too. But on the 15th, she planned on us going down to Yokosuka so I can see what the place is like. I hope I can get a job there.

Anyway, I wish you the best and don't wait to do any of your things because it seems that in Japan, they are pretty good about everything, as long as you have the NOA2. Was told the medical is good for a year, so no problems there.

K-den, Matane, bye bye, Laters,

vny

[Akiko 0]

Hey thanks for the answer.

I'm in Yokohama, close to Tokyo. And I am planning to make appointments at the Tokyo British Clinic soon.

I've only lived in Japan for a few years. I was raised in Hawaii, but it they don't require police certificates from the U.S., right?

I should just call the police headquarters since it seems every place requires different things.

Thank you again!

Hey Akiko,

No problem. I hope everything works out for you. For my wife, after we got the NOA2, she went ahead and did the police records and medical. It was a good thing too, because we actually was delayed in sending in one of the forms waiting a few days for her police record to be finished. So I would say, do it as soon as you can. Even the medical too. She had to go for two appointments. I think she needed to get some vaccinations too.

Oh, so you lived in Hawaii for a while now. Why are you back in Japan? Actually, I've been trying to get a job in Japan in Yokosuka. I work at Pearl now and was hoping to get a job in Yokosuka.

But I'm going to visit her next week. Leaving on the 6th and we will go around Japan and even go to S. Korea because she had some extra miles on one of her airlines mileage clubs. And we will visit Yokohama on the 14th-15th too. But on the 15th, she planned on us going down to Yokosuka so I can see what the place is like. I hope I can get a job there.

Anyway, I wish you the best and don't wait to do any of your things because it seems that in Japan, they are pretty good about everything, as long as you have the NOA2. Was told the medical is good for a year, so no problems there.

K-den, Matane, bye bye, Laters,

vny

Hey.

I moved back after I graduated high school because my whole family moved back here. I was actually in Hawaii under my parent's visa the whole time. I hope the embassy doesn't question me too much about my past. I've been back and forth from Japan to Hawaii and its a really complicated thing. Since I was under my parent's custody throughout the whole thing, I would not have a clue if they asked me things in detail!

And I thought vaccinations aren't required for the k-1? But I guess it differs for everyone. Which reminds me, I need to look for my vaccination record from when I lived in Hawaii...

Good luck with your job in Yokosuka! I live in Yokohama and I haven't been there myself hahah. And enjoy your trip here. Though travelling might be a hassle right now with the swine flu and all...

I should be back on track again once golden week is over. Since all the offices and what not are closed right now.

Anyways, best wishes to you too.

And thanks for all your advice. It is very appreciated.

[vny 0]

Hey.

I moved back after I graduated high school because my whole family moved back here. I was actually in Hawaii under my parent's visa the whole time. I hope the embassy doesn't question me too much about my past. I've been back and forth from Japan to Hawaii and its a really complicated thing. Since I was under my parent's custody throughout the whole thing, I would not have a clue if they asked me things in detail!

And I thought vaccinations aren't required for the k-1? But I guess it differs for everyone. Which reminds me, I need to look for my vaccination record from when I lived in Hawaii...

Good luck with your job in Yokosuka! I live in Yokohama and I haven't been there myself hahah. And enjoy your trip here. Though travelling might be a hassle right now with the swine flu and all...

I should be back on track again once golden week is over. Since all the offices and what not are closed right now.

Anyways, best wishes to you too.

And thanks for all your advice. It is very appreciated.

Hey,

Thanks Akiko. I'm sure we will have a lot of fun on the trip. I am really looking forward to it and seeing her. She left on Mar 1 after staying for 3 months. Unfortunately that's all the VWP allows. So now we are just waiting for the CR-1 to finally finish when she goes to the interview in June. I hope everything goes smooth.

But as for your Visa, whatever you do, just tell them the truth. I don't think they can fault you for that. My wife used to be a tour escort in Japan so she's been to the US many many times and we just listed all of those that she could remember on one of the forms we had to file. Must have been over 20 times. And it didn't seem to present any problem with her application getting through the NVC. Now, just the interview at the counsulate in Tokyo. But I've been reading that they are pretty good and fair during the interview, so I am just hoping for the best.

Okay, so what is there to do in Yokohama? Any really good restaurants that we should go to? What kind of food is Yokohama noted for? Haha, I like to eat if you didn't already guess. But Japanese food is the best and I really enjoy it whenever I go to Japan.

K-den, Matane,

vny

[Akiko 0]

Okay, thats really good to hear. I went through all my old passports and I seems I entered the U.S. about 14 times. Pretty crazy. i don't even remember taking so much trips!

You should definitely check out the Minato Mirai area. Its very pretty and they're having a big event right now to celebrate the 150 anniversary of the opening of the port there. Theres also a China town. I think its the only China town in Japan. And in Shin-Yokohama, theres a ramen museum if you like ramen. I've never been there but I heard its a good attraction. Theres also a Kirin Beer Villiage if you like to drink. You can drink fresh beer and stuff. Though I really recommend Kamakura. There are a lot of temples to see and a lot of good food! Its a small old fashioned city where they have little shops to the sides. They have a lot of good wa-gashi (Japanese sweets). Kamakura and china town are places you walk around and eat like everything they have to offer. hahah. And, If you like the ocean there are places like Shonandai and Fujisawa to visit. There is so much to see here! Yokohama has a lot of things, its very international because it has the biggest port.

My fiance plans to come next month. It'll be his third time visiting here. We plan to go all over, as always haha. Thinking about it just excites me

Good luck with the interview! I'm sure you guys will be fine. You two seem like wonderful people.

BTW, did your wife have to get any translations for her documents? I'm not too sure where I should go for that. Am i supposed to get it done professionally? I know the k-1 and cr-1 are different visas. I'm just asking, if you don't know then thats cool.

Edited May 4, 2009 by Akiko

[vny 0]

Okay, thats really good to hear. I went through all my old passports and I seems I entered the U.S. about 14 times. Pretty crazy. i don't even remember taking so much trips!

You should definitely check out the Minato Mirai area. Its very pretty and they're having a big event right now to celebrate the 150 anniversary of the opening of the port there. Theres also a China town. I think its the only China town in Japan. And in Shin-Yokohama, theres a ramen museum if you like ramen. I've never been there but I heard its a good attraction. Theres also a Kirin Beer Villiage if you like to drink. You can drink fresh beer and stuff. Though I really recommend Kamakura. There are a lot of temples to see and a lot of good food! Its a small old fashioned city where they have little shops to the sides. They have a lot of good wa-gashi (Japanese sweets). Kamakura and china town are places you walk around and eat like everything they have to offer. hahah. And, If you like the ocean there are places like Shonandai and Fujisawa to visit. There is so much to see here! Yokohama has a lot of things, its very international because it has the biggest port.

My fiance plans to come next month. It'll be his third time visiting here. We plan to go all over, as always haha. Thinking about it just excites me

Good luck with the interview! I'm sure you guys will be fine. You two seem like wonderful people.

BTW, did your wife have to get any translations for her documents? I'm not too sure where I should go for that. Am i supposed to get it done professionally? I know the k-1 and cr-1 are different visas. I'm just asking, if you don't know then thats cool.

Hey Akiko,

Thanks for the info. Will definitely check out some of those places. I saw the ramen museum on one of the shows here in Hawaii (Ultimate Japan) and I told my wife I wanted to go there. So that’s definitely one on the list. And the Beer Village is a must!!! I didn’t know about that!!! Definitely must partake in some of that!!! hihihi!!! I think she said we are going to Kamakura too and to Minami-Itou. Her old company has a time-share there so she will be able to use that. Sounds good to me because it will be free!!! But I’ll keep in mind those other places too cause we will be there a few days and we probably will just be walking around or catching the train to where ever. I can’t wait, only one more day I have to come to work and I’m off.

As for the translations, yes, you will need to get it translated. As for you (K-1), probably only the Family Register. We had to do our marriage certificate too, but I had to get that professionally translated here in Hawaii for one of my mortgage documents and that cost me a $130 so we already had that for the Visa. For her family register, she actually did the translation herself.

We weren’t really sure if we really needed to get it notarized though because on the Tokyo embassy website, one place specifically says it is not necessary to have translations notarized (and it is underlined on the website) and you just have sign a statement saying the translation is complete and accurate and you are competent to translate. This is the words on the website:

Translations of non-English documents: All foreign language documents must be accompanied by full English translations. Translations need not be made by a professional translator; they can be completed by any competent person. The translator must certify that the translation is complete and correct and that he or she is competent to translate the foreign language into English. For example, the statement written on the translation may read: “I, [insert name], am competent at translating [insert name of foreign language] to English, and I certify that the above translation is true, complete and correct,” followed by the signature of the translator. It is not necessary to have the translation notarized.

But there is another place that said was specific to the Tokyo embassy from the NVC website that says it must be notarized. See this site:

http://travel.state.gov/pdf/pk3_supplement...L-0001-0711.pdf

So we were kind of confused, but I just told her since we went this far already, just get it notarized and pay the fee because at this point, we spent so much money already, what’s another $100 bucks or so. So she went to get it notarized. That was pretty expensive, I think she said about 12000 yen.

So really not sure what to tell you there, but getting it notarized will not hurt, except in your wallet. If you do decide to get it notarized, the embassy website has a list of recommendations on notary (See bottom of this page. http://tokyo.usembassy.gov/e/acs/tacs-7126a.html )

Opps, sorry, this is getting kinda long. Anyways, thanks for your recommendations on places to visit. I am so looking forward to this trip and seeing her again. I just wish I could be there with her at the interview, but I guess that’s not going to happen.

So good luck with your paperwork and enjoy his visit there too. I'm sure you will.

Later,

vny