All Japan Filers

[Holman come down 10]

Texas Service Center does not process I-129f. You sent your files to the Dallas Lockbox, which probably redirected it to Vermont for you. Vermont is known for its slowness in regards to I-129f processing. Your NOA2 would arrive somewhere around 6-7 months after it has been mailed. Your NOA1 will tell you where it was sent, either California or Vermont. If sent to the California Service Center, expect to receive NOA2 around 5 months after it has been mailed.

Hate to burst your bubble, but I figure it would be to your benefit to have accurate expectations.

Yeah, total bummer. I just re-read the e-mail they sent for NOA1 and I see they sent it to Vermont. Thanks for pointing that out. I sure hope it's faster than 6-7 months, but I know the realities of this process.

[cookiesandcream 7]

Just leave it sealed. You don't need to worry about translating it.

Thanks!

I have another question (though I am not sure if it is Japan specific!)

My contract in Japan is up in August, so I have to return to the UK before then (or at least leave my apartment). Because of the timing the interview could be before or after August (like, looking at the timelines it would literally be the first or second week of August could be possible), so I might have to fly back to Japan for the interview, is that even OK? Like at that point I wouldn't even have an address in Japan for them to resend my passport to. I am super worried

[Holliver 0]

Thanks!

I have another question (though I am not sure if it is Japan specific!)

My contract in Japan is up in August, so I have to return to the UK before then (or at least leave my apartment). Because of the timing the interview could be before or after August (like, looking at the timelines it would literally be the first or second week of August could be possible), so I might have to fly back to Japan for the interview, is that even OK? Like at that point I wouldn't even have an address in Japan for them to resend my passport to. I am super worried

Hey,

Could you not just stay in some short term accommodation for a month or so while waiting for your interview and passport to be processed? I expect you could fly back to Japan for the interview, but you need an address (not sure if it has to be in Japan (you address the envelope yourself, so you could send it abroad, but I'm not sure if the letterpack 500 is able to go to Japan) for them to send your passport with the K1 in. Or, do you not have any friends in Japan who you could get it sent to, then they can forward it on to you? I wouldn't want to risk leaving Japan. Oh, hold on, how would you leave Japan after the interview, if you don't have you passport? In that case, maybe you could leave Japan, but would have to wait for about a week/week and a half (mine took that long) to get your passport back. Where would they send you your info about when and what time your interview is?

Sorry, hope what I wrote makes sense.

[Holman come down 10]

Seeing as this is under "General Discussion Area" I think this is the right place to ask this question:

After I get married, what is the best way to find new friends in America for my new Japanese wife? She will be new here and only knows me. Specifically, I think it would be nice to find her some other Japanese females because they have that language and culture in common. I want her to also make American female friends of course, to improve her English (it's "very good" now, but not "great" or "excellent" I'd say.)

[Holliver 0]

Seeing as this is under "General Discussion Area" I think this is the right place to ask this question:

After I get married, what is the best way to find new friends in America for my new Japanese wife? She will be new here and only knows me. Specifically, I think it would be nice to find her some other Japanese females because they have that language and culture in common. I want her to also make American female friends of course, to improve her English (it's "very good" now, but not "great" or "excellent" I'd say.)

Are there any Japanese people in your area? Look on meetup or something. Can you introduce her to people through your work?

[cookiesandcream 7]

Hey,

Could you not just stay in some short term accommodation for a month or so while waiting for your interview and passport to be processed? I expect you could fly back to Japan for the interview, but you need an address (not sure if it has to be in Japan (you address the envelope yourself, so you could send it abroad, but I'm not sure if the letterpack 500 is able to go to Japan) for them to send your passport with the K1 in. Or, do you not have any friends in Japan who you could get it sent to, then they can forward it on to you? I wouldn't want to risk leaving Japan. Oh, hold on, how would you leave Japan after the interview, if you don't have you passport? In that case, maybe you could leave Japan, but would have to wait for about a week/week and a half (mine took that long) to get your passport back. Where would they send you your info about when and what time your interview is?

Sorry, hope what I wrote makes sense.

Yeah I realise I would have to stay in Japan for about a week after the interview, I have friends I can stay with. But I didn't know I could address the envelope myself so that's a relief to know. If I don't even find out about the interview before my contract is up, I assume I can contact the embassy or NVC and get them to send the details to another address in Japan. Or at worst I switch embassies? Since the NVC won't have forwarded my details on yet. But that doesn't sound very fun so I will just keep my fingers crossed I guess.

[Holliver 0]

Yeah I realise I would have to stay in Japan for about a week after the interview, I have friends I can stay with. But I didn't know I could address the envelope myself so that's a relief to know. If I don't even find out about the interview before my contract is up, I assume I can contact the embassy or NVC and get them to send the details to another address in Japan. Or at worst I switch embassies? Since the NVC won't have forwarded my details on yet. But that doesn't sound very fun so I will just keep my fingers crossed I guess.

If you check on the embassy website you will see that you need to take a letterpack 500 to the embassy, this is the envelope they send your passport back to you in, but like I said, I don;t know if they can be sent internationally. I wouldn't risk changing embassy, I think it would set your case back and I'm not sure how soon you would get an interview at a new embassy.

So, you are English? Sounds like you are in the same situation that I was. I was in Japan whilst I applied, but I'm English. I timed my application so that I would get my interview before my contract finished. Though, it was a bit stressful near the end, not knowing if I'd make it in time.

Good luck, let us know how it goes.

[cookiesandcream 7]

Yup I am English and my husband is American. It would have worked out time wise but the UK embassy has a three week wait rule that I didn't know about when we decided to do the CR-1 visa(making it more like a month when you factor in postage times) to get the piece of paper you need to marry in Japan. I am still a little miffed since it cost me about 1.6 man for that piece of paper and a month wait, and my husband just walked into the US embassy, paid about 4,000 yen and got it there and then.

I might be able to extend rent a month on our apartment since it's a BOE building with lots of empty apartments if I haven't gotten to NVC stage by a certain date.

Thanks for your help!

[Holman come down 10]

Seeing as this is under "General Discussion Area" I think this is the right place to ask this question:

After I get married, what is the best way to find new friends in America for my new Japanese wife? She will be new here and only knows me. Specifically, I think it would be nice to find her some other Japanese females because they have that language and culture in common. I want her to also make American female friends of course, to improve her English (it's "very good" now, but not "great" or "excellent" I'd say.)

Are there any Japanese people in your area? Look on meetup or something. Can you introduce her to people through your work?

I saw a couple Japanese people at the local Hibachi Japanese restaurant the other night and I practiced some Japanese with them. Other than that I don't think there's a lot in my area (South Carolina.) I'm currently job-hunting, so I'll likely be moving this winter anyway. I suppose colleges may have some kinds of Japanese groups, but I'm 30 now and don't have quite as much in common with college students any more.

[lierre 224]

Hello, everyone! Anyone here looking to interview later on with the Naha consulate? Or have already done so?

I'm a Filipino citizen, with my American husband, here in Okinawa

[cookiesandcream 7]

CR/IR-1 People:

At the NVC stage, for your marriage certificate, did you submit the fancy caligraphic one (about 1500 yen)? I know you are supposed to submit an original, but technically in Japan there is no original marriage certificate as everything is kept in the family register. You can go to the town hall and get as many copies as you want. I already submitted one with out i-130 petition because it's really easy to get another one.

[gooder 0]

Hi everyone! I am an American and have been married to my wife for a bit over a year now. We currently getting the I-130 ready, but I have a few questions. I did a lot of research and checking already but still have some questions. If anyone can please help me, I would be so thankful. I have the following questions:

B-2 put the address of where I am living abroad right now

C-2 put the address of where my wife is living abroad right now

19 since my wife is living abroad right now, the same as Q. C-2

21 put the address of where I am living abroad right now

Since my wife and I live together and are both here in Japan, I would have to write my current Japanese address 4 different times, correct?

Also, I know we can visit America during the waiting period of this petition, but does that mean we can also visit any other country? Say, we want to go to Korea and back for a weekend (it's dirt cheap to go from here and very close)?

Lastly, Japanese banks don't offer joint accounts and my wife and I pay for everything separately rather than under joint names, what evidence of a bonifide marriage should I use in this case?

I would really appreciate the help. Please and thank you! ｍ（＿　＿）ｍ

[P A U L 14]

Since my wife and I live together and are both here in Japan, I would have to write my current Japanese address 4 different times, correct?

Yes.

Also, I know we can visit America during the waiting period of this petition, but does that mean we can also visit any other country?

You may travel anywhere.

Lastly, Japanese banks don't offer joint accounts and my wife and I pay for everything separately rather than under joint names, what evidence of a bonifide marriage should I use in this case?

Anything else. Lots of photographs of the two of you...tourist photos, candid photos, photos with friends and family. The list of evidence are merely suggestions, just provide all that you are able.

I would really appreciate the help. Please and thank you! ｍ（＿　＿）ｍ

ieie

[gooder 0]

Thanks much, Paul! As for going abroad while waiting for the petition, should I give notice to the USCIS or get permission of some sort before the trip?

Also, I intend to move from where I currently live by summer (within Japan). I called the USCIS and asked them how I could inform them about my change of address. The representative simply said I can call again to tell them. Have you or anyone else had this experience? It just sounds too easy to be true ∑(O_O；), although the long distance phone call is rather hefty on the price.

Thanks again!(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:・ﾟ✧

[Halcyon 1]

Thanks much, Paul! As for going abroad while waiting for the petition, should I give notice to the USCIS or get permission of some sort before the trip?

Also, I intend to move from where I currently live by summer (within Japan). I called the USCIS and asked them how I could inform them about my change of address. The representative simply said I can call again to tell them. Have you or anyone else had this experience? It just sounds too easy to be true ∑(O_O；), although the long distance phone call is rather hefty on the price.

Thanks again!(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:・ﾟ✧

You don't need permission to travel anywhere. If your wife comes to America though, be prepared to show them her return tickets or some form of other proof (rent bill, etc.) that she will not stay.

I have not moved during the process, but thislink should be all you need to change your address and avoid the expensive phone call. (Taken from other posts on VJ, recommended by many who have changed their address.)