US citizen trying to visit Japan to bring back spouse

[kcharlow555 0]

Hi, I am a US citizen living in the US, and my wife is a Japanese citizen, currently residing in Japan. Her immigration interview was approved in February, and her visa expires in a couple months. I planned on visiting Japan this month (May) to bring her back to the states along with our 1 year old daughter (who is a US citizen by CRBA). I had to cancel because US travel to Japan is banned at the moment. With the current travel restrictions in place from the US to Japan due to Covid 19, are there any exceptions/exemptions for those travelling to Japan for the purposes of reuniting with family (not tourism) and bringing them back to the US? I need to be there to help my wife in bringing back our daughter, luggage, stroller etc. Thank you. 

Edited May 12, 2020 by kcharlow555

[Just Paul 4,595]

14 minutes ago, kcharlow555 said:

With the current travel restrictions in place from the US to Japan due to Covid 19, are there any exceptions/exemptions for those travelling to Japan for the purposes of reuniting with family (not tourism) and bringing them back to the US?

It doesn't appear to be any options at this time other than her traveling alone.

[JFH 12,190]

She will need to travel here without you. She can come with minimal luggage. I know it’s hard with a small child but she can ask for help from airline employees. She only has to get the luggage as far as the check-in desk anyway. After that she just has herself, the child and her carry-on to get to the gate. Once she’s here, she will be an LPR and can leave again as soon as travel is back to normal to retrieve her remaining belongings. You could also travel with her. 
 

It’s not ideal but nothing is ideal right now. Many other wives have managed it with a small child. My mother flew to her home country after my father left for the first time with two suitcases and 3 children under 5. She lived to tell the tale. 

[JFH 12,190]

*~*~*moved to “COVID-19” as the issues discussed are due to the current international travel restrictions*~*~*

[Cilllah 482]

You sadly can't. I will be making the trip with our daughter, four suitcases, two carry ons and whatever else and I will survive. I was meant to have my fiance come fly and help me but not during this pandemic. Even if I could he is high risk so it isn't worth it. Everything I can't carry I will get shipped out.

[nativeson 47]

At the moment Japan is not even allowing foreigners with valid JP spouse visas or permanent residency to enter the country. No exemptions whatsoever.

[DaveAndAnastasia 2,093]

Although it's probably expensive, she could probably ship some things to you that aren't urgent (though it may be cheaper and easier to just buy new; I've got personal experience that Amazon is still delivering baby supplies in a timely fashion ...).