Do both of us have to go to the embassy to file?

[timmymba 0]

I will be going to Tokyo to file my petition for an IR1 visa for my Japanese wife in a couple of weeks. On the embassy website it states: "The petitioner is required at the petitioning. We strongly recommend that the beneficiary also be present for the appointment to submit the I-130 filing document. Given the space limitations, no family members other than beneficiaries will be admitted." Since I live quite a long distance from Tokyo I have decided to make the trip by myself. I was just wondering how "strong" the "strongly recommended" is for my wife to make the trip with me. Has anybody else gone alone? Is there any reason I should fear delays due to the absence of my wife? Should we just incur the added expense to make sure there are no problems?

Any advice on this question would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Tim

[Chica Yeyé 41]

I think his varies from consulate to consulate. As far as i remember, it was required for both of us to actually show up at the Calgary Consulate for filing I-130. Not sure about Tokyo though!

Good luck and welcome to VJ!!!

L.

[timmymba 0]

Thanks for the encouragement! I may just have my wife go with me. It'll be expensive but she'll be able to get her medical check while we're in Tokyo.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Thanks for the encouragement! I may just have my wife go with me. It'll be expensive but she'll be able to get her medical check while we're in Tokyo.

Check with the consulate first on whether you both have to be there - and also don't rush on that medical - that comes later in the process. Again, the consulate is the best source of information.

L.

[payxibka 10,047]

The only person required to be there is the petiitoner. I suppose it could very by consulate but I have my doubts.

[GGT 0]

generally both should go while dcf. but still depends on the consulate..whether tokyo has got waiver.

[timmymba 0]

I'm going to call the embassy (actually it's a call center for the embassy: very unhelpful from what I've heard) to see if my wife should also go to the petitioning and if it is possible to get the medical check before the I-130 is approved (apparently this is possible in Japan). I'll let you know what information that they give me over the phone.

Cheers,

Tim

[timmymba 0]

The language on the Tokyo embassy web site has recently changed: "The petitioner is required at the petitioning. Both the petitioner and beneficiary should be present to submit the I-130 petition." That pretty much answers my original question. Less than a week until the I-130 petition. Keeping my fingers crossed.

[moonhunt 1]

I'm going to call the embassy (actually it's a call center for the embassy: very unhelpful from what I've heard) to see if my wife should also go to the petitioning and if it is possible to get the medical check before the I-130 is approved (apparently this is possible in Japan). I'll let you know what information that they give me over the phone.

Cheers,

Tim

If I remember correctly in my case, hospital asks for the case number to complete the medical exam process.

You may want to confirm with US Embassy in Tokyo before doing that.