All Japan Filers

[vny 0]

Hi everyone,

I just noticed this area in the forums after seeing one specifically for Canada. I had started wondering where all the Japan filers were at.

I have a post NOA2, packet 3 question (for the K-1 visa) and am curious to hear of others' experiences.

My fiancee is planning on visiting me here in the States around August near Obon, but it's looking like (according to the predicted timelines) the NOA2 would have been issued then and she would have likely received Packet 3 from the Tokyo Embassy. My current thoughts are to send out Packet 3 a day or two before she travels here, but I'm wondering if her traveling here at that point in the process is wise or not (as far as the Embassy and interview timing would be concerned, not necessary POE issues).

I've read in other threads of the possibility of her being denied entry, but it seems that it would be worth the risk since one of the reasons for her (short) visit would be to finalize some things for our wedding.

Any thoughts or advice on this? Thank you kindly!

Konnichiwa honbako,

Well, I guess you are going the fiance visa route, but just let me tell you about we did and you can decide if you want to take the chance.

Well, my wife and I got married in Japan on 8/8/08. I was in discussion with this guy about a job in Japan, so we were waiting a little while to file our I-130. So when the job didn't pan out as we had thought, we just decided to file the paperwork anyway, so I mailed the I-130 on 10/31/08. But then my wife came over to visit/stay with me in 12/08 and she stayed until 3/1/08. When she came, she didn't mention anything about being married, but they asked her why she was going to stay for three months. She basically told them the truth, that she just quit her job and was going to visit some relatives here in Hawaii to relax for a while. She did take a little longer getting out of immigration that time, because I had to keep going around and around the airport compared to her previous visits. But in the end, they did finally let her in, but if she had mentioned that she was married I think the scenario would have probably been a little different. While she was here, we did finally receive the NOA2, if Feb 09 just before she went back. But she did go back on March 1st of 2009 and her GC was finally approved in June.

So moral of the story...if she says the right things to the immigration people that she is just visiting (i.e., vacation/tourist) and not visiting her fiance, then she will probably have a good chance of getting in. If she spills the beans, well....

Anyway, just another perspective...

Good luck with whatever you folks decide. I know it is hard being apart for so long. We all went or are going through it too. Best wishes,

vny

[tokyo.lovers 6]

it seems like most japan people do the fiance visa

[honbako 1]

Konnichiwa honbako,

Well, I guess you are going the fiance visa route, but just let me tell you about we did and you can decide if you want to take the chance.

Well, my wife and I got married in Japan on 8/8/08. I was in discussion with this guy about a job in Japan, so we were waiting a little while to file our I-130. So when the job didn't pan out as we had thought, we just decided to file the paperwork anyway, so I mailed the I-130 on 10/31/08. But then my wife came over to visit/stay with me in 12/08 and she stayed until 3/1/08. When she came, she didn't mention anything about being married, but they asked her why she was going to stay for three months. She basically told them the truth, that she just quit her job and was going to visit some relatives here in Hawaii to relax for a while. She did take a little longer getting out of immigration that time, because I had to keep going around and around the airport compared to her previous visits. But in the end, they did finally let her in, but if she had mentioned that she was married I think the scenario would have probably been a little different. While she was here, we did finally receive the NOA2, if Feb 09 just before she went back. But she did go back on March 1st of 2009 and her GC was finally approved in June.

So moral of the story...if she says the right things to the immigration people that she is just visiting (i.e., vacation/tourist) and not visiting her fiance, then she will probably have a good chance of getting in. If she spills the beans, well....

Anyway, just another perspective...

Good luck with whatever you folks decide. I know it is hard being apart for so long. We all went or are going through it too. Best wishes,

vny

Hi vny-san,

Thank you kindly for sharing. Given the fact that we haven't yet received the NOA2 it's a bit tricky deciding what to do or not to do, but we're leaning more towards her coming to visit (bringing along with her the pertinent paperwork in case there's an issue with immigration). Aside from being able to see each other, another motivation for her visiting is to help us have more 'proof of relationship'. We have photos from my visit to Japan last year and our engagement earlier this year in Japan, but (as far as photos go, that's it). We've actually known each other for some time now (I used to live in Japan), but back when I lived there we were just friends and it never really crossed our minds about all the information that would be required. Had I been aware of the fiancee visa process, I might have stayed in Japan, got married there, and just do a DCF and not deal with the headache of the process. Given the circumstances, the fiancee visa is the fastest route we have so we went with it. Being able to visit will also calm her nerves about the possibility of the visa not being approved; a lot of this process is very new to her causing her to be a bit antsy about things and worry a little. Since I'm used to filling out mountains of paperwork and waiting, it's not too much of a point of stress for me, but I do feel that I should try to help her and support her in any way that I can.

On our part, there's definitely no intent to use the VWP to get married; I think the best we can do is just be honest with immigration and leave the rest in God's hands. Thank you again for taking the time to share your experience. I sincerely do appreciate it. m(_ _)m

Edited June 18, 2010 by honbako

[Rosie + Yu 0]

Hi everyone,

I forgot there was a Japan filers section here and just wanted to say we got our AOS approved yesterday! Hope all the rest of the Japan filers are doing good. Now we can relax till 2012!!! Yatta~

[Yurika & Jim 77]

Hi everyone,

I forgot there was a Japan filers section here and just wanted to say we got our AOS approved yesterday! Hope all the rest of the Japan filers are doing good. Now we can relax till 2012!!! Yatta~

おめでとう

[tokyo.lovers 6]

i hope to join on that relaxing boat after my man FIANLLY enters the country!!

july tickets are RIDICULOUS!!!! we will probably pay $2,000 or more. doh!

i also want to get a japanese cell phone that i can use in the USA. i really like the new softbank 930sh or 942sh

http://mb.softbank.jp/en/products/sharp/942sh.html

anyone know where to get an unlocked copy? i can only find a chinese version. that or i gotta get a sim unlock chip that hopefully would work....hmmmm

[honbako 1]

i hope to join on that relaxing boat after my man FIANLLY enters the country!!

july tickets are RIDICULOUS!!!! we will probably pay $2,000 or more. doh!

i also want to get a japanese cell phone that i can use in the USA. i really like the new softbank 930sh or 942sh

http://mb.softbank.jp/en/products/sharp/942sh.html

anyone know where to get an unlocked copy? i can only find a chinese version. that or i gotta get a sim unlock chip that hopefully would work....hmmmm

If you haven't bought your tickets, you might be able to find a better price through IACE Travel (they're in the States so English is fine) or Laguna Travel (in Japan). It's pretty hard to say though if you'll find a cheaper price since the tickets are for next month.

I know 100% what you mean about Japanese phones. Since I moved back to the States, I haven't really been thrilled with the models here because they lack many of the features of the Japanese phones that I got used to (especially emoji). I hope you can find a model that works here in the States!

Edited June 18, 2010 by honbako

[tokyo.lovers 6]

cool!

thanks for the links. i always forget about how many travel services there are. i always can only remember JTB and HIS.

i can go visit him for maybe a little over $1,000....i wonder if we can come back on the same plane!?

[Rosie + Yu 0]

If you haven't bought your tickets, you might be able to find a better price through IACE Travel (they're in the States so English is fine) or Laguna Travel (in Japan). It's pretty hard to say though if you'll find a cheaper price since the tickets are for next month.

I know 100% what you mean about Japanese phones. Since I moved back to the States, I haven't really been thrilled with the models here because they lack many of the features of the Japanese phones that I got used to (especially emoji). I hope you can find a model that works here in the States!

I also used IACE Travel before and found their rates a bit cheaper $2000 is a lot to just visit!!! But I learned that our Japanese men cost a lot lol

[vny 0]

But I learned that our Japanese men cost a lot lol

That's because we are worth it!!!

Actually, I'm Japanese USC. Born and raised here in the good old US of A (4th gen).

[tokyo.lovers 6]

That's because we are worth it!!!

Actually, I'm Japanese USC. Born and raised here in the good old US of A (4th gen).

4th gen 100% japanese??? wow! i think that's rare!!!

my man said in the future 100% japanese will be hard to find because the population is decreasing and everyone will start to mix with foreigners. hahah

and i decided i am not gonna go visit him. i would only get to be there less than 1 week. and almost $2,000 to eat some しゃぶしゃぶ and bring him a suitcase isn't really worth it. hahaha

[vny 0]

4th gen 100% japanese??? wow! i think that's rare!!!

my man said in the future 100% japanese will be hard to find because the population is decreasing and everyone will start to mix with foreigners. hahah

Well, as far as I know, I'm Japanese. Whether or not 100%, who knows. There must have been some mixing coming from way back as Adam and Eve or the Apes, where ever we came from. lol. But as far as the near past, several centuries ago or whatever that may be, I'm told 100%.

[tokyo.lovers 6]

hehe nice!

and now there is a new baby robot made by japan to promote baby making!! hahaha :rofl:

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/06/23/japan.baby.robot.population/index.html?hpt=Mid

that thing is sooo creepy

[honbako 1]

Hi everyone,

I have two I-134 question related to the K-1 visa.

The first question pertains to item #7 on the form in regards to income. Does a letter of employment suffice for what the US Embassy at Tokyo wants or it's also a good idea to include the bank statements?

The second question pertains to item #11 which has:

I [] intend [] do not intend to make specific contributions to the support for the persons(s) named item 3.

(If you check "intend," indicate the exact nature and duration of the contributions. For example, if you intend to furnish room and board, state

for how long and, if money, state the amount in U.S. dollars and whether it is to be given in a lump sum, weekly, or monthly, and for how long.)

The recommendation that I have seen on the forums say to just leave both check boxes blank and write:

N/A (K1 visa process for permanent residence)

I've seen some other posts disagree with that and at this point I'm honestly not really sure since it's a bit vague. Does anyone remember what they filled in? Thank you.

[YOUTOO 2]

FWIW, we have confirmation from various sources in Los Angeles. A Japanese lawyer, a Japanese tax accountant as well as a Japanese Real Estate broker. If you have satisfied the minimum requirements in Japan, you can draw a Japanese pension regardless of which Nation's passport you are carrying and what Nationality/ies you have.

Also I saw mentioned that a GC holder needs to live in the U.S. for 6 months. That's a bit misleading. The conditional GC holder is required to live in the U.S. permanently for all of the two years and will potentially lose the ability to apply for a permanent GC if he/she was outside the country for more than a total of 6 months during that period. This includes vacation trips etc. I am not sure if that requirement exists for a permanent GC as well.