All Japan Filers

[Moltar 0]

Thanks Justin.

And I hear you about Detroit. I fly from Detroit to Nagoya each time I go out there, and hell, they even give me a hard time when I come back, and I'm Caucasian. While I've waited in line before, I've overheard them grilling other visa holders. We'll be coming back together through Detroit... so we'll see how it goes. It shouldn't be too bad. Just gotta remember to make sure that we leave with the I-94...

I can't wait to go back though. It's quickly becoming a second home to me. I miss the Toto Washlet. I am SO having one of those installed in my next house!

[55_buckeyes 0]

Omedetou, Moltar!!! I am very happy for you guys.

I got my interview date and your post is very helpful for me since I also have an US citizen child.

My fiancé is also visiting us soon. Please enjoy your time in Japan!

All right, we got approved at the embassy! B)

She got there 40 minutes before her scheduled interview time. Loads of security. They made her leave her keitai and her passport at the entrance. She used an ATM thing near the entrance to pay for her application fee. They gave her a number, and told her to wait. Almost as soon as she sat down, they called her number and instructed her to go to window #1. There, a Japanese lady took all of her paperwork. After that, they took her finger prints. She said it didn't seem like they were taking anyone else's fingerprints, so we assume that they took them to verify her identity since she had a previous pending AoS case with her ex many years ago. Since her daughter is USC, they asked for her US passport, and then asked her to be seated until her interview.

An hour after her scheduled appointment, she was called up to window #10. There were 3 windows for interviews. There was a younger American man at the window that she was called to. He told her that he was impressed with how quickly our application went through (I'm assuming he meant petition), and checked her fingerprints. He then asked her the following questions:

• Is the name of the USC you intend to marry [Petitioner's Name]?
• What is your fiance's occupation?
• How did you and your fiance meet?
• Have you met your fiance's family?

He then took a copy of my divorce decree (good thing I sent her a copy, just in case, because for some reason he didn't have a copy from USCIS), my updated letter of intent to marry, then had her sign a document stating that she had completed the visa application process and that her visa has been approved. He said that we should get the visa in the mail within a week. The interview lasted 30 minutes.

Also wanted to mention, I sent copies of everything to my fiancee. My signed bank statements, my letter from my employer, my affidavit of support, and updated letter of intent to marry - all duplicates - and they were accepted by the embassy/interviewer. Though, I sent the originals just in case... even though they arrived at her house while she was on the shinkansen coming back home. (^-^; The interviewer gave her back the documents he didn't need and all pictures that I had sent to her for the interview.

Now we just wait for the visa to come in, pack my bags, and enjoy a nice 2 week vacation before bringing the girls home at the end of March. It's been quite a journey.

[Amastar 0]

Hi all,

My wife is coming to visit me from March 5th through the 11th. Shes taking the shinkansen from Kyoto to Tokyo and flying directly from Narita to the Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport so that I can be there in case of some issue at immigration. She will have a copy of our NOA1, her employment certificate, a letter from her boss (in English) stating that she has vacation leave and will return to work on the 13th, she will also have her employee ID badge and of course a return ticket. I am really hoping that none of this will be necessary but we don't want to take any chances. These things were on the recommendation from the Osaka - Kobe consulate, though they did warn that there was no guaranty and its pretty much up to the Immigration officer at the POE, which I already knew.

I know some people bring bank statements and lease/rental contracts but since she lives with her parents and all the documents would be in Japanese anyway we are hoping this will be sufficient. Of course I asked her not to volunteer any info to the immigration officer, but that she should have it if any questions arise. I am also hoping that if something does go wrong that she will be able to contact me either by her cell phone (US one) or by asking to have me paged or something.

How have visits during immigration proceedings worked out for others here who have Japanese spouses? Has anyone done this lately through the MSP POE? If so what was your or your spouses experience like?

We decided on MSP because we usually fly to Detroit from Osaka and then to MSP but the immigration officers at Detroit are real jerks. On my last visit to Japan (Dec 07 - Jan 08) I came back via Narita to MSP and the immigration officers seemed much nicer. That and, as I said before, I can be right there if there are issues.

Thanks,

Wow! This is really exciting. My wife wants to try to come visit me when I get back in Texas but we are really worried about the whole denied entry thing. Please keep me updated and let me know how everything goes at the POE.

My wife also lives with her parents and unfortunately quit her job recently because she is pregnant.

Thanks

[Moltar 0]

All right, we got approved at the embassy! B)

She got there 40 minutes before her scheduled interview time. Loads of security. They made her leave her keitai and her passport at the entrance. She used an ATM thing near the entrance to pay for her application fee. They gave her a number, and told her to wait. Almost as soon as she sat down, they called her number and instructed her to go to window #1. There, a Japanese lady took all of her paperwork. After that, they took her finger prints. She said it didn't seem like they were taking anyone else's fingerprints, so we assume that they took them to verify her identity since she had a previous pending AoS case with her ex many years ago. Since her daughter is USC, they asked for her US passport, and then asked her to be seated until her interview.

An hour after her scheduled appointment, she was called up to window #10. There were 3 windows for interviews. There was a younger American man at the window that she was called to. He told her that he was impressed with how quickly our application went through (I'm assuming he meant petition), and checked her fingerprints. He then asked her the following questions:

• Is the name of the USC you intend to marry [Petitioner's Name]?
• What is your fiance's occupation?
• How did you and your fiance meet?
• Have you met your fiance's family?

He then took a copy of my divorce decree (good thing I sent her a copy, just in case, because for some reason he didn't have a copy from USCIS), my updated letter of intent to marry, then had her sign a document stating that she had completed the visa application process and that her visa has been approved. He said that we should get the visa in the mail within a week. The interview lasted 30 minutes.

Also wanted to mention, I sent copies of everything to my fiancee. My signed bank statements, my letter from my employer, my affidavit of support, and updated letter of intent to marry - all duplicates - and they were accepted by the embassy/interviewer. Though, I sent the originals just in case... even though they arrived at her house while she was on the shinkansen coming back home. (^-^; The interviewer gave her back the documents he didn't need and all pictures that I had sent to her for the interview.

Now we just wait for the visa to come in, pack my bags, and enjoy a nice 2 week vacation before bringing the girls home at the end of March. It's been quite a journey.

Oops. There was some mis-communication about the interview that she and I want to clear up here, and it doesn't look like I can edit my post. So, I'll explain a little more here.

1. Fiancee was not made to leave her passport at security, because it is needed for the interview. At the interview, they then kept her passport so that they could attach the visa to it and then they would mail it back to her. They just kept her keitai until she left.

2. There was no "ATM machine" there. She paid the visa application fee at a cashier window.

3. Taking fingerprints was one of the important steps for every visa applicants. For my fiancee's case, she was made to do it again to verify her identity because she had a previous case back in the States. She says that if an applicant doesn't have a previous record, just one fingerprint produced should be expected.

4. Fiancee was not called to the window to interview with the younger guy, but a middle-aged American man.

5. The interviewer did not return the unnecessary documents and photos at the end of the interview, but the Japanese woman clerk in the office.

We are both sorry if we have confused anyone with the earlier post. Hopefully, this will help to give a more clear insight into the process in Tokyo.

[Justin and Masako 0]

Wow! This is really exciting. My wife wants to try to come visit me when I get back in Texas but we are really worried about the whole denied entry thing. Please keep me updated and let me know how everything goes at the POE.

My wife also lives with her parents and unfortunately quit her job recently because she is pregnant.

Thanks

I will make sure to post and let people know how it goes. You just have to keep in mind that every case is different and it probably also depends a lot on the immigration officer. I just wanted to know if anyone had done this through MSP before.

@Moltar,

I get selected for "random" special searches every time I go through Detroit. I know how you feel. Those guys are just a bunch of jerks. It also annoys me how the walk around with their hand on the butt of their guns like their just itching to shoot someone.

[Masha2008 0]

OH GOD. I envy you guys. I still do not have NOA2 and cannot even plan anything. I am insanely upset about this situation. I understand that some June filers got approved after 7-8 months, so I have to be patient. But, I want to marry my fiance in June, but it might not be possible. He called up and the lady told him that our case is not even assigned to an officer. Oh great. then where is our file ?????

[Waiting on wife 0]

My wife is in Tokyo. She only sees this un-imaginary line with no one in front of her and no idea how long she will be in it. I see from other posts that some people wait for a very short time and others maybe a bit longer. She is getting borderline depressed and maybe, well maybe not maybe, a bit angry with the delay. I finish grad school in May and that is our anniversary. I would really like her here, but do not have a warm comfy she will be. I thought of sending a letter directly to the embassy, but email requests were answered "please wait". The state dept only confirmed all documents complete. This leaves politicians. I'm not sure that will help. Looking for suggestions and experienced thoughts about the wait times. Thank you, sincerely.

[Waiting on wife 0]

My wife is in Tokyo. She only sees this un-imaginary line with no one in front of her and no idea how long she will be in it. I see from other posts that some people wait for a very short time and others maybe a bit longer. She is getting borderline depressed and maybe, well maybe not maybe, a bit angry with the delay. I finish grad school in May and that is our anniversary. I would really like her here, but do not have a warm comfy she will be. I thought of sending a letter directly to the embassy, but email requests were answered "please wait". The state dept only confirmed all documents complete. This leaves politicians. I'm not sure that will help. Looking for suggestions and experienced thoughts about the wait times. Thank you, sincerely.

This is really confusing. What is the purpose of the priority date? I see here couples who submitted their packages after we started and already have interviews. I also see couple who completed package three since our package three was confirmed back at the embassy. They have had interview appointments set and in some cases interviews. Yet we still do not seem to be making progress. I have called the NVC line and they can only say soon and confirm everything on track. I wonder what track that is. It is encouraging to see the progress people are making, but discouraging to think we are still waiting.

[Justin and Masako 0]

This is really confusing. What is the purpose of the priority date? I see here couples who submitted their packages after we started and already have interviews. I also see couple who completed package three since our package three was confirmed back at the embassy. They have had interview appointments set and in some cases interviews. Yet we still do not seem to be making progress. I have called the NVC line and they can only say soon and confirm everything on track. I wonder what track that is. It is encouraging to see the progress people are making, but discouraging to think we are still waiting.

Its time to write your senator. He/she might be able to find out more info through the use of a congressional inquiry. Also, I see you filed an I-129F (for K-3 I assume). From what I have read on the forums that could cause delays, but since you already left USCIS I don't think that would be an issue any longer. Since you can't get anything from the embassy I would strongly suggest writing your senator and get them to do an inquiry into your case. It would probably yield more information and may even give it a nudge in the right direction. Of course its up to you.

[Justin and Masako 0]

OH GOD. I envy you guys. I still do not have NOA2 and cannot even plan anything. I am insanely upset about this situation. I understand that some June filers got approved after 7-8 months, so I have to be patient. But, I want to marry my fiance in June, but it might not be possible. He called up and the lady told him that our case is not even assigned to an officer. Oh great. then where is our file ?????

I give you the same advice I gave "Waiting on wife", send a letter to your senator and have them do an inquiry to try to get answers. The more people who write the more the problems with the immigration system will be brought to light.

[Masha2008 0]

Well, We applied for K1. Not K3. That's why it makes me so mad. Usually K3 takes longer. Well, we have not married yet. I kept telling him to use a congressional inquary but my fiance kept saying wait another 30 days. What ??? So crazy. No way. Over 6 months and not 7 months is passed.

[Waiting on wife 0]

So after reading some of the posts, I was curious about this online appointment system in Tokyo. Hmmm... it says that I can not use this because I filed in the US. So I wonder, if my priority date is before someone elses, why are they getting an appointment? So I emailed them and asked status and put that question in the remarks. Turns out that on the 325, we only went back 10 years. Now they want her to account for what she did during the 7 years before that. I haven't received the request. She said she just got it this morning and has already returned it. Hope she was as thorough as they will expect. I would guess she just said i.e. student 1997-1999 and did not provide sufficient detail. okay, after the obvious frustration ranting, please tell me this, (rhetorical in nature) why does the embassy think they need to go through extra security checks after the USCIS and NVC have already said Approved? Seems to me if the embassy received an approved NOA, they should not be trying to second guess big brother and screwing everything else up. Well thanks for letting me ask silly questions. I wonder if the embassy ever reads these posts, it would be nice.

[Justin and Masako 0]

I contacted my Senator (Russ Feingold) back in November and he sent back a letter with a Congressional Inquiry form. Just about a week ago I sent it (the Congressional Inquiry Form) back to them with a letter describing our current progress in the immigration system and explaining about my wife's impending visit. They of course warned that she may be denied entry when she visits and proceded to tell me that they could do the inquiry but that since we are well within normal processing times that it probably wouldn't do much good. She (our caseworker at the Senator's office) also told me that they were only allowed to do an Inquiry for a case once every two months. That sounds a bit odd to me, I am not sure who's rule that is but I intend to find out. Anyway, coming to the point, she also mentioned that the only way that a petition could be expedited is if there was some dire need like medical reasons or something. Basically it needed to be an emergency or because of some extreme hardship. The first thing I thought of after I was off the phone with her was that, to me, my wife and I suffer emotional distress and/or hardship from being apart for so long. I was thinking of calling her back and asking if that was a valid reason to expedite my case. What do all of you think?

I am joking a bit, but still what are your thoughts? It is absolutely true that being separated from our loved ones for such a long time causes us, and them, emotional stress that we would not otherwise be experiencing (at least not for being apart). There are even couples here who have come close to loosing, or have lost, their marriage because of the emotional distress that one or both are suffering from being apart. If it were not for the length and, perhaps worse the not knowing how long, those couples may not have come close to the brink of loosing their marriage or having lost it.

This is kind of a vent as my wife and I are currently quite depressed about our current situation. Especially my wife. I try my best to keep my hopes up and search for any way to speed things along and of course I try to cheer her up, but its hard when you can't even give your loved one a hug and hold them close and tell them its all going to be alright. Frankly there have been times when I am scared about loosing her because of the immigration hassles and slowness. And as I said before, its the lack of any time line to look forward to. If it was some specific time line like 6 months or something then at least you could look forward to it and know you were getting closer. But when there is no time line, there is no date to look forward to, its difficult to keep your hopes up. When there is no end in sight, its like you start loosing your hope. You never see any progress, all you see is a never ending journey where you will be separated from the one you love. You want to run to the end of that road but it just keeps going and going, no end in sight, just a never ending road that goes around and around like a mobius strip.

Sorry. I hope this doesn't depress anyone. I would hate to add to the stress I know you all must be feeling for the same reasons I am. Just needed to vent.

I hope we can get some more good news on this thread soon. And I certainly wouldn't mind if it was from me.

[Justin and Masako 0]

Wow, I must have depressed the hell out of everyone. lol

My wife comes in just a couple days now. Wish us luck at the PoE!

[dbzman 0]

I contacted my Senator (Russ Feingold) back in November and he sent back a letter with a Congressional Inquiry form. Just about a week ago I sent it (the Congressional Inquiry Form) back to them with a letter describing our current progress in the immigration system and explaining about my wife's impending visit. They of course warned that she may be denied entry when she visits and proceded to tell me that they could do the inquiry but that since we are well within normal processing times that it probably wouldn't do much good. She (our caseworker at the Senator's office) also told me that they were only allowed to do an Inquiry for a case once every two months. That sounds a bit odd to me, I am not sure who's rule that is but I intend to find out. Anyway, coming to the point, she also mentioned that the only way that a petition could be expedited is if there was some dire need like medical reasons or something. Basically it needed to be an emergency or because of some extreme hardship. The first thing I thought of after I was off the phone with her was that, to me, my wife and I suffer emotional distress and/or hardship from being apart for so long. I was thinking of calling her back and asking if that was a valid reason to expedite my case. What do all of you think?

I am joking a bit, but still what are your thoughts? It is absolutely true that being separated from our loved ones for such a long time causes us, and them, emotional stress that we would not otherwise be experiencing (at least not for being apart). There are even couples here who have come close to loosing, or have lost, their marriage because of the emotional distress that one or both are suffering from being apart. If it were not for the length and, perhaps worse the not knowing how long, those couples may not have come close to the brink of loosing their marriage or having lost it.

This is kind of a vent as my wife and I are currently quite depressed about our current situation. Especially my wife. I try my best to keep my hopes up and search for any way to speed things along and of course I try to cheer her up, but its hard when you can't even give your loved one a hug and hold them close and tell them its all going to be alright. Frankly there have been times when I am scared about loosing her because of the immigration hassles and slowness. And as I said before, its the lack of any time line to look forward to. If it was some specific time line like 6 months or something then at least you could look forward to it and know you were getting closer. But when there is no time line, there is no date to look forward to, its difficult to keep your hopes up. When there is no end in sight, its like you start loosing your hope. You never see any progress, all you see is a never ending journey where you will be separated from the one you love. You want to run to the end of that road but it just keeps going and going, no end in sight, just a never ending road that goes around and around like a mobius strip.

Sorry. I hope this doesn't depress anyone. I would hate to add to the stress I know you all must be feeling for the same reasons I am. Just needed to vent.

I hope we can get some more good news on this thread soon. And I certainly wouldn't mind if it was from me.

'Justin and Masako' ,

I just read you post. I have been hard at work on my wife’s immigration so I have not been on line in a while. Don’t worry about the Immigration trip. I started the paperwork for my wife an I in June and she has her interview on March 31st.

It has been a long journey but much shorter than some other peoples.

My wife is worth the wait. Immigration seems to take longer than it use to but it is still less than a year for most.

My wife came to visit me in America for three months (June - August) and she had no trouble at the port of entry. I hope that your wife will arrive with no trouble.

Good Luck!